Three CD set. An In-depth exploration of Joe Meek's 1962 Work, culminating in the global hit 'Telstar'. Featuring John Leyton, The Tornados, Mike Berry, The Outlaws, Michael Cox, Geoff Goddard, Ray Dexter, and more. Includes 52 previously unheard recordings - stereo versions, alternate takes and mixes, demos, and previously unreleased songs. In the pre-Beatle era, when British pop was a veritable smorgasbord of genres and musical ideas without a dominant narrative, Joe Meek sampled almost everything on offer. From novelty hits to sound effect laden masterpieces, straight forward pre-beat pop and light instrumentals to cinematic ballads, his work with excellent singers such as John Leyton and Mike Berry, alongside talented writers like Geoff Goddard and Ray Dexter, always carried his signature studio techniques, still years ahead of many major commercial studios. 'From Taboo To Telstar' is the first in a series of chronological sets charting work at Meek's studio year-by-year. Featuring singles and B-sides (many heard in stereo for the first time), alongside alternate versions, demos and tracks recorded but unreleased, this is not only a document of a world about to be hit by a mop-topped tsunami but a window into the incredible creativity enabled by one man and his vision of independence and experimentation. Hear the gestation of 'Telstar', marvel at the majesty of 'Lone Rider' and wonder at the kitchen sink humour of Alan Klein's 'The Cat'. The Moontrekkers, Cliff Bennett, Andy Cavell, Tony Victor, Houston Wells, Peter Jay, Ricky Wayne, Kenny Hollywood... they're all heard here as they've never been heard before, straight off the tapes.

Track List

1. The Charles Blackwell Orchestra - Taboo
2. The Charles Blackwell Orchestra - Midnight in Luxembourg (Alternate)
3. Michael Cox - Young Only Once
4. Michael Cox - Stand Up (Alternate Version)
5. Don Charles - Walk with Me My Angel (Stereo)
6. Don Charles - Crazy Man Crazy
7. Don Charles - Moonlight Rendezvous (Alternate Version)
8. Don Charles - It's My Way of Loving You (Stereo)
9. Mike Berry - It's Just a Matter of Time
10. Mike Berry - Every Little Kiss
11. Mike Berry - Don't You Think It's Time
12. Mike Berry - Loneliness
13. John Leyton - Lone Rider (Stereo)
14. John Leyton - Lonely City (Vocal Take 9)
15. John Leyton - It Would Be Easy
16. John Leyton - Down the River Nile (Alternate Version)
17. The Outlaws - Last Stage West
18. The Outlaws - Ku-Pow!
19. The Outlaws - Sioux Serenade
20. The Stonehenge Men - Big Feet
21. The Stonehenge Men - Pinto (Stereo)
22. The Tornados - Love and Fury (Guitar Take 4)
23. The Tornados - Telstar (Alternate Edit)
24. The Tornados - Globetrotter (Original Speed/Extended)
25. The Tornados - Popeye Twist (Original Speed)
26. Cliff Bennett ; the Rebel Rousers with the Peppermints - Poor Joe (Alternate Vocal)
27. Cliff Bennett ; the Rebel Rousers with the Peppermints - Hurtin' 28 Inside (Alternate Version)
28. Danny Rivers ; the River Men - We're Gonna Dance (Longer Mix)
29. Danny Rivers ; the River Men - Movin' in
30. The Moontrekkers - There's Something at the Bottom of the Well (Extended)
31. The Moontrekkers - Hatashai (Japanese Sword Fight)
32. Iain Gregory - Mr Lovebug (Stereo)
33. Iain Gregory - Pocket Full of Dreams (And Eyes Full of Tears) (Stereo)
34. Tony Victor - Dear One (Alternate Version)
35. Tony Victor - There Was a Time
36. Alan Klein - Striped Purple Shirt
37. Alan Klein - Three Coins in the Sewer (Alternate Version)
38. Alan Klein - Danger Ahead
39. Andy Cavell - Hey There Cruel Heart
40. Andy Cavell - Lonely Soldier Boy
41. Andy Cavell - Always on Saturday (Stereo)
42. Andy Cavell - Hey There Senorita (Stereo)
43. The Dowlands and the Soundtracks - Little Sue (Alternate Vocal Stereo Mix)
44. The Dowlands - Big Big Fella
45. The Dowlands - Don't Ever Change
46. Pat Reader - Cha Cha on the Moon
47. Pat Reader - May Your Heart Stay Young Forever
48. Geoff Goddard - My Little Girl's Come Home (Stereo)
49. Geoff Goddard - Try Once More
50. Houston Wells and the Marksmen-This Song Is Just for You
51. Houston Wells and the Marksmen-Shutters and Boards
52. Houston Wells and the Marksmen-North Wind
53. Mark Douglas - It Matters Not (Extended Version)
54. Mark Douglas - Upside Down (Stereo)
55. Neil Christian - the Big Beat Drum
56. Neil Christian - the Road to Love (Early Version)
57. Peter Jay ; the Jaywalkers - Redskins (304 Version)
58. Peter Jay ; the Jaywalkers - Can Can '62 (Early Edit)
59. The Packabeats - Evening in Paris
60. The Packabeats - Theme from "The Traitors"
61. Ray Dexter ; the Layabouts - the Coalman's Lament (Censored Version)
62. Ray Dexter ; the Layabouts - Lonely Weekend
63. Joe Meek - Telstar (Demo)
64. Dave Adams ; Joe Meek - Last Stage West (Demo)
65. Geoff Goddard - Lover Lover
66. Geoff Goddard - Thunder Mountain (Demo)
67. Geoff Goddard - Guess That's the Way It Goes (Demo)
68. Alan Klein - Striped Purple Shirt (Demo)
69. Alan Klein - the Cat
70. Cliff Bennett ; the Rebel Rousers - I Get Up in the Morning
71. Cliff Bennett ; the Rebel Rousers - Avenue of Loneliness
72. Geoff Goddard ; Kenny Hollywood-Magic Star (Demo)
73. Geoff Goddard ; Kenny Hollywood-The Wonderful Story of Love (Demo)
74. Kenny Hollywood - I'll Cry Tomorrow
75. Kenny Hollywood - I Wanna Dance with No One Else But You
76. Kenny Hollywood - You Could Have Fooled Me
77. The Stonehenge Men - Outcast
78. Neil Christian - I Feel in a Mood (Demo)
79. Neil Christian - Just a Dream (Demo)
80. Gerry Harlow - Mr Right
81. Billie Davis - Merry Go Round
82. The Flee-Rekkers - Oh What a Charlie (Stereo)
83. Ray Dexter - Lonely Weekend (Demo)
84. Ray Dexter ; the Layabouts - the Coalman's Lament (Early Version)
85. Iain Gregory - Too Shy (Alternate Version)
86. Mark Douglas - Riding the Rails (Stereo)
87. Ricky Wayne - I'm Waiting for Tomorrow
88. Ricky Wayne - Pretend
89. The Ferridays - Two Brothers
90. The Foresters - It's Almost Tomorrow
91. Unknown - Say Baby
92. Jackie - Time to Go
93. Jenny Moss - When My Boy Comes Marching Home Again (Alternate Mix)