Original Sloth Band - Whoopee After Midnight (Korean Remastered) (1973/2011)

Formed over 50 years ago, in the hot, sleepy delta land of southern North York, brothers Chris and Ken Whiteley and their friend Tom Evans started what was originally a jug band called Tubby Fats Original All Star Downtown Syncopated Big Rock Jug Band.

By 1973 they were known as the Original Sloth Band and at the forefront of independent recording, releasing their first album, “Whoopee After Midnight”. It was an incredibly eclectic mix of styles ranging through jug band to swing, fiddle tunes to doo wop, obscure songs from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, bluegrass and more. In 1975 the “Sloths” were back in the studio recording “Hustlin’ and Bustlin’”, adding string bass and drums and focusing more on early blues, jazz and jug band music. The early 1970’s also marked their emergence in the burgeoning folk festival scene. They went on to prominence at festivals across Canada and in the United States.

Their third album was recorded and mixed by Daniel Lanois and featured contributions from the legendary Chicago blues pianist Blind John Davis. Titled for the year of it’s recording and release, “1978” demonstrated their growing musical sophistication while retaining their funky, old time roots. Also in 1978, they recorded with Leon Redbone on his album “Champagne Charlie” touring with him and appearing together on the famed television show “Saturday Night Live”.

The following year Ken Whiteley recorded a gospel album, “Up Above My Head” which enlisted the support of his fellow Sloth Band members and also added the vocal harmonies of a trio of women calling themselves the Honolulu Heartbreakers. For the next two years they began doing shows as an 8 piece ensemble!

After 1981, Chris and Ken both began pursuing other musical ventures. However they would still get the Original Sloth Band together for special engagements. The band gave it’s last performance at Hugh’s Room just a year and a half before Tom Evans’ untimely death in 2009.