Ralphadeus. Music movies comics feature in this look at life from Somerset.
Friday, December 31, 2021
Don't The Peaches Look Mellow - Othar Broadnax.
This is most excellent. The fife as a blues instrument. Minimal but awesome.
Joe Hill Louis - Boogie in the Park 1951
Here for a cracking song to start your New Years eve. Have a great 2022.
Nico - All that is My Own 1972
I know we had this before but it is really apt for this time of year.
Rolling Stones - Get Off Of My Cloud ( BBC Top Of The Pops, 1965)
Listened to this on the radio and enjoyed the drumming.
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Animals & Men interview from 2011
From the L.A. Record. This is a free newspaper on music for L.A. The interview was done on the phone and we were slightly drunk it being the evening for us.
Battle of Britain 1969 full movie
Lightnin' Hopkins - Happy New Year 1953
Heard this on the Wednesday Night Rockin' Party last night. It's pretty good.
Robert Nighthawk Eli's Place 1964
Time for this again - Maxwell Street. This is in my opinion one of the best blues clips available. Captured a gritty performance in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Bow Wow Wow C30 C60 C90 go 1980
One of the great punk records of all time in my opinion. Were a great live act too. I remember the first time I heard this - on John Peel who said something like 'I hope they don't get hoist on their own petard'. I had of course taped it so I could listen again. Wiki
Dave Barbarossa on the radio
https://m.mixcloud.com/DealRadioShows/foxy-radio-on-deal-radio-26-december-2021-featuring-dave-barbarossa/
Burundi Black (Part 1) - Burundi Steiphenson Black [7" 1971 issue]
I don't remember this from 71 - I heard it in about 81. We saw the Burundi drummers about then at the first WOMAD at Shepton Mallet. It appears the drummers didn't get royalties from these issues.Wiki on the record.
The Beatles - Blue Jay Way
I associate the Magical Mystery Tour with this time of year. I remember watching it not understanding it.
Bryan Ferry Let's Stick Together 1976
A really good cover. Everything about this is good. The sax is good the bass is good. What can you say? Wiki
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
The Slits - Peel Session 1977
This is the Slits that I like. I don't care for their later dub inspired stuff.
1. Vindictive (0:22) 2. Shoplifting (2:52) 3. New Town (4:44) 4. Love And Romance (8:44)
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain - Official Trailer | Prime Video
Susan is looking forward to this. Article on the man
The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unlock the "electrical" mysteries of the world and, in so doing, to better understand his own life and the profound love he shared with his wife Emily Richardson (Claire Foy).
Monday, December 27, 2021
Soul Pad the Coasters 1967
Heard on Boss Radio 66. It's a great song. It captures the vibe of the time I feel. Looks like it's written by Leiber and Stoller.
Book on Teds and Rockabilly
Kursaal Flyers - Little Does She Know (TOTP 25.11.1976)
A Southend band that had a brief moment in the sun. Wiki
Sunday, December 26, 2021
LULU "I'II Come Running Over" (1966)
I know we have had this before but it's a different video. Apparently Jimmy Page on guitar.
I Just Don't Understand · Freddie & The Dreamers 1966
Here for their version of a song originally by Ann-Margaret.
Frog model aircraft kits
Who remembers this brand of plastic kits? Most popular was the Spitfire and Foche Wulf. Apparently the plant where they made them was four miles away from the Airfix factory.
Honey's cider mulled
A gift from our daughter. Cider and mulling syrup from the Midford Bath cider makers. Lush. https://www.honeyscider.co.uk/
Saturday, December 25, 2021
John Peel's alternative Christmas special 1992
We are listening to this. It's good. Fall, Wedding Present and all sorts of festive oldies.
Italian WW2
My daughter bought me an Italian armoured car kit to go with my small collection. If you have an interest I have put together a Pinterest page on Italian WW2
Darlene Love Christmas
From the Spector Christmas album which is pretty essential. Listen. Tom Hanks chose this as his favourite Rocknroll Christmas song and I won't argue. His show is repeated on Boss Radio 66 at 5 o'clock GMT tonight.
