When Yo la Tengo played Evil Going On

 

The Anvil Basingstoke

Back in 2004 we got contacted by James from Yo la Tengo asking us if we wanted to trade records which we did. At that time we hadn't heard of them but our daughter Bea had. Then they asked if we wanted to come to a gig and meet up.  They knew us as the terraplanes which was unusual as we are usually known as Animals & Men. This took a while to arrange but in the end we saw them in Cardiff and went to the Anvil in Basingstoke to meet up. We took two of our children Bea and Red with us. We went backstage and chatted. Later that evening during their encore they played a cover of our Evil Going On single which like 10 people bought back in 81. (They used to do it back in the 80s when they were starting out - they played it at CBGBs!) We were flabbergasted. It was so good.  Georgia sang - memories are made of this. 

Midsomer Norton Carnival 2022

 Tomorrow (Monday) is Norton Carnival (only outsiders call it Midsomer). Haven't had one for two years - here's me from then on Celia's balcony. I will try and get Susan to take some photos as I am terrible at it. 

2CV

 Advert from 1961. Read about this legendary French car here. When I was in France as a teenager I hung out with some anarchists who had these cars and we would drive to rural parties with the roof open. Good times.

Shiny Shiny Haysi Fantayzee 1983

 I think this is their best single. 

As long as i live Jerry Lee Lewis 1961

 Had this country rocker in my brain when I woke up.

Holy Joe Haysi Fantayzee 1982

I think this was timed to coincide with the Pope's visit but I am not certain. We bought it anyway. Wiki on the band. I hadn't seen this video before today. It's quite good.

Stourhead photograph by Neil Gould

 As I think I mentioned Stourhead is lovely at this time of year - here snapped by local photographer Neil Gould.

Reperata and the Delrons Nobody's baby 1966

 Two different radio shows in 2 different continents played this tonight. 

Animals & Men interview from 2011

 

From the L.A. Record which is a free music paper in L.A. Here. 

Courted by Adam Ant—a relationship from which they politely withdrew when he suggested hiring a studio band to re-record their songs—and noted by John Peel, Animals & Men were positioned to take whatever version of fame and fortune the first wave of U.K. post-punk had to offer. But when the big boys came calling, they turned around and walked back to their tiny mining town in the grasslands, where they stayed with their unreleased tapes until good ol’ Hyped 2 Death re-presented them to the world. Encouraged by the release of retrospective collections, A&M have not only reunited but restarted as a working band, releasing brand new, extremely ferocious songs like “John of the Sword.” They’ll play their first-ever U.S. shows this month. Founders Ralph Mitchard and Susan Wells speak now from their living room, where they play in war paint with the door open while the neighbors marvel. They will perform at the Smell Thursday. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

Susan Wells at Stourhead mid 1980s

 We really enjoyed visiting Stourhead when we lived at Frome. It was particularly good at this time of year.  We went to the first Fête Champêtre at Stourhead but we didn't really enjoy it. 

Cecil Sharp talk at Wells

 – CECIL SHARP AND FOLK SONGS OF SOMERSET

A Mendip Society talk at the Wells and Mendip Museum 

The Somerset folk singer Lucy White (1848–1923)

On Tuesday 15th November 2022 at 2.pm 

Cecil Sharp was one of the most important collectors of English folk songs in the early 20th century and did much of his work in Somerset.

At a time when the oral transmission of folk songs was dying out because of the availability of recorded popular music, he collected hundreds of songs that would otherwise have been lost.

Todays interest in folk music would not have happened without him.

Chris will be accompanied by Bernard Coulter in the performance of some songs. Together, they run a local folk club.

There is no need to book for this talk. 

Members are free, non members £3. Contact

Richard on 01275 472797 for more information.

Animals & Men Driving Stupid 2007

 Shot at the Handsome Llama Frome rehearsal room which was a great place - we recorded there also. This was when the song was still a work in progress and we filmed it to remember it. Susan forgets some of the lyrics.

Should I Stay or Should I Go the Clash 1982

 

Video here. Another 45 I bought in 1982 was this one by the Clash. It was unusual for me to buy a Clash record by 82 but I liked it and enjoyed the vocal. Don't remember playing Straight to Hell much but that's just me.

Shakin' Stevens Give Me Your Heart Tonight 1982

 

Another song from 40 years ago I liked was this one. I liked Shakey and thought he had made some good singles.Biggest selling UK act of the 80s. 

Haysi Fantayzee - John Wayne Is Big Leggy - Top Of The Pops 26-08-1982

 

Another band I liked that Susan didn't was this one who first emerged 40 years ago. I used to like daft pop. I remember being in London around this time and hearing them in all the hip clothes shops. Band wiki

i Know What Boys Like - The Waitresses 1982

 I liked this when it came out. I think I bought it but I remember Susan not liking it at all.

Pretty Flamingo Manfred Mann 1966

 I woke up with this tune in my head. Video here

Article on trendy Frome

 Here

Animals & Men 2009

 

Photo Jane Barnes. Location is the former Wellsway Colliery Radstock.

Rema Rema documentary trailer

 Yes that's right someone has made a film about this ephemeral band. I can't say I liked them.

