Well they may not quite be the mafia or be related to Tony Soprano but Alabama 3’s song ‘Woke up this morning’ is undoubtedly one of the coolest songs ever to feature on the airwaves.
And if you would like to hear these sultans of cool strut their stuff in Kilkenny you should head to Kyteler’s Inn on Friday, January 2.
Founded in Brixton, London in 1989, the group achieved international fame when the producers of the hit TV series The Sopranos chose its track ‘Woke up this morning’ for the show’s opening credits. Alabama 3’s inspiration for the song was in response to the story of a woman who shot dead her abusive husband after 20 years of bullying.
The popularity of the theme tune to the iconic drama series may have hindered many from noticing the unique talents of the British pop, punk, rock blues and country techno band. The band is particularly notable for its fusion of styles, lyrics full of ironic intent, its deliberately humorous personas, and its outrageous live performances.
Every member of the group has an alias by which they are known, the band's founding members adopting the personas Larry Love (Rob Spragg ) and The Very Reverend Dr D Wayne Love (Jake Black ).
Starting their act under the alias the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine (UK ), it eventually switched names to Alabama 3 and, after having been dismissed by the mainstream media as a novelty act, the group signed with One Little Indian Records in 1997 for the release of its debut album, ‘Exile on Coldharbour Lane.’
In August 2007, the group toured under the name of Alabama 3: Acoustic and Unplugged, with Harpo Strangelove and Devlin Love to promote its latest album ‘M.O.R.,’released in September 2007.
The album includes a cover of Jerry Reed's 1970’s hit ‘Amos Moses’ and features The Proclaimers on the track ‘Sweet Joy’ plus piano parts on the country version of the Gil Scott Heron song The Clan by Brian Jackson.
So if you are a fan of the eccentric band and their unique sound head over to Kyteler’s Inn on Kieran Street for a superb show.
