Thunderclap
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Pete Goodall’s latest album is the anthology of a historical journey from the music maker’s first foray into the industry, through to modern day.“It’s my Lonely Planet guide to the early 1960s onwards and is a total retrospective,” explains the man who played guitar in the original Thunderclap Newman from 1970 -71, and who performed with the Troggs from 1972-73. “It’s basically my journey through the music business as player, booker, producer, writer, publisher and everything else.
As Tony Sheridan, responsible for the first Beatles recordings, said in 1968,"Rock is to music as all in wrestling is to martial arts – a series of fixed moves in different shapes and forms to sell a show every night. I’d like to think these 12 songs offer a slideshow of differing experiences which people will be able to wallow in as they sink back into their sofas with a large brandy.”
Pete (left, in '69) called on the expertise of highly acclaimed artists in order to produce his unique album. Pete Brown, lyricist with Cream, is no exception. Brown co-wrote most of the songs, played percussion on the album, and sang on track two, Own Way Home.
“Pete’s a very interesting writer and musician to work with,” says Brown. “I also worked as producer, did some of the arrangements, and sang, which was an interesting direction I wanted to take and proved a watershed for me. I was changing what I was doing as a singer, and taking part in this project helped me a lot. Now I’ve a live album due out soon.”
Zoot Money (right), rhythm and blues maestro who played with the Big Roll Band, Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and the American-based New Animals, became the lead vocalist who is also behind a stunning piano rendition on the opening track, Something in the Air – Goodall’s interpretation of the Thunderclap Newman number one classic.
“For me, the album touches on lifestyle, doing gigs and existing with the strange world of the 60s around you,”says Zoot. “It’s written and played by people who were there, and is a solid claim to fame.
“Some of the best vocals on this album were produced with me stripped to the waist , standing by the sink in an un-airconditioned two by three foot kitchen which provided a better sound than the studio. That’s how authentic this album is! Trying to find the right sound, the right isolation for the voice, the right amount of dryness.”
Tex Makins, original Thunderclap Newman and Blue Flames bass player, wrote some of the melodies, while Nick Payn, who plays regularly with Paul McCartney and Bill Wyman, provides stunning horn arrangements, baritone, tenor and alto sax, flute, bass clarinet and harmonica.
The late Dick Heckstall-Smith is behind the languid sax solos, as Richard Bailey who has played drums with the Jeff Beck Group, Steve Winwood, and the Average White Band, keeps the beat.
Michael Bailey, who plays bass with Mick Taylor, and Dave Hadley-Rae, bass player with Pete Brown’s band, add their own inimitable styles while Noel Norris adds trumpet and flugelhorn and Dave ‘Munch’ Moore, fabulous keyboards. Siggi Josiah and Lynn Jackaman offer exquisite backing vocals.
The band will be touring later in the year.
Press and PR
THUNDERCLAP.Nearly 40 years on and the legacy continues...
In 1969, a certain Pete Townsend decided to put a band together around his flat-mate, John (Speedy) Keane. This band, called "Thunderclap Newman", then went on to achieve musical history by writing one of the world's all time classic songs: "Something in the Air". The song hit the No.1 spot and seared itself into the memories of an entire generation.
The resulting rollercoaster put the band (with the addition of guitarist Pete Goodall) out on the road. Lots of successful shows followed, and Pete, who not only played guitar with the band but also acted as their music producer and booker, stamped his own unique mark on the band and their songs. However, he always felt that he could have bettered the originals.
He went on to play with a number of other well known acts, including the Troggs and Karl Douglas, but still his heart remained with Thunderclap Newman. Over time, unfortunately age and illness has claimed his band mates, and it is left to Pete, now the owner of the band's name, to carry on the legacy.
Nearly 40 years on from the first release of that Classic song Pete felt that the only fitting way to celebrate this would be to re-record and re-release it. It was time for him to finally translate his mark from the live arena to a studio recording, on a song that has so much meaning in his life. He has recruited his good friend, and fellow 60's player Zoot Money to front the reincarnated "Thunderclap". Zoot was around with the band members back in the heyday, and always loved the material, so was a natural choice to accede to the throne of piano player. With 2 more experienced session men, Phil Jacobs on drums and Mick Bigham on bass, the band is once again delighting audiences throughout Europe, and for the last 2 years has been playing Town Halls and Theatres the length and breadth of Great Britain.
