Howlin' Wolf with Hubert Sumlin playlist

This is still a work in progress but it's coming along it might not be totally correct. Helped by the fact that I own a copy of this book. Worth getting if you love the blues.

Wacky Races Board Game

When I first saw about this I had to tell my brother. He is a big Wacky Races fan from the old days so I think he's going to buy it. Board game geek for review and where I found this image. I think there is a painted set and a non painted set but the cars look good. Get it on Amazon or ebay.

The London Rock and Roll show 1972

This was a pretty big show. I remember seeing it on the news. A strange line-up that included MC5 and Gary Glitter. wiki
Malcolm McLaren was there selling t-shirts, Mick Jagger was in the crowd. A lot of vocal groups couldn't get permits so they filled in the gaps with UK bands. 

The 5.6.7.8's performing I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield and I'm Blue at The House Of Blue Leaves

When Kill Bill Vol. 1 came out in 2003, Japanese trio the 5,6,7,8's who had a cameo in the movie, came to play Purr club at Moles Bath whilst still riding on that wave. People queued up for a long line and some of our friends couldn't get in. But it was an all ages show so our kids could come in and enjoy, which they did buying t-shirts and the works. They were everywhere for a while including an advert for Carling lager. 

Flashing Blade theme 1969

What I was watching 50 years ago. The theme song is called "Fight' and it's by the Musketeers. It's on Spotify if you have this. It was only on the British version but I loved it as a 9 year old. The only tv series based on the War of Mantuan succession. Wiki

Tolpuddle Martyrs 150th in 1984

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolpuddle_Martyrs

 So in 1984 a group of us from print union the NGA from B&Ts in Frome went to Dorset for a Trades Union ralley. Neil Kinnoch was there as was Len Murray the TUC leader. Sue came down with my parents while I travelled with workmates. That's me and Dave Mackay Animals & Men and Terraplanes bass) and a printer still. It was during the Miners strike so it was all the more poignant with NUM banners and people.

Conflict of Wings 1954

This is a fine film - some early environmental activism. In rural Norfolk, villagers are spurred to action when it is announced that the nearby RAF station is taking over the Island of Children, a much-loved and untouched bird sanctuary, for rocket practice.

wiki

Interview with Nigel House

40 years ago Nigel House was bass player of Animals & men. Now he is co-owner of Rough Trade. Here's an interview with him from 2 years ago.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On Me [Docu]

Jay Hawkins birthday today (July 18 1929) so how about his documentary? Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On Me [Docu]

The legendary Screamin' Jay Hawkins was a great influence on many musicians and his performances were so highly provocative in their originality that even today they can be considered "revolutionary".

Screamin' Jay Hawkins met Nicholas Triandafyllidis and commissioned him to make a documentary about his notorious life in and out of the music industry. Screaming Jay came to Greece and he gave his very last concerts in Thessaloniki and Athens, before his sudden death in Paris in 2000.

Having been left a legacy of confidential sessions and footage of his final live performances, Triandafyllidis completed the film with a little help from Jay's friends: Jim Jarmusch (director of Ghost Dog), Bo Diddley, Eric Burdon (The Animals), Rudi Protrudi, Diamanda Galas, Arthur Brown (The Crazy Word of Arthur Brown), Andre Williams and others.

He remained faithful to their common vision:

"A film full of positive energy, an endless source of life".

Bear wood to open near Bristol

Bear's wolves and Wolverines coming soon to a wood near you!
https://www.facebook.com/wildplacebristol/

https://www.wildplace.org.uk/explore-the-park/bear-wood?/bearwood
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/first-look-inside-bear-wood-3095498?int_source=taboola&int_medium=display&int_campaign=organic

Ralph at Midsomer Norton's M-Fest

Watched Bath band Ulysses.

Moskvitsh

Susan's dad had one of these in the early 70s - a light blue estate. He used to be a teacher at Frome college. Gave me a lift to school once. Have to add he wasn't a socialist by any means. He was impressed by the engineering and its ability to start on cold mornings.

Monkey boots

A fashion piece. Susan likes Monkey boots. She was wearing some in 1978 when I first knew her and she has them now. Got a new pair the other day for a good price. I don't know much about them but I always knew them as a cheap alternative to Dr Marten's. Made by Grafters.

Read about their history and Eastern bloc origins here

Tewkesbury is this weekend

Took part in this event. Was fun. Borrowed kit. Had a bill and a sallet. Can't remember what year about 98 no photos sadly.

Sonny Boy Williamson Spotify playlist.

Some of my favourites on here. Wiki on the man. 

Cyril Davies All Stars with Long John Baldry and The Velvettes - Preachin' The Blues

One of the Uk's first blues harmonica players if not The first. Died in 1964. http://cyrildavies.com/

Ralph on Geoff Barker's rock and roll party.

I did a phone interview for this show the subject was 'My first rock and roll record'. I talked about Frome, the Bad Detectives, and other bits. It's on 1.29.29 in. I t will be up for a short time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07d3qdq/

Frome Cheese show field c1979

This is my parents' garden in Frome. The field behind was used as a venue for the Cheese show and would fill with marquees for that week. In the distance beyond those bushes was a pond in the grounds of Selwood school. Now there's a hospital in the field. The Cheese show is held out of town and schoolchildren no longer get the day off.

Sedgemoor 1685

Today's anniversary. Get my booklet here

Film we shot on the battle site a few years ago. I am on both sides. 

