Karl Denver

[chris hillman]

Just doing a little bit of research into Karl Denver. Does anybody know anything about him in the years up untill he passed away? I found his last album and theres some great Steel playing on there. Not sure if it was someone on this forum or maybe the whole thing was recorded in the states Any info welcome on this or him in general !

Thanks
Chris

[chris hillman]

Heres a clip i found. some pretty quick Steel and Guitar playing in there

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

All I know of Him is that He came from Springburn in Glasgow and His name was (Angus) Gus McKenzie.
His first big hit was Whimoweh which really showed His vocal range.
A guitar playing mate of mine played several cabaret spots with Him in the eighties and said He could down all.or most of a bottle of whiskey before appearing on stage.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Saw the Karl Denver Trio at Newcastle Empire in about 1962(?). We went to see any act with guitars in it!

[Ken Byng]

I played on the same bill as Mr Denver in 1978. It was in a lowly dock workers club in Southampton. He had a very unusual vocal delivery. As Billy attested to, he could drink like a fish. He was only a little guy, but he could put the scotch away like no-one I've ever seen. He drank a full bottle of scotch in the dressing room before he went on using a half pint glass, and had a go at another bottle after his set. Kevin Neill, his long time guitar player, seemed a bit hacked off to me at the amount that Karl was putting away. Our band started and finished the evening, and I remember that Karl Denver took an interest in my pedal steel, and said that he had spent a good period of time in the USA. He went down well, but I certainly wouldn't call his act sophisticated in any way. I never thought that he would go on to live for 20 more years when he drank at that rate. He was a one off for sure.

[Uncle Roy]

Chris, what was the name of the album you referring to?
That might help in finding the steelie said name or any one who had ever played steel for him.

[bobhcot]

I don't know about steel players, but I do have somewhere a single of Karl Denver, entitled Voices of the Highlands, that was popularised by BBC Radio Solent's Sunday request broadcasts of a few years ago. It's full of bagpipes, military drum rhythms, even jangling guitars. I believe this was subsequently covered by another British Country act for the line dance market. Karl certainly had a terrific vocal range.

[chris hillman]

Wow thanks guys. Yeah i got the feeling he was a big drinker. apparently he was the first English fellow to play the Opry. Seemed like he didnt really do anything after Beat music turned up.

The album is called 'Just Loving You' or 'Movin' on' after his death as a re-release. I dont think its as good as the early stuff but just interesting that there is a lot of steel on it but, no info

heres a link to the itunes album: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/movin-on/id400962183

[bobhcot]

Chris - Karl was not English surely? Glasgow used to be in Scotland. At least it was before the recent gales.

Glad to have been of use for a change.

Bob

Last edited by bobhcot on Tue Dec 08, 2015 5:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[chris hillman]

haha i should slow down to think when i'm writing these things !!