The Booze Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Booze Brothers, featuring Mark Knopfler & Dave Edmunds, is the second album released by Brewers Droop, an English blues
band. Although most of the tracks were recorded back in 1973 the album was only released in 1989 when it was discovered that the album had involved the renowned producer
/rocker
Dave Edmunds
and the line-up had included Pick Withers
and Mark Knopfler
, later of Dire Straits
. Ron Watts, the founder of the band, became much better known later in the '70s as a punk rock
promoter at venues such as 100 Club
. Steve Darrington continued as a professional musician, appearing on over 50 albums, and is the organizer of the Swanage Blues Festival.
Soon after this recording the band had all gone their own way and, despite the optimistic note of the album notes, there will never be a resurrection of this lineup. It is an interesting footnote in the career of the participants and, for better or worse, an indication of their potential.
1, 3, 6, Produced by Kingsley Ward and Alimony Slim
2, 9, 10, Produced by Dave Edmunds
4, 5, 8, Produced by Kingsley Ward
7, Produced by Dave Edmunds and Kingsley Ward
An album was released which reflected the live stage act and enjoyed some commercial success, but circa 1973 times changed and new men arrived in the band.
At an audition in the Nags Head, High Wycombe, Mark Knopfler auditioned with a red guitar, a flat hat, and joined the band.
Around this time the Droop were in the middle of recording tracks in an unknown location in the U.K. These tracks were done with Mark and a new bass player—Steve Norchi, with production help from Dave Edmunds. Some of these tracks are featured on this album.
Brewers Droop began as a Cajun band and progressed to what is recorded on the disc.
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
band. Although most of the tracks were recorded back in 1973 the album was only released in 1989 when it was discovered that the album had involved the renowned producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
/rocker
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
and the line-up had included Pick Withers
Pick Withers
David "Pick" Withers was the original drummer for the rock band Dire Straits and played on their first four albums, which included hit singles such as "Sultans of Swing," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Private Investigations."...
and Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
, later of Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
. Ron Watts, the founder of the band, became much better known later in the '70s as a punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
promoter at venues such as 100 Club
100 Club
The 100 Club is a music venue in London situated at 100 Oxford Street, W1, originally called The Feldman Swing Club.The 100 Club attained legendary status in modern British music, having played host to live music since 24 October 1942....
. Steve Darrington continued as a professional musician, appearing on over 50 albums, and is the organizer of the Swanage Blues Festival.
Soon after this recording the band had all gone their own way and, despite the optimistic note of the album notes, there will never be a resurrection of this lineup. It is an interesting footnote in the career of the participants and, for better or worse, an indication of their potential.
Track listing
- Where Are You Tonight
- Roller Coaster
- You Make Me Feel So Good
- My Old Lady
- Sugar Baby
- Rock Steady Woman
- Louise
- What's The Time
- Midnight Special
- Dreaming
Musicians
- Alimony Slim - Vocals, Guitar
- Steve Darrington - Accordion, Organ, Saxophone, Mellotron, Clarinet, Piano, Background Vocals.
- Derik Timms - Bass, Lead Guitar,Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Backup Vocals.
- Gerry Hogan - Pedal Steel
- Bobby O'Walker - Drums
- Pick WithersPick WithersDavid "Pick" Withers was the original drummer for the rock band Dire Straits and played on their first four albums, which included hit singles such as "Sultans of Swing," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Private Investigations."...
- Drums, Spoons - Ron Watts - Vocals
- Mark KnopflerMark KnopflerMark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
- Guitar - Steve Norchi - Bass
- Dave EdmundsDave EdmundsDavid 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
- Harp, Banjo, Double Bass,Fender Pedal Steel,Jaws Harp Background Vocals
Recording
Recorded in and around Wales, circa 19731, 3, 6, Produced by Kingsley Ward and Alimony Slim
2, 9, 10, Produced by Dave Edmunds
4, 5, 8, Produced by Kingsley Ward
7, Produced by Dave Edmunds and Kingsley Ward
Liner notes
The Droop began in the late sixties with Big Ron and various other players being dragged out of the pub in High Wycombe area and forced to play. In 1971 the situation became serious and they became one of the hardest gigging bands in the country and unable to spend much time in the pub.An album was released which reflected the live stage act and enjoyed some commercial success, but circa 1973 times changed and new men arrived in the band.
At an audition in the Nags Head, High Wycombe, Mark Knopfler auditioned with a red guitar, a flat hat, and joined the band.
Around this time the Droop were in the middle of recording tracks in an unknown location in the U.K. These tracks were done with Mark and a new bass player—Steve Norchi, with production help from Dave Edmunds. Some of these tracks are featured on this album.
Brewers Droop began as a Cajun band and progressed to what is recorded on the disc.