Release Date: 03 November 2014
Label: The Last Music Company
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 805520030212
Genres: Rock Rock 'N' Roll
Description
Two CD definitive collection of tracks from The Balham Alligators, legendary London 80's/90's live circuit band that mixed Rock 'n' Roll, Cajun, Country and Rhythm 'n' Blues. Tracks are collated from the albums, 'The Balham Alligators,' Live At The Half Moon,' 'Life In The Bus Lane' and 'Gateway To The South.' With the exception of tracks from 'Gateway To The South,' this is the first time ever that these recordings have been made available on CD.
In the days before personal computers and the Internet, music was live-led, and anyone who went on to become anyone would have started out by playing live and building up a following. On the London pub circuit, Balham Alligators, were top of the Premier League.
The original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard. The Alligators played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including Rock 'n' Roll', Blues, R&B, Celtic Folk, Swamp-Pop, Country, Swing, Cajun & Zydeco.
The pressure of constant touring began to take its toll with the continued ill-health and eventual death of Kieran O'Connor, the departure of Kitchener and Ron Kavana, and despite the recruitment of Pete Dennis to replace Kitchener convinced the remaining members it was time to call it a day.
The following years were spent pursuing individual projects with Watkins and Rickard working with Charlie Hart as, Rickard, Watkins & Hart, with Watkins eventually leading his own outfit, The Wobblers, in 1992. Robin McKidd formed The Companions of The Rosy Hours a western-swing band. Despite the four years since the original band's demise, McKidd was still receiving offers of work for the Alligators, persuading Watkins and Rickard to try out a few gigs with The Wobblers as a backing band, it became apparent that the Alligators were still a viable concern. Bolstered with morale and momentum they recruited session musician, Bobby Irwin on drums and ex-Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers' bass guitarist Paul Riley and by the latter half of 1995 they recorded Gateway To The South (1996) and followed by Cajun Dance Party (1997).
Tracklisting
Andy Fairweather Low
Major Surgery
Chris Barber
Andy Fairweather Low
Bill Kirchen
DAN PENN
Dan Penn
Chris Barber
