Danny and the Champions of the World
Danny and the Champions of the World | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | Folk Rock, Rock, Soul, Alt country |
Years active | 2007-present |
Labels | Loose |
Associated acts |
Grand Drive Danny George Wilson The Dreaming Spires Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou Rosalie Deighton The Magic Numbers Ralfe Band Neal Casal Orphan Colours |
Website | http://www.dannyandthechamps.com |
Members |
Danny George Wilson (Vocals & Guitar) Chris Clarke (Bass) Steve Brookes (Drums) 'Free Jazz' Geoff (Saxophone/Keyboards) Paul Lush (Guitar) Henry Senior Jnr (Pedal steel) |
Past members |
Rosalie Deighton Robin Bennett Joe Bennett Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou Garo Nahoulaklan |
Danny & The Champions of the World is a Folk Rock, Rock, Soul band that was formed in London during the summer of 2007 by Danny George Wilson. The band's name is an allusion to Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl.
Background (Formation)
The band was formed following the dissolution of Grand Drive in which Danny performed with his brother Julian Wilson.
They recorded originally as an impromptu demo session at a farm within the grounds of the Truck Festival.
The demo and overall success of the recorded sound prompted Danny to form Danny & the Champions of the World and record their first self-titled album on Loose in 2008.
Critics and fans noted a distinct departure from the music of Grand Drive; instead making references to a more Alt Country sound.
Music
Danny & The Champions of the World recorded their second album "Streets of Our Time" in 2010. The band released the album on Loose. Danny & The Champions of the World recorded the album whilst on tour with The Magic Numbers and Drive-By Truckers. Streets of Our Time was met with much critical acclaim and marked an end to Wilson’s folk infused leanings.
In February 2011 Danny George Wilson signed a worldwide publishing/ production deal with Southern Crossroads Music and went into the studio to record Hearts & Arrows. The album was produced by Tony Poole and Danny Wilson, and mixed by Ted Hutt at his King Size Studios based in Los Angeles, California, United States. The album was released on SO Records in July 2011, together with a single You Don't Know (My Heart Is In The Right Place)
Danny George Wilson recorded ‘Tougher Than The Rest’ for a Limited Edition Bruce Springsteen tribute 7" EP for Record Store Day 2011, alongside fellow contributors The Magic Numbers, Willie Nile and Billy Franks.
Danny & The Champions of the World released their fourth studio album 'Stay True’ on Loose Music in September 2013 to critical acclaim. It was recorded early in 2013 over five days at North London’s Reservoir Studios. Core band up Chris Clarke, Paul Lush, Steve Brookes and Geoff Widdowson were joined in the studio by fellow 'Champs' Rosalie Deighton, Melvin Duffy, Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou and Dreaming Spires Robin & Joe Bennett. Their fourth takes a more soul infused country roots and improvised direction. "the musicians all stood around the microphones in the same room - booze flowing, smoke filling the air, it was like a polka night but with banjos! Generally it felt like we were making something special, I just booked the studio and the guys heard the songs for the first time on the studio floor."
On February 3, 2016 Danny and the Champions of the World dominated the inaugural UK Americana Awards taking home the gongs for UK Artist of the year, UK Album of the year for What Kind of Love and UK Song of the year for Clear Water.
Discography
Albums
- Danny and the Champions of the World (2008) Loose
- Streets Of Our Time (2010) Loose
- Hearts & Arrows (2011) SO Records
- Stay True (2013) Loose
- Live Champs! (2014) Loose
- What Kind Of Love (2015) Loose
Singles
- "Restless Feet" (2010) Loose