Certainly Britain's, maybe the planet's most adventurous record producer, Joe Meek was a maverick in an age of conformity and a madcap sound surgeon before the world really knew what a record producer was for. Without Meek, the UK may well not have achieved the level of musical sophistication it has enjoyed since the early 1960’s - Meek even taught George Martin a number of tricks when they worked together at EMI.
This collection represents Joe Meek’s early years, concentrating on the music he produced [and in many cases composed, albeit usually under one pseudonym or another] while working for labels and music entrepreneurs prior to his setting up of his legendary, independent Holloway Road studio RGM, in 1961.
From Big Bill Broonzy’s scorching blues to Humphrey Lyttelton’s ground breaking Jazz and taking in Peggy Seeger, Eric Winstone, Lonnie Donnegan, Johnny Duncan, Red Price and numerous others, this 2 CD set illustrates perfectly how Joe Meek was pivotal in developing all genres of British music in the late 1950s and through much of the 1960s. These tracks have never previously been compiled together.
Disc 1
1. Betty Miller – The Next Train Out Of Town 2. Eric Delaney Band – Oranges And Lemons 3. Kenny Graham & His Satellites – Lullaby 4. Big Bill Broonzy – It Feels So Good 5. Edmund Hockridge – Sixteen Tons 6. Dennis Lotis – Sugaree 7. Gary Miller – Garden Of Eden 8. Humphrey Lyttelton – Bad Penny Blues 9. Anne Shelton – Lay Down Your Arms 10. Chris Barber Jazz Band Feat Monty Sunshine – Petite Fleur 11. Betty Miller – Georgia’s Got A Moon 12. Gary Miller – Robin Hood 13. Marion Ryan – Cry Me A River 14. Edmund Hockridge – No Other Love 15. Eric Winstone & His Orchestra – Rhythm & Blues 16. Ottilie Patterson With The Chris Barber Jazz Band – Jailhouse Blues 17. Frankie Vaughan – Green Door 18. Bertie King Jazz Band – Skip It 19. Lonnie Donegan – I’m A Ramblin’ Man 20. Peggy Seeger – Frieght Train 21. John Fraser – Bye Bye Love 22. Bertie King Jazz Band – Lazy Afternoon 23. Colin Hicks And His Cabin Boys – Wild Eyes And Tender Lips 24. Lonnie Donegan – Cumberland Gap 25. Eric Delaney Band – Rock N Roll King Cole
Disc
2 1. Johnny Duncan & His Bluegrass Boys – Last Train To San Fernando 2. Peggy Seeger With Isla Cameron & Guy Caravan – Sail Away Lady 3. Kenny Graham – Cuban Fantasy 4. Melody Maker All Stars – Top Score 5. Lonnie Donegan – Puttin’ On The Style (P) 6. Johnny Duncan & His Bluegrass Boys – Rock A Billy Baby 7. Jimmy Miller & The Barbecues – Sizzling Hot 8. Kenny Baker – Doo-Dee 9. Melody Maker All Stars – Mood Indigo 10. Lonnie Donegan – Mule Skinner Blues (C) 11. Jackie Davis & His Quartet – Land Of Make Believe 12. Jimmy Miller & The Barbecues – Freewheelin’ Baby 13. Kenny Baker – Keeping Out Of Mischief Now 14. Gary Miller – The Story Of My Life 15. Cherry Wainer – Cervaza 16. Kenny Graham – Rockin’ In Rhythm 17. Mike Preston – A House, A Car, And A Wedding Ring 18. Red Price – Weekend 19. Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band – Travelling Blues 20. Joy And David – Whoopee 21. Mike Preston – My Lucky Love 22. Jimmy Miller & The Barbecues – Jelly Baby 23. Mike Preston – Why Why Why 24. Joy And David – My Oh My 25. Les Paul & Mary Ford – Put A Ring On Her Finger