Welcome to week 10 of the Isolation Room Listening Booth, songs as chosen by RPM club members week ending Friday 29th May. This time, in order of most irate (with good reason) RPMers first, and then using a top secret random selection process, it’s over to……
Alan – “Three songs from my collection 'dedicated' to Dominic Cummings………..”
Lies by Knickerbockers -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH9YRpz757Y
Liar by Fleur de Lys -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EceAscJ8cEA
Liar, Liar by The Castaways -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTTscUIIxkk
Tony – “Inspired by the weeks events, I've chosen a theme of Penal Servitude this week. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a song in which somebody got flung into jail for travelling half the length of the country looking for a baby sitter. Mostly you end up there if you steal something or tangle with the opposite sex. Hopefully another week nearer to an inviting pile of guest biscuits and a cuppa. Best to everybody in RPM.”
Long Black Veil performed by Johnny Cash – “Johnny Cash faces a bleak future when his unplayable get out of jail free card involves his best friend's missus in a long black veil".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89i6KhgaDeA
Take a Message to Mary by The Everly Brothers - “The peerless Everly Brothers sing of the consequences of a bungled robbery and how to break the news to the girlfriend.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hkx_CDExfI
If it Hadn't Been For Love by Steeldrivers – “Chris Stapleton was lead singer with the Steeldrivers when they recorded this track about how love can turn to hate and inevitable retribution.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfWaC2s-Bw
Bonus:
Please Mr Jailer by Wynona Carr - I did also consider this often-covered song, sung by Wynona Carr who wrote it………but I have picked one of her other tracks recently. However, if you want a bonus, then check out her version here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohFqVw4oeM0
Philip – “Greetings and best wishes to all RPMers as ever in this period during which we've been deprived of cummings and goings……..
My selections this week have been prompted by two things:
1. The Young Mod's Forgotten Story as posted by Alan last week, and
2. My discovery of footage of my uncle Mick playing on a French TV show in 1968.
Without further ado then…………..”
I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry by Dexter Gordon (1962 from his Bluenote album "Go") – “I know there are more obvious Bluenote choices (Watermelon Man, The Sidewinder, etc.) and I really don't know if this was in fact a Mod favourite (perhaps Alan could advise) but it should have been if you ask me. Utterly gorgeous ballad playing by one of the Titans of tenor sax (not a Colossus, that was someone else). These are the jokes folks - best I can do after 10 weeks of lockdown.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izO68Vu2sx8
Your Mind Is On Vacation by Mose Allison (1962, at which point he was recording for Atlantic) – “I prefer the original version of this, but there is also decent footage available of a performance from 1989 on Italian TV. A massive influence on a variety of Brits including Georgie Fame, John Mayall and The Who, who all did versions of his songs.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOWrsXDuwDE
The Same Old Song by Herbie Goins and the Night-Timers (1968) – “I think they take the song too fast, but look at those dancers go! That's Mick Eve on tenor sax, a thoroughly likeable guy who still calls women "chicks." He was in the original line-up of Georgie Fame's Blue Flames and I think he's on "Live at The Flamingo" but had left before the hit with "Yeh-yeh." His drug of choice is caffeine in revoltingly strong, sickeningly sweet coffee. I last saw him in January, still fairly hale and hearty, and he's still playing.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYgTHsCagIk
“I'm toying with the idea of a "spot the connection" theme next week with no other comments. What do you think…………?” (Go for it….Tim)
Nina – “Hello, RPM'ers….. there's a slight theme to my Isolation listening choices this week - they're all girls 😉. As we've seen yet another example of flagrant, outrageous, we-think-the-electorate-has-been-collectively-lobotomised Tory BS this week it was tempting to go with an angry, ranty selection. I have been listening to Chumbawumba "Mouthful of Shit" on a nonstop loop and jumping around to ease my angst, but offered it at RPM previously. On a positive note, I've greatly enjoyed rediscovering the soothing mastery of Beck and listening to blues, prog and all sorts of other tracks I would not usually hear about courtesy of other RPM'ers, so decided to keep it upbeat…..”
