Year : 2020
Style : Hard Rock , Blues Rock
Country : Scotland
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 184 mb
Bio:
King King are on a roll. Faced with their army of fans and armfuls of awards, it’s hard to believe that Alan Nimmo (vocals/guitar), Lindsay Coulson (bass), Wayne Proctor (drums) and Bob Fridzema (keys) have come so far, so fast. As Henry Yates of Classic Rock Blues notes, “King King are the hottest draw in British blues-rock”. Yet there’s no smoke and mirrors behind their five-year rise: just killer songs, performed with true passion, by a fist-tight lineup.Right now, the Glasgow band stand on the brink of their busiest period to date. Fresh from the studio, there’s the hotly anticipated third album, due Spring 2015. On the road, there’s the 34-date UK tour with John Mayall in October 2014, followed by a run of British headline dates next Spring, with plans afoot for wider touring in France, Germany, Scandinavia, and beyond.In short, there’s no time for group backslaps, even as King King approach the end of a truly vintage year. As a measure of the band’s status, consider their five victories at the 2014 British Blues Awards, not least ‘Best Band’ (for a third consecutive year) and ‘Best Album’ for 2013’s ‘Standing In The Shadows’. Add to that, the inclusion of Shadows in both the Classic Rock Blues Mag’s Top 50 Albums of 2013, and Paul Jones’ BBC Radio 2 end-of-year countdown (the only British album in the running), and it’s raining statuettes.Media plaudits are always welcome, but perhaps the most tangible evidence that King King are doing something right are the audiences who roared them to the rafters throughout 2014. While their records were spinning on stereos across the world, King King’s tourbus wheels were doing the same, as the band took the international language of blues-rock to fans in France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Germany (not to mention a set at the Crossroads Festival, filmed for the legendary music TV show Rockpalast). Nice planet. They’ll take it…It’s quite a coup, in an era when we’re told that honest, dues-paying rock ‘n’ roll is on the ropes. But then, ever since their live debut shook the Monaghan Blues Festival back in 2010, it was obvious there was something special about King King. Of course, Alan was already a familiar face on the international blues circuit – having made his name with The Nimmo Brothers – while Lindsay, Wayne and original keys man Bennett Holland were all first-choice musicians with pedigree and past-form.Yet critically, whereas many talented lineups become a tug-of-war between egos, King King soon hit on a winning dynamic, with Alan and Lindsay co-writing the original material and proving their studio alchemy with 2011’s debut album, ‘Take My Hand’. Dubbed “tremendous… terrific” by Maverick Magazine, crowned Blues Album of the Month in Classic Rock, and ultimately scoring the band’s first British Blues Award for ‘Best Album’, it was one hell of an opening gambit – only topped by the release of Standing In The Shadows in March 2013.While lesser bands complain of ‘difficult second album syndrome’, this was a follow-up that bottled King King’s jaw-breaking live power, while underlining Alan and Lindsay’s evolving writing partnership on tracks from the tough ‘More Than I Can Take’ to the tender ‘A Long History Of Love’. The Classic Rock Blues Mag deemed it “a sure-fire hit”, and they were proved right, with demand for King King pulling the new lineup – now bolstered by Bob’s astonishing prowess on keys and organ – from Eastern Europe to Canada, for house-rocking sets that included the Ottawa and Mont Tremblant Blues Fests and a live appearance on Canadian breakfast TV show Canada AM.With King King, the soundbites and statistics only tell half the story. For conclusive proof of this band’s brilliance, you need only play the music. In 2015, Alan, Lindsay, Wayne and Bob will be pulling the trigger on a stunning new studio album, and launching into a continent-hopping tour schedule that means there’s never been a better time to experience their magic from the front row. King King are moving fast. Catch them if you can…
Album:
