Ralphadeus. Music movies comics feature in this look at life from Somerset.
Friday, March 20, 2026
LA MAISON DES BOIS - Official Trailer
In theaters April 22nd
Epic yet intimate, sweeping yet personal, La maison des bois (The House in the Woods) stands as one of the greatest achievements in the history of television as well as legendary director Maurice Pialat’s magnum opus. Commissioned for French TV in 1971, Pialat and screenwriter René Wheeler crafted a seven-episode, nearly 400-minute miniseries about the impact of World War I on a simple French family living in the countryside. Applying a naturalistic focus to their subject, Pialat and Wheeler capture both the historical scope of the conflict and the subtle ways that a small town’s quotidian routines and rituals—church, school, tavern—are indelibly touched by it. At the center of the richly detailed narrative are the Picards, headed by Albert (Pierre Doris), a game warden for the wooded estate of a local marquis (Fernand Gravey). He and his gentle wife, Jeanne (a heartbreaking Jacqueline Dufranne), raise two teenagers—Marcel (Henri Puff), at risk of being drafted; and Marguerite (Agathe Natanson), contemplating marriage—but also shelter three abandoned boys for the duration. Most rambunctious and soulful among them is Hervé (Hervé Lévy), whose journey from boyhood to adolescence, all while becoming a surrogate child to the Picards and hoping for a reunion with his soldier father (Paul Crauchet), lends a beating heart to La maison des bois—a panoramic tale that explores the longing, loyalty, and resilience that sustain humanity amid times of earth-shattering loss.
The Troggs Wild Thing 1966
To celebrate Bos' mural here they are doing their monster hit. Bos was saying he met Reg's wife while researching the painting (see below).
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Reg Presley mural
Bos says: ''Today I had the honour of painting a mural tribute to Reg Presley, legendary singer of the Troggs , and later crop circle UFO enthusiast. It was painted at the Barge Inn Honey Street in the Vale of Pewsey, an establishment he would often frequent. Felt good timing to do this in their barn venue next to the stage, where they are hosting a lot of festivals and music events.''
GERMINAL - 1993 (Remastered US TRAILER #2)
This is my number 1 mining movie. Germinal (1993 film) - Wikipedia Germinal is a 1993 French epic film based on the 1885 novel by Émile Zola. It was directed by Claude Berri, and stars Gérard Depardieu, Miou-Miou and Renaud. At the time it was the most expensive movie ever produced in France. It was the fourth most attended film of the year in France.
Our son bought us the DVD in a box set including Manon des Sources and Jean de Florette as it was the best way of getting it. This year we are remembering the General Strike of 1926 which was a big deal locally. Radstock Museum is doing a small exhibition which I have made a tiny contribution about Grandad Mitchard.
COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (1980) FULL LENGTH TRAILER
And this is a biopic and coalmining movie. Loretta Lynn chose Sissy Spacek based on photos.
How Green Was My Valley 1941 John Ford's Masterpiece
I am a big fan of John Ford and mining movies so this is fave.
How Green Was My Valley is a 1941 American drama film set in Wales, directed by John Ford. The film, based on the bestselling 1939 novel of the same name by Richard Llewellyn, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and scripted by Philip Dunne. It stars Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp, and a very young Roddy McDowall.
It tells the story of the Morgans, a hard-working Welsh mining family, from the point of view of the youngest child Huw, who lives with his affectionate and kind parents as well as his sister and five brothers, in the South Wales Valleys during the late Victorian era. The story chronicles life in the South Wales coalfields, the loss of that way of life and its effects on the family. The fictional village in the film is based on Gilfach Goch, where Llewellyn spent many summers visiting his grandfather, and it served as the inspiration for the novel. The author had claimed that he based the book on his own personal experiences but this was found to be untrue after his death; Llewellyn was English-born and spent little time in Wales, though he was of Welsh descent. Llewellyn gathered material for the novel from conversations with local mining families in Gilfach Goch. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning five, famously beating Citizen Kane, Sergeant York and The Maltese Falcon for Best Picture, while Ford won for Best Director, Donald Crisp for Best Supporting Actor, Arthur Miller for Best Cinematography, and Richard Day, Nathan H. Juran and Thomas Little for Best Black-and-White Art Direction-Interior Decoration. In 1990, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The Academy Film Archive preserved How Green Was My Valley in 1998.
