2016 Meetings
RPM Record Club Meetings 2016.
Tuesday 5th January
Played in memory of Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister 1945 - 2015 ~ Motorhead by Motorhead.
Motorhead, remember me now, alright.
Theme for the month: One Hit Wonder ~ A one off single or a song from an only album.
1. Round The Universe by The Seahorses ..........................................................................chosen by Tim
2. Who Do You Love by Juicy Lucy ......................................................................................chosen by Alan
3. My White Bicycle by Tomorrow ..................................................................................... chosen by Piers
4. Big Time Operator by Zoot Money's Big Roll Band....................................................... chosen by John
5. Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry ......................................................................chosen by Andrew
6. Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite ...............................................................................chosen by Nina
7. Spanish Stroll by Mink De Ville .......................................................................................chosen by Jayne
8. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin .................................................................................chosen by Jackie
9. Barefootin' by Robert Parker .........................................................................................chosen by Philip
10. Blackwater by Rain Tree Crow ..........................................................................................chosen by Sal
11. Run, Run, Run by Jo Jo Gunne .........................................................................................chosen by Jean
Mystery Album: Breaking Glass by Hazel O'connor selected by Nina.
Guest Biscuit: Red Velvet Crunch Creams.
Tuesday 2nd February.
Played in memory of David Bowie 1947 - 2016 ~ The Width Of A Circle
Theme for the month: A Sense Of Place ~ Hearing that song just takes me back to........
1. Common Ground by Calico.....................................................................................................selected by Tim
2. Tom Dooley by Snake Farm................................................................................................selected by Jackie
3. Dancing In The Moonlight by Thin Lizzy............................................................................selected by Philip
4. Love Action by The Human League........................................................................................selected by Sal
5. Float On by Modest Mouse.............................................................................................selected by Andrew
6. I'm Not In Love by 10cc...................................................................................................selected by Norman
7. Lilac Wine by Elkie Brooks.....................................................................................................selected by Jean
8. Silver Machine by Hawkwind................................................................................................selected by Nina
9. Riders On The Storm by The Doors.....................................................................................selected by Piers
10. London Boys by David Bowie...........................................................................................selected by Morra
11. Almost Grown by The Small Faces......................................................................................selected by Alan
12. Uptown Top Ranking by Althea and Donna.....................................................................selected by Jayne
13. Johnny B. Goode performed by Peter Tosh.......................................................................selected by John
14. Colours by Donnovan.....................................................................................................selected by Richard
15 Do Wah Diddy by Manfred Mann.......................................................................................selected by Mary
Mystery Album: Call Me by Al Green chosen by Philip
Why choose this? Well, for one thing, it allows me to ride two hobby-horses at one time!
Hobby-Horse No1.
There is a version of rock history favoured by some British critics and fans that says rock ‘n’ roll came out of nowhere in the 1950s, almost died when Elvis went into the army and was reborn with the advent of the Beatles. Some call this the “big bang” theory of rock history. The theory goes on to tell of another “fallow period” between the Beatles’ split and the advent of punk rock. Both bullshit!
The principle point missed in this nonsense is that the early 60s and early 70s were both periods that saw a plethora of great black voices. Sometimes it may seem as if the music has been de-raciated and commandeered by long-haired white blokes playing over-amped guitars, but the truth is that it has always been both black and white, and all forms of rhythm and blues are part of it – including the Jamaican version.
Hobby-Horse No2.
There are great voices and there are great singers; the two aren’t always the same thing. Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston? Great voices, awful singers whose influence on Pop Idol and X-Factor competitors has been entirely baleful and unfortunately, all pervasive. Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan? By classical standards, poor voices – but both great singers because they are masters of making you believe every word they sing.
Back to Al Green……
Here we have a great voice who also happens to be a great singer; someone who knows how to use gospel-style melisma without over doing it to the point where all emotion is so overwrought that it is obviously fake. One criticism often aimed at Al Green’s 1970s output for Hi Records is (those rock critics again!) that it is formulaic. You know what? It is! But that is like saying 1960s Motown is formulaic; if you have got a formula that good you would be foolish not to “milk it”.
