2015 Meetings
RPM Record Club Meetings 2015.
Tuesday 6th January.
Theme for the night: The First Band I Saw. Bring along a song by the first band you saw, (or remember seeing, or want to admit to seeing), preferably from the time you saw them.
1. Strong Arm Of The Law by Saxon........................................................................brought by Tim
2. Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd...................................................................brought by Jackie
3. Apache by The Shadows........................................................................................brought by Tom
4. Water With The Wine by Joan Armatrading...................................................brought by Jayne
5. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying by Ray Charles.................................brought by Philip
6. Crazy by 999..........................................................................................................brought by Morra
7. Get A Buzz by The Pretty Things.......................................................................brought by Dave
8. Stoned by The Rolling Stones............................................................................brought by Norman
9. Twist and Shout by The Beatles........................................................................brought by Jean
10. New Slang by The Shins......................................................................................brought by Andrew
11. Moon Light (Shake My Head And Leave) by City Boy........................................brought by Sal
12. 'Til The Following Night by Screaming Lord Sutch......................................brought by Allan
13. Poor Man's Son by The Rockin' Berries...........................................................brought by John
Mystery Album: Home and Away by Clive Gregson and Christine Collister chosen by Jayne
Guest Biscuit: Mini Kit Kats
Tuesday 3rd February.
Theme for the night: Swan Songs (dedicated to John + Sounds Music). Farewells, last great performances or a song that just says "thanks and goodnight".
1. The Green Manalishi by Fleetwood Mac.......................................................chosen by Alan
2. When The Levee Breaks performed by John Campbell.............................chosen by Dave
3. The End by The Doors........................................................................................chosen by John
4. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket..........................................................chosen by Andrew
5. Wham Bam Thank You Mam by The Small Faces..........................................chosen by Norman
6. The Last Waltz by The Band..............................................................................chosen by Jayne
7. Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley..............................................................................chosen by Tom
8. I'm Gonna Murder My Baby by Pat Hare........................................................chosen by Piers
9. To The End by Blur................................................................................................chosen by Sal
10. Riders On The Storm by The Doors..................................................................chosen by Tim
Mystery Album: 'Sno Angel Like You by Howe Gelb selected by Dave
Guest Biscuit: Double Chocolate Digestives
Tuesday 3rd March.
Theme for the night: Breakin' The Rules. Is it the song's subject or did it break boundaries such as genre or technical?
1. Tamacun by Rodrigo Y Gabriela..........................................................................Tim's choice
2. Perfectly Good Guitar by John Hiatt....................................................................Dave's choice
3. One For The Road by Ronnie Lane.......................................................................Piers's choice
4. Not Fade Away by The Rolling Stones.......................................................Norman's choice
5. Copperhead Road by Steve Earle........................................................................Tom's choice
6. Time Flies By by Half Man Half Biscuit....................................................................Jayne's choice
7. Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde by Georgie Fame.......................................................Jean's choice
8. Restless Natives by Big Country.................................................................................Nina's choice
9. MacDougal Street Blues by Jack Kerouac...............................................................John's choice
10. Deep In The Blues by Les Paul...................................................................................Alan's choice
11. Anarchy In The UK by Sex Pistols.........................................................................Andrew's choice
12. Strikes by Brandy Clark.............................................................................................Philip's choice
13. Hendrix Medley (Hey Joe/Purple Haze) performed by Soft Cell..........................Sal's choice
Mystery Album: Acoustic Classics by Richard Thompson selected by Piers
Guest Biscuit: Broken Biscuit Selection
Tuesday 7th April.
Theme for the night: Greatest Album Openers. Let's hear your favourite track 1.
1. Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen..........................................................................Tim's choice
2. Sergeant Pepper's Lonley Hearts Club Band by The Beatles......................Jonothan's choice
3. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys......................................................................Jackie's choice
4. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana........................................................................Andrew's choice
5. Dust My Broom by Elmore James..............................................................................Piers's choice
6. If You All Get To Heaven by Terence Trent D'Arby...........................................Norman's choice
7. The Width Of A Circle by David Bowie......................................................................Morra's choice
8. Carry On by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.............................................................John's choice
9. Barbados by Jazz Jamaica..............................................................................................Jayne's choice
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel..........................................Jean's choice
11. You Can Keep Your Hat On by The Jess Roden Band............................................Dave's choice
12. One Hundred Years by The Cure...................................................................................Sal's choice
Mystery Album: The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses selected by Andrew.
