Billy Boy Arnold

A blues legend who is still very much alive making great records. Listen to his 57 hit Rockin' itis
He started out playing with Bo Diddley. Here is a great interview about the early days. Below is him doing a fine version of his 55 hit I Wish you would in 2012. Wiki

Dissenters - a novel set in Frome

I grew up in Frome Somerset so I have always been interested in the 17th century history including the Monmouth rebellion. This novel by a local author looks really good.

Dissenters: Conscience and Corruption in 17th-century Frome, a novel by Liz Hutchinson

In the 1660s English society experiences religious, social and industrial upheavals. Throughout the land, thousands of Puritan clergy are expelled from their churches and homes, dissenting congregations suffer repression by the magistrates and meet illegally. In Frome, Somerset, a family is impoverished and drawn into a smuggling gang. The changing times offer new opportunities – some less reputable than others – and violence is often the first response to those who enforce the law. The town’s flourishing woollen industry allows some to build fortunes, especially the more unscrupulous developers. But for others, the threat of poverty, starvation or the gallows is always present . . .

May 2020, 274pp, paperback, £10.95, ISBN 978-906978-83-9.

Devil's Music Giles Oakley

This was the book of a BBC series from 1976. I got it then as an essay prize at school. The show was good I taped it on audio cassette as this was pre Video. First time I heard Charley Patton. 

Blues Who's who Sheldon Harris 1981

Paperback. A big fat phone book of a tome. But it's only ok. There's some useful photos and it is impressive but it's not essential. 

Moanin' at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf Segrest, James, Hoffman, Mark (2005)

2010 my brother got me this for my 50th, and Howlin' Wolf's centenary, as we are exactly 50 years apart. It's a very good book that if you like the man you need. 

Blues records 1943-1966 Mike Leadbitter and Neil Slaven 1968

This was an invaluable help to a young blues enthusiast. It details all the sessions with who plays on what of your favourite blues artists. Record sleeves aren't always full of this type of information so this book fills in the gap. 

Nothing but the blues Mike Leadbitter 1971

My copy has no dust jacket. Image from ebay. Another book I got to know through Frome Library but managed to pick up my own copy. It's a collection of interviews with blues musicians as published in Blues Unlimited. Grouped in regions. Some nice monochrome photos too. Mike Leadbitter wiki

Chicago Breakdown by Mike Rowe

Going to do a series on blues books. This one came out in 1975 and was written by an Englishman. Essential book on the blues of post war Chicago.

The Fall - Lay of the Land (OGWT)

Michael Clarke and the Fall in 1983. I remember one of my friends at the time raving about this.

Charley Patton John Fahey

I read this originally on a Frome library copy. 1970s. Very good. Before I had actually heard Charley Patton as apart from a listening booth experience (see below) there was no easy way of hearing the good stuff. Found this and ordered this expanded edition which is out in September

The Father of the Delta Blues, Charley Patton (1891–1934) was born and raised around Mississippi's cotton plantations. During the 1920s, he was the first of the region's great stars, performing for packed houses throughout the South and making popular recordings in New York City. His music — ranging from blues and ballads to ragtime and gospel — is distinctive for his gravelly, high-energy singing and the propulsive beat of his guitar. Patton had a lively stage presence, originating many of the guitar-playing antics now associated with Jimi Hendrix and other latter-day musicians. His influence, among both his contemporaries and subsequent blues artists, is incalculable.
Noted guitarist John Fahey presents a textual and musicological examination of Patton's music. This new edition of the original 1970 publication is enhanced by Fahey's notes from the Grammy-winning, out-of-print box set Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton. Available for the first time outside the set, Fahey's reconsideration of Patton's music offers fresh perspectives and key corrections of the historical record.

I Put a Spell On You Steve Bergsman

I had an Amazon gift card from my sister.  I remembered this book came out last year so I bought it. I haven't finished yet but it's good. It managed to weave its way around the fact and fiction of this amazing person.  It does the Alan Freed era nicely which was obviously a big impact on his live show.  His complicated love life is written about. The British tours of the 60s are an interesting phase to read about. later life and recordings are all covered in detail with some humour. Well worth a read.