With a new line up and their own independent record label, the British blues rock band King King have surpassed themselves with what is undoubtedly the best album of 2020.Whilst 2017’s Exile & Grace was critically acclaimed, this ten track offering simply called Maverick is brilliant. With Jonny Dyke on organ and piano, Zander Greenshields on bass, and Andrew Scott on drums, founding member, front man and lead singer Alan Nimmo has surrounded himself with highly talented musicians. And with the addition of his elder brother, Stevie on guitar and vocals, he has blown any concerns about changing line ups firmly out of the water.Opening with Never Give In this is King King at their very best. With Nimmo’s vocals reminiscent of Paul Rogers this track showcases Nimmo’s fabulous guitar playing as well as Dyke’s beautiful Hammond organ which is present throughout the album. This is melodic blues rock of the highest order and is bound to be a sure fire live fans favourite.Up next is Fire In My Soul, a quality song that is a real departure from their previous heavy blues based tracks from their earlier albums. This fast paced rocker has a catchy verse and chorus that will stay in your head all day.Whatever It Takes To Survive is a real highlight as it slows the tempo right down. It is heavier on the blues side and shows Nimmo’s wonderful tone and soulful voice. With gentle dual guitar riffs taking centre stage the whole track is brought together with the Hammond organ enhancing the powerful chorus.The first single from the album, I Will Not Fall is arguably the best track on it. With Scott keeping the tempo going throughout and Greenshields thumping bass line with Dyke’s outstanding organ contribution, this track has sing along lyrics which will no doubt be belted out by an enthusiastic crowd when this song is given a live airing. With its awesome harmonious vocals, it is no surprise that this track was given extensive radio airplay.By Your Side is simply an absolutely beautiful track. Entering into ballad territory it opens with just a piano accompanying Nimmo’s on point soulful vocals before the guitars kick in to deliver this very special slow burner.One World opens the second half of the album and takes over the tempo stakes again. Taking a different direction with its slight funky swagger, this is another track that has great keyboard work and a superb vocal melody. The upbeat feel continues with the opening of Everything Will Be Alright, which has radio hit written all over it. Nimmo’s, Dyke’s and Liam McCluskey’s production of this song is huge and the quality of it is undoubted.Nimmo’s voice takes the spotlight on the slower When My Winter Comes. A simple piano accompaniment enhances the beautiful lyrics and with another killer chorus the layers of harmonies are fabulous. Dance Together is pacey with its upbeat tempo. This real toe tapper sees Scott moving the song along nicely with his drumming and with funky keys from Dyke this track has a real Whitesnake vibe.End Of The Line with its American blues feel nods to an early Paul Rogers and the talented Joe Bonamassa with its intricate riffs. With its great soulful vocals there is no better way to bring this album to a close; it is another cracker.Maverick is an album that you have to play again to see if you have missed something on its first listening. Every track stands on its own and there is truly not one single filler. It is so hard to pick a favourite track because you listen to one, decide that’s it and then the next one comes in and you have to have a re-think.With this little gem, King King have produced the album of the year. It leaves your mouth open from beginning to end in awe with its top notch song writing, brilliant vocals and excellent production mix.
Line-Up:
Alan Nimmo (vocals / guitar)
Stevie Nimmo (guitar)
Jonny Dyke (organ / piano)
Zander Greenshields (bass)
Andrew Scott (drums)
Tracklist:
01. Never Give In 3:32
02. Fire in My Soul 4:31
03. Whatever It Takes to Survive 4:51
04. I Will Not Fall 5:12
05. By Your Side 4:12
06. One World 3:42
07. Everything Will Be Alright 3:18
08. When My Winter Comes 4:27
09. Dance Together 3:56
10. End of the Line 4:57
11. Never Give In (Live at Berkeley Studios) 3:43
12. Lose Control (Live at Berkeley Studios) 4:33
13. Rush Hour (Live at Berkeley Studios) 7:14
14. Coming Home (Live at Berkeley Studios) 5:56
15. I Will Not Fall (Live at Berkeley Studios) 5:08
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