Call Me from 1973 is Al’s 5th album made with producer Willie Mitchell and the Hi rhythm section and it is, in my opinion, the apex of their approach. It includes 3 hit singles, 2 covers of old country tunes and it finishes with a gentle lilting gospel number, giving the idea of Al’s future direction. As a secularist humanist atheist I do not believe for a moment that “Jesus Is Waiting”, but this is beside the point because Al does believe it, and you cannot doubt it.
Philip
Guest Biscuit: Caramel Rockys
Tuesday 1st March
Theme for the month: The Difficult Third Album ~ Rock 'n' Roll mythology suggests a band's third album can be a tricky one; out of ideas of did they come good?
1. Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden................................................................................chosen by Tim
2. Red Shift by Peter Hammill..................................................................................................chosen by Alan
3. Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon........................................................................chosen by Philip
4. Same Old Story by Taste.....................................................................................................chosen by David
5. Don't Let It Bring You Down by Neil Young.......................................................................chosen by Piers
6. Rael by The Who....................................................................................................................chosen by John
7. As Tears Go By by The Rolling Stones (3rd LP from box set!)......... inventive use of theme by Richard
8. Any Time At All by The Beatles............................................................................................chosen by Mary
9. Beautiful Ones by Suede.........................................................................................................chosen by Sal
10. Girls and Boys by Blur........................................................................................................chosen by Jayne
11. Hotel Yorba by The White Stripes.................................................................................chosen by Andrew
12. Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen...............................................................................chosen by Jackie
13. I Can See For Miles by The Who...................................................................................chosen by Norman
14. Rasputin by Boney M...........................................................................................................chosen by Jean
Mystery Album: The Hissing Of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell selected by Jayne
Guest Biscuit: Lemon Puffs
Tuesday 5th April
Played in memory of George Martin 1926 - 2016 ~ All My Loving by the George Martin Orchestra.
Theme for the month: Gone But Not Forgotten ~ They might have departed for that great gig in the sky, but their music lives on.
1. Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC...................................................................................................David's choice
2. The Girl of My Best Friend sung by Elvis Presley.............................................................Norman's choice
3. Some Old Salty by Lal Waterson and Oliver Knight..............................................................Jayne's choice
4. Mystery Train sung by Elvis Presley.......................................................................................Jackie's choice
5. Typical Girls by The Slits............................................................................................................Nina's choice
6. Dink's Song (Fare Thee Well) sung by Dink..............................................................................Pier's choice
7. Last Sweet Moment by Tim Hardin..........................................................................................Alan's choice
8. Losing You by Dusty Springfield...............................................................................................Jean's choice
9. Come As You Are by Nirvanna...........................................................................................Suzanne's choice
10. Jealous Guy by John Lennon..............................................................................................Richard's choice
11. Snow In Central Park by Jackie Leven.....................................................................................John's choice
12. So Real by Jeff Buckley.................................................................................................................Sal's choice
13. Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy..............................................................................................Mary's choice
14. Late November by Sandy Denny...............................................................................................Tim's choice
Mystery Album: Three Imaginary Boys by The Cure chosen by Alan
A fine year for alienation, 1979.
Public Image Ltd released the dub frenzy 'Metal Box', The Clash made the apocalyptic London Calling; Manchester's Joy Division debuted with the brutally despairing Unknown Pleasures and, meanwhile, in darkest Crawley, 20-year-old Robert Smith was forging his own take on the post-punk zeitgeist. Thirty-seven years on Three Imaginary Boys stands as one of that year's most audacious albums.
