Bo Diddley tells the story of Bo Diddley

Germinal

One of the greatest French period films based on the novel by Emile Zola. I drop into mining movie themes at the drop of a hat as you know and this ranks as perhaps the best. One day someone like Ken Loach will make a movie about the strikes in and around Radstock - in the meantime this will have to do. Talking of owing your soul to the company store in 16 tons made me think of this film - the shopkeeper allows the women to have 'tick' in return for sex - you'll be glad to hear he gets castrated by an angry mob if my memory serves me well. During strikes Radstock Co-op set the price of items like bread and kept the prices the same throughout the strikes.

Bo Diddley '16 tons'

A great version of a classic song about mining. Of course in Radstock our miners didn't owe their soul to the company store as we had the Co-op where you could have a divvy card and a share in the profits. On his first day at work at the age of 12 my Grandfather was taken to the co-op and made a member and bought his pit boots. I was reading in the Five Arches magazine that miners all had unique nicknames - they were all Jacks and Freds so it was important to be able to have a unique moniker and your son would aslo be in time given the same name but known as 'young whatever'.

Coy "Hot Shot" Love - Wolf Call Boogie

Some Memphis harp blowing continuing the theme of the Wolf Call.

Elvis 'Wolf Call'

No howlin' on this song from the Girl Happy soundtrack.

Lord Dent and his Invaders 'Wolf Call'

Heard this on Wfmu's Rock and Soul stream- It's great the howls remind Susan of Scooby Doo for some reason.

Sonny Boy 'Eyesight to the Blind'

This is one of the all time great blues songs. Recorded for the Trumpet (pre Chess) label this is an immense lustful appreciative blues that you must listen to. When he sings 'her daddy must have been a millionaire' you know you're in the presence of one of the great American poets. There is a racial subtext to this song but I'll let you figure that out.

Pinball fever

Prof Green

I really like this. Something about this record makes me want to say = 'have you heard this?' - it's rare that I like a British pop record but there you go.

Is this the greatest psychedelic rock song ever?

This song by the 13th Floor Elevators has slowly grown on me over the years - I have printed the lyrics as they are kind of mumbled and they are spectacular.

I DON'T EVER WANT TO COME DOWN
Well some they pledge allegiance while others treasure seek
And soul wisdom spoken back, each life will be unique
Some want only pleasure, you only want to please
Or bring as the highest life that prayer ever sees.

I don’t ever want to come down from your village and your big town

I won’t tell foreigners earth’s their home
Well armed by the life you’ve been making
And not crush powers not your own
Just stick to your own overtaking

I don’t ever want to come down from your village and your big town

Encouraging all men, I wish you would
To live in a fable, I wish you would
I can’t do no other with you and David’s Saint fable
I’m not even trying to or curious fair
Each unicorn makes it completely prepared

I don’t ever want to come down from your village and your big town

Billy Graves 'The Shag'

1959 song about someone taken aside and taught how to shag by the Queen of the Hop. Maybe after playing this you'll be shagging too.

Harold Burrage 'She knocks me out'

A Chicago soul and r and b legend, Harold Burrage should be more famous. This was on the ill-fated Cobra label. Love the middle 8 when he goes all Jackie Wilson on us.

Maximum Rock and Roll video of the week

This is a nice surprise - a review too for Animals & men.

Hubert Sumlin teaches you to play 'Smokestack Lightnin''

Joined on vocals and harp by David Johansen. Join my Facebook group dedicated to giving the Wolf the 100th birthday party he deserves here

The Wolf live in Britain

Cool clip of the Wolf playing to an audience of nerdy white people - how I wish I was one of them. Brilliant clip. Please watch it to the end - track 2 where Hubert Sumlin does some wizard solos - that sort of stuff he does that has the power to heal the sick and stop wars - it's that good I tell you. It captures the 60s band sound on film in all its glory -

60s Howlin' Wolf

Colur footage from the 60s of Wolf and friends goofing around at a night club. Little Walter's present and many more. From the Howlin' Wolf Story DVD.

Howlin' Wolf Centenary

Here's Facebook group I started - Make 10 June International Howlin'Wolf Day

June 10 this year is the 100 years anniversary of Howlin' Wolf's birthday. How are we gonna celebrate it? I know this fact as its my birthday, the same day 50 years later...maybe I'll just have a Wolfing session. Seriously I usually play a bit of Chester Burnett on my birthday anyway - I'll have to think how I can do something a bit more - something special for the 100th anniversary.

Otis Rush 'My Love Will Never Die'

If you ever need proof as to how unjust this world is then take the case of Otis Rush - how is it that Eric Clapton is so rich and hardly anyone knows Otis Rush? Go figure. This song - sentimental, dramatic, tragic and not everyone's cup of tea - is one of my favourite Cobra recordings.

Adam Ant 'Beat My Guest'

Clip from a fairly recent gig in London. Sounds allright. I'd go see him.

Adam Ant sectioned

Sad to see the singer sectioned - news article here. Let's hope he has a speedy recovery. A lot is being made of his recent charity gig - clip here - I don't think it's that bad - what is swearing illegal now? He is supposed to be a punk rock singer...