Joe Topping - The Vagrant Kings (2015)

Joe Topping and his band, The Vagrant Kings are a brand new group that bring a highly original and exciting new sound to the Blues, Americana and Folk scene. With sophisticated song writing, intricate bottleneck slide guitar, Hammond organ, pedal steel and percussion, all combining to create a unique and fresh musical soundscape. The Vagrant Kings is named after the band of stella musicians Joe assembled to record this album. It was recorded in Steve Parry's home studio using Steve's wonderful collection of vintage mics. Joe Topping is a singer-songwriter who has been described as a "cross between Ry Cooder, Woody Guthrie and Paul Brady". From the traditional music heard in the Folk clubs he grew up around, to the Americana and Blues influences from his adventures in the USA, which have included driving around America for the best part of a year and later walking 1400 miles with a guitar on his back from Chicago to New Orleans! Joe has developed his own unique bottleneck guitar style and has a voice that can move from velvet soft to steely and powerful. Joe has played on stage and in the studio with many legends of the British folk scene including members of Fairport Convention, While and Matthews, Andy Irvine and most recently as stand in lead vocalist in the BBC2 award winning "Best Live Act" Home Service whilst John Tams recovered from surgery. Joe also currently plays in the bands Elbow Jane and The Rainbow Chasers with Ashley Hutchings. This is his second solo album for Fellside.