Forget about The Cure's later wallowings in gothic gloom and drawn-out suffering, this is more poppy and representative of the times than any other album during their long career, Three Imaginary Boys is a semi-detached bit of late-'70s English pop-punk. Angular and lyrically abstract, it's strong points are in its utter simplicity. There are no dirges here, no long suites, just short bursts of frenetic energy. Out of hours and after dark, and in order to cut down recording costs, Fiction Records' boss Chris Parry smuggled his band into the studio where The Jam were recording All Mod Cons by day. Smith and the boys utilised that band's equipment to make midnight hay. From declamatory opener "10.15 Saturday Night", through the power-pop of "Grinding Halt" and the rehearsal take of Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" to the lyrically abstract "Fire In Cairo" and psychedelia-tinged title track, the album maintains a Japanese-water-torture insistence.
Recorded practically live over three nights with few over-dubs, the album is stark, angry and strafed with Smith's urgent guitar, off kilter echoed harmonies and Lol's errrr, distinctively scatter-like drum patterns. Punk's predecessors and contemporary nightmares made it into the mix with "Object" evoking Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie whilst "Another Day" and "Subway Song" pack a vaguely psychedelic haze, as if the tunes could sputter out at any time.. Parry and engineer-cum-producer Mike Hedges gave the collection an icy veneer with just the right 'dub' passages and up front guitar solo’s that may have upset Smith in 1979, but now feels starkly reflective of its moment.
Despite Smith's displeasure with the record, Three Imaginary Boys was well-received critically at the time of its release. Sounds' Dave McCullough praised it in a 5-star review and noted: "The Cure are going somewhere different on each track, the ideas are startling and disarming". McCullough noted the variety of the material and qualified "Grinding Halt" as a "pop song that reminds you of the Isley Brothers or the Buzzcocks". Red Starr, writing in Smash Hits, described the album as a "brilliant, compelling debut”. However, NME's Paul Morley didn't share the same point of view and wrote: "Most of the time, it's a voice catching its breath, a cautiously primitive riff guitar, toy drumming and a sprightly bass".Chris True of All Music retrospectively christened it "a very strong debut", and a "semi-detached bit of late-'70s English pop-punk" while critic Martin Charles Strong said it "remains among the Cure's finest work, their strangely accessible post-punk snippets lent an air of suppressed melancholy"
Tonight's package is rounded off with the three contemporaneous singles, debut Killing an Arab, Boys Don't Cry and Jumping Someone Else's Train, all recorded either just prior to, or following the albums release.
Guest Biscuit: Garibaldi
Tuesday 3rd May
Played in memory of Prince 1958 - 2016 ~ Sign O' The Times.
Theme for the month: Power To The People! ~ Protest songs.
1. Star Spangled Banner performed by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock..........................................Tim's choice
2. Where The Hell Are We Going To Live performed by the Levellers...................................Morra's choice
3. A Change Is Going To Come performed by Otis Redding.....................................................Mary's choice
4. Talking About A Revolution by Tracy Chapman..................................................................Richard's choice
5. Cryin' In The Streets by George Perkins and the Silver Stars................................................Philip's choice
6. My Generation by The Who.........................................................................................................Alan's choice
7. Sam Stone by Swamp Dogg........................................................................................................John's choice
8. Cutthroats, Crooks and Conmen performed by Little Johnny England...............................Jayne's choice
9. Eve Of Destruction by Barry McGuire.................................................................................Norman's choice
10. Crazy In Alabama by Kate Campbell..........................................................................................Pier's choice
Mystery Album: The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets brought along by Sal.
Guest Biscuit: Jam and Creams
Tuesday 7th June
Played in memory of Dave Swarbrick 1941 - 2016 ~ Medley (The Lark In The Morning / Rakish Paddy / Fox Hunter's Jig / Toss The Feathers)
Theme for the month: RPM on Holiday; "Nautical But Nice!" ~ Songs featuring ships, boats, sailing, voyages or other such nautical subjects. 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. Hunting For Pirates by Turisas...................................................................................................Tim's choice
2. Longer Boats by Cat Stevens...................................................................................................Jackie's choice
3. Amongst The Waves by Pearl Jam......................................................................................Andrew's choice
4. Sailin' Shoes by Little Feat.........................................................................................................Jayne's choice
5. The Riverboat Song by Ocean Colour Scene..........................................................................David's choice
6. Captain's Log by Spirogyra.........................................................................................................John's choice
7. Sailing On The White Ship by HP Lovecraft..............................................................................Alan's choice
8. Sail Away by David Gray................................................................................................................Sal's choice
9. If I Had A Boat by Lyle Lovett......................................................................................................Pier's choice
Side Two.
