updated Jan 2006 ~ new CD out
The Slim-Line Papas is a three piece band playing a wide range of R & B -based music including blues, swing, rockabilly and bluegrass. Formed in April 2003 (the band's first gig taking place at the Turks Head in Lincoln in May 2003), the band comprises Pete O'Brien on double bass and vocals, Egly Lucas on guitar and vocals and Mark Barrett on drums.
All three members are very seasoned musicians who have worked extensively in this area of music in the past: Pete is known to many as the former frontman of rockabilly bands The Hicksville Bombers and The Sinners; Egly was a founder member of The Walter Harpman Band and was with the band for its entire history; Mark Barrett played with The Walter Harpman Band for two years and then went on to join The Hoax, and more recently, The Nimmo Brothers.
With this kind of experience behind them and an elecrifying chemistry between them, the band play with an ease and confidence which belies their short time together. They have a massive creative energy on stage and are able to move around the songs in a way that makes every performance unique. The audience is drawn in to this process resulting in a hugely entertaining show.
They recorded their debut CD at Laurie Bennett's Spanish Studio at Legsby in Autumn 2003.
The new Slim Line Papas CD, entitled 'As Good As Dead' will be ready early Jan 2004 and will be on sale at gigs, price £10. Otherwise send a cheque or postal order for £11 payable to A.J.Lucas to 6 Macaulay Drive, Lincoln LN2 4DY and we'll post you one. The track listing is:
1. Bloodshot Eyes (Wynonie Harris) 3.30
2. You Don't Love Me (Ellas McDaniel) 4.28
3. Flip Flop and Fly (Big Joe Turner) 3.50
4. Spoonful (Willie Dixon) 6.00
5. Goodnight Irene (Trad. Arr. Slim Line Papas) 2.35
6. Sadie (Hound Dog Taylor) 5.54
7. Is You Is? (Louis Jordan/Bill Austin) 3.04
8. Ain't Your Business (Dr. Ross) 2.24
9. My Babe (Walter Jacobs) 3.23
In August 2004 the band made their debut at the Great British Rhythm'n'Blues Festival, appearing at the Lord Rodney in the afternoon, where they took the place by storm! The same evening they headlined on the Acoustic Stage in the Municipal Hall. Feedback we received from both gigs indicated that the band made a huge impression on the blues loving audiences at the festival, and it surely won't be long before the Papas are touring further afield than Lincolnshire over the coming months!
The band released their second CD in Oct 2005. It's entitled 'Roots to the Fruit' and features eleven tracks. Come and see them live and snap one up or email them for a posted copy. The CD will also be available at some of the Lincoln record shops - HMV, Sonic Sounds and Planet of Sound.
The band are booked to appear at both Burnley and Colne Blues Festivals in 2006, and possibly at the Beauvais Festival in France.
For more info visit the Slim Line Papas website