Città di Ferrara

I haven't posted anything about the Great War for a while but this is an interesting picture. It's an Italian dirigible - the only country other than Germany to use them for bombing purposes. Shot down by an Austrian Seaplane. Like something out of Porco Rosso.

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

OK I'm going to do a short season of movies you should have seen by now if we lived in a perfect world. I used to really like Godard and this is one of his sunny best and was pretty influential on films that came after it.

I am Frank The Fall

We've been trying to learn the fife - here's a flute that sounds like its in the wrong key - great song though.

The Fall 'Squid Lord' Peel Session

Cracking version of this song.

Beefheart Band 'Electricity', 'Sho Nuff and Yes I do'

Great clip from 68 on French tv. I'm not a huge Beefheart fan but this is top notch.

More blues fife and drum

I must admit I am getting a little obsessed with this genre of music. This is another great piece - this time from the Newport Folk Festival in the mid 60s.

More Othar Turner

I really fancy having my own fife and drum band - could it be as good as this though? Probably not. Archival fife and drum music here
Blues fife and drum wiki

Othar Turner

We all know Othar Turner from the Gangs of New York soundtrack - the fife and drum track Shimmy She Wobble accompanies one of the scenes at the beginning of the movie - but this film will tell you a little more about the man who produced one of the best album titles ever 'Everybody Hollerin' Goat' - wiki entry.

Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick 'Byker Hill'

Most folk music I do not like apart from some exceptions and these are two musicians who my brother Neil turned me onto back in the good old days and I can't help but love this stuff. Lyrics here. A traditional north-east song of Colliers played with amazing sympathy and dexterity - give it a go and see if you like it. I find myself getting all misty eyed as I do about anything to do with mining but that's my problem OK? Carthy is probably the most important figure in British folk music. Martin Carthy wiki
Watch them play the classic 'Begging Song'

Chuck Berry 'Go Johnny Go'

We're having a bit of a revival of Chuck Berry in our house - not sure why I haven't played any for years but now I am kind of enjoying them again. I thought this credit sequence interesting. Why did they chop his head off on the opening shot? Maybe they didn't want a black face to scare the squares, I don't know, but it is a credit sequence worth watching and playing spot the stars who will utimately have tragic ends and who won't.

Old picture of Whitelands

Interesting old postcard view of chez nous. Sad to see that there was once a very large and developed wood (on the right of the picture) that's no longer there. Just a field.

Charge of the Light Brigade 1968 trailer

Lovely trailer for a brilliant film. Probably the best British historical epic ever this classic from Tony Richardson manages to capture the period and also make a great 60s film too. Everything is right about this film. I saw it at the pictures when I was about 9 and I remember falling in love with Vanessa Redgrave. When I was a teenager I was in the youth section of the WRP and my folks used to say it was because I wanted to meet her. Not true of course but funny nonetheless. For some reason I don't own a copy of this movie yet...maybe it's time to invest.

Doo Rag

Clip from 96 by the great blues and noise duo. Susan's getting her drum kit back from loan to a neighbour today so if you can imagine us in the kitchen trying in our own small way to try and 'do a doo rag' you won't be far wrong.

'Forever Young' Bob Dylan 1976

Followed by a spirited rendition of 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down'. It's Red's birthday today so I thought I'd post something he might like - this clip from the Last Waltz seems a good choice. They had a great time at Devo by the way...I think the band were on great form but I will find out more when they get back.

The Collins Kids 'Hoy Hoy Hoy'

Henry of the Bad Detectives first showed me this...it's great... Collins Kids Wikipedia entry

Devo

Bea and Red are getting excited about going to see Devo on wednesday - up in London - a place apparently that has hot water and lots of people...anyway this video is pretty cool - rocking through the song Mongoloid on French tv in their classic phase.

F&I in Wiltshire

It's a national holiday in the UK and though I don't reenact much these days I do like to watch the odd display and this weekend managed to persuade my family to go with me to a local attraction, the Bison Farm to watch a small event. (If you're in the south-west the farm near Warminster is well worth a visit - they have Red deer, Elk ...and you can eat the exhibits). But it wasn't the Bison burgers that dragged me out but the chance to see the UK's newest 18thc reenactors the 60th Royal Americans of New France and Old England - the UK F&I society. They were pretty impressive as these photos show and I hope they do well. The 60th have been a popular choice in the US but this is a first for Britain. Led by Colin Spicer they are currently getting quite a lot of attention so if F&I is your bag, and you're inspired by the new Galloping Major figures or similar - get in touch with them. Photos Celia and Bea.