Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 12 September 15

All the facts you need to know about the songs in our playlist...

You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere - The Byrds (1968)

Written by Bob Dylan who had been responsible for The Byrds two biggest hits, ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ and ‘All I Really Want To Do’. The group were dubbed ‘The American Beatles’ because they were never afraid of experimenting with their music, taking poems and even passages from the bible and turned them into songs.

I Met Him On A Sunday - The Shirelles (1964)

The Shirelles recorded ‘I Met Him On A Sunday’ at least three times to our knowledge, the original American hit from 1958, then the version we’re playing in 1964 and finally again as ‘I Met Him On A Sunday ’66’ - in of course, 1966. The song was written by the group, as well as two other songs that we managed to trace, ‘Look Here Baby’ and ‘Doin’ The Ronde’.

All Day And All Of The Night - The Kinks (1964)

The follow up and based on their debut hit and number one, ‘You Really Got Me’, this gave The Kinks their second top ten hit both here and in America and was not included on an album at the time of release. For many years it was believed that Jimmy Page played the raunchy guitar solo but it has since been confirmed it was the work of Dave Davies who created the sound more by accident than design when he discovered the amp he was using had a large hole in it. The song became a top ten hit again in 1988 when recorded by The Stranglers.

A Salty Dog - Procol Harum (1969)

‘A Salty Dog’ was the group’s third LP but the first and only sixties LP to make the album charts. Released in 1969 on the Regal Zonophone label, with the title track being released as a single in the same year, becoming a minor hit reaching number forty-four on the charts. The release received a mixed reception from reviewers as it was a more varied work than their previous two albums.

Rhythm Of The Rain - The Cascades (1963)

Written by the group’s lead singer, John Gummoe over quite a long period of time beginning when he was serving in US Navy. The idea came to him when they were sailing up the north Pacific and he was standing as a watch on the bridge. A heavy storm formed with thunderous rain and tossing seas, giving him the idea for the title and it was that evening he began work on the lyrics. Once the song was complete, the song was given to arranger Perry Botkin Jnr who enhanced the jangly hook and producer Barry de Vorzon came up with the idea of beginning the record with a burst of thunder.

You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby - Bobby Darin (1961)

The song was written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer in 1938 and was featured in the movie, ‘Hard To Get’ when it was sung by Dick Powell. Originally, it had been recorded by Bing Crosby, who achieved the biggest selling hit version with later interpretations by Russ Morgan, Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra with vocals by Edythe Wright and later, Bobby Vee and this UK and American top ten hit by Bobby Darin.

She’s Leaving Home - The Beatles (1967)

‘She’s Leaving Home’ is a Lennon and McCartney song that first appeared on The Beatles 1967 album, ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’ although neither George Harrison or Ringo Starr were involved in the recording and was one of only a handful of Beatles songs in which those members did not feature. The day before McCartney wanted to work on the song's orchestration, he learned that George Martin who usually handled the Beatles' string arrangements, was not available. He contacted Mike Leander, who did it in Martin's place. It was the first time a Beatles song was not arranged by Martin with the group’s consent.

The Wreck Of The Antoinette - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (1968)

In the mid sixties, Dave Dee and company could do no wrong churning out hit after hit all written by Ken Howard and Alan Blakeley and produced by Steve Roland. The songs became more adventurous as their career progressed until “The Wreck Of The Antoinette” became the last of ten consecutive top twenty hits after which they achieved two less successful top forty entries with ‘Don Juan’ and ‘Snake In The Grass’ before Dave Dee left to pursue a solo career.

Heavenly - Tommy Ridgley (1963)

Tommy Ridgley was born in New Orleans and was one of nine surviving brothers and sisters and as a child spent most of his time being the breadwinner for his impoverished family before he had a chance to take up singing. In 1942 he joined the Navy and was sent to Japan where he learned to play piano before returning home and winning first prize in a local talent contest. In 1949 he was signed to Imperial before recording for a number of other labels ending up on Ric Records in 1960 where he released eight singles.

My Old Man’s A Dustman - Lonnie Donegan (1960)

This track was recorded live by Lonnie Donegan at the Gaumont Cinema in Doncaster in February 1960. The song today would be considered very un-PC, in fact it would probably have to be re-titled, ‘My Father Is A Refuse Collector’. It was his only number one of the sixties and remained at the top of the charts for four weeks before being displaced by Anthony Newley’s second number one, ‘Do You Mind’.