Look Wot They Dun to Me Song Man

01 You’ve Got the Love – The White Negroes The Source were the songwriting team Anthony B. Stephens, Arnecia Michelle Harris and John Bellamy. They wrote and recorded the original version featuring the vocals of Candi Staton in 1986. Since then it has been mashed up and re-released several times and become a bit of an anthem.  Legends in their home town The White Negroes have been a formidable live act since their formation in the early 90’s: Ish Monaghan vocals, Gary Ridden and John Grayson guitars, Neil Gibson bass and Stix Swinburne Drums. Their version also features the sax playing of Bryn Collinson. You can find more about The White Negroes via VainGloriousUK. Hartlepool born Sound Engineer Ian Laughton was touring with Florence & The Machine in early 2008 UK and was testing the PA at the soundcheck by playing this version to test levels. Florence was there and said “What’s this?” Laughty explained and Flo seemed impressed. So much so that, six months later Florence had a number 2 UK hit with the song.

02 Maggie’s Farm – Cruise Bob Dylan recorded this in one take in January 1965, and released it on his album ‘Bringing it All back Home’. Its lyrics have been interpreted as a look at the service industry, or the war cry of the ’60’s counter culture’, and even as a rock star’s gripe to his record company. Fast forward to 1984 and Cruise led by singer Kevin Robson and bassman Neil Griffin are playing pop with a political angle. They even did sponsored cycle ride to deliver a petition against Cruise missiles and nearly got arrested in Downing Street. With a few pertinent adjustments to the lyrics this chirpy take on the song was subsequently released as a single in 1986.  Kevin Robson vocals, Neil Griffin bass, Dave Watkins guitar and Peter Gowland drums. Cruise later metamorphosed into The Wildon Brothers and became involved in the Consett Music Project and its support for the Miners during the 1984-85 Strike. They performed this song live at The Albert Hall during the 1986 Concert For Heroes and it  became one of the anthems sung by those who supported the Miners’ Strike, the Maggie in question of course being the divisive Prime Minister at the time. you can find their Albert Hall appearance here.

03 Sinners Prayer – ColorColour Written by Lloyd Glenn and Lowell Fulson and originally recorded by Ray Charles in 1951. Expatriate Hartlepudlian Graeme Wheatley is the songwriter and bassman behind London based ColorColor (formerly known as Deep Blue Sea). This rather sultry cover is one of their earliest recordings. The line-up for this recording: Muireann McDermott-Long (Muzz to her friends – now singing with Seafoam Green) on vocals, Chris Walker on guitars, Graeme Wheatley on bass and guesting on drums (fresh from sessions with Mumford & Sons & Adele’s band), Dave Powell. You can find more information on ColorColour here.

04 Day Tripper – Flaming Mussolinis John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote a considerable number of super songs during the lifetime of The Beatles and this popular rocker was a double ‘A’ Side single in 1965 with ‘We Can Work it Out’. Teesside pop group The Flaming Mussolinis also made proper records for real record companies, the albums ‘Watching the Film’ (1986) and ‘Charmed Life’ (1987) as well as a bunch of singles. Kit Haigh had the idea for this version which does not feature the riff until near the end. The recording was produced by Tim Palmer and was originally planned for ‘Charmed Life’ but was subsequently omitted and forgotten about until now. Alan Savage vocals, Kit Haigh guitar, Jeff Fogarty sax, Doug Maloney bass and Craig McClune drums. Sav’s later music can be found here 

05 Marshall Riley’ Army – The Attention Seekers The legendary Alan Hull wrote this for the Lindisfarne 1978 album ‘Back and Fourth’. The lyrics describe the Jarrow Crusade in which 200 unemployed men from Jarrow marched down to London to protest and hand a petition to then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to fix the severe poverty and unemployment in the town. Between 2009-2012 Steve Daggett ran an annual charity event at The Maggie Bank pub to celebrate Alan’s music and raising money for Children In Need. The Attention Seekers took part in these and recorded the songs to be performed for a CD sold on the night with proceeds to the charity. This song was a highlight of their set with its rousing chorus and timeless message: Paul Liddell Lead Vocals, Guitar, Percussion, Alan Fish -guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, Col Roberts bass, backing vocals, Tony Davis piano, backing vocals, Stu Haikney drums. Produced by Alan Fish, engineered by Tony Davis and recorded at The Cluny Studios. The song alongside the other Alan Hull interpretations also appears on The Attention Seekers album ‘The Curious and Deranged’.