Guest Biscuit: Bourbon Creams
Tuesday 5th May.
Theme for the night: Party Political. Bored of the election? What would you choose for your new party's theme song?.
1. The Revolution Starts Now by Steve Earle......................................................................Tim's choice
2. Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone.............................................................Philip's choice
3. You Can Get It If You Really Want by Desmond Decker......................................Norman's choice
4. Shake Some Action by The Flamin' Groovies ...............................................................John's choice
5. Get It Right Next Time by Gerry Rafferty.......................................................................Jean's choice
6. World Turned Upside Down performed by Dick Gaughan .......................................Pier's choice
7. Independence Day by Comsat Angels............................................................................Alan's choice
8. Vote For Me by The Uncommonmenfrommars...........................................................Nina's choice
9. The End Of Violence by Ry Cooder.................................................................................Jayne's choice
10. We Don't Need Nobody Else by Whipping Boy..............................................................Sal's choice
11. Dead End Street by The Kinks.........................................................................................Tom's choice
12. Liar by Rollins Band..........................................................................................................Dave's choice
13. Are You In by Incubus.................................................................................................Andrew's choice
14. Dancing At Whitsun performed by Tim Hart And Maddy Prior...........................Jackie's choice
Mystery Album: Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes selected by Norman.
Guest Biscuit: Homemade Citrus Crunch
Tuesday 2nd June.
Theme for the night: RPM on Holiday: Come On In...The Water's Fine! A song with a watery subject. Tonight's meeting on board the Albatros at Wells-next-the-sea quay. No Mystery Album this month...........everyone has two themed choices.
SIDE ONE.
1. Sploosh! by The Ozric Tentacles........................................................................................Tim's choice
2. This Is The Sea by The Waterboys..................................................................................Jackie's choice
3. Rapids by The Icicle Works..................................................................................................Sal's choice
4. Wade In The Water by Ramsey Lewis.......................................................................Norman's choice
5. Whaling Song by Tom Thompson....................................................................................Tom's choice
6. Toiler On The Sea by The Stranglers...............................................................................John's choice
7. The Dive by Show Of Hands.............................................................................................Jayne's choice
8. Song To The Siren by Tim Buckley....................................................................................Alan's choice
9. Waves by Sam Baker..........................................................................................................Dave's choice
10. Sailboat Malarkey by Frederick McQueen......................................................................Pier's choice
11. Malibu Beach by Hanoi Rocks........................................................................................Morra's choice
12. Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Reading....................................................Andrew's choice
SIDE TWO.
1.Down By The water by PJ Harvey.......................................................................................Alan's choice
2. Captain Of Your Ship by Reparata and the Delrons.............................................Norman's choice
3. Happy And Delightful (Trad) sung by Sam Larner....................................................Morra's choice
4. Dance Band On The Titanic by Harry Chapin................................................................Tom's choice
5. Three Drunken Maidens (Trad) sung by Maddy Prior with Tim Hart....................Jackie's choice
6. Falling In Love With Glaciers by Listener.......................................................................Dave's choice
7. Leave Her, Johnny (Trad) sung by Lou Reed.................................................................Pier's choice
8. Dolphins Were Monkeys by Ian Brown.....................................................................Andrew's choice
9. Clyde Water (Trad) sung by Nic Jones...............................................................................Tim's choice
10. Sail On By by Oysterband..................................................................................................John's choice
11. Hawaii Five-O by The Ventures........................................................................................Jayne's choice
12. Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen.........................................................................Sal's choice
Tuesday 7th July.
Theme for the night: Local Heroes. A song by a band from where you were born, grew up or have lived. Did they make it big or remain happy in obscurity?
1. Seven Light Years by Underground Zero........................................................................Tim's choice
2. Stolen Car by Beth Orton.............................................................................................Andrew's choice
3. Walking The Dog performed by Lucas............................................................................John's choice
4. In The Country by The Farmers Boys.................................................................................Sal's choice
5. Nature's Radio by Mickey Jupp..........................................................................................Pier's choice
6. Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin.......................................................................Jackie's choice
7. Self Adhesive Massacre by X-rated Vision.....................................................................Dave's choice
8. Do The Strand by Roxy Music.........................................................................................Philip's choice
9. Ghost Town by The Specials............................................................................................Jayne's choice
10. Song 2 by Blur.............................................................................................................Jonothan's choice
11. Alchemy by Revolve............................................................................................................Alan's choice
Mystery Album: Treasure by The Cocteau Twins selected by Sal.
