MORE MEEK MEMORIES

Just a few observations with regards to Spencer Leigh’s splendid Joe Meek Top 100 Singles (RC 364). Peter Jay’s live drumming pyrotechnics were further enhanced by having carbon rods wired up near his cymbals. When he hit those, the sparks literally did fly! It’s worth noting the group backing Michael Cox on Sweet Little Sixteen was actually the Krew Kats – including Big Jim Sullivan on lead guitar. Amongst RGM aficionados the Checkmates’ (indeed aping the Barron Knights) You’ve Got To Have A Gimmick Today is widely regarded as one of the direst of all RGM releases. Spencer is spot on with regard to the embarrassing spoken element on Davy Kaye’s In My Way. I saw Davy recently and he recalled that he desperately (to no avail) begged Joe not to include the spoken passage.

Joe would have dearly loved to have recorded Billy Fury on an official basis. At least the Tornados backed up the singing legend. Tapes do exist of Billy Fury and the Tornados rehearsing numbers at 304 Holloway Road – clandestinely recorded by Joe – but never released. The Cryin’ Shames did base their arrangement of Please Stay on Zoot Money’s version. However, they were obliged to slow down the tempo during initial recordings as vocalist Charlie Crane was desperately trying to learn the words, hastily scribbled onto a scrap of paper. Joe Meek liked the speed and of course, he added choral voices and strings for dramatic effect.

With regard to the so-called ‘Tea Chest Tapes’, Alan Blackburn (who is the only person known to have listened to virtually all of the surviving tapes) confirms that they do not contain any ‘bugged’ conversations or enigmatic messages. There does exist a taped conversation of Joe lambasting Heinz’s backing musicians – with the sole exception of Ritchie Blackmore. Finally, Spencer’s figure of 200 completed tracks on the surviving tapes (is wide of the mark – it is closer to 2,000!

by Rob Bradford
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