The Guitars of Early Blues

This I enjoyed. 

Hound Dog Taylor 'Beware of the Dog'

I first encountered Hound Dof in 1976 in a listening booth at a record shop Milsoms in Bath Somerset. They were connected to Duck Son and Pinker who sold instruments initially pianos but later guitars. They didn't do pop, rock, disco whatever. it was classical, jazz, folk, blues and later World. You could get blues albums there and listen to them before purchase. Very archaic by then but they used to get my money so it worked. They also sold sheet music, music books and tutorials like Country Blues Guitar or similar. Photo from this gallery of Milsoms pics.

My Hound Dog Taylor T shirt

 I bought this t-shirt when I was in the States. Turns out a character in the tv show 'Shameless' has one the same - coincidence?

If you want to buy a Hound Dog Taylor T shirt like mine go here. Back reads Hound Dog on the front with his famous six-fingered hand and quote on back. "When I die, they'll say 'He couldn't play shit, but he sure made it sound good.'"

Tucker's Grave Inn

So soon the pubs will reopen. Where will you be heading? I will be going up to Tucker's I reckon - it's one of the best cider houses in the country and now has camping and events. Webpage here.
There has been quite a bit of interest over the years - the Stranglers recorded a song about it. 

Boom Boom from the Blues Brothers 40 years on

So it's 40 years since the Blues Brothers movie. I went to see this bit in particular as it had been flagged by Living Blues magazine. I saw JLH live around this time in London.

Blues magazines

Back in the late 70s early 80s I used to subscribe to a number of Blues magazines. Well it was the only way to find out about new records before the internet. Blues Unlimited was the UK mag and Living Blues came from Chicago. Other magazines were also about and the result was I had quite a pile of Blues magazines but I made the classic mistake of loaning them to someone and I never saw them again.

Happy Waterloo day

 Few images from a souvenir of the movie.

Unknown Soldier 2017

David W recommended this. Wiki

Osprey Warsaw 1920

This looks worth getting. Details here

Meeting Diana Dors

Diana Dors in her Delahaye Roadster. 

Diana Dors statue in Swindon outside the cinema

One of my friends Dave Taylor met Diana Dors - he says 'A very nice lady. She appeared on stage in Exeter when I was a teenager. I went to the show with my Mum, and afterwards we went around to the stage door to ask for her autograph. When she came out, she seemed to be on her way somewhere, but she stopped and signed in my book. Then she said: “Hey! Fancy a cuppa?” So we ended up in her dressing room sipping tea and having a right old natter!'

Donovan - Lord Of The Reedy River (1969)

From the movie 'If it's Tuesday it Must be Belgium'. Thanks to D Wilton for finding this. 

BLOW UP - Official Trailer (1966)

Michelangelo Antonioni & Carlo Ponti Film. with David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave and Sarah Miles

This trailer is possibly better than the movie but it is worth watching. Especially the Yardbirds bit.

New Bad Detectives lp

On Spotify.

Animals & men 40 years ago

 So 40 years ago we were getting the sleeve ready for our self-released single. I designed it setting the type at printing college. The image was cut out a book Classics of foreign films and is from the film La Dolce Vita. I think I did a good job with the sleeve.

40 years ago today

On the evening of May 18, 1980, Ian Curtis, lead singer and lyricist of the British group Joy Division, hangs himself in his Cheshire kitchen. He was only 23 years old.

RIP Phil May of the Pretty Things

A band that was punk before punk the Pretty Things were great. News
The Pretty Things played Frome in the 60s at the Easybeat club at the Grand Cinema and a Frome youth punched the singer. Anyone know any more abut that story?

