Joe Meek on Tosh Talks

Joe Meek on Tosh Talks



Joe Meek is without a doubt one of the intriguing figures that came out of contemporary music.   A gay man who lived in London when it was illegal to have gay sex or even hinting of having a relationship with another man, very much lived in his working space on Holloway Road in North London.  He didn't leave his flat/recording studio that much, as he was, at the time,  focused on making recordings that to this day is revolutionary and profound, in the sense that he was probably one of the first DIY personalities in the recording world.   On this episode of "Tosh Talks," I focus on three albums by The Meek planet.  Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages, Heinz, and the brilliant "I Hear a New World" (1960) billed as Joe Meek and the Blue Men.  I also commented on Brian Eno's "Another Green World" and how that is the little sister or brother to Meek's "I Hear a New World."    A friend commented that Meek is the bridge between Les Paul and Phil Spector, but to me, as he was a non-musician, he used the recording studio as an instrument, similar to what Eno did years later.  A remarkable sonic artist in an extraordinary era. - Tosh Berman

November 10, 2014

November 10, 2014

“I am unjust, but I can strive for justice.  My life’s unkind, but I can vote for kindness.  I, the unloving, say life should be lovely.  I, that am blind, cry out against my blindness.” Those who know me, say I’m the kindest man on this planet.  That is their perception, and I think we all know that they’re wrong.  I can’t speak for everyone, but the one’s I know really wants to believe.  They don’t have any sense of doubt. In fact, they don’t trust doubt.  They accept what is in front of them, and you can’t really blame them.  If there is a malted vanilla milkshake at their table, why would they want to think about it as existence or not.  You drink it up and look outside the window, as the world collapses.  I imagine the soundtrack will be either Screaming Lord Sutch’s “Jack the Ripper” or Gruppo di Improvvlsazlone Nuova Consonanza’s “Azioni.” The two craziest sounds from the 20th century.  If I recognize the difference between truth and doubt, then I can clearly lick my lips to get the last taste of the malted milk and continue on to my inner-journey.

“Conquer yourself rather than the world.” The more I talk, I can clearly see that I’m talking to the wind.  The words are hitting against my face, and the pain makes me realize that I’m truly alive.  I only feel dead when I look in your eyes, and I get no response whatsoever.  Just a well-rehearsed glance towards me as I speak - and I what I speak is totally useless to you - but you’re kind enough to pretend that it may become of some importance.  “To know what people really think, pay attention to what they do, rather than what they say.” All I have to do is keep in thought that “the joke loses everything when the joker laughs himself.” I have been known to laugh on a consistent basis.   Even at things or incidents that are not funny.

“They tried to get me, but I got them first.” I have made that decision a long time ago, that when they come after me, and right before they break the door down… that will be the moment when I’ll end my life.  I’ll drink the entire bottle of Lysol. “Did you think the lion was sleeping because he didn’t roar?” If I don’t die, then I must at all costs, with respect “in order to seek truth, it is necessary once in the course of my life to doubt, as far as possible, of all things.” I remember once you told me that you love me.  I could never believe it, because you said that while looking out the window.   I was a little hurt, but I never allow the pain to overcome me.  What I see in the mirror is something magnificent, and if I believe it, then I become it.   “I think, therefore I am. ” What other choice do I have, but to endlessly doubt that you care?   “Let whoever can do so deceive me, she will never bring it about that I am nothing, as long as I continue to think I am something. ”

Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages rare live footage 1962

Screaming Lord Sutch's "Jack The Ripper" Produced by Joe Meek

It starts off with footsteps following its victim, and then a female scream.  Welcome to the world of Screaming Lord Sutch and Joe Meek.  A beautifully scratchy (it adds to the horror) 45 rpm of a classic  disk by two insane people.   The beauty of the music is because its simple and in many ways the history of British dread - a touch of mania to let the poison out.  The B-side is just as bugged out as the A-side. "Don't You Just Know It" is garage rock made by madmen.  A perfect combined four minutes or so.

My Favorite Music That I have Found on the Internet Part Two

A beautiful recording that is very much silk sheets on a clean bed. George Clooney's aunt, Rosemary Clooney is perfectly matched up with Duke and his Orchestra. The classic, the iconic, and it has a nice 2:30 am in the morning feeling. i like big band music that sounds small and constricted. More intense and just brings out the beauty of the songs and performance. "Mood Indigo" is the stand out here.





Everyone who knows me knows that I have a life-long love for Joe Meek and his recordings. One of his "victims' or stars is of course the great Screaming Lord Sutch. For whatever reason its hard to find an album of his early works with Meek, but I think I found it via the album "Story." Sutch is the proto-type to Alice Cooper and all that 'schock and attack' aspect of rock n' roll. But with Meek's sound it just becomes a highly eccentric approach to rock n' roll. And its perfect. Its beautiful.





I know that Small Faces/Humble Pie great Steve Marriott had a teenage career on the London West End stage, but I think this may be his first solo recording - even before the Small Faces. I don't have that much information on these recordings, but its very Mod (with a capital M) R n B music. Not far off from the early Small Faces. It's a four song ep, and the highlight is his version of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me." Track it down its a great record.



Great interview with Marriott.



Steve Marriott's "Money Money" which is one of the four songs on this particular EP.