Big Boy Bloater and the Limits

Big Boy Bloater and the Limits

Big Boy Bloater and the Limits is an English roots and blues group led by Big Boy Bloater. The act develops from Bloater’s work on the blues and rhythm and blues scene and presents a sound built from swamp soul, dark blues and twang. It appears in a project launched in 2011 and is associated with a new album released that year, which includes guest appearances by Imelda May, Snowboy, Dean Beresford of the Richard Hawley Band and Al Gare of the Imelda May Band.

Background and style

Bloater builds a profile around writing, singing, performing and guitar playing, and the project draws on his roots in rhythm and blues. The Limits is described as a fresh extension of that material, with new songs from his own songbook. The act is based in England.

Performances and broadcasting

Big Boy Bloater tours across Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Canada, and also appears at major festivals worldwide. He has extensive broadcast experience, including sessions for Jools Holland, three sessions for Mark Lamarr’s Radio 2 programme God’s Jukebox, and two sessions for the Paul Jones R&B show. He also spends a week as the house band on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast and makes many other TV and radio appearances in Britain and abroad.

Collaborations

As a guitarist, Bloater plays with modern artists including Paloma Faith and Imelda May, and he remains in demand as a session player. He also performs with visiting 1950s blues, R&B and rock and roll artists, including Lloyd Price, Wanda Jackson, Rosco Gordon, Big Jay McNeely, Lazy Lester, Frankie Ford, Barrence Whitfield, Eddy Clearwater and Sonny Burgess, among many others listed in connection with his work.

Recognition and recordings

Bloater appears in chapters on R&B guitar icons in Billboard Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Music, Rock & Pop – the Complete Story and Blues – the Complete Story. In 2008, Mark Lamarr personally produces the vinyl 7-inch single Whammy! backed with Double Whammy!!, which becomes a collector’s item and is given away in a BBC Radio 2 competition. Bloater also records with Sir Paul McCartney at Abbey Road and sits on a judging panel with Paul Gambaccini, Shakin’ Stevens, Zoot Money and the performer playing Buddy Holly in a West End show.