Guest Biscuit: Homemade 3rd Birthday Coconut and Cranberry Cake.
Tuesday 4th August.
Theme for the night: The Song Of The Book. A song inspired by literature.
1. The Patriot Game performed by Liam Clancy.........................................................Morra's choice
2. Forever Autumn by The Moody Blues.....................................................................Richard's choice
3. Hallelujah by Leonatd Cohen.........................................................................................Mary's choice
4. Eveline by Nickel Creek....................................................................................................Jayne's choice
5. Rivers Of Babylon by The Melodeons...........................................................................Philip's choice
6. Orpheus by David Sylvian.....................................................................................................Sal's choice
7. The True Story of Amelia Earhart by Plainsong...........................................................John's choice
8. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin........................................................................................Andrew's choice
9. Tobacco Road by the Nashville Teens............................................................................Pier's choice
10. The Snow Queen by Elton John.......................................................................................Jean's choice
11. Sleepy Hollow by Last Word.............................................................................................Alan's choice
12. Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis...........................................................................Norman's choice
13. A Day In Verona by Tom Baxter.....................................................................................Dave's choice
14. Silent Noon performed by Bryn Terfel.................................................................Jonothan's choice
15. Fahrenheit 451 by Hawkwind...........................................................................................Tim's choice
Mystery Album: Time And A Word by Yes selected by Alan
In 1967, bassist Chris Squire joined the rock band Mabel Greer's Toyshop, with singer and guitarist Clive Bayley, drummer Bob Hagger and guitarist Peter Banks. They played at The Marquee Club in Soho, London where Jack Barrie, owner of the nearby La Chasse club saw them perform. "There was nothing outstanding about them", he recalled, "the musicianship was very good but it was obvious they weren't going anywhere". Barrie introduced Squire to singer Jon Anderson, a worker at the bar in La Chasse. They found they shared interests in Simon & Garfunkel and harmony singing. That evening at Squire's house they wrote "Sweetness" which was included on the first Yes album.
Meanwhile, Banks left Mabel Greer's Toyshop to join Neat Change, but was dismissed by this group on 7 April 1968. In June 1968, Hagger was replaced in the nascent Yes by Bill Bruford, who had placed an advertisement in Melody Maker, and Banks was recalled by Squire, replacing Bayley as guitarist. Finally the classically trained organist and pianist Tony Kaye, of Johnny Taylor's Star Combo and The Federals, became the keyboardist and the fifth member. The newborn band rehearsed in the basement of the Lucky Horseshoe cafe on Shaftesbury Avenue between 10 June and 9 July 1968.
Anderson suggested that they call the new band Life while Squire suggested it be called World. After renaming themselves as Yes! at Bank's suggestion, the first gig under the new brand followed at a youth camp in East Mersea, Essex on 4 August 1968. Early sets were formed of cover songs from artists such as The Beatles, The 5th Dimension and Traffic. On 16th September 1968, Yes performed at Blaise's club in London as a substitute for Sly & The Family Stone who failed to turn up. They were well received by the audience, including the host Roy Flynn who became the band's manager that night. That month, Bruford decided to quit performing to study at Leeds University. His replacement, Tony O'Reilly of the Koobas, struggled to perform with the rest of the group on stage. After being refused a year's sabbatical leave, Anderson and Squire convinced Bruford to return for Yes' supporting slot for Cream's farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 November.
After seeing an early King Crimson gig in 1969, Yes realised that there was suddenly stiff competition on the London gigging circuit, and they needed to be much more technically proficient, starting regular rehearsals. They subsequently signed a deal with Atlantic Records and released their self titled debut album that August.
