Welcome to the RPM Seven Day Soundtrack, week ending Friday 15th December 2023...the-run-up-to-Christmas edition. Let's see if anyone's getting seasonal or festive yet; over to...

Tony -

"Here are my selections for the week. Regarding the subject of download versus physical musical formats that you and Philip raised last week, I will certainly be putting in my two-pen'orth and, spoiler alert, I might not be on the side of downloads.  Everyone's thoughts will be turning to which downloads they might be bought for Christmas soon but I send best wishes to everyone, including a very belated welcome to Kevin."

Nina -

"Hi folks.

Thanks as ever for the fab selection of music + special mentions to Piers + John for having consummate good taste in poetry and Tim for his glowing endorsement of Big Country's 1st album, the Crossing.  I completely agree - Big Country were the 1st band I was a "proper" fan of, starting from when I was 12 to the present day.  Stuart Adamson was an incredible guitarist, lyricist, lovely + genuine bloke, vastly under rated + sadly left us too soon.  Saw them live several times, their performances always blew me away + stonking atmosphere, jubilant crowd - check out their live stuff on YouTube from the 80's.

Here's 1 for you; a live version of The Storm from 1986, with the classic line up of Stuart, Bruce Watson (who he met welding in Dunfermline) and the rhythm section of Tony Butler (bass) + Mark Brzezicki (drums).  There were tensions between the 2 Scots and non-Scots as time went on, but as this performance shows when it was good they were on fire.

In memory of the Penlee lifeboat disaster also.  Mousehole + Newlyn switch on their harbour Christmas lights with great celebration + pageantry this week including the arrival of Santa on the lifeboat, but it will always be a sad time of year for some in those communities."

Jean -

"This week I’ve chosen musicians who have been featured on TV recently.

I want to wish everyone involved with RPM a very happy time at Christmas and New Year. I’ll be missing for a few weeks as I shall be having a marvellous time in the Caribbean. Maybe I’ll pick up a few tracks of local sounds that I can use in SDS during 2024. Cheers everyone."

Kevin -

"Greetings everyone - and many thanks for the kind words of welcome you sent me last week. It's great to be in such company and to explore so many new sounds."

Jayne -

"…it’s that time of year…..we’re nearly there….just one more week to the winter solstice. Best wishes everyone."

David -

"Thanks to all for some really great music last week. A veritable cornucopia of tastes and styles. My thanks especially to John for his reminiscences of Starry Eyed and Laughing and so for John, here is a boat song from Chris Knight who hails from Slaughters, Kentucky a location which I feel might resonate with Philip."

Piers -

"This week’s outing to The Crown was fun. The performance by a select few of my friend Lind's choir 'Harmonise' made it seem a lot like Christmas. I wasn’t really on form but eventually I fumbled my way through a few nice melodies.  I had fully intended to play ‘Banks of Green Willow’ on my concertina, but despite rehearsing it extensively this week and (hoping that muscle memory would do the trick), extensive twiddling on the night, I had no recollection of the tune even though only drinking Zero alcohol Guinness. Another time I hope! Nic’s version is lovely though… "

Philip -

"I had a discussion this week with one of my new-found walking football playing friends, a man of my age (67 since you asked) who said he didn't rate The Beatles as anything special and that he regarded the 1980s as the best period for pop music. I was very polite. He's a Chelsea supporter: does this explain anything?

This in turn reminded me of another discussion a few months ago with a couple who were 40-odd years old. I tried to argue that The Beatles were indeed very special as there had never previously been a worldwide pop music phenomenon on the scale of fame, immediate and lasting cultural impact and both popular success and critical acclaim that they achieved, and that their achievement (including writing their own songs) was unrepeatable because they were trailblazers who opened doors that everyone since has gone through. Their response was to say that in their view there are many people who could be regarded as trailblazers, and gave as their example- wait for it- Queen! I may have been less polite on that occasion. Sorry.

Anyhow, thinking of these conversations made me contemplate the question of who had been the most famous and influential pop stars of each succeeding era of pop history. I came up with Bing, Frank and Elvis, The Beatles, Bowie(?), and Michael Jackson. Notice anything they all have in common? Yep, they're all male.

So what about the biggest stars of the the end of the 20th and start of the 21st century, who might also be regarded as trailblazers? I suggest that Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Taylor Swift fit the bill. Am I twigging something here?

Hence this week's selections."

John -

"Seasons Greetings Everyone, here are three tracks I've listened to this week...."

Dave -

"Hi everyone, hope all is well. What a wet week again !!!! I guess it’s better than snow. Here's my 3."

Tim-

"Here's my tune trinary this week."

'Til Next Time...