"Rock My Baby, Rock" Jerry Lewis 1958

 This is an excellent parody. 

Wiki on the film

Sonny Boy Williamson II - Bye Bye Bird

 There was in Chicago the big three - Muddy, the Wolf and Sonny Boy. Sonny Boy is probably the least remembered of the three. 

Robbie Robertson Talks About Meeting Sonny Boy Williamson (Language Warning)

This is really interesting. An insight into the real Sonny Boy

 Robbie Robertson talks on The House of Blues Radio Hour about heading into Helena, Arkansas with bandmate Levon Helm to meet and spend time with Sonny Boy Williamson. In telling the story, Robertson uses language (in context) that may be offensive to some.

Adge Cutler & The Wurzels - Up The Clump (Single Version) 1968

Just heard this song for the first time. Wurzels do rock'n'roll. I saw Adge Cutler and the Wurzels when I was a kid. In Frome at a firework display.

Peter Green - Man of the World

 Well I enjoyed this BBC Four documentary. It is up on the IPlayer for a while if you missed it. I think he was a gifted musician and he deserves to be remembered for his achievements. 

The Larry Williams Show Featuring Johnny 'Guitar' Watson With The Stormsville Shakers - Slow Down/Louisiana Hannah

 This is a great album - I have it - the Edsel reissue version. The original on Decca came out in 1965. It's a real mid-Atlantic effort with the Stormsville Shakers being British. If you would like to read about the Stormsvilles and their connections with Larry Williams go here

King Creole - Crawfish (1958)

 Just watched it for the second time in recent succession. Such a great film. The music is good in parts but the plot is great with fine performances from the cast. Presley said his character Danny Fisher was his favourite. So much darker than what we eventually became accustomed to with Elvis.  Based on a Harold Robbins novel. This is one of the best moments from the film. Spectacular. Duetting with Kitty White.

Frome Somerset 1981

 Sue and I got married in 1981 and bought this house in Frome - Vallis road. It didn't have a garden or parking but we didn't drive. It dated from about 1702 - an old weavers cottage. Three storeys. None of our friends had got mortgages by then so we used to get lots of visitors especially in the evening. I used to sit in the corner and deejay. Happy days. I nearly forgot the best thing about this place was we had the loan of two pinball machines as we had a spare room. What could be better? 

Kaiser George Marionettes

 This collection of rock'n'roll star marionettes are amazing. They are soon to be on trading cards. See them at their Facebook page.

J B and his Hawks Chance Recordings

J.B. Hutto & His Hawks! L-R Johnnie Mae Dunson, Joe Custom, George Mayweather, J.B. Hutto. Photo from the Mike Rowe Collection.

Spotify playlist

From the wiki

Joseph Benjamin Hutto was born in Blackville, South Carolina, the fifth of seven children. His family moved to Augusta, Georgia, when he was three years old. His father, Calvin, was a preacher. Joseph and his three brothers and three sisters formed a gospel group, the Golden Crowns, singing in local churches. Calvin Hutto died in 1949, and the family relocated to Chicago.^[2]

Hutto served as a draftee in the Korean War in the early 1950s, driving trucks in combat zones.^[3]

In Chicago, Hutto took up the drums and played with Johnny Ferguson and his Twisters. He also played the piano before settling on the guitar and performing on the streets with the percussionist Eddie "Porkchop" Hines. They added Joe Custom on second guitar and started playing club gigs. The harmonica player Earring George Mayweather joined after sitting in with the band. Hutto named his band the Hawks, after the wind that blows in Chicago.^[4] A recording session in 1954 resulted in the release of two singles by Chance Records. A second session later the same year, with the band supplemented by the pianist Johnny Jones, produced a third single.^[5]

I'll be in Trouble

 "I'll Be in Trouble" is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Written by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, the single was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 33.^[1]

The Doors Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival East Afton Farm, Isle Of Wight, UK Sun. August 30, 1970

 So what was going on 50 years ago? Well it's almost time for the famous Isle of Wight Festival with the Doors. If you like festival films which I do then you might enjoy this. Festivals are a but unpleasant really I am not sure why people go but I am glad they do. 

