Welcome to the RPM Seven Day Soundtrack, week ending Friday 6th May 2022, and I trust you are recovered from any May Day frolicking of which you partook. This week we have new RPMer Kevin on board, so a particularly warm welcome to him. In the mean time, here's an old RPMer 😁...over to....
"Three tracks (all cover versions) from the Fontana label this week."
I'll Drown In My Own Tears by Spencer Davis Group (Taken from 'You put the hurt in me' EP released September 1965. Fontana label) - "Originally a number 5 r&b hit for Lula Reed in 1955, Ray Charles covered the song with session musicians and female backup singers in 1956 and was rewarded with a number one r&b hit. The use of the female backup led to Ray forming the initial line up of the Raelettes later that year. Listening to Stevie Winwood's vocals it's difficult to believe that at the time of recording he was still only 17. The EP achieved No 4 in EP charts October 1965."
House in the Country by The Pretty Things - (7" single released July 1966. Fontana label. This from 'House....' US Norton label reissue EP released 1999) - "Released just prior to their final album for Fontana, 'Emotions', the label insisted the band use hot producer Steve Rowland who had recently successfully helmed tracks for Dave Dee etc and P J Proby and had recently 'discovered' The Herd who he placed with Fontana. 'House in the country' is a cover of a track from the 'Face to Face' album by the Kinks which deals with the perhaps undeserved inheritance of a large fortune to a young man whose father falls down stairs. As such it follows the theme Ray Davies had set with 'Dedicated follower of fashion', 'Dandy', 'Sunny Afternoon' and others but here, the 'Things take it to a much tougher place than even the Kinks do with their meaty, beaty original. The band had been dissatisfied with Fontana for some time and the introduction of Rowland was the final straw which saw the band going through the motions (sic) with 'Emotions', especially when the whole album was enhanced with orchestral arrangements. This Norton EP features fine demo versions (and hence stringless) of 'Progress' and 'Photographer' from the album."
Sunny by Manfred Mann (Taken from 'Instrumental Assasination' EP released December 1966. Fontana label) - "The Manfreds had formed in 1962 as the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers with a multi-instrumental line up right from the start. Drummer Mike Hugg also played keyboards and vibes. guitarist Mike Vickers also played alto-sax and flute and vocalist Paul (Pond) Jones was an established harmonica player who had featured in an early line up of what eventually became the Rolling Stones. Signed to HMV in early 1963, their first release was the jazzy instrumental 'Why should we not' which the band debuted on a New Years Eve TV show. It failed to chart, of course, but the band's jazz credentials were established right from the start. Their two initial albums featured several instrumentals, as did the 'Instrumental' Asylum' and '.... Assasination' EP's, and their Shel Talmy produced version of Bobby Hebb's 1963 US number 2 charter shows the bands fine instrumental dexterity in their handling of this much covered classic. Incidentally, composer Hebb's version was not the first release of the song, that honour goes to Mieko Hirota who placed it on her 'Hit Kit Miko No 2' album."
Bonus Track (from Mr Bonus Track Himself) ...And it's RIP to Cynthia Albritton:
Here's a tribute via two of the 'members' of the Jimi Hendrix Experience😉
Note the Noel Redding t-shirt!!!!
"What a lovely day here today. Actually got my crops out. Must, therefore, put forward some summery songs this week. So here's some smooth Summer listening. Just relax.
Cheers to everyone and hope to see some of you at the next Pop up Pub event in Elsing."
Summer Breeze performed by George Benson and Al Jarreau -
Summer in the City by Quincy Jones -
Summer Madness by Cool and the Gang -
"Looking forward to the selections of your new recruit this week, Tim....welcome Kevin and best to everyone."
Trying to Get To You performed Chris Isaak - "This song is taken from an album called Beyond The Sun which was recorded in Sun Studios Memphis by Chris around 2009-11and included this track originally recorded there by Elvis, the fourth of is 5 first Sun releases."
Ian Dury and The Blockheads - "I only had one chance to see Ian Dury and I'm very glad that I took it. It was February 2000 and the only time that I got to the LCR early to be sure of a place right by the stage. Ian was destined to die about 3 weeks after that gig but on the night you wouldn't have known it."