06 Can’t Touch This – UnderGroove Written by MC Hammer, Rick James and Alonzo Miller, this was originally released on the 1990 MC Hammer album ‘Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em’ and was an early example of a rap song crossing over into pop territory. Northumberland groove ‘n funkster trio UnderGroove did their thing in the early 90’s and were a wow on the live circuit including their powerful and flashy take on the MC Hammer classic: Angus Neil guitar, Mark Thompson bass and lead vocals, and Angus Bewick drums. This is a previously unreleased recording and you can find UnderGroove’s albums on VainGloriousUK.

07 Albert Ross – DisGuise Peter Green wrote this delicately romantic instrumental, a super hit over the summer of 1968 for his group Fleetwood Mac. He did however take some inspiration for its composition from Santo and Johnny’s 1959 instrumental ‘Sleepwalk’ and also Chuck Berry’s 1957 album track ‘Deep Feeling’. Despite being big in Hartlepool for 15 minutes in 1977 very little of the punky pop sound of the DisGuise mk1 line-up was successfully captured on to tape, with only one single released during their 1977-79 mk1 lifetime (on Chiswick Records). Guitarist Peter Scott had been watching the Les Dawson show and decided to emulate the Dawson musical approach on that Fleetwood Mac tune. We are truly sorry if this offends your sensibilities and ruins your appreciation of the original forevermore. Jimmy McKenna on bass and Alan Scully on drums where the other guilty parties to this wilful abomination.

08 The Tennessee Waltz – Dave Ditchburn Written in 1946 by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King it became a multimillion seller via 1950 recordings by Pati Page and then Les Paul and Mary Ford. Its super sentimental lyric tells of the storyteller introducing his sweetheart to a friend who then waltzes away with her.  Dave Ditchburn first made his name singing with legendary ‘70’s North East group Brass Alley, then subsequently with Armageddon and Talisman. Dave has always demonstrated a softer side and this is evident in his version. As he says “growing up, stuff like this was constantly played in my house some of those song kinda stick with you forever”. You can find Dave’s Talismanic and Armageddon recordings at VainGloriousUK.com.  This version was recording in 1998 with Barry Holmes on keyboards.

09 Stop Breaking Down – Blue Bishops Robert Johnson first wrote this angry riposte to some unnamed female in 1937 and it has since been covered by a multitude of blues artists. His two takes of the song can be found on the 1990 ‘The Complete Recordings’ CD. Expatriate Hartlepudlian, Geoff Grange has rubbed shoulders, shared plectrums, blown his harmonica and done some canny chanting for some interesting successful musicians including Bill Wyman and Thomas Dolby. Geoff’s proper group is the Blue Bishops and this version of the Robert Johnson standard is from their ‘Deep’ album which can be found here.

10 Good Times – The Loud Guitars Eric Burdon and the Animals released the original on the 1967 album ‘Winds of Change’ with music and lyrics credited to Eric Burdon, John Weider, Vic Briggs, Danny McCulloch and Barry Jenkins. It was most recently covered by Ozzy Osbourne in 2005. This version was recorded at the Loud Guitars final gig, at Inventions in Newcastle on October 1^st 1991. It was recorded by Stu Haikney who on occasion would play drums for the band. On this recording former Tyger of Pan Tang Brian Dick was playing drums, alongside Bob Smeaton on vocals, Alan Fish on acoustic guitar and Colin Roberts on bass, who had previously played together in White Heat. The former White Heaters were joined by Martin Campbell on Guitar, Gary Cowey on keyboards and Dave Donaldson on backing vocals. The Hooray Boys and Girls also lent their voices to the recording. During the fade on the recording you can hear how the band would use the song to set up one of their original songs ‘When We Were Young’, which had a similar sentiment to ‘Good Times’. Alan Fish‘s current group is The Attention Seekers and you can find them here. Bob Smeaton has gone on to become a renowned music documentary maker whose credits include documentaries on Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and The Jam. You can find more here.

11 Baby You’re Rich Man – Jimmy McKenna’s TVA Combination The Beatles were so prolific that some of their superb songs only made it as ‘B’ sides to their singles. This was the B-side to ‘All You Need is Love  in July 1967 and later appeared on the album to tie in with the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ album. As well as churning out a bucketful of his own songs that Jimmy McKenna has always been keen on interpreting other people songs, and all his albums have at least one. Here he is with Gavin Bell on bass, Jason Bell on drums and Bryn Collinson on sax with a bit of boisterousness from the ‘Tortured Art’ album which can be found on VainGloriousUK.com.

