You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato

Compiled by Tonic 7 Jun 2011

Playlist

1. 1. Not Enough Indians - Dean Martin
2. 2. Be Pop - Isabelle Antena
3. 3. I Got A Thing, You Got A Thing - Funkadelic
4. 4. Cantina Band - The Electric Moog Orchestra
5. 5. Guitar Blues Odyssey - Quincy Jones
6. 6. Bright Star (Sunset Mix) - Ben Watt, Stimming, Julia Biel
7. 7. It's Always Your Fault - Addison, John
8. 8. Wishing On A Star - Fresh 4 Featuring Lizz E
9. 9. You Used To Hold Me (J Harris Redo) - Ralphi Rosario
10. 10. Emperor Tomato Ketchup - Stereolab

This month Tonic hosted a very special edition of Record Club with the Vinyl factory at St Martins Lane Hotel. The theme inspired by the ‘You say tomato, I say tomato’ debate. On the very same day on May 10th a court ruling had declared the tomato officially a vegetable!

Sarah got us started with a Justin Harris ‘redo’ of Ralphi Rosario’s ‘You Used To Love Me’ a recent collaboration of two producers from either side of the Atlantic for a re-edited compilation of tracks from one of the earliest Chicago House labels Trax Records.

Sean came up with a cover of the classic Rose Royce track, ‘Wishing on a Star’, the tomato twist was the 90′s trip hop vein or should we say vine.

Adam came up with a rather kitsch Lynn Redgrave & Rita Tushingham track, titled ‘It’s Always Your Fault’ taken from the ‘Smashing Time’ original soundtrack and drawing on the concept of the argument, you’re wrong/I’m right!

Marianne played us a track originally named ‘Tomato Head’ – after Ben Watts’ studio frustrations whilst recording the track. The working title was replaced with ‘Bright Star’ for the actual release and the vinyl came with beautiful artwork.

Nick came up with some nostalgic selections from punk to disco making some interesting tomato connections with ‘Antena – Be Pop’ taking the idea to the extreme because the lyrics are almost impossible to figure out. BUT it’s still one of his favourite records ever because it sounds like so much fun, whatever it is they are singing about!

Susan played us a cover of ‘Cantina Band’ by The Electric Moog Orchestra leaning towards the classic Moog/Moog pronunciation debate.

The best confession of the night came from Thristian who owned up to confusing the theme with ‘rules’. He treated us all to some Sovient Union funk – a twist to the tale and one of the best loved tracks of the night.

Beccy’s record didn’t show up in time so she didn’t play Henry Mancini’s ‘Sally Tomato’ from the Breakfast at Tiffanys. Instead she improvised with a Quincy Jones album ‘Smackwater Jack’ featuring ‘Guitar Blues Odyssey: From Roots to Fruits’ from the Tonic vinyl vaults. The track was a tribute to the late great guitar hero Charlie Christian featuring four guitarists playing through a medley of styles.

Fergal played us the lengthly titled song – ‘The Rise And Dear Demise Of The Funky Nomadic Tribes’ by Thin Lizzy, a clever play on his Irish accented pronunciation of ‘Tin Lizzy’

No sign of any Das Ketchup records.. the best Tomato sauce reference was from Phillip with Stereolab’s – ‘Emperor of Tomato Ketchup’. Still sounding fresh.