A Somerset and Dorset engine driver - my Grandfather Henry (Tom) Newman

At engine driver school in Swindon

Nunney Castle

Interesting page on Nunney castle near Frome.
https://www.visitnunney.com/nunney-castle-saved/

At Nunney Castle in the 80s

50 years ago today Brian Jones died.

Mike Reynolds (Winchcombe Calling dj) visited the grave in Cheltenham today

Child of the Moon promo 1968

The flip of Jumping Jack Flash. Directed by Micheal Lindsay-Hogg

50 years ago the last photos of Brian Jones.

Taken by a schoolgirl neighbour.

50 years ago at Bath

Nearly the anniversary of this event which happened locally. Was a success so they went bigger the following year at the Bath & West show ground Shepton Mallet where Michael Eavis got the idea for Glastonbury
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Festival_of_Blues

Led Zep at Bath

Loads more here

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/Zep-69-bath.html

ion

Swing shift Cinderella (1945)

Swing Shift Cinderella is an animated cartoon short subject directed by Tex Avery. The plot involves the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. Frank Graham voiced the wolf, and Colleen Collins voiced Cinderella, with Imogene Lynn providing her singing voice.^[1]

Swing Shift Cinderella from Movie Memories on Vimeo.

Beatles merchandise

Beatles talcum powder. My sister had this. Used to put a towel over it when she bathed. Did you have any Beatles merchandise? I know we had a tin tray too

Marvin Gaye - Hitch Hike 1962

I love this - the Stones covered it but it's not as good as this. The Velvet Underground nicked the riff for their song There She Goes Again. The Wiki has some interesting facts.
   I used to hitch a lot in my youth but you don't see it these days. I never had any trouble - the only incident was when my brother was hitching and a car drove past them and they were all making gestures out the window as they passed and they promptly ran into the car in front of them!

Happy Waterloo day

50 YEARS AGO: BRIAN JONES IS FIRED BY THE ROLLING STONES

Brian Jones announced his departure from the Rolling Stones on June 9, 1969 with a statement that read: “I no longer see eye-to-eye with the others over the discs we are cutting. … I want to play my kind of music, which is no longer the Stones music. The music Mick [Jagger] and Keith [Richards] have been writing has progressed at a tangent, as far as my own taste is concerned.”

Screaming Jay Hawkins book

Looks great. I met SJH once.
In the annals of rock ‘n’ roll there have been a lot of strange characters, but there probably hasn’t been anyone as bizarre as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and this is his story. Known mostly for a single record, I Put A Spell On You, and emerging from a coffin to perform on stage, Screamin’ Jay was a whirlwind performer, lusty 
singer, prolific songwriter and a man who was total stranger to the truth.
Amazon link

Review of our CD from Maximum Rocknroll.

The Terraplanes All Good for the High Street CD

• Reviewer Allan McNaughton
• Label Radstock

The TERRAPLANES originally formed out of the ashes of ANIMALS & MEN in 1980. Disbanding after one 1981 single, they reformed in 2017, and this album is the result. A sparse, post-punk mix of new originals, revisited old songs, and favorite garage / rock’n’roll covers of JONATHAN RICHMAN, ELVIS PRESLEY, ED COBB etc. The raw, simplistic recording and dual female (mother / daughter!) vocals lends the whole thing a HEADCOATEES vibe, which is never a bad thing! Great stuff, and a welcome return to the music scene. From here

http://maximumrocknroll.com/review/all-good-for-the-high-street/

Tanks and other AFVs of the Blitzkrieg era (1972)

I got this the other day. Used to get it from the library when I was young.

Queen Vic at Priddy

My sister offered to take Susan and myself out for a meal and we chose the Queen Victoria at Priddy on the Mendips. Lovely old inn that is quite characterful. There is a local legend that Christ visited Priddy when he visited the West and there's a saying 'as sure as our Lord walked on Priddy Green.'

Priddy Green. Taken by Rod Ward 15th Aug 2006

Punk book birthday presents

My brother Neil got Sue and me these two books on two very different punk women Jordan and Poly Styrene.

Tony 'Little Sun' Glover

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Glover

Noticed this influential Harp player passed away aged 79. He taught me to play harmonica through his 1965 book (pictured). 

Gene Vincent - Temptation Baby - 1963

From the 1963 film, "Live It Up."  Music direction by Joe Meek. Wardrobes by Mary Quant.

See the whole movie here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=bJKP5aFhrNk

Midsomer Norton's got a record shop!

Lilley's vinyl revival. They will be selling cider soon too. Find them on Facebook or drop in. 

When we were Roundheads

 When we have up music and started a family we joined the local Roundness regiment Devereux's and got involved in English Civil war reenactment. A lot of our friends from that time are still doing it.

 After a weekend away

At Farleigh castle

The man who recruited me Gordon and his son Nick and me a pikeman

Being Napoleon

I don't watch Netflix but this comes recommended - about the reenactment in 2015

3d printed tanks

I like to keep an war to the ground in 1940 war games and one thing that is revolutionizing the hippy is 3d printed models. I don't know much about the process but scale is not a problem as once rendered they can be easily increased or reduced in size. https://www.otpterrain.com/collections/tanks-artillery?page=3
Files for World war one tanks  can be downloaded from here
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3555618

Animals & Men - Bath 1979

40 years ago - our first headline gig at Newton Park college Bath. Supported by the Bad Detectives who are also pictured. Got the gig as my sister was social secretary for the Students Union. Very few people attended. Mostly from Frome to see the support band. In the run up to the gig my sister got a phone call from the Psychedelic Furs wanting a gig and she said 'never heard of you'. She has no memory of this I have to add but we would have been happy supporting them. Geoff's Dad drove us out.