2017 Meetings

Tuesday 3rd January

Played in memory of Rick Parfitt 1948 - 2016 ~ Status Quo - Big Fat Mama

Theme this month: My Favourite Band (or Artist).

1. Better Believe It by Hawkwind........................................................................Tim's all time favourite band

2. Shake Your Moneymaker by Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac...........one of David's all time fave. bands

3. The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix.....................................................one of Jackie's all time favourites

4. Sunspots by Julian Cope.............................................................................................Sal's all time favourite

5. Hanging Around by The Stranglers..............................................................John's all time favourite band

6. Where Did Our Love Go performed by Donnie Elbert......................one of Norman's all time favourites

7. The Chain by Fleetwood Mac......................................................................one of Jean's all time favourites

8. Kids From The City of Nowhere by The Bible Code Sundays...............Morra's favourite of the moment

9. La Drogue by Ali Farka Toure......................................................................one of Piers' all time favourites

10. Seventeen by The Beatles..............................................................................Alan's all time favourite band

11. To Sick To Pray by The Alabama 3...........................................................one of Jayne's all time favourites

12. Down On The Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival......................Philip's all time favourite band

Mystery Album: People Gonna Talk by James Hunter selected by David.

Guest Biscuit: Party Rings

Tuesday 7th February

Played in memory of Overend Watts 1947 - 2017 ~ Mott The Hoople - Roll Away The Stone.

Theme this month: All In A Day's Work; songs about work.....or the avoidance of.

1. Jack Of All Trades by Bruce Springsteen......................................................................................Tim's choice

2. Changes by Sam Taylor..............................................................................................................David's choice

3. New York Mining Disaster 1941 by The Bee Gees..............................................................Norman's choice

4. Sixteen Tons by James and Bobby Purify.................................................................................Philip's choice

5. Money For Nothing by Dire Straits............................................................................................Jackie's choice

6. The Lion's Share by 10,000 Maniacs.....................................................................................Cordelia's choice

7. My Old Man's A Dustman by Lonnie Donegan...........................................................................Jean's choice

8. Cotton Pickers by A House...........................................................................................................Nina's choice

9. Cornershop by Babybird..................................................................................................................Sal's choice

10. Factory Worker by Ten Feet..........................................................................................................Alan's choice

11. Maggie's Farm performed by The Blues Band...........................................................................John's choice

Mystery Album: Blood Speaks by Smoke Fairies selected by Tim.

Smoke Fairies……you’ll note there’s no “The”……………..are one of the most original bands to have caught my ear for quite a while. I say this because, as with a lot of bands to have emerged in the last 10 years where one says “oh, they sound like / remind me of so-and-so……”, I fail to find any older established artists to compare Smoke Fairies with. Of course, now I’ve stuck my neck out like that, someone is sure to say they sound like “blah blah…..”, a band I’ve never come across. However, I still stand by my statement.

My first awareness of Smoke Fairies was through reading a positive review in R2 magazine of their first album “Through Low Light and Trees” (2010). I loved the enigmatic title, and the reviewer’s description of their fusing of swamp slide blues and British folk music stylings suggested they needed checking out. Then one day a few months later, I was flicking through the CD racks in Sounds Music (sadly no longer with us) and there it was. Fantastic! A purchase was made and I was hooked.

Blood Speaks is Smoke Fairies second album, released in May 2012. It consolidates the work started on the first album and, I think, compared to “Low Light”, acts as a more cohesive whole, which is exactly what a good album should do. Smoke Fairies don’t exactly “rock out”, that’s not really their thing. They’re more into creating a sense of moodiness, of slight unease and “floaty-ness” underpinned by an edgy, subtly chaotic quality.

Always seeking to categorise music, the media, Wikipedia, the Independent and Guardian newspapers and others, have labelled Smoke Fairies as “dream pop”. The core duo of Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies, friends since meeting at secondary school in Chichester, certainly have come up with a trade mark sound; their interwoven voices become almost one; their twin guitar lines conjure fragile delicate patterns; the combination of both create a spectral atmosphere which indeed could be called dreamy. But there are other undercurrents as well; the aforementioned swamp slide blues and British folk music, perhaps with a hint of psychedelia even. Every band obviously has influences but what Blamire and Davies have done so well, is immerse themselves in these various musical styles, absorbing them and transforming them into their own original voice.

