Thursday, December 28, 2023

Sixty years ago

 From Blues Compartido


Sonny Boy Williamson - Bye Bye Bird

 The boss harmonica sound of the great Sonny Boy Williamson II. This was a bit of a theme song in the 60s.

Rocknroll Memories

 


Great album. Eddie and Gene on the radio in 1960 on their fateful visit to the UK. A poignant document of two musicians in their prime.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Bukka White Jelly Roll Blues

The incomparable Booker White. 

Spotify album of his 1930-40 recordings

Monday, December 25, 2023

 


Saturday, December 23, 2023

Wedding Present Step into Christmas 1992

 

We have it on this album

This was a good record. Wedding Present wiki. Originally an Elton John/ Bernie Taupin song it was part of the band's year of singles. 

Raveonettes Christmas song 2003

 Getting a bit festive. Bea has made a Christmas playlist and of course this is on it.

Sonny Boy's Christmas 1951



It is my opinion that Sonny Boy Williamson 2 is one the true greats of American song writing - any genre. I thought I would post the lyrics of some of his songs so you can read along. This one is a very amusing take on the 'come home for Christmas' type of song. I love how he blames her for his drinking. Makes me smile and fits the persona of his songs - that of a sinner.  Listen here

Got some mighty sad news and I ain't got nothin' to say

I heard some mighty sad news and I don't have nothin' to say

My baby left me, started me drinkin' on Christmas day
Lord, I tried to fetch religion but the devil would not let me pray
Lord, I tried to fetch religion boys, but the devil he will not let me pray
That's why I gotta stay drunk all day Christmas Day
(spoken: Ooh, on a Christmas Day, You know that's one day I hate to have the blues; you know when she walked out and left me she give 'em to me, so I have to drink 'em all. I don't even have a Christmas tree in my house unless she comes home, but if she do happen to come home I will enjoy this Christmas)
Yes, run here baby and let me tell you what I got to say
Please, please run here darlin' and let daddy tell you what he got to say
Unless'n you come back to me, I'll be drunk all day Christmas Day



Christmas Carol 1971

 This is a great animation. Richard Williams did the masterful Charge of the Light Brigade animation and this similarly visits Victorian imagery to tell the story. It's not too long either. I remember watching this 50 odd years ago on the telly. Recommended.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Some of the posters we had

 At our house in Lower Whitelands over the years.The Simpsons one was from when they were new. 







New Greg Cartwright project

 New Music 🎶 The Hypos is a brand new band built around the collaboration of veteran songwriters Greg Cartwright and Scott McMicken, joined by a cast of Memphis and Asheville's finest: Evan Martin, Kevin Williams, and Krista Wroten. 

 

Check out the new single, here! Album out Jan. 5 ⚡️

https://thehypos.bandcamp.com/album/the-hypos

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Ring out Solstice Bells Jethro Tull 1976

 Here. A good song for your Christmas playlist.

The Fall (We wish you a) protein Christmas 2003 ep 4 tracks

 


Here. We bought this. 20 years ago. I remember buying it in Replay records Bath. I had ordered it and Bea and I went in and asked if was in and they said 'no' and then I noticed it in the new release rack and so I said 'what's this then?'. No hard feelings. Spotify album.

Don't you want me baby Human League Top of the Pops 1981

 


Here for the number 1 when we got married. This is a good clip. We weren't so crazy on the new version of the Human League I mean we still bought their records but weren't so keen as before.

Animals & Men in 2009 photo Jane Barnes

 


Location the former Wellsway colliery. We were going to call the e.p. Songs from the Somerset Coalfield but didnt. Hear of download the e.p..We made here free 

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Animals__Men/Convulsive_ep

Happy anniversary us

 42 years. 'Don't you want me' by the Human League was number one.


Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Yé-Yé Girls of '60s French Pop


 Looks good = read about it here where there are videos and so on.

Damaged Primal Scream 1991

 Thought we could have this. We were fans of the Screamadelica l.p. We had a Vhs of the album and it had this on it. Wiki



Tuesday, December 19, 2023

London Town trailer (2016)


 Susan likes Jonathan Rhys Meyers. So I said to her do you fancy watching the film where he plays Joe Strummer? Wiki Yes she says. So we will let you know what it's like. 

