VA - Do The Strum! Girl Groups And Pop Chanteuses (1960-1966) [Joe Meek's Tea Chest Tapes] (2024)

From Glenda Collins to Diane And The Javelins, during the 1960s Joe Meek worked with countless female artists, many of whom issued just one single, or perhaps never even made it that far.But, until now, the extent of this work, and the volume of material recorded, has remained buried among the Tea Chest Tapes. This unprecedented 3CD set explores that archive in-depth for the first time.

Featuring established names and previously unknown artists (and indeed, at least one artist whose identity is still unknown), Do The Strum! shines another spotlight on Meek’s remarkable work with everything from the serene tones of Pat Reader to the gutsy soul of Glenda Collins and the proto girl-punk of The Sharades. Spanning almost seven years, and mirroring the changing pop scene of the era, from pre-Beatle to powerful, stripped-down hard rock, this set recontextualises both Meek himself and the artists within. Lost classics and shoulda-beens pervade, and the imagination and production quality never drops below Joe Meek’s perfectionist standards. And, most importantly, it’ll all make you want to shake a tail feather!

Includes every known A and B side, material from the abandoned Live It Up! film soundtrack, singles that never were, auditions, demos and alternate versions of familiar recordings. A must- have for fans and collectors of girl groups, Meek freaks young and old and students and historians of British pop. Don’t settle for the tried and tested story you’ll read in books and magazines – this is the real deal, restored, remastered and as fresh as the day it was recorded!