12 He’ll Have to Go – The Wild Bunch This much loved country ballad was first released by Jim Reeves in 1960 and has been a staple of singers ever since. Flash forward to 1978 and Steve Thompson is house producer at Impulse Recording Studios in Wallsend and one night invites some of his friends round to have a musical party. This results in the album ‘One Take No Dubs’ and the name The Wild Bunch (it is rumoured that alcohol was consumed). The album can be found at VainGloriousUk.com. Mick Whitaker lead vocals, Phil Caffrey harmony vocals, Steve Thompson guitar, Arnie Watson bass, Carl Gustafson drums and engineered by Mickey Sweeney.

13 Texas Flood – Crossroads This blues standard was originally written and recorded by guitarist Larry Davis in 1958 and has been recorded by several artists, most famously by Stevie Ray Vaughan who also gave its name to his 1983 debut album. Crossroads were formed in 1995 by a bunch of youngsters from Tynemouth with a shared love for authentic electric blues and over a four year period they become a popular live act on the blues circuit performing their own stuff as well as some tasty cover versions. Their albums can be found on VainGloriousUK.com: Dave Whiffin guitar/lead vocals, Brett Amin drums, Dave Lamb bass/vocals and Geoff Smithson guitar.

14 People are Strange – Dean Crimdon Dimension From the darker side of American late ’60’s psychedelia came The Doors and this song featured on the album ‘Strange Days’ and was a single in September 1967. It came to prominence again with the version by Echo and the Bunnymen in the soundtrack for the 1987 film ‘The Lost Boys’. Meanwhile…..rocketed to Earth as a baby Kalel ……err no that’s another fable. An occasional group Dean Crimdon is most certainly the Elvis Presley of an alternative Universe, unfortunately he lives in this one. This rather jolly version has been realised by: Dean Crimdon vocals, Troy Tempest keyboards, Duke Chauber drums, Eddie Van Throston guitar and Chas Groovy bass. The Dean Crimdon album ‘Whole Lotta Poolie’ can be found at VainGloriousUK.com

15 This Planet’s on Fire – The Force This rock monster of a song was written by Sammy Hagar and first released on his 1979 ‘Street Machine’ album. The Force have been a North East live rock phenomena since they were first formed in 1990. Their albums ‘Breaking Free’ and ‘Different Worlds’ plus their Rock Covers albums Volumes 1 and 2 can be found  here. This live version was recorded at The Office, South Shields: Mick Hunter lead vocals, Phil Thorell and Dave Shaw guitars, Mick Hunter bass and Geordie Clark drums.

16 Apache – Jim Hornsby Written by Jerry Lordan this classic instrumental was first recorded by Bert Weedon in early 1960. Lordan later played it (on ukulele!) to them local lads Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch and while on tour with them, and The Shadows subsequently released their own version which was a monster hit. Newcastle’s Jimmy Hornsby has released a bunch of albums of his own country tinged music: Paul Smith drums, Derrick Spence fiddle, Dave Brewis mandolin, Tony Hornsby bass, Jim Hornsby acoustic/dobro/banjo.

17 Get Up – Holiday Patrons Narada Michael Walden, singer, songwriter, musician and record producer (plus stints as drummer in the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Journey) wrote and released this on his 4th solo album ‘Victory’ which was released in 1979 and it quickly became an underground disco classic.  Holiday Patrons bassman The Intolerator first fell in love with the song dancing to it in Hartlepool’s Gemini nightclub. In due course he presented it as a must to perform to his fellow patrons. The full Holiday Patrons anthology can be found at VainGloriousUK. This live version was recorded at Hartlepool College of Art in 1988.  Beef Monolith vocals, Carlton Camp vocals and percussion, Cringe Locarno guitar, The Intolerator bass, Tombola Broth keyboards and Plinth Manuals drums.