0:38 Roadhouse Blues

5:47 Introduction 6:00 Back Door Man 10:16 Break on Through (To The Other Side) 15:04 When The Music's Over 28:32 Ship Of Fools 35:45 Light My Fire 49:43 The End (Medley: Across The sea/Away In India/Crossroads Blues/Wake Up)

"After the Fox" Intro (The Hollies & Peter Sellers) 1966

 It shouldn't really work - the Hollies and Peter Sellers but it does. I think the song is written by Burt Bacharach. 

"Bedazzled": Drimble Wedge and the Vegetation - 'Bedazzled' (1967)

 Great song - forecasting what 80s music was like. This reminds me of the Pet shop boys😄

'eat out to help out' in Midsomer Norton

 My third and probably final Eat out to help out meal. I know we don't like the Wetherspoons employee treatment but they invested something like 2 million on renovating the old cinema and it is vital for Midsomer Norton for it to survive. We support all the high street businesses. And it's dead cheap. There seemed to be more staff than customers as Norton has had a bit of a spike based on the Dolphin Inn so it has been peculiarly quiet.

20 years ago

 

One After 909 - The Beatles 60th

 So 60 years ago this summer the Beatles were born. Pete Best in on drums and their first Hamburg gigs under the name Beatles. Their set was all rock'n'roll covers Buddy, Elvis etc but they had this one original in the set - obviously this is from a little later but the 1960 versions on Youtube have poor sound. 

The Fall Hub Club Bath October 1993

 'The Fall are playing in Bath' said one of my neighbours who knew me to be a Fall fan so he delightedly told me. I raced into Bath to get tickets. They were bought from a record shop in Walcot called Nasher's. The Hub was a tiny venue. I had seen a couple of bands there one I remember was Peel faves Loop Guru. Anyway Sue and I made sure we were right at the front. Of course then you could smoke in pubs and clubs so we didn't need to go out on the street for a puff. Then I noticed a familiar face. Who is that? It was Gremlin one of my brothers old school mates. We exchanged looks of recognition. Then the band came on. I have been at the front at Fall gigs before and it's like standing in front a load of tanks in Tiananmen Square. Crushed under a mighty juggernaut - they weren't called the Mighty Fall for nothing. The Set list was amazing. I post it here for Fall fans. First time I had heard M5. I did save my ticket and get a Set list but this ticket is from http://thefall.org/gigography/gig93.html

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-fall/1993/the-hub-bath-england-33d7ac75.html

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Playlist based on the setlist

Polish-Soviet War of 1920

 So we are in the period of the centenary of this forgotten war.  Sometimes called the Miracle on the Vistula.

 Osprey published a campaign book earlier this year. Looks good. 

There were American volunteer pilots Kościuszko's Squadron which included King Kong producer Merian C Cooper.

 There is a great Polish film on the subject which I bought the DVD of. Rent it here,

The Mamas and The Papas - Straight Shooter - Monterey 1967 (live)

 The Monterey International Pop Music Festival

June 16 to June 18, 1967 County Fairgrounds, California

This is my favourite M&P song. It's kind of rhythm and blues. Not a huge fan but I have a soft spot for 60s MOR.

1/32 Samurai

 found these on Steve Weston's  site where you can buy them. Russian manufacturer.

Cass Elliot - California Earthquake

 I remember this song from my youth. It's good. 

A Brief History of Book Printing and Butler &Tanner

 I worked there and my Father and Uncle also were there.

BBC Signpost documentary from 1962 giving a brief history of the printing press and the 'modern' book printing at the Butler & Tanner works in Frome, Somerset.

 

Nunney 1973

 Some pictures by Elliot James of the Sealed Knot in 1974 and a postcard of the event. Legendary early reenactment weekend. Think I watched it. 

Mid-Century Fetish: Elvis Presley

 Don't like Elvis movies? This article might change your mind.

SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS - Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone

 Featuring film footage of Boot Boys in the 1970s.

Saw Slaughter and the Dogs at Yate of all places. Very good gig.

Sue in Midsomer Norton High street.

Sue was shopsitting Kelly's shop Magpie Vintage which is next to Celia's place which is a cool hair salon and a comic shop. Magpie vintage is a treasure trove of clothes and things. Drop in when in Midsomer Norton. It's not as trendy as Frome but there a record shop too in MSN.