Friday, December 24, 2021
How the Grinch Stole Christmas 1966 | FULL MOVIE HD Christmas Animation,
Tom Hanks on his Boss Radio 66 show has just recommended this. Narrated by Boris Karloff
A Christmas Carol 1951 trailer
So this is my last advent trailer. My favourite Christmas movie. I love Alastair Sim. He is the best. You can't have Christmas without a ghost story and this is the greatest Christmas ghost story of all time.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Coal miners at Camerton near Radstock 1898
My grandfather was a carting boy. Started at 12 years old. Wore the Guss and crook like these lads.
Far From The Madding Crowd Trailer 1967
Advent trailer. Thomas Hardy movie is the subgenre. My mother liked this film. Filmed not a long away,
Far From The Madding Crowd Trailer 1967 Director: John Schlesinger Starring: Alan Bates, Terence Stamp, Julie Christie, Peter Finch, Pruenella Ransome, Fiona Walker
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Christmas radio - this will be 5pm in the UK
Tune in on Christmas Eve at Noon! You could win a real T-Shirt! Repeats on Christmas Day. https://bossradio66.com/
Poster by Johnny Bartlett <3
Glass Napoleon
Has this glass Napoleon that presumably once held brandy as a gift from Joe yesterday so I thought I would show you.
Out now!
Get it from Amazon here
Simply put, Billy Boy Arnold is one of the last men standing from the Chicago blues scene’s raucous heyday. What’s more, unlike most artists in this electrifying melting pot, who were Southern transplants, Arnold―a harmonica master who shared stages with Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf, plus a singer and hitmaker in his own right who first recorded the standards “I Wish You Would” and “I Ain’t Got You”―was born right here and has lived nowhere else. This makes his perspective on Chicago blues, its players, and its locales all the rarer and all the more valuable. Arnold has witnessed musical generations come and go, from the decline of prewar country blues to the birth of the electric blues and the worldwide spread of rock and roll. Working here in collaboration with writer and fellow musician Kim Field, he gets it all down. The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold is a remarkably clear-eyed testament to more than eighty years of musical love and creation, from Arnold’s adolescent quest to locate the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson, the story of how he named Bo Diddley Bo Diddley, and the ups and downs of his seven-decade recording career. Arnold’s tale―candidly told with humor, insight, and grit―is one that no fan of modern American music can afford to miss.
ELVIS PRESLEY & Kitty White - Crawfish 1958
Movie: King Creole - 1958
Written by Fred Wise & Ben Weisman Performed by Elvis Presley and Kitty White
Billy Boy Arnold Coal Man
This is very good. I wonder if Billy Boy's autobiography is out? It is on amazon and ebay,
Fahrenheit 451 1966 Trailer
This is my next choice for advent trailer. Suggested by Susan. A film by the Great François Truffaut.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Funnel of Love - the Fall 2010
Saw them do this live in Frome of all places. The last time we saw them.
Prince and the Revolution Raspberry Beret 1985
Susan likes this one. Not huge Prince fans but this one was great,
40th wedding anniversary
So today 40 years ago we braved the snow to get to Shepton Mallet Registry office and got married. 
The Draughtsman's contract trailer 1982
It is a sort of murder mystery set in 1694 in Wiltshire. It is concerned a lot with fertility in the garden and elsewhere. The music makes it - by Michael Nyman. Anyway we enjoyed it at the time and bought the soundtrack. It mentions Radstock coincidentally but they must have just liked the name as it didn't really exist then. Wiki
Monday, December 20, 2021
The Fallen Leaves - My Phantoms video
The Fallen Leaves are great and this is good. Saw them once and they were impressive. Wiki
The Monochrome Set - The Lighter Side of Dating 1980
Skip the first two minutes of this. Saw them a few times and once went backstage and talked with them. We were fans. We always thought they would break into the big time and whilst it nearly happened they stayed obscure though I think they are big in Japan.
Barbarella (1968) Trailer
Advent trailer in sci-fi fantasy category. Not a big fan of this genre. This is based on a comic and has a number of cameos.
