Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: West Hampstead’s Musical Heritage Remembered by Dick Weindling

Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: West Hampstead’s Musical Heritage Remembered Reviews

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  G. E. Harrison

  I bought this book as a fan of British blues, I remember seeing ads in the Melody Maker at the time for the Klooks Kleek jazz and R/B club but as someone living in the provinces I dreamt of being able to see the bands advertised on a regular basis. The book tells the story of two adjacent premises in West Hampstead a works which later became the Decca recording studios and the Railway Hotel which later hosted the Klooks Kleek club on its first floor.I've still got my original 60s vinyl of John Mayall/Eric Clapton's 'Bluesbrealers' LP recorded at these Decca studios, probably the greatest ever British blues record, not to mention copies of John Mayall, Zoot Money and Graham Bond live LPs recorded in Klooks Kleek by microphones whose cables went over the roof to the studios next door. However, apart from this there was no real connection between the two buildings, except that a few of the artists who appeared at Klooks Kleek also recorded at Decca and staff from the studios drank in the pub. (Decca's biggest blues act the Rolling Stones only did a couple of early recordings there, doing all their subsequent work at independent studios.) The book details the history of the studios and also lists the producers and engineers who worked there. I'm afraid that I found this history of the studios a bit dull and the list of people who recorded there was also a bit plodding and needed interesting stories of the sessions rather than the brief career resumes given.Similarly the history of the pub was also a bit unnecessary but I did really enjoy reading about the establishment of the Klooks Kleek club originally a jazz club but then switched to a blues and R/B club and the many acts who played there. These were much personal stories giving a real insight into the running of the club, its patrons and the many young hopefuls who played there and later went on to be famous. I also found the appendix with its lists of the bands who appeared between 1963 and 1970 very interesting: Graham Bond 39 appearances, John Mayall 33, Georgie Fame 22 etc. I found this book very much a curate's egg, I thought that the history of both of the buildings was irrelevant really and that by far the most interesting portion of the book was the section relating to the Klooks Kleek club.
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  paul swinton

  Good value & a terrific, well researched book. about an iconic label and club.
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  mr s c bentinck-budd

  This is a staggeringly interesting piece of work if you are interested in the history of recording studios, UK rock, jazz or indie music clubs of the 1960's to 80's, especially in West London ! superbly researched, this had so much information that I had never heard about before. a brilliant read.Needs a bit on when the Railway turned into the Moonlight Club in the late 70's early 80's but nevertheless, pretty comprehensive!Recommended
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  Philip Davis

  Interesting record of my hometown
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  goodreads Customer

  Not finished reading yet, but the bits I have referenced are entertaining and informative in equal measure. Both buildings are still standing, nearest tube West Hampstead, the studios are now in use as the rehearsal space for the English National Choir, Klooks Kleek (the first floor of the pub) has been converted to residential accommodation the pub below it (The Railway Inn) is still open and going strong.