18 I’m The Slime – Wagga Jawaka It is fair to say that that Frank Zappa holds a unique place in contemporary music, releasing a prodigious amount of music in a 30 year career with even more released since his death. This song was first released on Zappa’s 1973 album ‘Overnite Sensation’ Hartlepool’s own Frank Zappa tribute band were formed originally for a one-off gig following the death of the maestro in December 1993. By 1995 they were an eleven piece band who blew socks off with their renditions of the legendary musical genius. The band name was a Hartlepudlianism, derived from another Zappa track ‘Waka/Jawaka’ and in reference to an old area of the town call Wagga. This track was recorded live at the Clarendon Hartlepool in the summer of 1995 by soundman Neil Iceton, with post mix by Tony Waite. The 1995 line-up: Nev Reed vocals, Mick Yare guitar and backing voclas, Mac Percival guitar, Liz Carter keyboard and backing vocals, Tony Waite bass, Drew Falconer drums, Jill Nelson alto sax, Stuart Johnson baritone sax, Bryn Collinson tenor sax and solo, Mark Hill trumpet and John Day trombone.

19 True Love Ways – Strangers on a Stage Buddy Holly’s original was recorded in October 1958, just four months before his death and first released on the posthumous album ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ in March 1960. Formed as a party group in Hartlepool by some proper wimmin backed by some blokes who got guitars for Christmas, SOS took inspiration for their name from the Hitchcock film ‘Strangers on a Train’ as many of their live performances would demonstrate. Johnny Hartbeat on lead vocals and guitars. Pat MeDown, Wendy Boatcumsin and Mandy Lifeboats backing vocals, Chas Groovy bass, Pedro Grindelsnatch drums.

20 Day Tripper – The MontGolfiers Yes, you are reading this correctly, this album has two very different versions of the same song. Here we have Peterlee rockers The MontGolfiers with their red hot n raunchy version from a live performance at the Hartlepool Town Hall in 1984: Gaz Whitton vocals, Alan King and Colin Butler guitars, Robbie Ryan bass and Mick Reay drums. You can find the complete MontGolfiers at VainGloriousUK.

21 Shadows and Reflections – High Chair Written by the song-writing team of Larry Marks and Tandyn Aylmer and recorded by English psychedelic mod band The Action who were one of the hot underground groups of the mid 60’s. When Newton Aycliffe born Billy Surgeoner bought the single in 1967 he was perplexed that it was not the smash hit he was sure it would be. Billy would later become the singer/keyboard player and main songwriter with progressive group The Mynd and you can find their albums via VainGloriousUK. In recent years Billy has produced music in various guises, most particularly as High Chair with Rokiah Yaman and you can find their music here. During 2020 Billy revisited this song from his teenage years and decided to do his own version: Billy Surgeoner lead vocals and music, and Rokiah Yaman backing vocals

22 In the Hall of the Mountain King – Art Fixter This popular classical tune was first composed by Edvard Grieg in 1875 as part of his ‘Peer Gynt’ suite. It has since been recorded by a plethora of different artists such as Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Who, ELO, Rick Wakeman, Marillion and errr The Wombles.  In 1983 Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow had a go on the 1995 album ‘Stranger in Us All’, adding in a little of Griegs other top tune ‘Morning Mood’ plus lyrics by Candice Night. That Art Fixter liked it so much that he rattled off his own version: Art Fixter guitars and bass, Geordie Wilkinson vocals, Brat Philistine drums. Arts own music can be found on VainGloriousUK.

23 Summer in the City – The Switch American pop group The Lovin’ Spoonful were led by John Sebastian and had a big hit in the summer (of course) of 1968 and it can be found on their album ‘Hums of the Lovin’ Spoonful’. Onwards to 2001 and Teesside pub rock n poppers The Switch had a varied repertoire featuring the cultured vocal of Ken Allan and inadvertently discovered a musical prodigy in the shape of 15 year old Danny (Ken’s son) on keyboards and saxophone. From their homemade CD ‘Hotter Than a Match Head’: Ken Allan vocals, Danny Allan keyboards, Bob Henman guitar, Dave Knox drums, Chas Groovy bass.

24 I Can’t Make You Love Me – Hawking Thompson and Whitaker Written by Mike Reis adn Allen Shamblin this song was first recorded by American singer Bonnie Rait for her ‘Luck of the Draw’  album in 1991 and subsequently it became a big hit when released as a single. More recently it has been covered by Adelle. Meanwhile in 1999 Steve Thompson is in his garage studio and invites Mick Whitaker and Andy Hawking round. Steve had always loved this song so persuaded Mick to bend his tonsils round it whilst Andy did the keyboards.

