Welcome to the RPM Record Club Seven Day Soundtrack, week ending Friday 26th November 2021. Keep out the winter chill by making a brew and snuggling up with this weeks RPMer's hot tracks. Over to...

Piers -

"It has been a blues laden week this week. I also had a Birthday, which I told nobody about in advance, and amongst other gifts received a jar of very nice jam and, most especially appreciated, two jars of mustard, both wholegrain, one mixed with Garlic and the other blended with beer and honey. I was very touched that a friend knew me well enough, and had put thought into the choice... My Birthday afternoon found me wandering the coast of Norfolk under a low, dark, doom filled sky, cheerfully whistling 'The Sky Is Crying' possibly Elmore's masterwork. His playing was always sublime but by the time he recorded this there was also as much emotion expressed in his vocals. A man at his peak!"

"Another that I have been singing this week..."

"It doesn't have that fabulous hook that the Animals dropped on it but once again the emotion shines though. Although she didn't write it, she made it her own. (it was initially written by Horace Ott, while 'on a break in his relationship' with his fiancé, ?!? but always credited only to Bennie Benjamin and Sol Marcus).

I have read that some critics say that it sums up her attitude to the civil rights movement, in which she was deeply involved. Others have said that it reflects her domestic situation. I lean towards the latter, as it is well documented that her family relationships were 'troubled', that there was a history of deep and devastating physical abuse. Known to be 'bipolar', she also had a reputation for quicksilver mood changes, and demonstrating her displeasure by the discharge of firearms. One of her record company executives, she openly agreed, that she had attempted to kill "But Missed". Oh yes, and then there was the incident during which she compelled a shoe shop assistant, to take back a pair of sandals she'd already worn ...at gunpoint, and again with a neighbour's child by shooting him, for laughing, whilst playing in the next door garden. But I guess it is open to interpretation. But what a song, and what a voice."

Jackie -

"Here's a couple by Sam Sweeney, having seen him play in York last week."

Philip -

"Greetings to one and all. Just a couple of items from me this week, one from the new Plant/Krauss/Burnett album, and one found on one of my regular trawls through the "No Depression" website. Keep safe and well everybody."

John -

"Hi RPMers, hope you're all keeping safe and well. Here are three tracks from albums I've listened to during the past week."

Dave -

"Hi RPMers... looks like colder times are upon us . Here’s my 3."

Jean -

"I’m picking artistes that I’ve seen on TV this week. Best wishes to everyone. Keep safe and well. "

Alan -

"I love to read........ have done ever since I learned to actually. Books about a scientist's son called Chunky were an early favourite but then I read a science fiction book about two returning airmen who crash landed on a sandbar in the North Sea and fell through into a different world. Hooked, I wanted more and soon John Wyndham's' The Chrysalids' and 'Day of the Triffids', Peter Van Greenaway's early environmental warning /nuclear disaster classic 'The Crucified City' and as many Clarke, Asimov, Herbert and, especially, Piers Anthony followed. Like many others I dabbled with the 'I Ching', 'The Third Eye' and other quasi/religious books before becoming hooked on all things Tolkein (still am, I read 'Lord of the Rings' EVERY year!! Sad ain't I?). However, there were one or two books I couldn't make progress with........ Solzenitsin's 'The Cancer Ward' (very dark) and Peake's 'Gormenghast' works chief amongst them. It seemed like Peake would take half a chapter describing a dust mote floating down from the rafters........ I really must try again I suppose? So, where's this leading to and what has it to do with music? 'Nada' to the second question!! Regarding the first, I'm currently reading 'The Island of the Day Before' by the renowned philosopher and historian Umberto Eco and it really is 'difficult' but, rather like hearing Van Der Graaf Generator for the first time, I'm determined to finish. Imagine, for a moment, 'Robinson Crusoe' transposed to early 17c Italy where our hero, 'Roberto', escapes a siege and, despite being relatively cowardly, is mistakenly deemed somewhat of a hero. He moves to Paris, befriends theologians and other inteligensia before being blackmailed into a voyage (of probable no return) to try to discover the 180 degree longitude where the fabled Island of Solomon is supposed to be located. Cast adrift after a storm he is carried to a mysteriously deserted vessel (shades of the Marie Celeste?) stranded off a desert island. Initially thinking he is alone, it soon becomes apparent that there is someone else aboard and, after several days, he discovers an 'eccentric' Jesuit priest also trying to find the same longitude. Sounds simple? I've not mentioned the hallucinations, the shifting between Italian, French, German and Latin, the numerous scientific (and non-scientific) theories and an examination of the religiosity of the period, confusingly all related in either first person by Roberto or from today's view point by the author. Even the chapter headings read like Genesis/Yes track titles............ page 353 of 513 so far and I'm still not 'enjoying' the ride!!!

So, now to the music, and it's three Yootoob videos which really should gain release as, say, a 10" album with a suitable 'Savage Young Beatles' style sleeve. The Cavern Club footage was for Scene at 6.30 (Granada TV evening show pre Look North/East etc) which has been reported 'lost for many years. It's been stated that just 12 seconds of film existed but here is not only the transmitted first performance of 'Some Other Guy', there's also the untransmitted second run through. The 'rehearsals' feature Ringo on the afternoon of his first performance trying hard to work out the drum patterns he would eventually become renowned for. I know one or two people who were regulars at the Cavern (I was even granted a peek at a membership card) who confirmed just what a great band they were, something which even shines through on these early recordings. So, it's over to Mark Lewisohn and Paul Macca perhaps?"

Nina -

"Hope you're all well. Very excited to report that I had an offer accepted on a house in Newlyn, Penzance this week. West Cornwall's gonna be my new home, visitors very welcome after I've settled. Take care & cheers!"

Jayne -

"With good wishes to all the fantastic contributors to the weekly RPM jukebox."

Tony -

"I've been at the second-hand 45's again - a batch unexpectedly found in a charity shop on St. Stephens Street and I ended up buying just under 50.(as they were 2 for a £)

Here's 3 (or 4) from the selection. Best wishes and thanks for all those lovely trax, you RPMers."

Tim

"Here's the 3 toons that have stood out for me this week......"

'Til Next Time....