Nazareth Bad Bad Boy Austrian TV 1975

 Singer Dan McCafferty RIP here. I liked them a little bought a single or two

Animals & Men at the Fleece Bristol 2009

 Onstage. The people dancing are our kids and their friends. 

Buster Brown Fannie Mae 1959

 This song I encountered in the compilation All them Blues. It's a great song. It charged and was in American Grafitti. Wiki

All them blues compilation 1975

 This double L.p. was possibly the 2nd blues record I owned. Maybe. Came out in 1975. Discogs including tracklisting.

Sonny Boy Williamson I'm a lonely man

  There are quite a few clips of Sonny Boy usually with some bland backing but this is pretty good.

Sonny Boy Williamson One Way Out

 If hearing Sonny Boy playing with a load of English boys has made you need the originals this is a recent compilation of his famous sides.

Sonny Boy Williamson & the Yardbirds live Full album

 I think this was the first blues album I owned the 71 release) so it has sentimental appeal but listening to it now it stills sounds ok if not good. Wiki on the recordings. Recorded 1963 though not released til later.

 "I played with this British band over there, and they wanted to play the blues so bad ... and they really did play them so bad!"^[8][d]

Spotify

https://youtu.be/sy9RukXcwL8

- Sonny Boy Williamson – vocal, harmonica The Yardbirds - Eric Clapton – guitar - Chris Dreja – guitar - Jim McCarty – drums - Paul Samwell-Smith – bass - Keith Relf – handclapping, shouting, foot-tapping

Songs: 1) Bye Bye Bird 2) Mister Downchild 3) 23 Hours Too Long 4) Out on the Water Coast 5) Baby Don't Worry 6) Pontiac Blues 7) Take It Easy Baby (version 1) 8) I Don't Care No More 9) Do the Weston 10) The River Rhine 11) A Lost Care 12) Western Arizona 13) Take It Easy (version 2) 14) Slow Walk 15) Highway 69

Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs Woolly Bully 1965

 Tv appearance here

Slim Harpo Tip on in 1968

 Here for a song begging to be covered. 

Elmore James and friend

 OK I will stop now.

Sonny Boy and friend U.K.

 Sonny Boy wanted to make England his home. 

Babyface Leroy Foster and fan

 This image I like!

Magic Sam with friend

 Sorry it is poor quality but you have to admit it's a great pic.

Elmore James and friend

 Anyone know anything about this image of Elmore? I like images of bluesmen with fans I will post some more of them the next few days. 

Thanks to David this one is Elmore James with manager Casey Walker and two lady friends

Elmore James 1951-3

 

His early sides.

I Believe Elmore James 1952

 1952 saw Elmore James recording more great tracks including this one on Meteor. 

Carmel More More More 1984

 Directed by great British director Lindsay Anderson. Another great video and song. I have to mention Susan wasn't all that keen. 

Carmel Collected - Released: 1990

 A compilation of 80s recordings. Carmel (band) wiki

1982 Carmel – Every Little Bit (Official Video)

 I don't know this one either. I must not have been paying attention. 

Carmel - Sally - 1982

 I thought I was into Carmel in 1982 but this song I have never heard before now. It's fine. 

Transformer 50th anniversary

 Making you feel old. It didn't make an impact on me at the time I must admit but Susan had it of course. Wiki. I think my favourite song is Vicious.

Spotify album

The Cramps, New York, 1982 (Photo: Curtis Knapp/Getty Images)

 The Cramps didn't release anything in 1982 - they were in a legal dispute with Miles Copeland. We had to wait until 1983 for the Smell of Female album was released. 

Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972 New York Dolls

Wiki on the album. We had this on cassette. With Billy Murcia on drums. Archive org 

Baby Don't Go Sonny and Cher 1964

 

I love this. Like the harmonica. Give it a spin. Here. Wasn't initially a big hit but was re released in the wake of I Got you Babe and was a hit. Wiki where there are a lot of interesting facts about this record.

50 years ago today Billy Murcia dies

 Remembering Billy Murcia, original drummer of The New York Dolls. Hear him on Spotify on the album Lipstick Killers the Mercer Street sessions 1972

October 9, 1951 ~ November 6, 1972

From the wiki. "While on a brief tour of England in 1972,^[3] Murcia was invited to a party where he passed out from an accidental overdose. In an attempt to revive him he was put in a bathtub and force-fed coffee, which resulted in asphyxiation and death.^[4] He died before the New York Dolls recorded their first album and was later replaced by Jerry Nolan in 1973. The final gig of their tour, at the Manchester Hardrock, was cancelled, and the band flew back to New York City. Murcia can be heard playing live with the New York Dolls on Lipstick Killers: The Mercer Street Sessions."