1. Mercy Bay by Fairport Convention...........................................................................................Pier's choice
2. The Ship Song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.....................................................................John's choice
3. Fishing by Public Image Ltd..........................................................................................................Sal's choice
4. Dead Sea by The Lumineers................................................................................................Andrew's choice
5. Dirty Water by Throwing Muses.............................................................................................David's choice
6. John B Salis performed by the Vipers Skiffle Group...............................................................Alan's choice
7. Six Ans Sur Mer performed by Bayou Seco...........................................................................Jayne's choice
8. No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley and the Wailers............................................................Jackie's choice
9. Captain Ward performed by Spiers and Boden.......................................................................Tim's choice
Tuesday 5th July ~ RPM 4th Birthday.
Played in memory of Scotty Moore 1931 - 2016 ~ Mystery Train.
Theme for the month: Collaborations ~ Together at last.
1. Please Don't Touch performed by Motorhead and Girlscool..................................................Tim's choice
2. Down On Me by Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin............................Nina's choice
3. My Bonnie performed by Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers (Beatles)..........................Alan's choice
4. Pancho and Lefty performed by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.....................................Philip's choice
5. Jumpin' Jack Flash performed by Aretha Franklin, Keef and Whoopi Goldberg....................Pier's choice
6. Private Number performed by Judy Clay and William Bell......................................................John's choice
7. Don't Know Much performed by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville......................................Jean's choice
8. Big Yellow Taxi performed by Keb Mo and Bonnie Raitt.......................................................Jayne's choice
9. Pills and Soap performed by Bronski Quartet and Elvis Costello........................................Morra's choice
10. Jean the Birdman performed by David Sylvian and Robert Fripp.............................................Sal's choice
11. Galway Girl performed by Steve Earle and Sharon Shannon...............................................Jackie's choice
Mystery Album: Ako by Blick Bassy selected by Piers.
Guest "Biscuit": Birthday Cake
Tuesday 2nd August
Theme for the month: Any Colour You Like ~ A song with a colour in the title.
1. Po Black Maddie performed by the North Mississippi All Stars.........................................Tim's selection
2. World View Blue by The Blue Aeroplanes..........................................................................David's selection
3. Green, White and Gold by Anto Morra..............................................................................Morra's selection
4. Purple Rain by Prince..............................................................................................................Dan's selection
5. Fable of the Brown Ape by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds...............................................Jayne's selection
6. Red Wing performed by Asleep At The Wheel..................................................................Philip's selection
7. White Winter Hymnal performed by Birdy............................................................................Sal's selection
8. California Blue by Roy Orbison..............................................................................................Jean's selection
9. In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson.............................................................John's selection
10. "Blue Ridge Mountains" aka On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine
performed by Laurel and Hardy.....................................Pier's selection
11. White Wedding by Billy Idol................................................................................................Jackie's selection
12. Purple Haze performed by Dion..........................................................................................Alan's selection
Mystery Album: Songs From My Funeral by Snakefarm chosen by Jackie.
Guest Biscuit: Chocolate Oaties.
Tuesday 6th September.
Theme for the month: Are You Sitting Comfortably...? ~ Songs which tell a story.
