Papa King Cole release long awaited CD “Gutted to the Studs”

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Papa King Cole has been a familiar face on Lethbridge’s music scene for many years. He rarely plays live and records even rarely so his new CD is a special treat, not only because it features music he has been working on for a long time, but also features some of Lethbridge’s hottest young talent backing him.Papa King Cole playing with Darryl Düus and Evan Uschenko. Photo by Richard Amery. photo by Richard Amery
 “Gutted to the Studs” features the lead guitar of Scott Mezei sprinkled throughout. He plays with several local bands including Adequate, and is a familiar face to fans of New West Theatre.


 The Cd also features long time band members,  guitarist Darryl Düus and Evan Uschenko , who have moved away to Lethbridge so it is nice to hear them both on a recording. Steve Keenan, who has played with Zojo Black and Paul Kype and Texas Flood lends a solo to “Beale Street Boogie,” one of my favourite Papa King Songs.


But front and centre is Papa King’s big, gravelly Tom Waits/ Dr. John timbre voice and a plethora of different acoustic guitars, (which are lovingly listed  on each song they are featured on)  picking beautiful delta style blues music. The CD is expertly and crisply recorded. So you hear every single note as clearly as if King was playing in your own kitchen.


 the CD mostly features King’s original music including several inspired by his day job as a long haul trucker like “Fiver Hundred Horses” as well as long time crowd favourites including “Beale Street Boogie.”
 He also puts his own stamp on blues classics like Big Joe Williams’ “Please Don’t Go” plus  WC Handy’s “Hesitation Blues” ( which features Paul Kype and Texas Flood]s Earle McAuley on j keyboards and Suite 33 bassist Doug Freeman) and  “Saint James Infirmary.”


It is tough to choose a highlight off the CD as all of the songs are so well done.

“Sugar Bee” is a catchy shuffle while pretty much everyone  will be able to identify with the sentiment of “ Early Mornin’ Blues.”
“Box of Tools” also stands out with it’s smooth, slinky Pink Panther  groove.
 The groove is strong in “Shaken” as well which will get your toes a tapping.


 Also very cool is a live jam caught between King, Uschenko and Düus called “Right on Time.”
 He ends on the  traditional blues  shuffle of “ Hesitation Blues.”
The CD  is very folksy and personal. Like a lot of modern folk and blues CD, King provides liner notes lovingly listing the performers and anecdotes about what inspired the songs and the stories behind some of them. As he doesn’t have them on sale online, you’ll have to get a copy for your very own by going to one of his  shows, such as Jan. 9 at Plum.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
CD: Gutted to the Studs Blues and Boogie Reno
Artist: Papa King Cole
 Genre: blues
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