Their second album Time And A Word, featured accompaniment by a 20 piece youth orchestra. Banks who was dissatisfied with the idea of recording with an orchestra and with the sacking of Flynn earlier in the year, left the group in May, two months prior to the album's release. Banks later claimed he was fired by Anderson and Squire, and that Kaye and Bruford had no prior knowledge that it would be happening. Similar to the first album, Time And A Word features original songs and two new covers; "Everydays" by Buffalo Springfield and "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed by Richie Havens. The Album broke into the UK charts peaking at number 45. Banks'replacement was Tomorrow and ex-Syn guitarist Steve Howe and in August 1971 Kaye performed his final show at the Crystal Palace Bowl. The decision was made after friction arising between Howe and Kaye on tour and Kaye's reported reluctance to play the Mellotron and the Minimoog synthesiser. His place was quickly taken by keyboard wunderkind Rick Wakeman, sowing the seeds for the following decade's excessive worldwide tours featuring banks of keyboards, Persian carpets and 40 foot long articulated lorries.
Guest Biscuit: Fruit Shorties
Tuesday 1st September.
Theme for the night: What A Debut! A song from a great 1st album.
1. Govinda by Kula Shaker from K..........................................................................................Tim's choice
2. Wasteland by The Mission from God's Own Medicine..............................................Jackie's choice
3. Footprints by Tilly Dalglish from Painted Faces EP..............................................Jonothan's choice
4. The Littlest Birds by The Be Good Tanyas from Blue Horse.....................................Jayne's choice
5. Poker Face by Lady Gaga from The Fame.......................................................................Jean's choice
6. Neighborhood#2 by Arcade Fire from Funeral................................................................Sal's choice
7. November Baby by Torres from Torres.........................................................................Nina's choice
8. How Long by Ace from Five-A-Side..................................................................................Mary's choice
9. Third Stone From The Sun by Jimi Hendrix from Are You Experienced...........Norman's choice
10. Blister On The Moon by Taste from Taste...............................................................Richard's choice
11. Bright Lights by Gary Clark JR. from Blak And Blu........................................................Pier's choice
12. Kings by Steely Dan from Can't Buy A Thrill.................................................................John's choice
13. Sick Day by Fountains Of Wayne from Fountains Of Wayne...................................Philip's choice
14. Gloria Pt1 In Excelsis Deo by Patti Smith from Horses...............................................Alan's choice
Mystery Album: Please Please Me by The Beatles selected by Mary.
Guest Biscuit: Caramel Digestives.
Tuesday 6th October.
Theme for the night: Time Machine. A song from a year you wish you could go back to.
1. 1965 - Maggie's Farm by Bob Dylan (Live Newport Folk Festival)..............................Tim's choice
2. 1971 - Wild World by Cat Stevens...................................................................................Mary's choice
3. 1966 - Somebody To Love by Jefferson Airplane..................................................Norman's choice
4. 1971 - You're Not Smiling by Audience..........................................................................John's choice
5. 1981 - Kick In The Eye by Bauhaus.....................................................................................Sal's choice
6. 1958 - Love Me by The Phantom..................................................................................Morra's choice
7. 1957 - School Days by Chuck Berry..........................................................................Andrew's choice
8. 1965 - Respect by Otis Redding.................................................................................Richard's choice
9. 1990 - The Ship Song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds..............................................Nina's choice
10. 1979 - Transmission by Joy Division...............................................................................Alan's choice
11. 1967 - The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix...............................................................Jackie's choice
12. 1961 - Dancin' Party by Chubby Checker.......................................................................Jean's choice
Mystery Album: Hotel California by The Eagles selected by Richard.
Guest Biscuit: Pink Waffers.
Tuesday 3rd November.
Theme for the night: My Generation - Songs Your Parent Hated. ......."Turn it down!"...."You call that music?"........... you get the idea.
1. Motorcycle Man by Saxon..................................................................................................Tim's choice
2. Lemon Flower by Ivor Cutler...........................................................................................Jayne's choice
3. Orange Claw Hammer by Captain Beefheart..................................................................Pier's choice
4.Hung Up Down by Family...................................................................................................Alan's choice
5. Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones.......................................................................Norman's choice
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones.........................................................Jean's choice
7. Gimme Shelter performed by Grand Funk Railroad......................................................John's choice
8. Paranoid Android by Radiohead.................................................................................Andrew's choice
9. Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix.............................................................................Jackie's choice
Mystery Album: Nights Are Forever by England Dan and John Ford Coley selected by Jean.
Guest Biscuit: Amaretti Biscotti
Tuesday 1st December.
Theme for the night: Review of the Year. A fovourite song released during the last 12 months......or a re-release.....or just something which has meant a lot for some reason this year.