Take A Little Walk with Me - The Aces 1977 (Live video)
My favurite blues druer Fred Below. Fred Below - Wikipedia This year is his centenary.
Bos in the Frome Times
New wildlife mural brightens Vallis Road
A new mural is taking shape on hoardings at the top of Vallis Road.
Commissioned by Frome Town Council and created by local artist Paul Mutartis Boswell, the mural depicts birds and other wildlife, plants and industrial buildings, reflecting the surrounding area and its history.
The mural, near the junction with Wallington Way, is a response to requests from residents of Wallington Way and the surrounding streets to improve the hoardings’ appearance and the view people see when they arrive in Frome from the north west.
In 2025, Paul Mutartis Boswell and Shared Earth Learning led workshops with young people to create a collage of images on the residential side of the hoardings; the new mural faces the road, with the remaining section to be painted in in a plain colour sympathetic to the mural.
Read more here: https://buff.ly/0NW9BPv
Gene Vincent and the Shouts You Are My Sunshine 1964
I love this. My first Gene Vincent album had this on it. I used to have trouble getting the original hits so I would often end up with 60s and 70s recordings. This album was worth having.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Randy Alvey And The Green Fuz - Green Fuz US 1969
This one off single group was formed in Bridgeport, Texas. The members were Randy Alvey (vocals), Mike Pearce (drums), Jimmy Mercer (rhythm guitar), Les Dale (lead guitar), and R.E. "Buck" Houchins (bass). Alvey and Pearce formed their first group, the Psychedelic Reactions, in 1967; after some personnel changes, they became the Green Fuz, named for Dale's green fuzz box. Alvey, Pearce and Houchins were later involved in another group, Natchez.
The Green Fuz played at dances and clubs, gaining enough local popularity to persuade the co-owner of Wash-Tex Records, Shorty Hendrix, to record their self-written theme song. The recording took place at The Cross Roads Cafe, a deserted roadside cafe chosen for its acoustics, which was owned by Dale's mother. The single was issued locally in 1969 on the Big Tex Records label. It was not a success, largely because the primitive recording techniques led to a muffled sound, which subsequently contributed to its cult appeal. On the single, the band was identified as Randy Alvey and the Green Fuz; while the B-side, "There Is a Land", was attributed to R. E. Houchins and the Green Fuz. Dale and Alvey both stated that these were errors by the record company and that both should have been simply listed as the Green Fuz. The record resurfaced in the late 1970s on a prominent garage rock compilation album, Pebbles, Volume 2, and subsequently appeared on many similar compilation albums. One of those albums, Acid Dreams Epitaph, was subtitled 75 Minutes of Green Fuz. The band gained additional fans when "Green Fuz" was covered by the Cramps on their 1981 album Psychedelic Jungle.
Adam & The Ants - 'Lou' (BBC Session 1978)
A little tribute to the recently departed Jordan,
aka Pamela Rooke/Jordan Mooney. From the first Ants John Peel session. Recorded 23 January 1978. First broadcast 30 January. The band line-up is ; Jordan - (Vocals), Adam, Johnny Bivouac (Guitar), plus world's best rhythm section Dave & Andy.
I'm Knitting a singlet for Cecil
So I'm Knitting a singlet for Cecil, a nice wooly singlet for Cecil. It will keep him as snug as a bug in a rug. As in its embrace he will nestle,
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A Symphony Of Sound - The Velvet Underground & Nico Live! Jan. 1966
I was wondering if there was anything of the Velvets in 1966 and found this. Maybe you have seen it already but either way I am happy to post it.
The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound - Wikipedia
Aretha Franklin Singing Never Loved A Man (Live 1967)
This is one I have come to like after hearing it on Boss Radio 66.
Michael Collins 1996
We watched this earlier. Very enjoyable and Susan enjoyed it too. Her Granny was from those times and Ireland. She used to mention Michael Collins. Sue also spotted her favourite, Jonathan Rhys-Myers in an early role. This clip contains spoilers. Michael Collins (film) - Wikipedia
THE FALL an older lover 1981
I waaasn't mad on the Fall in 1981 - I got to like them later but I bought this album later in time.
sinead o'connor - she moved through the fair [live 1997]
She Moved Through the Fair - Wikipedia In the film Michael Collins which is good and worth a watch. Sinéad O'Connor - Wikipedia
The Wind That Shakes The Barley - Official Film Trailer
Loved this film from 2006. I think it was the film that introduced Cillian Murphy to the world - well to us at least.