Let the Good Times Roll (1973)

I saw this at the cinema - I think it was with Bolan's Born to Boogie as a double bill. Anyway it's really good - part rockumentary and part concert footage of people like Little Richard, Chuck, Bo Fats and Bill Haley. Wiki

Little Richard "Bama Lama Bama Loo" 1964

Sad to hear of the passing of this giant of music. I was a fan in my teens - first music I investigated myself as opposed from my big sister or parents. 

Funeral notice for Malcolm Wells

Malcolm is the littlest boy here with his brother Vic - in India with his Mum and dad. His father was a professional soldier.

The funeral went well. Only allowed up to 10 people to be present but we had it transmitted live on the internet for those who couldn't come. This is the funeral notice which has a brief biography - he lived an interesting life. 

Butler & Tanner Frome

From a book "The West Country" published in 1914 by The Homeland Association Ltd and Frederick Warne.We
Where me my father and Uncle Arthur worked.

Malcolm Wells

So on Sunday we lost Sue's father Malcolm. Today we found out it was coronavirus. He was 87 and in a care home with Alzheimer's. Apparently there is the virus in the home. Funeral will be a muted affair.

Alfred the Great (1969) | Full Movie | w/ David Hemmings, Michael York, Prunella Ransome, Ian McKellen

https://ok.ru/video/343296183032
I am happy as I have found an online site for the film Alfred the Great (1969) starting David Hemmings. It's great. I saw it at the flicks when about 10 years old and the Vikings scared me to death. I remember the feeling that this took place here in the West Country and enjoying that but it's filmed in Ireland. Also stars Michael York.

Lord Bath dies

From Conronavirus. BBC News item. A real shame. He was quite a character as you know. Website

The Best (And The Rest) Of The Bad Detectives 2CD Album

This double album is coming out soon. Check out the tracklisting for this here

40 years ago Animals and men supporting Essential Bop at Corsham Art College.

Strange Days the Doors

Appropriate verses.
Strange days have found us
Strange days have tracked us down
They're going to destroy
Our casual joys
We shall go on playing
Or find a new town

Radstock museum

So the museum is temporarily closed. Shame as I have recently been accepted as a volunteer and was going to learn the stewarding ropes soon. Hopefully not too long before it reopens.

Clip from Lion of the Desert (1980)

This is a great movie. Watch the whole thing here.
Wiki

De Gaulle (2020) - Trailer (English Subs)

May 1940. France is facing a disastrous military situation against the German army. Charles de Gaulle, newly appointed General, joins the Government in Paris while Yvonne, his wife, and their three children stay in the East. Facing the defeatist attitude of Pétain ready to negotiate with Hitler, de Gaulle has one purpose: continue fighting. Alongside thousands of French families, Yvonne and the children are soon forced to flee the advancing German troops. Without contact from one another, the doubt arises: will the de Gaulle family be sacrificed for the sake of France? An outstanding destiny that will change the course of World War II and French History.

Animals & men support Toyah 7/3/80

So our next date on our 40 years ago cycle is March 7. Supporting Toyah at Bath pavilion. Our biggest gig with about 3000 people. Sue got us the gig. Didn't start too well - Toyah told us we would have to pay them £50 or we wouldn't be able to use their PA. We were being paid £40 for the gig. So we coughed up. I wondered whether to wear my spectacles and decided to wear them and when we walked onstage someone shouted Joe 90! We went down pretty well although the sound was pretty bad. First gig with Puddle. Geoff was in the audience and came backstage after. It was a bit like a party in the dressing room. Toyah went and did her set but midway through the performance the electricity went out - no sound or lights. They blamed us. It wasn't any of us but it kind of ruined the joy of doing the gig. Well that was it. Covered by Bath fanzine Spuno

McDonald and Dodds trailer

Watched this detective programme last night. Don't usually watch TV but this was set in Bath so made an effort. We liked it. It was quite novel being set in Bath with all the BBC Somerset accents. Have a look on the catch up if you like whodunnits and local themes. It even had a scene at an allotment!