25 The Devil Went Down to Georgia – Trevor Sewell Originally written and performed by the Charlie Daniels Band and was included on their 1979 album ‘Million Mile Reflections’, telling the story of a young man named Johnny, in a variant on the classic deal with the Devil. Trevor Sewell has had a varied career, guitarist and songwriter with his own post punk agit pop group Erogenous Zones, then guitarist with punky poppers The Revillos, and session player for EMI Records. In later years his blues roots have shown though leading to his winning two Hollywood Music in Media (best Blues) awards. You can find Trevor’s own music here.

26 Cold Turkey – Wendells Parlour This was John Lennon’s second single in 1969 after The Beatles split and was credited to the Plastic Ono Band. It is definitely not about Christmas lunch leftovers. The Wendells brought their version of the song into their live act during 1993 and subsequently recorded it although it has never been made available until now. The Wendells Parlour albums are of course available via VainGloriousUK as is some of Peter Hall’s solo stuff: Peter Hall lead vocals and guitar, Mick Stuart lead guitar, Neil Forcer bass and Graeme Boynton drums

27 Sonnet 18 – Graeme Wheatley William Shakespeare published 154 of sonnets in 1609, number 18 containing (as all his stuff did) numerous lines that have been quoted ever since. Graeme Wheatley has his own explanation for what has transpired: ‘One day, in the middle of many days that all seemed to be the same day I wrote this tune. Seemed at first to be something I already knew, but I couldn’t remember what. In desperation, I turned to an old friend for help. He’s a very old friend, he’s been dead these last 400 years – but as luck would have it, it was his birthday. And his death day. Not many people are born and have the good timing to die on the same day 54 years later.  So, he gave me the words and here it is, 18. You can find more information on Graeme’s group ColorColour here:

28 Morning Dew – Brass Alley This began life as a folk song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bonnie Dobson. The lyrics took their inspiration from the Nevil Shute novel/film ‘On the Beach’, relating a fictional conversation in a post-nuclear holocaust world, and was included in her live album ‘Bonnie Dobson at Folk City’ in 1962. It has since been covered by many people including The Grateful Dead, Lulu, the Jeff Beck Group, Nazareth, Devo and Robert Plant. Throughout 1971-2 Brass Alley were probably the most popular live group performing on the North East circuit. This full on version was recorded live on the BBC Radio One Club lunchtime pop programme in 1971: Howard Martin on drums, Barry Alton guitar, Frankie Gibbon bass and Dave Ditchburn on vocals.

29 Pretty Vacant – Jimmy McKenna Written and released by The Sex Pistols in the summer of 1977 this single became a defining song for the whole English Punk movement. Back home in Hartlepool that Jimmy McKenna noted that at last a rock group had a singer with the same passion in his voice as Jimmy’s favourite, Peter Hammill of Van Der Graaf Generator. Jimmy was to discover later that John Lydon also liked Hammill. A few years later Jimmy has developed a penchant for playing one note riffs and realises that he can sing the song to it, and here we have it.

30 In a Broken Dream – The Force This song was written in the 1960s by Dave Bentley who was keyboard player and singer with the Australian group Python Lee Jackson. Believing his voice was not right for the song, he brought in Rod Stewart to sing it as a session musician (this before Rod became successful with The Faces). it was released in October 1970 but did not make the charts. Then following Rod Stewart’s rise to stardom it was released again in 1972 and became an enormous hit. The original of course was dominated by Dave Bentley’s swirling keyboards whereas The Force use their twin guitar approach with this live version recorded at The Voyager, South Shields: Dave Shaw lead vocals, Phil Thorell and Dave Shaw Guitars, Mick Hunter bass and Geordie Clark drums.

31 I Just Want to Make Love to You – Strangers on a Stage Written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1954 this classic blues song has been covered by a lot of people such as Etta James, Rolling Stones, Foghat and Bo Diddley. SOS decide to ditch the sultry sexiness of the original and go for a full on boogie: Chas Groovy vocals bass, Pat MeDown, Mandy Lifeboats and Wendy Boatcumsin backing vocals, Troy Tempest keys, Riff Raucous guitar and Brat Philistine drums.

