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"Scintillating 40's and 50's West Coast Rhythm & Blues from the masters..." Formed in '85 by Ricky Cool, Mike Sanchez, Ian Jennings and Andy Silvester. Originally called Ricky Cool & The Big Town Playboys. However, the "Capital M" gig guide of April '88 refers to Ricky Cool and: "...the band he formed and has now left: The Big Town Playboys". Early album featured Andy Silvester (until then known as a bassist, first and foremost with Chicken Shack) on excellent swinging lead guitar. |
| Keepin' track of the Playmates | |
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Lineup on "Now Appearing" album in '90: Mike Sanchez: piano, guitar, vocals Andy Silvester: guitar Alan Nichols: tenor + baritone saxophone Ian Jennings: double bass Clive Deamer: drums Dave Baynton-Power: congas on track No.2 |
The Big Town Playboys lineup as back up on Jeff Beck's
1993 album: "Crazy Legs" (cover pictured above) :
Mike Sanchez: vocals Adrian Utley: guitar Nick Lunt and Leo Green: saxes Ian Jennings: bass Clive Deamer: drums |
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Lineup on "Hip Joint" '95: Mike Sanchez: vocals, piano, guitar Steve Walwyn: guitars, backing vocals, percussion (during a pause from Dr Feelgood) Frank Mead: tenor saxophone, harp Nick Lunt: baritone saxophone Ian Jennings: double bass, backing vocals Mark Morgan: drums, percussion, backing vocals Antonio Coni: guitar (on track no. 1) |
"Off The Clock" '97 lineup: Mike Sanchez: vocals, keyboards, guitar Andy Fairweather Low: guitar and vocals Frank Mead: tenor sax, harmonica (member of Mickey Jupp's band in '75) Nick Lunt: baritone sax Ian Jennings: bass Mark Morgan:drums |
| On Swedish tour in Febr. '98 lineup included the multitalented Andy Fairweather Low who joined the band in '97. Originally discovered as being a very gifted vocalist, once upon a time with the hitmakers and heartbreakers
Amen Corner. And then appearing as a very competent guitarist
at Eric Clapton's side on several occasions: the ARMS Benefit Concerts
some years ago, "From The Cradle" album and TV special... |
During Andy Fairweather Low's Spring '98 absence (due to his album & touring work with long time friend Eric Clapton) he has been amply replaced by Trevor Burton (original member of The Move, bassist with Steve Gibbons Band etc.). Lineup: Mike Sanchez: vocals, piano, guitar Trevor Burton: lead guitar Frank Mead: tenor sax, harmonica Ian Jennings: double bass Mark Morgan: drums |
| At the Bishopstock Festival, June '98, the band featured guitarist Darrel Highams from the rockabilly band The Enforcers. This lineup played as support for Jeff Beck in July and August '98. | The '98 "Six Pack" CD features Sonny West on guitar and Nick Payn on baritone sax replacing the gents noted above. |
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On a Monday evening, March 22 '99, Christer caught the BTP at the less than crowded Pustervik Bar of Göteborg, Sweden: Mike Sanchez: vocals, keyboards, guitar Andy Silvester: once again on lead guitar Frank Mead: tenor sax, harmonica Lee Badau: baritone sax (replacing Nick Lunt) Ian Jennings: bass Mark Morgan: drums |
"A measly audience of about twenty were treated to a powerful performance - powerful except for a strangely subdued Andy Silvester. Apart from delivering a couple of lengthy reverby solos on his sunburst & mapleneck Strat + Magnatone amp combination he kept an exceedingly low profile. Frank Mead, on the other hand, exploded repeatedly into magnificient sax solos - and blistering harp on Slim Harpo's "Shake Your Hips". From my notebook: "When It Rains It Really Pours", Tommy Ridgeley's "Jammer" (instrumental), "Sick and Tired", "Every Day of the Week" (with Mike Sanchez donning a black Strat). Great gig - great Sanchez vocals (of course!) - but where was the audience?" Christer |
| April 20 1999: Frank Mead leaves BTP for solo jazz work, gigs with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings etc. Will probably be replaced with original member Alan Nichols. | January 2000: Blueprint reports that Mike Sanchez has left BTP for a solo career - after 15 years. A solo CD is already issued: "I Just Can't Afford It" (Red Lick Records). |
| May 24 2000: An interesting mail from blues vocalist & guitarist Big Joe Louis: Catch the debut performance of the new lineup of the BIG TOWN PLAYBOYS! They'll be playing live in Century Square, Bradford (on May 29) as part of the BBC's "National Music Day". Showtime is scheduled for 19:15. Since the departure of singer/pianist Mike Sanchez in December, the Playboys have been intensively rehearsing and recording with the new lineup featuring new members Big Joe Louis (vocals), West Weston (piano/harmonica) and Dave Wilson (guitar). |
Line up from May 29 2000: Big Joe Louis: vocals, guitar Dave Wilson: lead guitar Wes Weston: piano, harmonica Lee Badau: baritone sax Alan Nicholls: tenor sax Ian Jennings: double bass Mark Morgan: drums Late 2001: 
Paul Ansell (vocals, piano, guitar), leader of country & blues & rockabilly outfit Number 9, succeeds Big Joe Louis
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| Albums: a) "Playing Boogie" b) "Now Appearing" BLUE HORIZON CDBLUH010 (1990) (cover left) c) "Hip Joint" BLUE HORIZON CDBLUH 017 (1995) (cover right) d) "Off The Clock - Live" EAGLE RECORDS EDGCD007 / 2CD (1997) e) "Six Pack" BTP 005 (6 track mini CD) (1998) f) "Western World" (2000) feat. Big Joe Louis lineup | 
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