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Aztec Camera - Walk Out To Winter (OGWT) c1983
Here . Just heard this on Atlantic tunnel. I didn't like this at the time and I didn't buy it but I enjoyed the nostalgia and it suits this time of year. Aztec camera wiki
Quoits in Radstock
The old miner's game of Quoits was very popular in Radstock. Pubs hosted the matches with large crowds gathering to watch their favourite players. There were big matches from different regions. See here
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| Waldegrave pub in Radstock |
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| The Tyning was a place that had cley beds |
The Cortinas Peel Session 1977
Here Bristol punks that were really great. They played in the studio on Points West which was a local current affairs programme but I have never seen it since.
Tracklist: 1. Defiant Pose (0:07) 2. Television Families (3:22) 3. Having It (5:42) 4. Further Education (7:47)
Orlando (1992) trailer
I asked Susan to choose an advent trailer and she chose this one. It is a great picture that is most thought provoking on a number of issues and concepts.
Trailer here
Saturday, December 18, 2021
The Conformist/ Il Conformista (1970) trailer
Bertolucci movie set in Fascist Italy. I really liked this movie and so it is included for being top in the category of movies set in 30s Italy.
Friday, December 17, 2021
Drive the Cold Winter Away by Agent Starling (remastered)
Heard this on the radio yesterday - it's recent and good.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
i'm satisfied Harold Burrage
A classic Cobra records song that bridges the divide between blues and soul. Harold Burrage wiki
The album is a Cobra Records compilation that is very good.
The Italian Job (1969) trailer
Advent trailer for the category comedy crime caper. My parents were very fond of this film.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
HAYSI FANTAYZEE · Shiny Shiny (February 3, 1983 @ TOTP)
I liked this band at the time. I knew they were kind of terrible but that was their appeal. This song was good.
S'Express - Hey Music Lover 1989
Loved this at the time. Still like it. I think I first heard on the radio at work and checked them out.
Cha Cha Twist Detroit Cobras 2004
Loved this. The Detroit Cobras sadly I didn't get to see but bought their L.p.s.
They chose some great tunes and the singer Rachel was exceptional.
The Raveonettes, Late Night With Conan O'Brien 27 04 2005 Love in a Trashcan
Saw them a couple of times - very good - from Denmark. Wiki
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang trailer (1968)
This is my advent trailer for the category children's musical. Great cast and songs. Even has James Robertson Justice playing toy soldiers.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Buster Brown Fannie Mae 1959
A big hit which I had forgotten about until I heard it on Boss Radio 66. Listen here. The Stones lifted the riff for their Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man.
Blues Brothers trailer (1980)
Advent movie. A comedy musical set in Chicago. I thought what is the best film with blues and short of choosing a documentary it has to be this film. I saw it when it came out. The cinema was deserted. I had been made aware of it through my blues magazine subscriptions. The public only got into this movie when it came out on video. . Trailer here
Monday, December 13, 2021
Sonny Boy Williamson - a life in photos
Over at Bob Corretore's page there is an impressive collection of Sonny Boy photos with knowledgeable captions.
Matchbox - Buzz Buzz a Diddle It - 22-05-1980
This was reviewed in the NME in the same issue our single was first reviewed.
Blind Owl Blues by Rebecca Davis (2013)
The Mysterious Life and Death of Blues Legend Alan Wilson
I haven't read this. Looks interesting though. Below is from Amazon
This is the long-awaited story of Alan Wilson, musical genius and co-founder of Canned Heat. Biographer Rebecca Davis journeys through his artistic innovations, tormented personal life, obsessive love of nature, and mysterious death. A key figure in the 1960s "blues revival", Wilson participated in the rediscovery of Son House, and wrote scholarly analyses of House and Robert Pete Williams. He went on to co-found pioneering blues-rock band Canned Heat, becoming an unlikely rock star. Known as "Blind Owl", he was responsible for the hit songs "Going Up the Country" and "On the Road Again"
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Saturday, December 11, 2021
J.J. Jackson - Come See Me 1967
Just heard this on Boss Radio 66. Pretty Things covered it. He rerecorded it too but this version is best. From this album
Strelets-R Italian Desert Patrol
This forthcoming set of 1/72 figures from my favourite plastic manufacturer look great and will go with the Sahariana. I am not an expert on this subject but I have a Pinterest page Italian WW2
Women and whiskey Wilbert Harrison 1954
My Saturday night selection. On guitar is Mickey Baker. Heard this for the first time today. Here
The Hunters by David Pentland.