1. Darkening Bell by Emily Portman.................................................................................Tim's selection
2. MoÛt by Blick Bassy......................................................................................................Jayne's selection
3. Diamonds and Rust performed by Blackmore's Knight......................................Richard's selection
4. Bye Bye Baby by Mary Wells.........................................................................................Alan's selection
5. Candy by Dave Rawlings Machine.................................................................................Pier's selection
6. You Don't Own Me by Grace Sewell............................................................................Mary's selection
7. Pretty Pimpin by Kurt Vile........................................................................................Andrew's selection
8. S.O.B. by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats....................................................Philip's selection
9. Reasons To Believe by Tim Hardin.........................................................................Norman's selection
10. One Step At A Time by Jeff Lynne's ELO......................................................................Jean's selection
11. Debbie Downer by Courtney Barnett..........................................................................Nina's selection
Mystery Album: Couldn't Stand The Weather by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble selected by Tim.
In 1984, I was working in Sounds Plus, a guitar and band instrument shop in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. One weekend, Adam, the Saturday boy arrived with 2 cassette tapes (!) to play as background music to the day’s guitar selling. One was The Cult’s Love album (understandable fare for a 16 year old) and the other, surprisingly, was Couldn’t Stand The Weather by Stevie Ray Vaughan; a blues album. I thought both were excellent…. but there was an intensity to the playing of the blues on Couldn’t Stand The Weather which had me instantly hooked. I went straight to Andy’s Records (RIP) and bought the LP, discovering that this was SRV’s second album, Texas Flood being the first……….so I bought that as well.
I played both “to death”, but over the years it has been Couldn’t Stand The Weather which has had that extra, undefinable, something else and is for me a perfect album. It’s 8 tracks comprise 4 SRV originals; the incendiary instrumental opener Scuttle Buttin’, the funk blues album title song, Honey Bee, a Texas shuffle and the jazz infused Stang’s Swang, complimented by 4 “covers” including that Jimi Hendrix song and some slow blues which prove without a shadow of a doubt that Stevie wasn’t just about flash playing but also about conveying the music of his soul. Couldn’t Stand The Weather consolidates the statement set out by SRV and his band Double Trouble on Texas Flood. Their playing is fresh and has a fire to it. The recording is simple and uncluttered in approach with no overdubs to act as padding or to dilute the directness of a band just plugging in and playing. Apart from two tracks which feature Stevie’s brother Jimmie Vaughan on rhythm guitar, when it comes to the guitar solo, it’s the rhythm section of Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums which hold everything together allowing Stevie’s rich twangy Stratocaster tones to send shivers up your spine, put goose bumps on your scalp and sometimes a tear in the eye with the sheer feeling of his playing.
Oh yes; that song. It’s been suggested that it’s either a brave or extremely foolish guitarist who attempts to take on Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) and SRV in the past has been dismissed by some as just a Hendrix copyist, but this suggests to me those critics have not truly listened to how he totally inhabits this song as though it were his own. True, Hendrix was a major hero and influence on the young SRV, but there is also a deep understanding of the blues tradition, in particular Texas blues, which is the foundation of SRV’s guitar playing and from which he crafted his own unique musical style and voice. When he plays Voodoo Chile, sure, it’s a statement of love and respect for Jimi, but also for the blues tradition as a whole. Remember, it was none other than David Bowie who, after Stevie had added guitar parts to the mega stars Let’s Dance album, then turned down a lucrative offer to tour the album because he wanted to concentrate on playing blues music. That’s integrity!
After a third studio album and a stop gap live album, both released whilst Stevie Ray struggled with addiction problems, his fourth studio recording, In Step, marked a return to the musicianship, inventiveness and hunger which had been evident on his first two albums. The sad thing is we will never know how he would develop this new lease of creativeness. In the early hours of Monday 27th August 1990, following an appearance at a concert with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray, the helicopter carrying SRV and 3 other members of Clapton’s crew away from the show, crashed in dense fog killing all on board.
There were a couple of posthumous releases; Family Style an album made with his brother Jimmie and The Sky Is Crying which tied up the best unreleased loose ends but neither had that special something evident on those first two 1980s recordings when a young Texas blues cyclone was just on the verge of becoming the best blues interpreter of his time. Couldn’t Stand The Weather?.........nah, I don’t need any shelter from this storm!
Guest "Biscuit": Mini Mince Pies.