After touring Blood Speaks, it seems Jessica Davies began to have doubts as to whether the band could continue, her disillusionment nearly causing the break up of the band. However, after arriving at the decision that not making music was not an option, 2013 saw the two musicians back in the studio recording their self-titled third album which was released the following year. Thank goodness! The musical world needs true originals such as Smoke Fairies.

Guest Biscuit: Choc Chip Digestives

Tuesday 7th March

Theme this month: Comebacks; Following long fallow years or a band break-up, they come up with this!

1. Perfect Strangers by Deep Purple..........................................................................................Tim's comeback

2. Whipping Post by The Allman Brothers Band.....................................................................Alan's comeback

3. Love Keeps Dragging Me Down by Gene Loves Jezebel.......................................................Sal's comeback

4. What Have I Done To Deserve This by Dusty Springfield and The Pet Shop Boys...Norman's comeback

5. Last Great American Whale by Lou Reed...........................................................................John's comeback

Mystery Album: World Shut Your Mouth by Julian Cope chosen by Sal.

Guest Biscuit: Oreo Originals

Tuesday 4th April.

Played in memory of Chuck Berry 1926 - 2017 ~ Johnny B Goode

Theme this month: The House is a-Rockin'; A song which reminds you of a particular venue.

1. Smokin' Gun by Robert Cray..............................................................Tim's venue, The Bell Hotel, Norwich

2. Fantasy by Earth, Wind and Fire........................................................Jean's venue MGM Grand, Las Vegas

3. If You Ask Me by Jerry Williams........................................Jackie's venue, the Catacombs, Wolverhampton

4. It's a Shame by Cuddly Toys.......................................................Morra's venue, the Starlight Club, London

5. Momma's Boy by City Boy.......................................................................Sal's venue, West Runton Pavillion

6. Take Me To The River by Al Green..............................................John's venue, The 'Rongo', New York City

7. America by The Nice..........................................................Norman's venue, The Royal Albert Hall, London

8. Surrender to the Rhythm by Brinsley Schwarz............................Alan's venue, The Black Swan, Sheffield

9. Needle in a Haystack performed by The Velvelettes.....Piers' venue, The Harold Dog, Southend-on-Sea

10. Let's Work Together by Canned Heat...............................David's venue, The Chelsea Drugstore, London

11. Korean Bodega by Fun Lovin' Criminals........................................Jayne's venue, Cheltenham Racecourse

Mystery Album: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette chosen by Norman.

Guest Biscuit: Fruit Shortcakes

Tuesday 2nd May

Theme this month: Rubbish Cover.....Great Album! Terrible art work hides some pretty good music.

1. Demolition Boys by Girlschool from Demolition........................................Tim's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

2. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues by Elton John from Too Low For Zero........

..............Jean's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

3. Back In The Game by Stone Foundation from Street Rituals....................Pier's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

4. Uniform by Inspiral Carpets from Devil Hopping.........................................Sal's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

5. Greetings To The New Brunette by Billy Bragg from Talking To The Taxman About Poetry............

.................. Jayne's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

6. Shop Around sung by Helen Shapiro from Helen Hits Out......................Alan's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

7. Goodnight Moon by Shivaree from I Oughtta Give You A Shot To The Head

For Making Me Live In This Dump..............Philip's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

8. Tomorrow Night by Atomic Rooster from Assortment.............................John's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

9. The Last Worthless Evening by Don Henley from

The Very Best Of................Norman's terrible LP sleeve exhibit.

Mystery Album: Bop Till You Drop by Ry Cooder chosen by Jayne.

Guest Biscuit: Coconut Rings

Tuesday 6th June

RPM's annual holiday to The Albatros, Wells-next-the-sea.

Theme this month: Sun Worshippers; a song with a solar link.