Families of Fairley Terrace

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Families-Fairley-Terrace-Book/dp/B076KPFPY4
This series of romantic fiction books by local author Janet Tanner/Jennie Felton are set in a fictionalised version of Radstock. She also is famous for the Black Mountains the first in the Hillsbridge saga. 

Gone: Jack Caffery series 5 Mo Hayder

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gone-Jack-Caffery-Mo-Hayder/dp/0553824333
Apparently this thriller is set in Radstock Midsomer-Norton and Frome. Haven't read it but looks OK.

The Reaping

My son has been reading this 80s horror novel but was very taken aback by the fact it's set near Clandown.

Radstock Reminisces

Read about it here

West Side Stop Frome

I only went here a few times. It was the yobs hangout of choice in the 70s.

Animals & men 40 years ago today

So 24 February 40 years ago Puddle joined as drummer. He lived in Warminster which was about 8 miles away but he had friends who had cars. He used to be in a band called Stalag 44 I think. His real name was Paul. He liked the Ants and Punilux. Worked on an army base. He didn't own his own drum kit but our acting manager owned one from Moskow so we used that. He was a proficient drummer and easy going. When he left us in September he said he was giving up music to do marionette puppets which we believed but in reality he went off to join the Silent Guests on the TW label. Discogs

Me and Susan mid 90s by David Wilton

MR. JONES Trailer (2020)

Based on a true story of the Holodomor

26 January Buddy Holly on the Ed Sullivan show

from http://performingsongwriter.com/buddy-holly-ed-sullivan/
On January 26, 1958, Buddy Holly and the Crickets made their second and final appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show—this time earning the well-known wrath of the host. They were scheduled to perform their hit “Oh, Boy!,” but Sullivan told them to substitute it because he felt it was too raucous. You can imagine how that went over, though, and Holly told him he’d already told his hometown friends that was the song he was going to be performing. And that was that. Sullivan summoned the Crickets to a last-minute rehearsal the afternoon of the show, but when he got to their dressing room only Holly was there. When asked where the others were, Holly said, “I don’t know. No telling.” Sullivan said, “Well, I guess The Crickets are not too excited to be on The Ed Sullivan Show,” to which Holly replied, “I hope they’re damn more excited than I am.” By that time Ed was completely steamed. He cut the Crickets’ act from two songs to one, and he mispronounced Holly’s name when he introduced them as “Buddy Hollet and his Crickets.” In addition, the line feed for Holly’s electric guitar was turned off, and he tried to compensate by singing as loudly as he could and repeatedly trying to turn up the volume on his guitar. He finally let loose with a dramatic solo during the instrumental break so the audience would know the technical fault wasn’t his. In the end Buddy Holly and the Crickets were so well received that Sullivan invited them back for a third time, but Holly’s response was that Sullivan didn’t have enough money for that. Ah, showbiz.

26 January 1980 Animals and men are 14 in the alternative charts

Two years since Mark E. Smith died

Yes it's that sad anniversary today. Time to play some records by the Fall I think.

A HIDDEN LIFE Official Trailer (2019) Terrence Malick Movie

Looks good.

A day in Frome musical history

Today the 8th of January 40 years ago was the day Frome band Animals & Men had their first John Peel play. Called 'Don't misbehave in the New age' the record was recorded at Paulton on a label from Trowbridge. I believe it was the first record out by a Frome band but you may know differently. It is what is called these days Post punk but then it was just punk. It got in the newly invented Independent charts and was on a couple of juke boxes in local pubs much to our embarrassment. All of the band were from Frome though the bassist came from near Nunney. We sent Peel a tape and he suggested we got a record out and so he was ambushed at Broadcasting House on the day and he played it first record on the show. He played it quite a bit and the follow up 45 and eventually offered us a session but we were sadly broken up by then. We only lasted a year but we headlined at the Hexagon suite which was a big deal then. Supported by the Bad Detectives. We were young I was only 19. When we had triumphant news we would go to the Mendip Motel and have cigars. You can hear it at
https://animalsandmen.bandcamp.com