32 Whole Lotta Jethro – Art Fixter The evolution of a rock standard. In 1962, Muddy Waters recorded a blues vocal called ‘You Need Love’ with lyrics by Willie Dixon, on to an instrumental track previously recorded by blues guitarist Earl Hooker and his band. In 1966 The Small Faces recorded the song (as ‘You Need Loving’) for their debut album, with the vocal phrasing adjusted to fit the rolling beat. Onwards to 1969 and Led Zeppelin make further developments, with the singing now evolving around Jimmy Pages hot riff and a new title ‘Whole Lotta Love’. A subsequent lawsuit was resolved in 1985 with future Led Zep releases also crediting Willie Dixon. Meanwhile the young Art Fixter was a great fan of The Beverley Hillbillies TV programme and the antics of that Ellie Mae Clampett and her cousin Jethro. Then in a dream that Granny Clampett came to Art and told him that she needed a Whole Lotta Love err so he did this.

33 A Cup of Coffee, A Sandwich And You – Bob Surgeoner A modern interpretation of the Omar Khayyam quip: ‘A jug of wine a loaf of bread – and thou’. This was written by Joseph Meyer, with lyrics by Al Dubin and Billy Rose and recorded by several artists, including Nick Lucas in 1926. Nick Lucas was a guitar pioneer, having recorded the first jazz guitar solo in 1922. He also had a terrific tenor voice and an astonishing seven-decade career from the 1920s to the 1980s. Bob Surgeoner, former guitarist with Newton Aycliffe progressive group The Mynd has made a startling musician journey into revisiting early music hall and jazz standards, and this is one of them. Bob performs this song on a ‘Nick Lucas Special’ guitar, which was originally made by Gibson to Lucas’ specification in 1927.

34 Tobacco Road – Johnny Never is FKD This was originally a slow blues song, written and recorded by John D Loudermilk in December 1959. This song became a hit for The Nashville Teens in 1964 and has since been covered by a number of notable groups such as Spooky Tooth, The Blues Magoos, Edgar Winter, Jefferson Airplane and Eric Burdon. In 1977 that Peter Scott messed about with the Nashville Teens guitar riff and the song was added to the DisGuise repertoire. Onwards to 2000 and Peter decided that what the World needed was a full on, in your face ‘60’s Psychedelic show. Peter therefore became Johnny Never and the band was FKD. Full support (hanging on by their fingers tips) was provided by Jimmy McKenna on bass and Dave Knox on drums. After a mere six months of being told to turn down it was realised that The World wasn’t actual ready for a return to this approach to live music, not however, before getting a bunch of their versions recorded live by Alex Morris at PigPen Rehearsal Studios. This is one of them.

35 J B’s Body – The Skapones John Brown was executed on 2^nd December 1859 for murder, treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for having led an unsuccessful attempt to start a slave insurrection.  After John Brown’s death this former religious camp meeting song acquired new lyrics and variations were sang by both sides during in the American Civil War. Fast forward to 2018 and Tees Valley Ska band The Skapones take up his case with 2Tone legend and civil war enthusiast Roddy Radiation of The Specials on guest guitar: Willo  lead vocal, Mark Wilson guitar, Neil Wilson bass, Roddy Radiation guitar, Gary Godridge Drums, Steve Cummings Keys, Dave McNiff Trumpet, Bodsa Brown Sax and John Day trombone. This recording is taken from The Skapones album ‘Cradle to Grave’ which is available here.

36 Remember (Walking in the Sand) – Strangers on a Stage The Shangri Las teen melodrama was written by George ‘Shadow’ Morton, the legendary early 60’ record producer and was originally a hit in 1964. Here it is given a Codhead reggae make over by the SOS gang: Pat MeDown lead vocal, Wendy Boatcumsin and Mandy Lifeboats backing vocals, Chas Groovy bass, Pedro Grindelsnatch drums, Riff Raucous and Johnny Hartbeat guitars. They once performed 57 songs or part songs in one performance with ‘never mind the quality feel the width’ being their musical mantra.

37 A Day in the Life – Tom Robinson Today any musician can make reasonable multitrack recordings on their own pc – this was not always the case, and the majority of recordings up to the late ‘60’s were recorded on only 2 or 4 separate tracks. With the 1967 release of the ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ LP, The Beatles redefined what could be created in a recording studio. This was the epic closing track and it was a sensation at the time, written then combined from two separate song ideas by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.  Onwards to 1986 and Stokesley lad Tom Robinson’s career is going rather well with three solo albums out as well as two as The Tom Robinson Band (he has since done a load more). Come the call from Consett Music Project to help their support for the Miners Strike and Tom agreed to perform at the ‘Concert for Heroes’ at the Royal Albert Hall. This is his opening song, with a few pertinent liberties taken with lyrics, and with Ringoesque assistance from Steve Laurie on drums.