© Nick Churchill

www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk

Graham Dee -The Thirteenth Man

I flatter myself that anyone should notice, but before we go any further I must declare an interest here – I have a songwriting credit on this album, generously bestowed on me for providing the title of track three, Emily Nuthin.

© Words - Matteo Sedazzari
“My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.”

As stated by Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem about the Arthurian legend Sir Galahad. Galahad noted for his chivalry, bravery and virtue, and with his traits, as the legend goes, to be one of only three people to see and touch the Holy Grail. Like a lot of legends and folklore,

They started to play at local venues in St Albans. Paul Arnold, left the group to become a doctor was replaced by Chris White. The lads were all clever and university bound at the end of the summer of 1963. For fun they entered themselves into a local band contest (The Herts Beat Contest) with the first prize a recording deal with British Decca Records. Rod and Chris hoped winning the contest would keep them together.

© Words Matteo Sedazzari

“Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat?” Goldie Hawn,
Inspiring words from a beautiful woman who achieved international stardom and iconic status in the late  sixties, as a regular in the US hit cult comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a wacky and satirical sketch show which ran from January 1968 to  March 1973.  A comedy show that seemed to be part of the counter culture revolution

Tom and John Fogerty, formed a band in El Cerrito, California in the late 1950s, they were called Tommy Fogerty and the Blue Velvets but change their name to the Golliwogs before, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). The line up consisted of Tom Forgery (Rhythm guitarist), younger brother John Forgery ( guitar and vocals), Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. In June 1968, Fantasy launched their first album "Creedence Clearwater Revival", which was a pseudo psychedelic rock album. The single form the album was a cover version of Dale Hawkins old rock standard "Suzie Q."

Prior to the introduction of the singer with the band, dance music was primarily instrumental. Then as microphones improved vocalisation became more popular and when during the war years union action prevented, card carrying musicians from recording the rise of the crooner resulted with the decline of the popular instrumental. Cool School Jazz continued to promote instrumental music but this was considered too complicated for vocals. In the early 50s, Earl Bostic, a jazz saxophonist had two instrumentals hits with Harlem Nocturne and Earl's Rhumboogie.

Florence Ballard was a student at junior high school in the Detroit housing projects and became friends with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, (two members of The Primes, later to become the Temptations). The boys encouraged her to form a sister group called the Primettes (1959).

Ray Thomas (harmonica, vocals), John Lodge, and Michael Pinder keyboards, vocals) were members of El Riot & the Rebels in Birmingham in the early 60s. The group disbanded when John Lodge went to technical college and Mike Pinder left to join the army. Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas later formed the Krew Cats and recruited Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick. They appeared as the Moody Blues in 1964 for the first time in Birmingham. Decca Records signed the band and their first single which met with modest acclaim was called “Steal your heart away.”

Robert George Meek was born in 1929 in Newent, England. Joe’s mother wanted a girl and dressed him as a girl. Whilst his three brothers were outward going young Joe was introverted and enjoyed staging magic shows for other children and dressing up for his own elaborate theatre productions. His other love was old radios and record players. Joe began building his own electrical gadgets and would rig up speakers so the local cherry pickers could listen to the radio as they worked. Later he became a mobile DJ, travelling the area with his own mobile set up,

© Words – Chris Madden

The last stand? If this is it (as rumours suggest) and they‘re calling time on the NY&CH adventure then it’s a genuinely fitting eulogy; one borne out of a new found sobriety (Young stopped smoking pot a couple of years back, after an adulthood spent in its mist. I wondered if his playing was a product of his drug use? The answer- a resounding NO!), but more importantly, this is a celebration of the connection between the four players on stage and their audience. Perhaps the tour being titled ‘Alchemy’ is the magic they conjure together?