Sonny Boy Williamson on King Biscuit Time in the 60s

 This is a bit of blues history. 15 minutes of Sonny Boy on the King Biscuit time radio show. It's when he has just come back from England and he is announced as 'the man with the spiked toed shoes' which I used for a song. I have this on vinyl but you lucky people get it free. See colour silent film of Sonny Boy here

KFFA Radio Program: V-8 Ford / Stormy Monday / Right Now / Come Go With Me

Early Beatles

 If you like pics of the early days of the fabs I have a small Pinterest page https://pin.it/4yAcdBj

Sonny Boy Williamson 2

 So who is my favourite bluesmen? Probably Sonny Boy Williamson (2). He was the first and I collected his records trying to accomplish the task of owning all his recordings. He was a great songwriter and managed to be one of the first bluesman on the radio with the King Biscuit time show in Helena Arkansas. I have selected one of my favourites that you might not have heard before.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TL-3GFAOdFc

Frome show field

 Sue and me 1979 in my parent's garden in Frome. This field (the Cheese show field) in the background was the place where the English Civil War society did a battle here about 1977. Ended badly when some Frome hooligans got in a fight with reenactors in the beer tent which actually got in the Daily Mirror. Ended up in court. Headline was something like Laughing cavalier loses smile. Now a hospital is here. 

The terraplanes 1983 Caxton club Frome

The Caxton Club was the company social club for the Frome printers Butler's and Tanners that my Dad was instrumental in setting up. The shirt I am wearing I gave to Kev Saunders when he joined Frenzy. Hear what we sounded like then here

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 Frome printer Herald Franks talks about the Caxton club.

Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

 Not a big Shadows fan but I loved the Thunderbirds as a child. 

Live It Up1963

 Live It Up! is a British music film (US release title: Sing and Swing) released in 1963. It was filmed at Pinewood Studios and featured Gene Vincent, Jenny Moss, the Outlaws, Patsy Ann Noble, the Saints and Heinz Burt (most of them being produced by Joe Meek, who wrote the film's theme) among others. The film also featured young actor Steve Marriott (later a well-known singer and guitarist with Small Faces and Humble Pie).^[1] Another actor, Mitch Mitchell, later became the drummer of The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

The film was quite successful and Be My Guest was the follow-up

Mud Dogs Dog with the No-Bone Blues (2001)

Turn it Up! Somerset's blueswailing Mud Dogs (Ralph Mitchard guitar and Big Rich Vocals harp) from 2001 when the music (self-penned) was a hit on the Tyning Inn jukebox. Bass is by Oz and drums Johnny Rench. Recorded in a front room by Phil Cass.

Many years ago Animals & men got this review in Bristol's Venue

Despte such a glowing preview the event was sparsely attended. 

Laugh Clown Laugh, One in the bush

The last posting I did on Laugh Clown Laugh was very popular so here is another. How I remember them. 

Anthony Devis, Landscape with a Hut in an Oak Tree and the ‘Man in the Moon’ Inn (1785)

Alan Wilson/Canned Heat playlist

Canned Heat. When I was a teenager at school I used to hitch everywhere and On the Road Again was my theme. Al Wilson the singer harmonica player in this was an impressive young man. Musicologist multi instrumentalist and environmentalist he died September 1970 at the age of 27. He was an original vocalist with a falsetto style that suited the material. Here's a short playlist of his vocals, and a couple of Hooker n Heat tunes.

Canned Heat Goin' Up The Country

Stereo edit of Canned Heat performing Goin' Up The Country on the Hits a Go-Go, Swiss TV show in 1970.
 

Below is the original on which the song is based. The woodwind are called quills, Read about Alan Wilson's work in rediscovering old blues songs at http://blindowl.net/

1970 - Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive music

At Shepton Mallet late June. See photos etc here

I have vague memories of this happening as it was near Frome. One of my Dad's workmates' son was going and he borrowed a sleeping bag off us and of course it got runied. Canned Heat played and Jefferson Airplane. 

Wikipedia

Mutartis Boswell No Hugs

Sue got.these items today from Frome artist Mutartis Boswell. Patches t-shirt etc. Contact him on Facebook if you want anything.

UK Weetabix Advert - Battle of Naseby (1994)

British Breakfest cereal. I had left the ECWS by this time but my hat was in it. 

Birds Eye, Steakhouse, Southern Fried Chicken TV Commercial 1992

UK American Civil War reenactors were used in this directed by Mel Smith.