Welcome to week 9 of the Isolation Room Listening Booth, songs as chosen by RPM club members week ending Friday 22nd May. This time, in the order in which they arrived in my “in box”, it’s over to……
Jayne –“With all good wishes to the RPM community……..”
Giddy Up a Ding Dong by Sensational Alex Harvey Band – “…..I was reminded of this by an old school friend this week…..”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsBdZyIHNQk
“..…so thoughts led to a couple of our other favourites from back in the day.”
Burlesque by Family -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1XKdXXZjDc
Blowin’ Free by Wishbone Ash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUolWNHxRiM
Piers –
Treetop Flyer by Stephen Stills - “I’ve been listening to this for the best part of half a century and it has lost none of its initial impact. I can still remember the day I first heard it on a pre-release import that my mate Russ brought home with him.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opBe5z0qwRE
Jenny Lind performed by Edward the Second and the Red Hot Polkas – “This changed the way I listened to folk music; fabulous live band too.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDHRgjZhPI0
Stronsay Waltz (Rope Waltz) by The Wrigley Sisters (Jennifer and Hazel) - “A lovely version of a tune that I am currently attempting to learn to play on the mandolin. We saw them perform it in Orkney when we visited the islands just over a year ago.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ_O15M1vAE
“As an aside, give Mary C MacNiven a listen. She died in 1997 and is the woman that Mairi’s Wedding was written for. Most people believe (including me until I learned otherwise) that Mairi’s Wedding is a traditional song. She won a gold medal for singing her version of it at the national Mod of 1934 . This is her (but not that tune) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1wtV4K7N9s
Philip – “Greetings and best wishes once again to all RPMers. This week's choices are all songs written by Richard Thompson as performed by other artists…….”
Wall of Death performed by R.E.M. – “A thrill-seekers' anthem from a tribute album issued in 1994, by various British and American artists entitled "Beat The Retreat: Songs by Richard Thompson". The original version comes from Richard and Linda's "divorce album," "Shoot Out The Lights," which in 1982 had Rolling Stone enthusing about R.T. as "rock's best-kept secret." I love the sequence of photos used to illustrate this version, especially the picture of Ozzy Osborne used where the lyric mentions "crazy people”.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXyRCdNZoOA
Tear Stained Letter performed by Patty Loveless – “….this from Kentucky coal-miner's daughter's (she is distantly related to Loretta Lynn) 1996 album "The Trouble With The Truth." Originally on R.T.'s 1983 "Hand of Kindness," a follow-up to "...Lights" that I thought was every bit as good as its' predecessor. The version on You-Tube on stage at The Ryman, introduced by Ricky Skaggs, is excellent. (That's Stuart Duncan on fiddle).”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge27s8ynDZk
Keep Your Distance performed by Buddy and Julie Miller – “…..from their eponymous 2001 album, a song that first appeared on R.T.'s excellent 1991 "Rumour and Sigh." How appropriate is that to our current situation? A superb arrangement of a terrific song. Is it folk, country, rock, or pop... and does it matter?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK_z6AcHJCg
Alan – “Two thousand daisy's beheaded again today, and around 150 square yards of grass cut for the second time in a week. Table, umbrella, chairs.... check...….TEAC LP500R....check...…...OK, here's three from this weeks selection……..”
Time Has Come Today by The Chambers Brothers- “First up, take a measure of Sam and Dave, add some Sly and the Family Stone, mix in a generous helping of Jimi Hendrix, garnish with 'blue cheer' sugar cube: voila...”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L3Ik-ypP50
Hair of the Dog by Green on Red – “Next, let's see what Neil Youngs younger brothers have cooked up from their 'Gas, Food, Lodging' album. Hmmm, looks like they've had a little too much 'liquid refreshment' last night. Great band when we saw them at Sheffield's legendary Leadmill in 1985.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq8efq7XAt8
Halo of Ashes by Screaming Trees – “Once upon a time there was a Sheffield band called 'The Screaming Trees'..... this ain't them. These are the grunge pioneers who were not afraid to 'experiment' with instrumentation and musical influences. Taken from their excellent, under-rated 'Dust' album released in 1996, after which the band split with lead singer Mark Lanegan going on to serve as 'back up vocalist' (!!!!) in Queens of the Stone Age before releasing a string of solo albums and two critically acclaimed (i.e. non selling) albums with Isobel Campbell.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xG0juSTTOU
John –“Here are my three choices for week nine……”
Rosalyn by The Pretty Things – “More really sad news; the passing of Phil May of The Pretty Things. The first single I ever bought was Don't Bring Me Down by the Pretty Things (see RPM Archive July 2012) and I've always admired them as a band who ploughed their own furrow - R'n'B and blues to Prog and back again with a few diversions along the way. That furrow was never very straight but they were a band of spirit, drive and imagination........”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb0NGJ9lji0
Star Of The Sea by Mediæval Bæbes – “One of the few songs they actually sing in English...… well, modern English.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-KiAItxEqc
Soldier by Groundhogs – “A track from their wonderful 'Thank Christ for the Bomb' LP. Not quite a concept album but each side has a specific theme... (does this make it a bi-concept album?).”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ihfcMFluw
“All the best to all RPMers and thanks for selecting some amazing tracks.”
Tony –“Here are my selections for this week’s Isolation Booth (should it be renamed "Not So Isolated any More"? I have a Scottish theme this week having pulled a number of my previous weeks reserves together into one lot.”