First half:

1. She Brings The Sunlight by Richard Hawley..........................................................................selected by Tim

2. Sun Structures by Temples.......................................................................................................selected by Sal

3. Underground Sun by Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3..................................................selected by Jayne

4. Sunshine On A Rainy Day by Zoe.........................................................................................selected by Morra

5. Keep On The Sunny Side performed by

Nitty Gritty dirt Band and Mother Maybelle Carter..................selected by Piers

6. Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles.................................................................................selected by Jackie

7. I Can Take You To The Sun by The Misunderstood..............................................................selected by John

8. Summer Time performed by The Walker Brothers..............................................................selected by Alan

Second half:

1. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine performed by Elvis Presley.....................................selected by Jackie

2. Faster Than the Setting Sun by Fyfe Dangerfield...................................................................selected by Sal

3. Try A Little Sunshine by Factory............................................................................................selected by Alan

4. Burnin' Summer by Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance...........................................................selected by Jayne

5. Paper Sun by Traffic................................................................................................................selected by John

6. Hymn To The Sun by Phillip Glass........................................................................................selected by Piers

7. The Sun Is Burning performed by Christy Moore.............................................................selected by Morra

8. Hurry On Sundown performed by Kula Shaker...................................................................selected by Tim

Tuesday 4th July - RPM 5th Birthday Party

Theme this month is: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love; songs from 1967.

1. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix, live Monterey Pop Festival..........................................................Tim's choice

2. San Francisco by Scott McKenzie..........................................................................................Suzanne's choice

3. King Midas In Reverse by The Hollies..........................................................................................Jean's choice

4. Respect performed by Aretha Franklin.....................................................................................Jayne's choice

5. To Love Somebody by The Bee Gees...................................................................................Norman's choice

6. I Can See For Miles by The Who.................................................................................................Jackie's choice

7. Somebody To Love by Jefferson Airplane...................................................................................Alan's choice

8. Light My Fire by The Doors.............................................................................................................Sal's choice

9. The Happening performed by The Supremes.........................................................................Philip's choice

10. Rock and Roll Woman by Buffalo Springfield...........................................................................John's choice

Mystery Album: Kicks by Paul Revere and the Raiders selected by Alan.

Initially based in Boise, Idaho, the Raiders began as an instrumental rock band led by organist and founder Paul Revere Dick.

In his early 20's, Revere owned several restaurants in Caldwell, Idaho, and first met singer Mark Lindsay while picking up hamburger buns from the bakery where Lindsay worked. Lindsay joined Revere's band The Downbeats, in 1958 and in 1960 they changed their name to Paul Revere & the Raiders on the eve of their first record release for Gardena Records. The band garnered their first hit in the Pacific Northwest in 1961, with the instrumental "Like, Long Hair". The record had enough national appeal that it peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard chart on April 17, 1961. When Revere was drafted for military service, he became a conscientious objector and worked as a cook at a mental institution for a year and a half of deferred service whilst Lindsay pumped gas in Wilsonville, Oregon. On the strength of their Top 40 single, Lindsay toured the U.S. in the summer of 1961 with a back up band that featured Leon Russell taking Revere's place on piano.

By summer 1962, Revere and Lindsay were working together again in Oregon with a version of the Raiders that featured Mike "Smitty" Smith, a drummer who would spend two extended periods with the band. Around this time, KISN DJ Roger Hart, who was producing teen dances had a casual conversation with a bank teller who told him about a band called "Paul Revere-something". Hart obtained Revere's phone number and they met for lunch. Hart hired the band for one of his teen dances and became the group's personal manager. It was Hart who suggested they record "Louie Louie", for which Hart paid them about $50, producing the song and placing it on his Sandē label, ultimately attracting the attention of CBS Records. According to Lindsay, the Raiders were a "bunch of white-bread kids doing their best to sound black.'' Whether the Raiders or the Kingsmen recorded "Louie Louie" first is not certain; however, both groups recorded it in the same studio in Portland, Oregon, in April 1963. By then, the Raiders included Revere, Lindsay, Smith, guitarist Drake Levin, and bassist Mike "Doc" Holliday, who was replaced in early 1965 by Phil Volk.

In 1965, the Raiders began recording a string of garage rock classics under the guidance of producer Terry Melcher filtering the sounds of British Invasion bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and the Animals, while adding an American, R&B feel. Their first major national hit, "Just Like Me" (No. 11, 1965) was one of the first rock records to feature a distinctive, double-tracked guitar solo, performed by guitarist Drake Levin.