I have been doing a model of the AS42 Sahariana so enjoyed this painting - buy a print here
The Fezzan, Libya, North Africa, November, 1942. The Italian Reparto Celere 3 of the 'Raggruppamento Sahariano AS', was the first unit to be equipped with the unique Camionetta 42 'Sahariana'. The platoon was used for patrols and had its first clashes with the LRDG on 17 November, when it lost one Sahariana, and on 25 November, when it succeeded in destroying four out of the eight enemy vehicles it encountered.
Angelic Upstarts - Teenage Warning 1979
We weren't fans but you have to give him the respect for doing it. News item on the man
Howlin' Wolf Don't Laugh at Me
Great clip of the Wolf and Hubert Sumlin trading riffs. Possibly my favourite Wolf video.
Barry Lyndon (1975) trailer
Trailer here for the best 18th century movie. I didn't notice this when it came out. Guess I was busy. I discovered it on VHS in the early 80s. Lovely soundtrack.
Friday, December 10, 2021
Tyning Inn Radstock
Photo by Jebz. My Uncle Cliff and Aunty Bet used to run this pub in the 60s and early 70s. Now empty. Watch a film Susan shot of my mate Rich's band the Tripes when they were there playing '24 hours from Radstock' a song they wrote here.
I got very excited by this picture today
What do you think?
[CLUNY, Alexander (d. 1770?).] The American Traveller: or, Observations on the Present State, Culture and Commerce of the British Colonies in America, and the Further Improvements of which They are Capable. London: E. and C. Dilly and J. Almon, 1769.
The Lair of the White Worm (1988) trailer
Horror comedy by Ken Russell. Some great scenes of an adult nature and a great performance by Amanda Donohue in an early role.
Elvis Costello, The Imposters - Magnificent Hurt (Official Video)
The official music video for “Magnificent Hurt” from Elvis Costello & The Imposters’ upcoming album ‘The Boy Named If’, coming January 14, 2022.
Thursday, December 09, 2021
Pierrot le Fou (1965) trailer
Thought this was my favourite New wave film from the 60s. I think it is visually stunning. Wiki Watch trailer here
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol 1971 Richard Williams Animation
This is a great animation. Richard Williams did the masterful Charge of the Light Brigade animation and this similarly visits Victorian imagery to tell the story. It's not too long either. I remember watching this 50 years ago on the telly.
Fats Domino - Dance With Mr. Domino (aka Domino Twist)(stereo) - April 14, 1962
This is good. Heard on the radio last night.
Wednesday, December 08, 2021
1588/1988
1988 at Westbury White Horse celebrating the Armada of 1588. Susan is on the left in the ruff which she made. It was a beacon celebration.
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| Me and Susan |
Almost Grown the Beatles (rehearsals)
The Fabs covering Chuck Berry as they often did. Both Lennon and McCartney were home grown rock and roll vocalists when they were in their live years. Here
John Cooper Clarke - I Don't Want to Be Nice (Old Grey Whistle Test 1978)
I don't think we have had anything by the bard of Salford on this blog before. So here goes.
Love Me Do The Beatles 1963
Everybody loves the Beatles don't they? This was their first hit. On the 60 years ago theme they have signed up with Brian Epstein and he has shown interest in the few songs that they have written. Still a covers band in essence this was about to change. I grew up with the Beatles. My big sister was a fan and had one of her drawings of the band featured on tv. She had lots of merch too like talcum powder, a tin tray and so on. We used to play with badminton rackets - she would be Paul and I would be John and we stood on the table pretending to be them. Probably why I played harmonica.
Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) trailer
Today's advent trailer is chosen for being the best Ealing comedy. It was filmed a few miles away and a lot of locals were extras and several local characters were featured. Susan's Uncle Jim is in the cricket scene and local rag and bone man Jiggles Orchard was in it too.
