One Bad Apple - Wikipedia Written with the Jackson 5 in mind.
Ralphadeus. Music movies comics feature in this look at life from Somerset.
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Mark E Smith wargamer
Yes indeed. 28mm Napoleonics. Steve Hanley mentions it in his book the Big Midweek. Apparently he was interviewed nearby some but I think the clip has disappeared. [TMP] "Mark E Smith Wargamer?" Topic
Johnnie Allan - Promised Land
I love this version of the Chuck Berry song. Makes you do air accordion.
This is from a documentary made by Jools Holland called 'Walking to New Orleans'.
Gypsy Lane Frome
This is a road in Frome. It is near Frome College and we used to do cross-country runs down there. Romani people lived there. My memories are from the 70s and I think it is different now. One day back then my class was taken by a teacher for a nature walk down there and a vehicle pulled up and two Romanis got out and offered to beat up our teacher as they were beaten at school and didn't like them. We had to persuade them not to beat him up. When they left the teacher nervously said 'I wasn't scared. I have been in more dangerous situations than that' - he was from Africa.
Cher - Gypsys Tramps And Thieves 1971
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Wikipedia I remember this from my childhood. Just heard it on Sounds of the Seventies.
Battle of the Beanfield book
The Battle of the Beanfield | Andy Worthington
France Gall - Les Sucettes (Lollipops) (1966)
Gall had said that she did not understand the song's subtext when she recorded it at age 18.[5] By Gall's account, she did not realize until later why the filming of the clip attracted so many visitors to the set.[2] She was then upset – "mortified, hiding herself away for weeks, refusing to face anyone".[6] Gall said that she had sung Gainsbourg's songs "with an innocence of which I'm proud" and "was pained to then learn that he had turned the situation to his advantage, mocking me."[6] In a 2001 television interview, Gall said that she had felt "betrayed by the adults around me" afterwards.[2]
Blow Up - 1966 - Yardbirds - Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck
A mock up of the Ricky-Tick club. Antonioni wanted the Who but they asked for too much. Apparently that's Janet Street-Porter in the audience. Blowup - Wikipedia
Stinky Toys (French Punk Band 1976)
Stinky Toys from Paris were widely regarded as being one of the first French punk bands. In 1976 they played the 100 Club Punk Festival in London, sharing the bill with the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Buzzcocks.
The band featured Elli Medeiros (vocals), Denis Quilliard, alias Jacno, (a.k.a. Jan Colrth) (rhythm guitar), Bruno Carone (lead guitar), Albin Dériat (bass guitar), and Hervé Zénouda (drums)
50 years ago today, Siouxsie and the Banshees performed their first gig. Photo by Ray Stevenson
100 Club Punk Special - Wikipedia
Paul McCartney TV Special (1973 James Paul McCartney)
1973 television special produced by ATV, starring English musician Paul McCartney and his then-current rock group, Wings. It was first broadcast on 16 April 1973 in the United States on the ABC network, and later broadcast in the United Kingdom on 10 May 1973. 4:40 Blackbird. 13:26 My Love. 17:41 Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey. 30:27 Live and Let Die. 41:13 Maybe I’m Amazed .
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Vanity Fare - Hitchin' a Ride (1970)
I used to do a lot of hitching even on school days I would hitch into Bath. I hitched to Cornwall all over.
"Hitchin' a Ride" is a song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander, issued as a single by the English pop/rock band Vanity Fare in late 1969. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1970, but was a bigger hit in the United States, reaching number 5 on the Hot 100 on June 27, 1970. Billboard ranked the record as the number 14 song of 1970. In Chicago the record achieved even greater heights, scaling the WCFL Big 10 Countdown on 18–25 May 1970, and ranking #4 for all of 1970, and rival WLS Radio 89 Hit Parade on 1–8 June 1970, and ranking #10 for all of 1970. "Hitchin' a Ride" sold a million copies in the United States alone, and it became a gold record.
Gene Vincent - Lonesome Whistle - 1969
I love the 60s songs of Gene Vincent. He could sing the phone book and you would still be crying like a baby. I had that WEM PA btw.