Bobby Gillespie autobiography

 Picked this up today for 50p. Friends say it is good and he did a print apprenticeship about the same time as my contemporaries and me. Started it.


Monday, December 18, 2023

Dog with the no bone blues The Mud Dogs 2010


This film is from my 50th birthday in 2010 in our front room. It was the centenary of Howlin' Wolf so we thought to record a song. This song we wrote. Rich vocals and harmonica lived in the top rank we lived in the bottom rank.

Hollywood Jills He makes me so mad 1968

This I heard today on Boss Radio 66. It's really great. Give it a listen.  I can't find out anything about this band but ultimately this is a great song.

13 years ago

 Pic of our old dog Leroy out for a walk in the snow. Whitelands in the background.


Sunday, December 17, 2023

Michelle Pfeiffer 1983 in Scarface

 40 years ago she was a very popular actress. The world couldn't get enough of her. She was great in Scarface.  See more pics of her role Elvira Hancock here


Waterloo blog

French infantry by Detaille

https://waterlooonethirtytwo.blogspot.com/

Have you listened to the Tom Hanks Bo Diddley beat show yet?

Its very good. On Boss Radio 66. Plays some excellent choices Billy Boy Arnold, Mickey and Sylvia all sorts.

They Call Me Lazy Lazy Lester 1957

 


Here. Great song just played on Boss Radio 66. 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Far From the Madding Crowd 1998 Full Movie

 Here. We picked up a DVD of this for 50p. It's from 1998 and was originally shown on itv. Very good.  I enjoy this story with its shepherds and soldiers. The male characters are all probably parts of the male psyche - who do you feel today? Do you feel Sergeant Troy but need to be a bit Gabriel Oak? Wiki


Impressive photo by Jack Boskett

 The Flying Scotsman crosses the M5. BBC Bristol


Wednesday, December 13, 2023

6pm in the U.K. Today Thursday On Boss Radio 66

 Tune at 1 PM ET for the next Songs From The Back Of The Station Wagon with Tom Hanks!  Followed by @Kogar's Jungle Juice at 3 PM ET.  Repeats all weekend.


Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Monday, December 11, 2023

Shirley Anne Field

Sad to hear of the passing of Shirley Anne Field. A great beauty and in some legendary films. Read about her here

Saturday night Sunday Morning

Horsham Traction Steam Omnibus

 More photos here



Big Al Downing Georgia Slop 1964

 Here. Just heard on Boss Radio 66..

Packhorse bridge Bruton.

 Bruton I know quite well as I went to school there for two years. We often went down Lusty Hill to the town with its interesting alleyways and lanes. This bridge dates from the 15th century. One day I will go back for a nostalgic look at the town. Hear Bruton Town by Martin Carthy.


Packhorse bridge Bruton from EastridingPhotos

Quick Joey Small Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus 1968

 Great record this. Band explained here

Hillforts of England and Wales

 This is a good little book. 


Sunday, December 10, 2023

Bird Doggin' Gene Vincent 1966

 Gene Vincent does Garage r'n'b. Wonderful record with a  great guitar solo. I love this.

Saturday, December 09, 2023

A Dog of Flanders (1959) Full movie

 Here. The sort of film Susan likes. Wiki


Friday, December 08, 2023

Cassettes

 There was a time when we mostly bought cassettes. In the mid to late 80s. We used to do most of our listening in the car. Radstock library used to loan out cassettes for a small fee. This is how our kids have good musical appreciation as they were exposed to things - no wheels on the bus kiddy music from us. 


Help! It's the Hair Bear bunch

 Of course Joe E. Ross did many things but he voiced a character in this early 70s cartoon. Wiki. This is one of Susan's favourites. Intro here


Joe E. Ross Ooh Ooh

Just heard this on Boss Radio 66 - I love Joe E Ross and this is magnificent.

Thursday, December 07, 2023

Bus in Bath

 


Lee Marvin as Chino, leader of the gang 'the Beetles' in the Wild One (1953)

 Wiki. Watch the Full movie on YouTube


Bridgerton and Bath

 


I have never seen this but as a lot was filmed in Bath I would mention it. Article on Beautiful Bath where this photo is from.