The band appeared regularly in the U.S. on national television, most notably on Dick Clark's Where the Action Is, Happening '68, and It's Happening. In November 1966, the band appeared as themselves performing a song on the popular Batman television series in the episode "Hizzonner the Penguin". The Raiders were endorsed by the Vox Amplifier Company with Revere playing the Vox Continental combo organ and Volk the Vox Phantom IV bass. When performing, the entire band was plugged into Vox Super Beatle amplifiers, a three channel, 120 watt amp with 13 control knobs and a plethora of foot operated effects pedals. The band was reported to be the first major band in history to tour with all members amplified, including sidemen such as horn players.

Their hits from the this period included "Kicks" (No. 4), "Hungry" (No. 6), "The Great Airplane Strike" (No. 20), "Good Thing" (No. 4), and "Him or Me – What's It Gonna Be?" (No. 5). Of these, "Kicks" became their best-known song, an anti-drug message written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil that was originally earmarked for the Animals. (Mann later revealed in interviews that the song was written about their friend, fellow 1960s songwriter Gerry Goffin, whose ongoing drug problems were interfering with his career with then-wife Carole King.) with their original version of 'I'm Not Your Stepping Stone' later being covered by the Monkees for their TV series and gaining the distinction of being the first Monkees b-side to enter the US charts in mid 1966.

In mid-1967, with three gold albums to their credit, the Raiders were CBS's top-selling rock group and their Greatest Hits was one of two releases selected by Clive Davis to test a higher list price for albums expected to be particularly popular (along with Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits).

The 'Kicks' compilation was released on Edsel records in 1983 by which time the band were part of the regular 'Golden Oldies' tour in the US. Their musical legacy, however, was plundered with "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" covered by the Sex Pistols, Minor Threat, and Liverpool band the Farm (although the Monkees' cover version was better known than the Raiders' original), "Just Like Me" would be covered by the Circle Jerks, Joan Jett and Pat Benatar. David Bowie covered "Louie, Go Home" in 1964 and the Who took the song and changed the title and lyrics to "Lubie (Come Back Home)" in 1965. "Hungry" was covered by Sammy Hagar. The Flamin' Groovies tackled three Raiders songs ("Him or Me, What's it Gonna Be?", "Sometimes" and "Ups and Downs") and The Morrells did a country-tinged arrangement of "Ups and Downs" as well. Not bad for a band who never toured the UK and were widely ridiculed during their career for their anachronistic stage apparel (US mid 19th century military uniforms).

Revere passed away October 4th 2014.

Guest Biscuit: Birthday Cake!

Tuesday 1st August

Theme this month: What's Your Poison?; songs with a drink related title or subject.

1. Bad, Bad Whiskey performed by Jimmie Vaughan..................................................................Tim's Choice

2. Milk and Alcohol by Dr Feelgood................................................................................................Jackie's choice

3. Drink You Away by The Shires..................................................................................................Trevor's choice

4. Elderberry Wine by Elton John....................................................................................................Jean's choice

5. There Stands The Glass by Ted Hawkins.................................................................................Jayne's choice

6. Walk of Shame by Truckstop Honeymoon..................................................................................Pier's choice

7. Red Wine at Dead Time by Cecil....................................................................................................Sal's choice

8. Apple Cider Re-Constitution by Al Stewart.................................................................................John's choice

9. Magic Potion by The Open Mind.................................................................................................Alan's choice

10. Drinking In L.A. by Bran Van 3000......................................................................................Norman's choice

11. Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton...................................................................................Philip's choice

Mystery Album: Elephant by The White Stripes selected by Jackie.

Guest Biscuit: Ginger Crunch Creams

Tuesday 6th September.

Theme this month: Mainlining! A song influenced by or about drugs.

1. Pill Shovel by Monster Magnet...................................................................................................Tim's song fix

2. Smoke Rings by Les Paul and Mary Ford.................................................................................Alan's song fix

3. Plaistow Patricia by Ian Dury..................................................................................................Morra's song fix

4. Mr Brownstone by Guns and Roses.....................................................................................Trevor's song fix

5. Everybody's On Drugs by Goldblade........................................................................................John's song fix

6. Sorted For E's and Whizz by Pulp.................................................................................................Sal's song fix

7. Them Stems by Chris Stapleton...............................................................................................Philip's song fix

8. Dear Mr Fantasy by Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood...........................................................Jean's song fix

9. You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones.........................................Norman's song fix

Mystery Album: Undercurrents by Sarah Jarosz selected by Philiup

Guest Biscuit: Golden Oreos

Tuesday 3rd October.