1. The Highwayman performed by Andy Irvine........................................................................Jackie's choice
2. Home Thoughts From Abroad by Clifford T. Ward..........................................................Norman's choice
3. Geronimo's Cadillac by Michael Murphey................................................................................Pier's choice
4. Story Of Bo Diddley by The Animals.........................................................................................Alan's choice
5. Tellin' Stories by The Charlatans..................................................................................................Sal's choice
6. Morrissey and the Russian Sailor performed by Christy Moore........................................Morra's choice
7. Two Letters by Andrew, John and Lissa...................................................................................David's choice
8. Peppers and Tomatoes by Ralph McTell..................................................................................John's choice
9. Sammy's Bar performed by Cyril Tawney...............................................................................Jayne's choice
10. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin................................................................................Suzanne's choice
11. Dowie Dens of Yarrow performed by Shelagh McDonald......................................................Tim's choice
Mystery Album: Wild And Wandering by Wasted Youth selected by Morra
Guest Biscuit: Butter Rings.
Tuesday 4th October.
Theme for the month: Walk On The Wild Side. ~ A song safari! Song titles or artists using animal names.
1. White Unicorn by Wolfmother...............................................................................................selected by Tim
2. Senseless as A Cuckoo by Paul Curerri.............................................................................selected by David
3. Lion Rock by Culture.............................................................................................................selected by John
4. Road Runner by Junior Walker and the All Stars.........................................................selected by Norman
5. Monkey Hips and Rice by The 5 Royales...........................................................................selected by Philip
6. Velocity Bird by Peter Murphy................................................................................................selected by Sal
7. I Am The Walrus by The Beatles...........................................................................................selected by Jean
8. Ride A White Swan by T-Rex...............................................................................................selected by Jackie
9 Hounds of Love performed by The Futureheads...............................................................selected by Nina
Mystery Album: My Secret Is My Silence by Roddy Woomble chosen by John.
Guest Biscuit: Chocolate Animals.
Tuesday 1st November.
Theme for the month: Road Trip ~ Songs for the RPM car stereo.
1. Born To Be Wild performed by The Cult...............................................................................chosen by Tim
2. Guitar Town by Steve Earle.....................................................................................................chosen by Jackie
3. America by Simon and Garfunkel............................................................................................chosen by John
4. Motorcycle Emptiness by Manic Street Preachers..................................................................chosen by Sal
5. Going Up The Country by Canned Heat...............................................................................chosen by David
6. The Jarvey Was A Leprechaun performed by Val Doonican.............................................chosen by Morra
7. A13 Trunk Road to the Sea by Billy Bragg.............................................................................chosen by Jayne
8. Drivin' South by Jimi Hendrix...................................................................................................chosen by Alan
9. Headlong by Queen...................................................................................................................chosen by Jean
10. Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads........................................................................................chosen by Sal
11. I Had My Hopes Up High by Joe Ely.....................................................................................chosen by Philip
12. Driving Away From Home by It's Immaterial.....................................................................chosen by Piers
Mystery Album: Floetic by Floetry selected by Norman
Guest Biscuit: Jammy Wheels
Tuesday 6th December.
Played in memory of Leonard Cohen 1934 - 2016 ~ Suzanne
Theme for the month: Review of the Year ~ A favourite new release or something which you've played a lot from the past 12 months.
1. The Machine by Hawkwind.........................................................................................................Tim's choice
2. Infinite Sun by Kula Shaker......................................................................................................Jackie's choice
3. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swan.............................................................................Norman's choice
4. Restless by Louis Berry.............................................................................................................David's choice
5. Mississippi Song by Rising Appalachia....................................................................................Jayne's choice
6. Connector by The Coral...............................................................................................................John's choice
7. I Want My Tears Back by Nightwish...........................................................................................Jean's choice
8. Queen of Hearts by Sierra Hull...................................................................................................Pier's choice
9. You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen....................................................................................Morra's choice
10. Psychotic Reaction by Count Five..............................................................................................Alan's choice
11. Please Forgive Us by 10,000 Maniacs..................................................................................Cordelia's choice
12. Hurry Up Sunrise performed by Luther Dickinson................................................................Philip's choice
13. Aladdin's Story by Death In Vegas................................................................................................Sal's choice
Mystery Album: Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul by Otis Redding selected by Jean
Guest Biscuit: Gingerbread Men