Hunter by Becca Mancari – “This has been played a lot on R6 this week; I like it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEzBWeyx_8A
Heroine ("‘Cos She’s Mine a Bit....") by Jehnny Beth – “Love Savages now I'm a fan of her solo, beyond-Savages work too.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYcVIPQiOpU
No Room for Doubt by Lianne la Havas – “……bit of armchair travel to Paris whilst you watch this! Her voice gives me shivers; check out her cover of "Starry starry night" if you haven't already, it's breath-taking. I really enjoy watching her performances on NPR Music Tiny Desk concerts.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f845_v41YFo
“Take care everybody……I look forward to hearing your choices as I do every week. Thanks again to Tim for curating this, brilliant idea, and for being ahead of the curve + ahead of "that other" Tim (Burgess, I think Nina’s referencing,Tim.)
Cheers!”
Morra -
Sign of the Times by Prince -
Runaway Train by Soul Asylum -
Irish Londoners by Le Cheile -
Jean –“What a lovely week of weather……all that nature going wild with the plants and birds…..that and the music keeps me happy. Here’s my picks and the theme is; ‘Look how great they were after going solo’. Best regards to all the gang. Keep listening and enjoying the music.”
Imagine by John Lennon 1971 - “John was always having a protest and a lot of his early 70s recordings were about making peace in the world. This is a beautiful understated melody with lyrics calling for peace and was triggered by the Vietnam War. The Album ‘Imagine’ is a favourite.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgFZfRVaww
It Don’t Come Easy by Ringo Starr 1971 - “Ringo was always the man at the back- being the drummer- but he was only allowed centre stage with comedic songs. He proved that he could write hit songs and sing them too and then take some time out to be an actor. After 1973 he started to put music first and has had a great time doing it. He has his own orchestra and they do concerts regularly. I think he is the most liked ex-Beatle as he has never taken himself that seriously and seems to still have the Liverpool boy in him. AND apart from all that he married a Bond Girl!!”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDcZxEpA9XY
All Things Must Pass by George Harrison 1970 - “George was often overlooked by Lennon and McCartney when songs were chosen for recording. This new phase in his life resulted in music that featured spiritual themes and his slide guitar sound. The All Things Must Pass album was a set of three records which went to No 1 in the charts worldwide and is generally rated as the best solo album by any of the Fab Four.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVx_8mj-UyE
Piers –
The Simpsons performed by Danny Gatton – “From one of the greatest (and most tragic) guitarists who ever lived - Danny Gatton in a playful mood………..”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny8x86RhYSs
Weird Science by Oingo Boingo -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm-upHSP9KU
Beetlejuice (Main Theme) by Danny Elfman – “In case you haven’t noticed, the connection between these three tracks is the composer Danny Elfman. His extensive back catalogue of film scores is well worth exploring.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZktSPrGSck
John – “Here are my selections for week 10……….. All the best to all RPMers. Stay safe - keep well.”
One Chord Wonders by The Adverts – “First-wave UK punk from 1977 - the real deal with no McLaren-style hype. This single, along with The Stranglers and Eddie & The Hot Rods, provided the soundtrack to the balmy days I spent mounting my degree show exhibition in the long hot summer of '77...… It still sounds as fresh in the balmy days of 2020!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fImre1obcys
San Francisco Sketches by Blodwyn Pig – “Mick Abrahams left Jethro Tull after the release of their debut album and formed Blodwyn Pig. After two albums he left Blodwyn Pig to form The Mick Abrahams Band..... you probably sense a pattern emerging here. Anyway, it seems to me that they were a band who couldn't quite decide which direction to take; this track, written by Jack Lancaster (sax/flute etc.) could have possibly pointed the way. Over the years since their original formation, Blodwyn Pig reformed several times, usually with Abrahams and Lancaster leading the band. They recorded two more studio albums in the 1990s. Sal and I met Mick Abrahams at a Music Industry Trade Show a few years ago; a very warm human being - quite humble and so generous with his time.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5KIklqnHbU
Shake your Moneymaker by The Count Bishops – “You're all probably aware of a number of different versions of this song but this is my favourite. Some great wayward slide guitar from the late (and wonderfully named) Zenon de Fleur.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqjQUTtuefY
Jayne –“Been thinking of artistes I might have come across this year at festivals so here is my mini festival. Keep safe everyone.”