Played in memory of Tom Petty 1950 - 2017 ~ I Won't Back Down

Theme this month: Songs That Go Bump In The Night: a song for Halloween night.

1. Black Shuck by The Darkness...............................................................................................Tim's scary song

2. Letter To Jeepers / Dear Jeepers by Bob Guy....................................................................Alan's scary song

3. Zombie by The Cranberries.................................................................................................John's scary song

4. In The Midnight Hour performed by Wilson Pickett..................................................Cordelia's scary song

5. Demons and Fiends by Robyn Hitchcock.........................................................................Jayne's scary song

6. If We Were Vampires by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit..................................................Philip's scary song

7. Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen........................................................................Jackie's scary song

8. Spellbound by Siouxsie and the Banshees...........................................................................Sal's scary song

9. Only Dreaming by Leo Sayer............................................................................................Morra's scary song

10. Ghostly Girl by Jolie Holland.................................................................................................Piers' scary song

11. Thriller by Michael Jackson...................................................................................................Jean's scary song

12. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri...........................................................................Norman's scary song

Mystery Album: Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull selected by John.

Guest Biscuit: Vanilla Viennese Thins

Tuesday 7th November.

Theme this month: Iconic Record Labels: certain labels are synonymous with a style of music or particular bands.

1. Tim's iconic label; Charisma - Dance on a Volcano by Genesis.

2. Nina's iconic label; Rough Trade - I Want The World to Stop by Belle and Sebastian.

3. Suzanne's iconic label; Stax - Theme from Shaft by Isaac Hayes.

4. Norman's iconic label; Motown -

Ain't You Glad You Chose Love performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

5. Piers' iconic label; Island - Love Without Sound by White Noise.

6. Jean's iconic label; Atlantic - When A Man Loves A Woman performed by Percy Sledge.

7. John's iconic label; Island - Hazey Jane I by Nick Drake.

8. Morra's iconic label; Lightning - Let Go Of My Hand by Dirty Dog.

9. Alan's iconic label; Island - Come On Pretty Baby by Creator and Norma.

10. Jayne's iconic label; Blue Note - Fleurette Africaine by Duke Ellington. (NB. a re-issue by Capitol using

the Blue Note moniker............apparently. Guess who supplied the info :-) ...)

11. Jackie's iconic label; Sun - That's All Right performed by Elvis.

12. Sal's iconic label; 4AD - Debaser by Pixies.

Mystery Album: Folk Hotel by Tom Russell selected by Piers.

Guest Biscuit: Coffee Caramel Digestives.

Tuesday 5th December.

Played in memory of Malclom Young ~ Back In Black by AC/DC.

Theme this month: Review of the Year: Your favourites of the last 12 months........a new release, a re-release of perhaps something older you've particularly enjoyed.

1. Dust Bowl (Live, Royal Albert Hall) by Joe Bonamassa..............................................................Jean's choice

2. The Girls Alright With Me performed by Joe Simon..............................................................Jackie's choice

3. I'll Be The Other Women performed by The Soul Children...............................................Norman's choice

4. Powderfinger by Neil Young from Hitchhicker (2017)..............................................................John's choice

5. Walkaway by Weaves from Wide Open (2017)...........................................................................Sal's choice

6. London Pride by Stuart Forester from Good Earth (2017)...................................................Morra's choice

7. Love Ire and Song by Frank Turner............................................................................................Nina's choice

8. Killer's Cove by Bloodgate Hill from Bloodgate Hill (2017)....................................................Jayne's choice

9. Shotgun Boogie by Jeremiah Margues.........................................................................................Pier's choice

10. Sunday Morning Paper by Turnpike Troubadours

from A Long Way From Your Heart (2017).....................Philip's choice

11. Other People by The Rails from Other People (2017)..............................................................Tim's choice

Mystery Album: No.10, Upping St. by Big Audio Dynamite chosen by Morra.

Guest Biscuit: Mincemeat Crumbles