The song has lost none of its appeal....Zoot only has to sing "Call out the instigators," and audiences everywhere join in with "Because there's Something in the Air". In fact it has been recently used as the theme tune to the "Talk Talk" advertising campaign, and thus greeted viewers of the UK's recent Big Brother every time they turned on!
For the 2004 version of "Something in the Air", producer Simon Hanhart was recruited to take the helm. Simon, the man behind the massive reworked "Perfect Day" single, as well as some of the biggest names over the last 20 years, wanted to keep the feel of the original song, whilst giving it a modern edge. He is also mixing the new album from the band, the first recording to be penned under the name Thunderclap for nearly 35 years.
"Something in the Air" is released on HCI on November 1st, 2004, and the album, "Pick'n'Tell" is available to download on Speakeasy Recordings.
THUNDERCLAP AT HEREFORD SHIRE HALL, SEPTEMBER 2005.
From the left, Zoot Money, keyboards and vocals, Pete Goodall, guitar and vocals, Tex Makins, bass.
SOME RECENT COMMENTS ON PICK/N/TELL.
"Every so often I get a chance to work on some really good songs, and this has been one of those occasions. I think your material sounds great; Noel and I have had a lot of pleasure adding the horns to it....Finally, I should be happy if you could credit me with the horn arrangements when you do the sleeve notes. Good luck with the album. Best Wishes, Nick Payn" (Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings and Paul McCartney Band).
"Keep the good stuff coming. You have excellent taste!! Tony Currie".
"I'll be featuring the tracks on my show, great stuff! Alan O'Leary".
"The single is on our A list. Regards, Chris Williams".
"We came to see you at Selby town Hall and we had such a good time. We bought the c.d, which is just lovely, and it has been played over and over again. Jane Dersley."
"I was in the audience at Selby and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the gig and the album. SITA is a fantastic song with many memories and I really like the remake. The whole album is a terrific blend. Matthew Knight."
"I am listening to this at the moment and there are a couple of tracks that are catching my ear so far. Colin Gale".
RADIO PLAY OF "PICK/N/TELL" FEATURING GOODMONEY.
W/ending 16th September 2005.
BBC Regional/Local Radio.
BBC Radio Humberside: Interview Paul Hartley & selected spot plays.
BBC Radio Devon: Interview Judi Spiers & selected spot plays.
BBC Radio Gloucestershire: John Rockley/ Spot plays.
BBC East: Interview Sue Merchant.
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire:Interview Bob Brolly and spot plays.
BBC WM in Birmingham: The Late show.
BBC GMR in Manchester: Interview Fred Fielder, also selected tracks on the album will be featured.
BBC Radio Kent: Interview & feature - Dave Cash.
BBC WM in Birmingham: Interview Jimmy Franks & plays on the Late show.
BBC Radio Bristol: Interview/feature/plays of the c.d, Keith Warmington.
BBC Radio Merseyside: Spot plays on the 'Billy Mahers' late show.
BBC Radio Wales: Euron Griffith 'True Blues'
BBC Midlands: Hereford & Woceste/Stoke/Shropshire. Playlisted 'Mike George Show'.
Commercial Radio/Associated stations.
Saga Radio in Birmingham: Interview and spot plays.
Saga Radio in Glasgow: Interview and spot plays.
Saga Radio in the East Midlands: Interview and spot plays.
Radio Six International Glasgow: Playlisted and Interview.
Carillion Radio in Loughborough: Interview and playlisted.
Apple FM - Sky Network: Interview, Pick/n/Tell is now on general rotation.
Radio Verulam in Herts: Interview Phil Richards, selected tracks are now rotated on daytime shows.
CRMK in Milton Keynes: Interview & spot plays, 'MK Tonight'.
Maximum FM in Ipswich: Interview/playlisted.
Morayfirth FM in Inverness: 'Don Chisholm' playlisted.
Olympic Radio (Internet station): C list.
Wythenshawe FM in Manchester: Playlisted.
Your Radio in Scotland: Playlisted.
BCB in Bradford: Ronnie Thompson Show.
Spyda Radio in London: Alan O'Leary.
Radio London Interview: Interview, spot plays.
Manx Radio - Playlisted A.
Morayfirth - Spey Sound: Interview & spot plays.
Nick Payn (pictured above, left) and Matt Wynch providing the horn section for Thunderclap. Twickenham, January 2006.