Paris 10 years ago
Some posters from 10 years ago when we played Paris and Susan did a dj set at a cool café. It went really well people danced which we heard was unusual and they asked her if she would come back for more sessions.
Tuesday, December 07, 2021
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) trailer
Today is the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. There is a great movie about it that I saw at the cinema with my Dad who loved planes. Trailer here. It is one of the best WW2 movie ever made and isn't a jingoistic piece at all. One to watch. Wiki
Let's Make it John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat 1971
Great song done well. You can't help marvelling at Alan Wilson's harmonica on this. The whole album is good but this track is excellent. Album wiki
Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) trailer
Today's advent trailer. The genre is Battle picture. Saw this at the cinema when I was about 8 or 9. On my own. Made a big impression on me.
Monday, December 06, 2021
Ralph and Susan's punk playlist
This will keep you busy for a while. I suppose I ought to do a Christmas playlist but I don't know that many good Christmas records.
Sunday, December 05, 2021
Hairspray (1988) trailer
Advent movie. This is my pick for family musical. It has to be the 1988 version though. Great songs great message. Some fantastic cameos and performances.
Saturday, December 04, 2021
Susan's Mother and Grandmother
They were from County Cork originally. Susan's Gran lived in Frome for her later years so I was able to get to know her well. She had lots of memories of the 20s including the Black and Tans and the sea going nature of County Cork. When we had our record out the local record shop said 'you have a fan - a little old Irish lady' - she was buying copies and sending them to all the relatives she kept in touch with. Watch some footage from 1902 of Cork City - very interesting.
The Blasters Marie Marie 1980
I had to go to Bath today and this song was in my head and I decided to look up the original as I like to. It's very good. Never heard before. The Blasters wiki
Glory (1989) trailer
This is another in my advent calendar of great movies. This is a movie that tells the story of a group of rookies who are put through their paces and eventually get their baptism of fire.
Friday, December 03, 2021
The closing of the Settle Frome
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| Pic from Rightmove |
So this tea room in Cheap street Frome is closing after 45 years in business. I remember when it opened. The staff were mostly schoolgirls of about our age and they had to wear mob caps. We used to go in when Saturday was spent going around Frome's record shops and other exciting destinations. Later when we were older the pubs used to close in the afternoon so we would hang out there planning Saturday night. It didn't solely rely on yobs like us but also had shoppers and more genteel clientele. I think we were tolerated. It was also a place if you bumped into someone you could get a lot of tea and smoke a cigarette. I admit I rarely went there when I visited Frome but it does hold many memories of drinking lots of tea. For sale.
Frome museum event
This weekend, December 4th and 5th, there will be a special exhibition called ‘A Rich and Poor Christmas in Frome’. Visitors will be able to see Mr and Mrs Arthur Sutton welcoming Christmas guests into their home and up the wonderful staircase while, in another gallery, Christmas will be celebrated in a ‘Frome Weaver’s Cottage’. The rest of the museum will also be open on those two days from 10am to 3 pm.
(I'm) Stranded the Saints 1976
Australian punk. Some people say it was the first punk single. It's definitely one of the first.
Having a wild weekend/Catch us if you can (1965)
Today's advent trailer here. This film was directed by John Boorman and I rate it as the greatest beat group vehicle. Filmed in Bath so it has extra resonance for me. Wiki
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Richard Hell and The Voidoids - Love Comes In Spurts
Probably my favourite punk act. Saw them twice, once supporting the Clash and once supporting Elvis Costello.
On Va Leur Percer Le Flanc!
Today is the anniversary of Austerlitz 1805. Here is a great marching song which I sang on the battlefield many years ago. From Abel Gance's 1960 film Austerlitz.
The Wicker Man (1973) trailer
Dat 2 of my advent calendar of great movies. This is the best in the Folk Horror genre. It has really great music too which makes it exceptional.
Wet Leg - Too Late Now
This is new. Susan likes them. Playing Brooklyn on the 8th. See them do a set here
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Dizzy Miss Lizzy Larry Williams 1958
One of my favourite rock and roll songs. I heard it first by the Beatles but their version is pretty close to the original. Larry Williams wiki