Not a Bowie fan but Susan is. He unchecked him in 'Time'

In Quaaludes and red wine
Demanding Billy Dolls
And other friends of mine
Take your time

The English official trailer

 I like a good western as do a few of my friends so I was interested to see this trailer

Wiki says 

The English is an upcoming internationally co-produced Western drama television miniseries, written and directed by Hugo Blick. It stars Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer. It will premiere in the United States on Amazon Prime Video, and in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 11 November 2022.^[1]

An Englishwoman arrives into the West in 1890 looking for revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son, and meets an ex-cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation by birth with whom she discovers a possible shared history.^[2]

Bridgwater Carnival 2022

 Last night my son and daughter and their partners and us of course watched the online streaming of the impressive Bridgwater Carnival. Was very good. If you want to see some of the best carts then this 13 minute compilation will show you. 

Leather Boy On the Go 1967

 

Here. Great way to start the day.

When clogs were fashionable

 Do you remember in the 70s when clogs were the rage? I had a pair. They went with flares and I guess they were a bit hippyish. 

The Who Pinball Wizard

 Possibly the greatest pinball song. On the Tom Jones show.

Dang Me Roger Miller 1964

A witty and catchy tune.

Bridgwater Carnival

 

In the West Country it is nearly Carnival season. A big deal that draws crowds from far afield. Live streaming tomorrow night (Saturday) here. Midsomer Norton Carnival is week Monday. 

In the local Frome paper 13 years ago

 

Where to get cool hair in Bristol

 

Dye with Celia!

Now taking appointments for cuts and colours at Glitch Studio, Bristol

Book directly here https://bookings.gettimely.com/glitch/bb/book?staff=475586

After the heartbreaking closure of "Celia's Place" and a couple of months hiatus, I'm finally back! Now taking appointments for cuts and colours at Glitch Studio, Bristol!

The Pretenders TV series 1972

 When I was 12 this series was exciting to me as it happened around here - they mention Frome in the first episode. Was filmed in Somerset. These titles are brilliant. 

Bandcamp Friday

Susan and Nigel 1979

Here is our Bandcamp page . You can download or listen to our demos there. 

The Aces - Off The Wall (Live video - 1970)

 Louis and Dave Meyers brothers with Freddy Below on a Little Walter hit.

Wings Bristol 1973 my first real gig.

Setlist here
James Paul McCartney a TV special from 1973.
I wish I could remember more about this but I was only 12. Support was Brinsley Schwartz but I can't say I particularly dug them. I was wearing a purple corduroy trouser suit with home made Wings badge made by my sister. I went with my big sister and her friend who was known as Splosh. Her mum drove us there in a Morris minor. They debuted the song 'Live and Let Die' with strobe lighting. Highlight for me was the encore Long Tall Sally. It was a big deal as it was the first gig in McCartney 's first real tour and it was all new. We waited after the gig with some die hard fans and got a glimpse of Paul and Linda peeking out at us peeking in at them. 1973 tour wiki
The below clip is from 74 but they started with this one. 

Roxy Music - Editions of you 1973

 Susan was a big fan. 

How The Beatles Made "Rain"

 A pleasant film about the making of the song 'Rain' which attracted my attention in the Revolver reissue. Some phenomenal bass and drums on this track.

Table Talk Adam and the Ants 1979

 Adam Ant's birthday. So we shall have this one which is about Geli Raubal Hitler's niece.

Wiki on the album here

Cavalry And Tanks Will Advance (1934)

 This Pathé newsreel was found by Mark Copplestone who sculpted a range of neo-retro inter war figures. This shows Italian tankettes and cavalry.

Watch The Tell-Tale Heart - Live-Action Film

 Daughter Celia recommended this treatment. It's 20 minutes long. 

The Donays - Devil in his heart (1962)

 The Beatles covered this. Originals are always the best though. 

'Gimme A Thrill' THE MUDD CLUB (The Ill Repute, Bristol) BOPFLIX sessions

 BOPFLIX session with rock n roll band THE MUDD CLUB playing new track 'Gimme A Thrill' (from the new album 'Give Me A Thrill'). Filmed live at The Ill Repute, Bristol, UK (2022).

Find The Mudd Club on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/72AbK...

Jake Stratton-Kent

 Last night (1st November) we were listening to Tom Robinson on BBC6 music and he surprised us by talking about Jake Stratton-Kent and playing Shakin' All Over by the Pirates for him. very touching. Jake i know from when he lived in Frome. Jake is a renowned author on esoteric subjects and also a music fan and wargamer. He has had a stroke some time ago but it was very pleasant to hear the good wishes. It will be on BBC sounds if you wish to hear it. We here join in the wish that he makes a speedy recovery.

Velvet Underground - Pale Blue Eyes 1968

The below movie might remind you of this song. Here is the wiki with the facts about the song.

The Pale Blue Eye trailer

 Teaser for a new movie starring Christian Bale. West Point, 1830. A world-weary detective is hired to discreetly investigate the gruesome murder of a cadet. Stymied by the cadets’ code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case — a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allan Poe.

 Wiki here

Burrow Mump

 Went by this landmark today. Wiki. Visible from Glastonbury Tor. 

Trip to Westonzoyland and Taunton

 On the Monmouth Rebellion trail. Pics by my sister. The visitor's centre at Westonzoyland church is worth a visit if you are interested.

Taunton the town where Monmouth was crowned

Art in the Westonzoyland church which houses the centre. Prisoners were kept in the church after the battle