Privilege (1967) trailer

 Here. Stars Paul Jones and Jean Shrimpton



Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Born to Lose (1976 demo) Heartbreakers

 Here's a very superior version of this classic. 

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

Sonny Boy Williamson II's birthday

 Probably my favourite bluesman. Played with most of the best other bluesman too. Undoubtedly a rascal but it is all part of his persona. 

Sonny Boy Paris 1963

The date most agree is his birthday. Wiki

My Sonny Boy Spotify playlist

12 years ago in Paris

 At the bar St. Malo. We stayed there all afternoon was fun. Find a pinball in Paris here


Moody Blues Go Now 1964

 Denny Laine RIP Wiki on the song here

Steam train in Bath

 Susan was in Bath today and saw a steam train. Not this one. She wasn't able to get a pic but it was the Merchant Venturer trip doing Solihull to Bristol I think. Probably taking people to the Christmas market. A fine sight.

Photo Bath Chronicle

New playlist (about an hour)

 

Popular Bath nightclub Moles closes its doors after 45 years

 Here. That is terrible news

Popular Bath nightclub Moles, which is one of the best-known grassroots music venues in the country, has closed its doors with immediate effect due to rising costs.

Saw many bands there but never played there. Best gigs there for us were the Dirtbombs and the 5,6,7,8s

Monday, December 04, 2023

 Sonny Boy Williamson II at Heathrow Airport, London UK after flying in from Paris. 4th December 1963. Photo Val Wilmer



Sunday, December 03, 2023

The Pogues Fiesta 1988

. This was after I had lost interest in them but it's a good video. Wiki

Susan at Stourhead mid 80s

 When we lived in Frome we used to often go across the border to Wiltshire and go to Stourhead. Mostly to walk the gardens rather than visit the house. It has temples, follies, and grottoes around a lake. A scene from Barry Lyndon which we liked at that time was filmed there. We went to the first fête champêtre there in the 80s. An orchestra and drinking on a theme at night with fireworks but it wasn't really our thing. A bit posh. I asked Susan about it and she said 'hooray Henrys drinking champagne'.


BBC Wiltshire pic

Magic Bus the Who

watch them do it on tv here
 
https://www.discogs.com/release/3806224-The-Who-Magic-Bus

Wiki. Apparently written in 65 but not recorded until 68.

The Who - Live at Music Hall de France, Mar 30 1966 [2021 Footage, lNA Source]


Recorded live at Music Hall de France, Issy-Les-Moulineaux on March 30, 1966. First broadcast by ORTF on April 9, 1966. Directed by Jean-Pierre Spiero.

00:00 Substitute 03:29 Man with Money 06:05 Dancing in the Street 09:20 Barbara Ann 11:27 My Generation

London bus

 Daughter CJ is up in London and she just caught this vintage bus.



The Scala official trailer

 My niece saw this last night  Bf I says

In Britain’s post-punk Thatcher years, the infamous and legendary Scala cinema showed a diverse range of films, from high art to cult classics, sexploitation, horror, Kung-Fu and LGBTQIA+. Nudging boundaries of convention, it became an inspiration for future famous creatives. With interviews from nearly 50 contributors, previously unseen archive footage and film clips, Scala!!! is an anarchic, uproarious documentary telling the riotous inside story of the cinema, with an original soundtrack by celebrated musician Barry Adamson.

Otis Spann It must have been the devil 1954

 I love this. Just as fine as it can be. George Smith on harmonica. Some dispute as to who plays guitar on this. Otis Spann wiki

Bus in the winter of 1963

 Wiki on the winter of 62-3


The Ad Libs Boy from New York City 1964

 


. A belter of a tune. Wiki. A Leiber-Stoller production. Great lyrics. Spotify for the album the Black Cat years here

He's really down
And he's no clown (yeah, yeah)
He has the finest penthouse
I've ever seen in town (yeah, yeah)
And he's cute in his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot (yeah, yeah)

Saturday, December 02, 2023

The Nips All the time in the world 1978

 This is good - with a  young Shane McGowan on vocals.