She Put On Her Headphones by Lau -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9lJQPh8o4
Nurse Nikki by Martha Tilston -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCvTpFovj0o
Emmylou by First Aid Kit -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi5A9OCAyIk
Dave –“Hi RPMers, hope you are all well enjoying your tunes!!! Here’s my 3 of the week.”
Nonalignment Pact by Pete Ubu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Leax63ullPE
Durango by JJ Cale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_msX9iHwg
Deceptacon by Le Tigre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czGw_UmqhLA
Tim – “Amongst the music from the past two Isolation Booths, I’ve chosen tracks from John Doyle’s new album, Path of Stones, and this week I’ve gone back and re-visited some older albums he was involved with and which I particularly love…..and which also made serious musical impressions upon my own acoustic guitar playing. So, it’s time to go all diddly-diddly, push the furniture up against the walls, mind the dresser, oh, and don’t spill your tea and Bushmills.”
Timmy Clifford’s / The Return Home / Oot Be Est Da Vong / John Joe Casey’s performed by Solas – “Along with Dervish from County Sligo, Irish American band Solas were the “shot in the arm” that 90s folk music needed; a fiery musicianship that took Trad to another level entirely. Solas’s self-titled 1996 debut album is where John Doyle’s approach to accompanying traditional tunes came to wider prominence (also igniting my interest in acoustic guitar again, forsaking the mandolin and bass for 6 strings tuned to DADGAD). On this, the last track from that first album, we hear John’s guitar trademarks establishing themselves; a cool chord sequence introduction, the amazing drive he gets into his rhythm playing and the considered selection of chords which are not necessarily the easy or obvious option, chord substitution being a favourite tactic he employs. I once overheard a man with a guitar (I’m not calling him a guitarist!) in a folk club state with blasé seriousness, “Backing Irish tunes is easy; it’s just I, IV, V.**”…….sorry, cue rant here; WRONG! IT’S NOT THE BLUES FOR FECKS SAKE!......and John proves just that by playing chords which complement the melody of the tune perfectly. Enjoy this cracking set of jigs-into-reels with the super time change half way through.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnE_QhWiG80
“**If you are wondering, all is explained in the 3rd paragraph here……….”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_progression
The Golden Legs / The Flogging Reel performed by Liz Carroll and John Doyle – “Apologies, firstly, for following reels with reels, not something I’d usually do! This track from Liz Carroll’s Lost In The Loop album released in 2000 is, in my opinion, the epitome of Liz and John’s playing…..in fact for me they are the best folk duo ever. It’s rare to find two musicians so comfortable not only with the material and instruments they are playing, but also with each other, which is transmitted through such joyful musical exuberance and inventiveness. In May 2011, I read that Liz and John were doing a short tour of the UK (not a regular occurrence), and after looking at their gig itinerary, discovered the nearest concert I could get to was on a Saturday night at the Eastgate Theatre….in Peebles, Scottish Borders. I put the plan to Luke who, as I thought, was defo. up for a road trip……….I then told him it was via York to pick up Ewan, where he was at Uni. No problem; just a 360 mile, 7 hour jaunt. We arrived in Peebles with a few hours to spare, thus allowing us to make good use of a very nice local hostelry before walking up the street to the venue. It was one of those gigs that seems to go in a flash because you are so wrapped up in the music and you just don’t want it to end……….and when it was all over, at nearly midnight, we headed back south, the plan being to stop at York for some rest before continuing onwards to Norfolk. At York, Luke decided he was still awake enough to continue home through the night and we arrived back in our village at around 7am…….after quite a lot of rib-elbowing of the driver, plus driving across the fens with the car windows fully wound down playing AC/DC at full volume! Was it worth nearly dying in a dyke in Lincolnshire? Absolutely.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59l8aomu3Jg
The Wishing Tree (Set) performed by Doyle, McCusker, McGoldrick – “Here’s more tunes for ya!........from three of the best folk musicians around; flute player Mike McGoldrick, fiddle player John McCusker and of course our own JD. McGoldrick and McCusker don’t just restrict their playing to the folk world; they were part of Mark Knopfler’s band for the Get Lucky and Privateering tours, but here we see them live, performing the self-penned title set of tunes from the trio’s 2017 and only studio album…………they’ve been together for over ten years now, but you can’t rush into recording albums, now, can you? Awesome group playing.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjYNwdSl-EU