Arthur Louis
Encyclopedia
Arthur Louis is of British nationality. His surname is pronounced as luːɪs (Lewis) in British and American English and he is known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. In his late teens he attended Michigan State University
where he joined and toured extensivly withTerminal Stations . Louis is a leading exponent of rock
, blues and reggae crossover
music. He released an album in 1974, titled Knocking on Heaven's Door, and was responsible for introducing the work of musician Mike Oldfield
to Virgin Records
. Louis has released three solo albums and now lives and plays with his band in London.
's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door
" (1974) and "I Shall Be Released
" (1998), have confirmed him as a notable interpreter of Dylan's songs and other work has established Louis as a leading reggae, blues and rock crossover artist. His use of blues-rock
with a contemporary musical direction and approach to songs is sometimes compared with Taj Mahal
.The cover notes about the remastered version of his album, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in 1991, made reference to his influence on Eric Clapton
's musical direction at that time. Peter Brown's review of the album Black Cat (2009), stated that Louis is: "the personification of easy electric blues, he brings new energy and expression to the form.".
and Germany
. He recorded his debut album Knockin' on Heaven's Door in 1974, which featured Eric Clapton
and Gene Chandler
. The title song, a reggae blues crossover version of Bob Dylan
's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door
" was released as a single in July 1975, a week before Eric Clapton released his own interpretation of Louis's arrangement, of the same song. Louis's release received attention but was over shadowed by Clapton's, which featured Louis's "Someone Like You" as the B-side. Louis's album Knocking on Heaven's Door eventually climbed to #5 in International charts.
In 1991 the German record label Discovery Sounds licensed and remaster
ed his debut album. and the subsequent release revived interest in his music. Later renewed interest from Japan
prompted the release of his second album Back From Palookaville (1998) and his version of "I shall be Released", further established him as a notable interpreter of Bob Dylan
's songs.
By 2006 Louis was making concert appearances in Europe once more, which re-established him in countries such as Italy and Spain
He appeared on BBC Radio 2
's Paul Jones
Show in December 2008. In 2009 he released his third album Black Cat, a retrospective album which included new songs such as the title track "Black Cat" and "If Ever I need You", co-written with Scott English
. In the same year he played with his band at the London
launch of Martin Scorsese
Presents The Blues. On August 23 the same year he appeared in London again with Bobby Tench
, Jim Cregan
and Roger Chapman
.
" first appeared on Louis's album "Knocking on Heaven's Door" (1974)
also appears on
also appears on
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
where he joined and toured extensivly withTerminal Stations . Louis is a leading exponent of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, blues and reggae crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
music. He released an album in 1974, titled Knocking on Heaven's Door, and was responsible for introducing the work of musician Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
to Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. Louis has released three solo albums and now lives and plays with his band in London.
Musical style and influence
Louis's reggae influenced interpretations of songs such as Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Story line and song structure:...
" (1974) and "I Shall Be Released
I Shall Be Released
"I Shall Be Released" is a 1967 song written by Bob Dylan.The Band played it on their debut album, Music from Big Pink , with Richard Manuel singing lead vocals, and Rick Danko and Levon Helm harmonizing in the chorus...
" (1998), have confirmed him as a notable interpreter of Dylan's songs and other work has established Louis as a leading reggae, blues and rock crossover artist. His use of blues-rock
Blues-rock
Blues rock is a hybrid musical genre combining bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended boogie jams with rock and roll styles. The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, piano, bass guitar and drum kit, with the electric guitar usually amplified through a...
with a contemporary musical direction and approach to songs is sometimes compared with Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
.The cover notes about the remastered version of his album, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in 1991, made reference to his influence on Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
's musical direction at that time. Peter Brown's review of the album Black Cat (2009), stated that Louis is: "the personification of easy electric blues, he brings new energy and expression to the form.".
Career
Louis was originally a member of Terminal Stations, with whom he toured BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He recorded his debut album Knockin' on Heaven's Door in 1974, which featured Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and Gene Chandler
Gene Chandler
Gene Chandler also known as "The Duke of Earl" or simply "The Duke", is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, producer and record executive. He is one of the leading exponents of the 1960s Chicago soul scene...
. The title song, a reggae blues crossover version of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Story line and song structure:...
" was released as a single in July 1975, a week before Eric Clapton released his own interpretation of Louis's arrangement, of the same song. Louis's release received attention but was over shadowed by Clapton's, which featured Louis's "Someone Like You" as the B-side. Louis's album Knocking on Heaven's Door eventually climbed to #5 in International charts.
