Danny and the Champions of the World
Encyclopedia
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
.
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 Music
in 2008.
Critics and fans noted a distinct departure from the music of Grand Drive; instead making references to a more Alt Country sound.
and The 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
, USA. 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, alongside fellow contributors The Magic Numbers
, Willie Nile
and Billy Franks.
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
, 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...
, Soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
band that was formed in 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...
during the summer of 2007 by Danny George Wilson. The band's name is an allusion to Danny, the Champion of the World
Danny, the Champion of the World
Danny, the Champion of the World is a 1975 children's book by Roald Dahl. The plot main centers on a young English boy, Danny, and his father, William, who live in a Gypsy vardo fixing cars for a living and partake in poaching pheasants. The story is based on Dahl's adult short story "Champion of...
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
.
Background (Formation)
The band was formed following the dissolution of Grand DriveGrand Drive
Grand Drive is a group led by brothers Danny and Julian Wilson. Born in Australia, they were brought up in South London but their music is distinctly tinged by American music....
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
Truck Festival
Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family , who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon...
.
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 Music
Loose Music
Loose Music is a British independent record label based in Acton, London, specialising in in Americana and Alt. Country.-Artists:Since 1998, Loose has released music by the following artists: Giant Sand, M Ward, The Arlenes, Inara George, Neko Case, Blanche, Willard Grant Conspiracy, The Handsome...
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 Records. Danny & The Champions of the World recorded the album whilst on tour with The Magic NumbersThe Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
and The 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
Ted Hutt
Ted Hutt is a British music producer, musician, and song writer residing in Los Angeles, CA. He was the original guitar player and one of the founding members for Flogging Molly...
at his King Size Studios based in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA. 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
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
tribute 7” EP for Record Store Day, alongside fellow contributors The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
, Willie Nile
Willie Nile
Willie Nile is an American singer-songwriter. In 1980 Nile released his self-titled debut album which according to one critic remains “one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”...
and Billy Franks.