Paul McCartney & Wings - Give Ireland Back To The Irish (ICA Rehearsal 1972)
This was Wings first single and it was promptly banned. We bought it. Give Ireland Back To The Irish - YouTube (45 version). Lead guitarist Henry McCullough was from Ulster and couldn't go home for a while. B-side was the banal Mary Had a Little Lamb.
As I said the other day they were a counter-culture band. This had been written as a result of seeing on the news about Bloody Sunday. They were told by EMI not to put it out but they insisted it came out. Give Ireland Back to the Irish - Wikipedia
Glam Racket · The Fall The Infotainment Scan 1993
Love this. 'Why don't you bog off back to Xanadu in Ireland'. The Infotainment Scan - Wikipedia
The song lyric 'Stop eating all that chocolate Eat salad instead' is from Rouald Dahl but I can't remember which one. Do you know?
At the time of its release, it was considered the band's most accessible album and came when the band were experiencing unprecedented recognition in the media. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, making it their highest-charting album.[2]
Me and Susan saw this tour and Sue got a t-shirt. We were right at the front.
My Old Kentucky Home (First Sound Cartoon) UNCUT
Released in 1926 by the Fleischer Brothers beating out Disney's Steamboat Willie by two years. The only copy of the cartoon that seems to be on Youtube right now has a bit of the ending cut out so for historical purposes here is the uncensored copy.
Chris Howell Somerset author
We have a lot of books by him. He did a lot of books on Somerset history. A lot of them had him interviewing elderly residents and placing their comments next to old photos. He was a local schoolteacher. His book No Thankful Village is probably his most famous book getting national interest. (A thankful village is one who lost no casualties in the Great War). He came to our house once to deliver a book and we had a nice chat. This is just a few of his books.
1981 Mandagsborsen Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away
The KKK Took My Baby Away - Wikipedia
We had that Mania compilation on cassette for the car (get the kids into the brudders) and this was on it. One of their better later ones.
The Raveonettes - Love In A Trashcan - 2005
We liked this Danish band - saw them a couple of times. The Raveonettes - Wikipedia
Françoise Hardy - Catch a Falling Star (Rendez-vous avec - Diffusion 05/03/1964)
This is delightful. I have it on an EP of English language songs.
Friday, September 18, 2026
Glaxo Babies - Peel Session 1979
Bristol band playing in Frome (see below). We saw them in 1979 at the Devizes Corn Exchange I think.
Batman inspired Radio
Holy vinyl, Batman!
In January 1966, the Batman TV series unleashed a worldwide craze. For two seasons, the Caped Crusader and Robin invaded television screens, movie theaters, toy stores, comic books, costumes... and, of course, record shops.
This fourth, and most likely final, trip to Gotham City is dedicated entirely to that explosion of Batmania. A journey through the sounds of 1966 and 1967, featuring garage, surf, beat, pop, rhythm & blues, instrumentals, TV oddities, and some of the most unusual recordings inspired by the legendary series starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
You'll find versions of the Batman Theme, tributes to the show's villains, the unmistakable Batusi, international rarities, and forgotten gems born from the television phenomenon that turned Batman into a true pop culture icon.
So fasten your seatbelt in the Batmobile, switch on the Bat-Signal... and enjoy the ride.
See you next week... same Bat-Time, same Bat-Station!
Interesting gig in Frome
Bos says 'Here is the evening gig poster for the event we are putting on Saturday December 5th at the Silk Mill...Market during the day and gig in the evening..The day market is free entry and the tickets for gig are here : https://wegottickets.com/f/27290 '
Paul McCartney & Wings - Wild Life (Live from "The Bruce McMouse Show", 1972)
Wild Life (Wings album) - Wikipedia
I had this album. This is a stand out track. Inspired by a 1966 trip to Kenya.
A cup of tea
Paul and Linda McCartney - Heart Of The Country 1971
Enjoying a book on the early solo and Wings years. Ram (album) - Wikipedia
Thursday, September 17, 2026
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Battle Abbey
In just a few weeks, the Normans and Saxons take to the field once again in a clash to decide the future of England. Don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable event. 