In 1991 the German record label Discovery Sounds licensed and remaster
Audio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
ed his debut album. and the subsequent release revived interest in his music. Later renewed interest from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
prompted the release of his second album Back From Palookaville (1998) and his version of "I shall be Released", further established him as a notable interpreter of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's songs.
By 2006 Louis was making concert appearances in Europe once more, which re-established him in countries such as Italy and Spain
He appeared on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
's Paul Jones
Paul Jones (singer)
Paul Jones is an English singer, actor, harmonica player, and radio personality and television presenter.-Career:As P. P...
Show in December 2008. In 2009 he released his third album Black Cat, a retrospective album which included new songs such as the title track "Black Cat" and "If Ever I need You", co-written with Scott English
Scott English
Scott English is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as the composer of "Brandy", which became a number-one hit for Barry Manilow in 1974 under the revised title of "Mandy"...
. In the same year he played with his band at the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
launch of Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
Presents The Blues. On August 23 the same year he appeared in London again with Bobby Tench
Bobby Tench
Robert Tench , also known as Bob Tench, Bobby Tench and Bobby Gass is a British vocalist and guitarist. Originally a bass player he began singing with Gass influenced by artists such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles...
, Jim Cregan
Jim Cregan
Jim Cregan, born James Cregan, 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset, England is an English rock guitarist and bassist who best known for his associations with Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Rod Stewart. Cregan is a former husband of the singer Linda Lewis and worked with her as a record producer...
and Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman , also known as Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Chappo, is an English rock vocalist. He is best known as a member of the Progressive rock band Family, which he joined along with Charlie Whitney, in 1967 and also the rock, R&B band Streetwalkers formed in 1974...
.
Albums
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton and Gene Chandler. Plum 001 (1974)
- Back From Palookaville, Arthur Louis. Crown 4053 (1998)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis with Eric Clapton. Pandisc 8949 (1999)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door/Back From Palookaville, Arthur Louis (double CD). Black Cat BLACKCAT001 (2008)
- Black Cat, Arthur Louis. Black Cat BLACKCATCD 002 (2009)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door Arthur Louis with Eric Clapton. Solid CDSOL 1399 Japan (2011)
Singles
- "I just called to say I love you" (as Arthur Louie). Fresh Air 515 80 (1974).
- "Knocking On Heaven's Door"/"The Dealer" Arthur Louis. IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
WIP 6448 UK (1975) - "Knocking On Heaven's Door"/"Plum" Arthur Louis. Plum PR001 UK(1975)
- "Still, It Feels Good"/"Come On And Love Me. Arthur Louis. Mainstreet 12 SPMS 104 (1981) 12" EP
- "Knocking On Heaven's Door (Hot Perrers Return Mix)"/"Knocking On Heaven's Door (TNT Explosive Mix)" Arthur Louis. ARTHUR001 Promo (2000) EP
Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Arthur Louis arrangement)
Arthur Louis's arrangement of the Bob Dylan song "Knockin' on Heaven's DoorKnockin' on Heaven's Door
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Story line and song structure:...
" first appeared on Louis's album "Knocking on Heaven's Door" (1974)
also appears on
- "Knocking On Heaven's Door" singleSingle (music)In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, Arthur Louis. IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
WIP 6448 UK (1975) - "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" single, Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). RSORSO RecordsRSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
2090 166 (1975) - This Is Reggae Music Vol2 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. Mango 9327 (1975)
- This Is Reggae Music Vol2 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. IslandIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
ILPS 9327 US (1975) - Spécial Club Eté 78 Vol1 various artists, Arthur Louis version. PhilipsPhilips RecordsPhilips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
6830 773 France (1978) - "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). Track 15 CD No3 Crossroads, Eric Clapton (4 CD set). PolydorPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
835 261 (1988) - This Is Reggae Music Vol5 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. Mango CCD9851 (1990)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis. Pandisc 8949 (1999)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
- "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). Track 15 CD No3 Crossroads, Eric Clapton (4 CD set). Polydor 530 2 809 (2007)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis and Eric Clapton. Solid CDSOL 1399 Japan (2011)
Someone like You (Arthur Louis song)
This song originally appeared on the album Knocking on Heaven's Door (1974) by Arthur Louis and appeared as one of six tracks featuring Eric Clapton.also appears on
- B-side of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" single (Eric Clapton version/arr A.Louis) RSORSO RecordsRSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
2090 166 (1975) - Track 16 CD No3 Crossroads (Eric Clapton 4 CD set) Polydor 835 261 (1988)
- Knocking on Heaven's Door Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
- Track 16 CD No3 Crossroads (Eric Clapton 4 CD set). Polydor 530 2 809 (2007)