There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards -
What A Waste -
"Hi RPMers hope you are all well...and good to have a new member; I am no longer the new boy!!! Here’s my 3 for this week."
Lovely Allen by Holy Fuck -
Candy Jail by The Silver Jews -
Ice Hockey Hair by Super Furry Animals -
"Hi RPMers and a warm welcome to Kevin. Here are my three choices for this week."
Push by The Cure - "This is from one of my favourite albums by The Cure, 'The Head On The Door'. We saw them on the tour to promote this album at NEC Birmingham in 1985 (ticket price: £6.50). An amazing gig, they played for about three hours!!"
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) by Frank Wilson - "Last week Sal and I went out for a meal and the restaurant's 'background' music was mostly Motown and Northern Soul, including this classic from 1965. Superb! (So was the food!)"
You Tore Me Down by Paul Collins - "Superb version of the Flamin' Groovies classic from an album by Paul Collins called 'The King Of Power Pop'. His 13th solo album according to the sleeve notes..."
"Looking back but not nostalgically..."
Plea for a Good Night's Rest by Devon Sproule -
Amanda "Death like an overflowing stream" performed by Anonymous 4 -
God Spake Sometime in Visions by John Blow performed by Vox Luminis - "And I was very tempted to wrongly ascribe this……"
Oh, my finger slipped honest…..
Bonus Track - Groovin' With Mr. Bloe by Mr. Bloe -
"Good wishes RPM colleagues and thanks for your weekly audial fixes."
There Stands The Glass performed by Ted Hawkins -
You Go To My Head performed by Joe Pass with Ella Fitzgerald -
Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying by Labi Siffre -
"It’s taken a little while to find a few minutes to sit down and compile my first 3 tunes of the week. I hope that everyone who listens enjoys them...All the best."
In Hell I'll Be In Good Company by The Dead South - "This first one I have recently stumbled upon, it’s got some great harmonies a catchy melody and not to mention a cracker of a video."
Galaxy 500 by Reverend Horton Heat - "Something a little more upbeat; I’m a bit partial to some psychobilly occasionally and there’s no one better in my eyes than the Reverend Horton Heat. While there’s a few I could have chosen, this one stood out today."
Heatongrad by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott - "Finally, as it’s local elections, I felt we should get a little political and maybe ruffle a couple of feathers. This clip pretty much encapsulates my political leanings. It’s one of my favourite songwriters, Paul Heaton, and his work with Jacqui Abbot I really enjoy. I’ve been lucky enough to see them a couple of times and can’t wait for the next album later this year."
"Hi Folks...Hope you're all well. I've just about recovered from a belting Beltane, plenty of fire hereabouts. Asked a new musical pal for suggestions this week, these choices are a combined effort. Take care all. Cheers!"
Who Do You Love (Live) by The Doors -
Encino by Dream Widow - *Sweary lairy warning* "Won't be everyone's cup of tea, I chuffing luv it - 'I am Dave Metalhead Grohl, hear me roarrrrr'!"
Oops Upside Your Head by The Gap Band - "Daft 70s throwback, Yin to the above yang."
"Here's part two of my UEA 60th anniversary theme...all live music seen at the LCR."
The Riverflow by The Levellers -
Why I Sing The Blues by B B King -
Medecine Bow by The Waterboys -
"A couple of old ones and a new one..."
It's Time To Come Together by Magnum - "I've been listening to the albums constituting what I think of as middle period Magnum recently. This is from 2004s Brand New Morning album which is a bit of of belter...but then Magnum, and Tony Clarkin the main song writer, are pretty consistent with their output of quality material. Love this track not only for it's sentiment but also for the power-house drumming of Harry James which really propels the song along."
Banbury Bill / Shepherd's Hey performed by Spiers and Boden for Great Grandson of Morris On - "So, having watched York's Ebor Morris celebrating May Day with their dancing tour of the city walls...did the first three bars; that's gates not pubs!...it's time to learn some English trad tunes on the tenor banjo...oh yes...these two are a great start, and I love the slight twist Shepherd's Hey is given to keep things fresh."
Shout It Out by Skinny Lister - "Lead off track from the Skinny's latest album. See them at Folk in a Field, Saturday 2nd July..."
'Til Next Time...