Battle of Hastings | 10 – 11 October
Tickets are selling fast - book yours
Gotham Nottinghamshire Batman event
The event in Gotham, Nottinghamshire, is a celebration of the Batman franchise's 70th anniversary, featuring a life-size 1966 Batmobile and a Batman character for photo opportunities. The event will take place on September 19, 2026, between 10am and 1pm, and will be held in the village of Gotham, Nottinghamshire. The first 100 people dressed as Batman will receive a free CORGI Batmobile model. This event is a unique way to celebrate the enduring legacy of Batman and the cultural connection between the fictional city and the real-life village of Gotham. Bat-Signal spotted over Gotham in Nottinghamshire for World Batman Day | InYourArea
Buildings of Bath Bryan Little
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Youth Wing practice photos by Susan 1978
I don't remember what name we had then - we used to change band names on a fortnightly basis. We played a gig at the Youth Wing. Was great.
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| Ralph Mitchard |
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| Ivan Bojuck |
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| Ralph and Henry |
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| Ralph Kev and Bunce. |
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| Henry - he did the mural |
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| Henry Hutton |
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| Kev Saunders |
Hank Mizell - Jungle Rock (1976)
We used to hang out and practice at the local Youth club. They had a jukebox and this was on it.
Kursaal Flyers - Little Does She Know (TOTP 25.11.1976)
The Kursaal Flyers - Wikipedia This was a band that seemed to come out of the Southend scene, Pub Rock with a current slant.
Eddie and the Hot Rods Writing on the Wall 1976
This line-up was phenomenal. When they had Lew Lewis with them they were perfect.
Today's charity shop purchase
Bough this today. First band I saw live in 1973 supported by Brinsley Schwarz. Wings were quite the counter culture type band.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
The Merseys - Sorrow (1966)
Sorrow (The McCoys song) - Wikipedia Drums are excellent - by Clem Cattini - Wikipedia
Merrie England Once Again (1929)
MERRIE ENGLAND ONCE AGAIN ! - 1,500 dancers recapture "spirit of Old England" - in great Dance Festival in beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace."
My parents used to Folk Dance.
Tales from the Country Pub
THE MOVE - 'Flowers In The Rain' (B&W original version) | 1967
Susan likes the Move. I liked Fire Brigade as a kid. Flowers in the Rain - Wikipedia
This is a fun fact
In a promotional stunt for the record – typical of the band's manager Tony Secunda – a postcard was released with a cartoon of a naked then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson in bed with his secretary Marcia Williams. Wilson sued, and the High Court ordered that all royalties from the song be donated to a charity of Wilson's choice. This arrangement, which remains in force, saw royalties go to the Spastics Society and Stoke Mandeville Hospital during the period of the single's chart success. In the 1990s, The Observer newspaper reported the royalties had exceeded £200,000 and that the Harold Wilson Charitable Trust had extended the range of beneficiaries to include, among others, the Oxford Operatic Society, Bolton Lads Club, and the Jewish National Fund for Israel.[6]
Bobby Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe 1967
Ode to Billie Joe - Wikipedia Just played this on BBC Radio Somerset.
Thunderbird ESQ · The Gories 1991
My mate Rich just did a version of this. Very good. The Gories - Wikipedia
Monday, September 14, 2026
Lou Reed - Coney Island Baby - 9/25/1984 - Capitol Theatre (Official)
With Robert Quine of the Voidoids on guitar.
Robert Quine - Guitar Fernando Saunders - Bass, Vocals Peter Wood - Keyboards Lenny Ferarri - Drums
Choc Ice · Lulu And The Luvvers Gonks Go Beat 1964
This would be a great song to cover. Gonks Go Beat - Wikipedia
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black (Live At Glastonbury Festival 2008)
Happy birthday Amy. One of our daughter's hairdresser friends saw her in a bar and said 'is that your hair?' and she replied ' Well I paid for it'.
1953 Willie Mabon - I’m Mad (#1 R&B hit)
Love this one.
Great, round, wonderful, beautiful world
And the wonderful water around the curve
And everything that's in the world
I hops up and marries a glamour girl
I'm mad
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