Bothy Band, The Morning Star set 1977
A set of Irish Reels beginning with The Morning Star, live - The Bothy Band. Paddy Keenan pipes, Matt Molloy flute, Kevin Burke fiddle, Triona Ni Dhomhnaill keyboard, Micheal O'Domhnaill guitar & Donal Lunny bouzouki - 1977 - First track on their Out of the wind and into the sun album. The Bothy Band - Wikipedia
VAN MORRISON-THE CHIEFTAINS - Celtic ray 1987
This album Irish Heartbeat is well worth checking out.
Monday, March 16, 2026
The influence of Charley Patton (BBC Arena: American Epic)
Arena: American Epic – Episode 2, Blood and Soil takes a look at the stories of those early music pioneers whose names have largely been forgotten.
Sinners | I Lied To You Song | Movie Clip | Warner Bros. Entertainment
I read Sinners got an Oscar or two. I haven't seen it but our son has and enjoyed it. This clip is interesting. Sinners (2025 film) - Wikipedia
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Today's Charity shop purchases
Midsomer Norton has 7 charity shops. The best one is near to us - just around the corner but it doesn't sell DVDs. I asked Susan to see if there was a DVD of the Italian Job and she was chuffed to find it for me. Result. We also picked up three books. The Frome Unzipped one I am in so I already have a copy but I couldn't leave it there.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
The Mission (1986) - Trailer HD 1080p
This is a film that we went to the pictures to see. Great soundtrack and very good movie.
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - Hold Tight (1966)
Quentin Tarantino made this song hip again in the movie Death-proof. We used to have a poster of that film in our front room.
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| this was the poster we had |
The Moments & The Whatnauts - Girls - TOTP - 20 March 1975
This song popped in my head and found it going on a song finder that you tap in the lyrics you remember. It worked.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1966 HITS ARCHIVE: Whispers (Gettin’ Louder) - Jackie Wilson (mono 45)
Love this. Jackie Wilson is the best.
Jackie was backed instrumentally by The Funk Brothers and vocally by The Andantes on this pop & R&B hit.
45 single issued on Brunswick 55300 - Whispers (Gettin’ Louder) (Barbara Acklin-David Scott) by Jackie Wilson, orchestra & chorus conducted by Gerald Sims, produced by Carl Davis
The Italian Job (1969) OFFICIAL TRAILER
For Michael Caine's birthday. My parents saw this at the pictures and loved it. They made me and my sister go see it the next day. The Italian Job - Wikipedia
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Like this photo session. Steve Peregrine Took was a useful musician and something was lost when he was replaced. Stacey Grove - The Home Of Tyrannosaurus Rex | Facebook
Mickey Lee Lane - "Shaggy Dog" American Bandstand 1964
For all dog lovers. I understand this was popular with both Mods and Rockers.
Hey Sah-Lo-Ney · Mickey Lee Lane 1965
Saturday Night Selection. A brilliant record with beautiful pumping bass. Mickey Lee Lane - Wikipedia
Dexys On Wogan: "Listen To This"
This is another song played by Mickey Bradley last night.
On 13th September 1985 to celebrate the release of their new album "Don't Stand Me Down", Dexys Midnight Runners appeared on BBC's "Wogan" show, giving a rousing performance of "Listen To This".
Madness - (My Name Is) Michael Caine (Official Video)
Happy birthday Michael Caine. Mickey Bradley played this last night. I am not a Madness fan but I enjoyed it and I thought I would find the video.
Taken from their fifth studio album, Keep Moving, British band Madness released Michael Caine in February 1984 when it spent eight weeks in the UK chart, peaking at number 11. It is unusual for the fact that lead vocals are sung not by Suggs, but by Chas Smash, who wrote the song with drummer Woody.
More serious than most other Madness videos up to that point, the promo for Michael Caine was based on the actor's film The Ipcress File and the song tackles the subject of an IRA informer during the troubles in Northern Ireland. The 'my name is Michael Caine' sample was recorded by Caine himself, who was persuaded to do it by his daughter.
Wanda Jackson - Lost Weekend (1960).
Susan heard this on Boss Radio and liked it in particular the guitar.
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