Zoot Money (pictured below) with Thunderclap. Twickenham, January 2006.
Releases
The new album Pick 'n' Tell
Featuring a brilliant remake of
"Something in the air"
1. Something in the air 4.02
2. Own way home 4.20
3. Sunshine in my life 6.01
4. Thunder 6.22
5. Don't come down 7.16
6. Waiting here for you 7.44
7. Love is only you 5.39
8. Alone again 6.27
9. Tear my heart 4.50
10. The mask 5.56
11. The old soul singer 4.05
12. No shape no form 5.00
Reviews
"Thunderclap album is great. I've been playing the single for ages. Take care, Ronnie". Ronnie Thompson."I can confirm that Something in the Air is going on the playlist, which should give a good wee plug for the album." Mike McLean, Presenter, Your Radio FM Ltd.
"...Thunderclap's Pick/n/Tell, it's a lovely little album - if you would like us to produce and run a commercial just let us know. We'll be happy to oblige. Best Regards, Rob Leighton". Radio Caroline.
"I played Something in the Air and Thunder on my Ipswich Community Radio show yesterday which will air next Wednesday 17th August from 2pm-4pm. The vocals are great, the musicianship fantastic and I wish them all success with this long awaited album". Jo Fletcher.
"All the best with the record. I intend to play a track this weekend". Liz Kershaw.
"I fondly remember the original. this was a welcome item in the postbag. While different in style to the original, it has been appropriately re-phased musically to fit in with current tastes. It's a good track and will get lots of airplay here." Head of music, UCA Radio University Campus Ayr.
"Still a great song". DJ Evol, The liquid room Edinburgh.
"A cool song". Head of Music, Bailrigg FM University of Lancaster.
"I really like this track, good production... a feel good summer track. ACE!!!" DJ Paul Bedford, Esquires rock night.
"Great remake of a classic, went down well with my classic rock set, had comments like I hadn't heard in years". DJ Bonzi King n Bill Rock Night Northampton.
"Huge party summer track. Sounds good played late". Joe Rock City and Spiders Nottingham.
"Instant floor puller nice new version feel good song". Krazy House Liverpool.
"The Thunderclap cd is going down very well.....it's great and could be/should be a hit. Regards Ronnie".
"Look forward to the album, 'cos I love the new version of SITA, and I don't say that about many. Regards to Peter, and hope things go well for them". Mike McLean, You Radio.
"It (the single SITA) is really nice and is on our playlist. Any chance of an interview?". Steve MacBeath, Keith Radio, Scotland.
"We've been giving Thunderclap many plays - I like the updated version!". Mike Barry, CRMK Milton Keynes.
"Some good songs among the dross...Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman". Tom Bromley, author of "The one and only".
"Thunderclap excellent, also receiving regular airplay". Bill Polson, Kinnaird Radio.
"I love the Thunderclap re-version of Something in the Air. (The original is one of my all-time faves so I was a bit apprehensive about a new version but I think it's fantastic!). I'll be spinning this when I return this week". Euron Griffiths, BBC Radio Wales.
"This ... does have some delightfully epic moments such as the strings, adding real crescendo along with bluesy lashings of piano. Track 2, Sunshine in my Life, and 3, Old Soul Singer border on R/B and are excellent indications of whats to come". Elly Roberts, Music Review.
PEER GROUP REVIEW IN MUSICIAN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2005.
'LIGHTNING MAN'
THUNDERCLAP FEAT. GOODMONEY PICK/N/TELL
This recording under the band title of Thunderclap brings together a roll call of British rock and jazz heroes who have no trouble whatsoever in providing new evidence of what made them so vital in the first place. Zoot Money, Pete Goodall, Peter Brown, the late and sorely missed Dick Heckstall-Smith... the list is endless. And fab the c.d is too. The classic "Something in the Air" will always bear another airing and the version here adds a superb piano solo by Zoot. The majority of the tracks are Goodall/Brown compositions, with occasional help from bass legend Tex Makins, and there ain't a duff number in sight. Examples of hearty, emotional soul abound, especially on "Waiting here for You" and "The Mask". There beats a heart of British music deep in the foundations of Soho and Fitzrovia. May it never stop. www.speakeasyrecordings.net
Merchandise
** Coming Soon ! **Artist Links
Zoot Money:Legendary blues keyboard player as featured on the new Thunderclap record.