Midnight Moses by Sensational Alex Harvey Band - “SAHB first came to my attention on The Old Grey Whistle Test and I didn't take to Alex's edgy delivery at that time. They were, however, different to say the least and very watchable I hope you'll agree.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rplbRDu76wo
Penicillin Blues by Stone The Crows – “Alex Harvey was involved in the formation of the band performing this track when he introduced his brother Les to their future lead singer Maggie Bell. Les was tragically electrocuted on stage during a live performance and was replaced by Jimmy McCulloch who is playing here. I've seen Maggie Bell twice since she left the band and she is still a fine singer - first time with Zoot Money and band at The Harbour Rooms in Blakeney and then with Dave Kelly at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich…….”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqUS3KC5Fd8
This Flight Tonight performed by Nazareth – “My third Scottish band are Nazareth and I love their version of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight" so it gets the nod………although I had a number of other super tracks of theirs under consideration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9uvpr_gm64
Jean -Hope all RPMers are OK. Here are my choices for this week:-
Move Over Moon by Kate and Anna McGarrigle from ‘Love over and over’ Album 1982. - “The sisters from Quebec, Canada had been writing and recording their own music from 1970 until 2010 when, unfortunately Kate died. They had great harmonies and some quirky lyrics and stories in their songs. I’m drawn to them because of that - In my opinion it’s very Canadian.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy28hNQ8T0Q
Prove Me Wrong by David Pack from the soundtrack of ‘White Nights’ 1985.
“David Pack is a Grammy winning singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer who co-founded ‘Ambrosia’ the rock group. I like the earthiness of his voice in this rock number. The film starred Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines. They did some amazing dance routines. Fancy that - with the right sort of rock music ballet and tap could blend together.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pz_JeJiwmM
Wide Open Spaces by The Dixie Chicks from Album of same name 1998.
“These were the darlings of the country music world until 2002 when at a concert in London they made comments about President Bush and his handling of the invasion of Iraq. This sparked a passionate response from the media and their fans and they kept a back step out of the music for quite some time. In 2006 they produced a CD ‘Taking the long way’ which was an unapologetic success and put them back in favour. I’ve seen a recent concert performance and they certainly give 110% and the very mixed audience adored them.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aunWBex7OsA
Sal – “My three tracks for this week are.......”
Ugly Little Dreams by Everything But The Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kZPIDhmcd0
Is It A Dream by The Damned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dArCEpfZ0IA
Primitive Painters by Felt featuring Elizabeth Fraser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCRdY7ZH7xo
Morra -
Little Fluffy Cloud by The Orb - “I Found a mix tape that brought back happy memories from Glastonbury ‘93 with this track on it. It was on repeat in the orange VW camper.”
The Joker by The Marketts – “Just bought a Playable copy of this Batman album, the soundtrack to my childhood.”
Cheap Thrills by New Kingdom – “Another early 90’s cassette uncovered. I saw these supporting Senser at the Waterfront in Norwich and I loved ‘em. A belting stoner track!”
Dave –
Bleed All Over by Mark Lanegan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4EL3wo1K84
How Many Times by Flaming Lips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwONcpFIEe4
Psy-Ops Dispatch by Oh Sees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHaviMwqcMI
Nina – “Hi to all the other RPMers, hope you're ok. I find other people's explanations for their choices very interesting & enjoy reading them. Take care everyone, until next week……..”
Hang Loose by Alabama Shakes – “……very apt for a kitesurfing sesh. in strong, gusty wind such as today.”
Life's What You Make It by Talk Talk – “Self explanatory……”
Cut Your Hair by Pavement – “……..'cos dunno about other RPM'ers but I really need a haircut!”
Tim – “3 favourites extracted from the mix of music played this week….”
Elevenses by John Doyle – “ John’s new CD “Path of Stones” still getting a minimum couple of plays a day at the moment, especially when it’s time to do some cooking………..here’s some tunes penned and performed on mandolin and guitar by Mr Doyle accompanied by the mighty flute playing of Mike McGoldrick. Be careful if attempting to dance around the kitchen; don’t do yourself a mischief as this is in something like 11/8 timing. You have been warned.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4SYboaNpHY
In This Land by The Answer – “My favourite Irish rock band, and this is from their last album, 2016s “Solas”, which I had on continual play in my workshop for the first part of the week. A bit less bluesy and hard rockin’ compared to previous efforts and an excuse therefore to break out some acoustic instruments such as the mandolin which features on this track.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhH4DvMTqE
Stargazer by Rainbow – “Discovered some CDs copied by a friend for me in my workshop CD box that I’d forgotten about, one of which was a Rainbow concert from 1976 recorded in Germany…..which was great. It’s the classic line up; Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Dio on vocals, Cozy Powell on drums, Jimmie Bain on bass and Tony Carey on keyboards. Bizarrely the band do not perform their best song from this time and I therefore had to dig out the Rainbow Rising LP to relive the magnificent overblown bombastic nonsense that is Stargazer…..an opus dealing with stone tower construction, whips, chains, wind, rain and a flying wizard task-master who ends up plummeting to earth. Yep. A true mad-metal masterpiece……..a potential contender for the song which inspired symphonic metal…?.....who knows……or possibly even cares?!...........this one’s for Morra 😉”