The pickelhaube is back!

For German football fans at least it is - buy them here.

Read about the historical originals here

Vehicles by Aroutcheff

These are really charming - vehicles from BDs by Aroutcheff.

The Fnords '21st Century Malaise'

This Scottish three piece mixing garage rock and roll and punk rock are excellent. Give them a spin - I think you'll agree... another one here 'Non Verbal Adjective Agreement'. Rock and roll at its best.

La Débâcle (the Downfall)

Novel by Zola set in the Franco-Prussian war. Project Gutenberg English language version here. My Christmas reading sorted. Wiki on it here. It starts thus:
In the middle of the broad, fertile plain that stretches away in the direction of the Rhine, a mile and a quarter from Mulhausen, the camp was pitched. In the fitful light of the overcast August day, beneath the lowering sky that was filled with heavy drifting clouds, the long lines of squat white shelter-tents seemed to cower closer to the ground, and the muskets, stacked at regular intervals along the regimental fronts, made little spots of brightness, while over all the sentries with loaded pieces kept watch and ward, motionless as statues, straining their eyes to pierce the purplish mists that lay on the horizon and showed where the mighty river ran.

'We're All Going to Die' Malcolm Middleton

'Malcolm Middleton comes in to Radio 1 for a session with Colin Murray to promote his push for a Christmas number 1'. Great song. I support this wholeheartedly - not just because I am a miserable person but it's actually quite a Buddhist concept that - acceptance of this fact will ultimately liberate you. Malcolm Middleton Myspace

The War of 1870-1 in pictures

This is my favourite website at the moment. Every winter I get interested in some historical war or another - it's a bizarre form of escapism but I don't go reading loads of boring campaign histories any more instead I like absorbing images and this site has plenty. Postcards, chocolate box images, photos... it's all here - check it out if you like this sort of thing. This image of German Uhlans is from the section Menu des pages "curiosités, images et textes divers

Paris' new bike scheme

As fans of the bicycle (which we think of as the transport of the future rather than a relic of the past) we're pretty pleased to see Paris getting a success with its bike loan scheme. Let's see some British cities take this on.

Le Roi Danse (the King is dancing)

A film from 2000 set in the Court of Louis XIV about the relationship between the Sun King and the composer Lully. I used to always look out for Lully discs years ago and they never had them even in the classical music shops that Bath has a lot of - and now they have made a movie about him and it took me 7 years to hear about it. Suppose it shows how few friends I have. Anyway watch this clip - it's great - I'm going to get it - this is an era depicted also in Depardieus Tous Les Matins du Monde.

Reg Presley interview

Troggs frontman Reg Presley is interviewed on his music on this audio podcast. It's a brilliant interview as he talks humorously and intelligently about the music, coming from Andover and all manner of interesting anecdotes. Mentions the now fashionable DDBMT...
Here's them in their heyday.

Zouaves of the World Blog

Image 3ème Régiment de Zouaves
Global Zouave community. A great blog for Zouave fans like me. Lots of interesting links to all the groups who recreate these African-inspired elite infantry and all manner of articles about the worldwide phenomenon. Did you know a Zouave invented cigarettes? Apparently during the Crimean war a Zouave soldier broke his pipe and used cartridge paper instead creating a global craze - this is why you see a Zouave on Zigzag rolling papers. Anyway check out the links - there's some interesting groups out there - the 3eme Zouaves from Germany look the business - doing the brilliant idea of doing Civil War as well. This image is from the reenactment of Thionville from the Franco-Prussian war. Not featured but of interest to me is the new US based 2nd Zouaves recreating French troops of the period 1852-1918.

Taras Bulba

This Russian epic historical movie isn't out until next year but it looks interesting - based on the famous novel about Cossacks by Gogol. The 1962 Hollywood version starred Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis and was shot in Argentina. Let's hope this version is an improvement.

Turkish Gambit

If you like Russian historical films this clip from the 2005 movie Turkish Gambit might be up your street. Based on the novels by Boris Akunen which are published in English they tell the story of a 19th century spy. This scene depicts the storming of Plevna in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-8. Review of the book here - Review of the film
The siege of Pleven wiki

Great War blog - a French perspective

If you have an interest in the French perspective of the Great War you must get over to this site - it's full of excellent illustrations by André Jouineau that are a breath of fresh air on the subject and its a fascinating look at the 14-18 war from a different angle. Don't be put off by the language - it's heavily illustrated.

Balaclava helmets

While on the subject of the Crimea take a look at this bad boy - a 1940s balaclava helmet - Susan found it on a friend's myspace and tracked down the pattern and is going to make me one as she is a good knitter. The earholes will be great for headphones - I will put up a picture when it's done.

1940s patterns to knit from the V&A

WW1 red cross patterns

Charge of the Light Brigade Documentary

Documentary on the Charge of the Light Brigade written and narrated by Terry Brighton for The Queen's Royal Lancers Regimental Museum. Excellently done it uses clips from one of my favourite films which is on tv this week. The Channel 4 documentary on the Crimean war is worth a look too - its here.

New Bob Dylan biopic 'I'm not there'

If you enjoyed Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine you might be intrigued by his latest project - Bob Dylan being played by 6 or so different actors including Cate Blanchette, Heath Ledger and Christian Bale. Quite a brave take on the biopic genre. Article here . The soundtrack also looks interesting with folks like Tom Verlaine and Yo La Tengo.

'I'm Bad Like Jesse James' John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker in 1986 playing in his great menacing style a minimal groove that shows his style off well. Jesse James must have inspired more songs than any other western figure. Some good ones out there...any suggestions? Last fm Jesse James playlist

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

What a title? You're probably sick of hearing about this movie already but it is supposedly a critical success and I have to say I am a little curious to go to the flicks to see it as there's nothing quite as much fun as a western on the big screen however longwinded and boring it might be. Heaven's Gate was brilliant and that was pretty epic in length. Goes with the territory, getting saddle sore at the cinema watching cowboy films.
Wiki on Jesse James

Astrud Gilberto 'Girl from Ipanema'

More 60s easy listening this time the bossa-nova classic - sounding strangely melancholic in my opinion but nevertheless one of the great female vocals of all time.

Wide Boy Awake 'Chicken Outlaw'

A band from the early 80s led by ex Ant bassplayer Kevin Mooney and managed by Jordan if I remember right. I think he got kicked out of the Ants after mucking about during a Royal Variety Performance but I imagine the fact that he wasn't much of a bass player also had something to do with it. This style mixes electro-pop with cajun and was pretty much on the button at the time being a bit like Hayzee Fantayzee who were popular at the time. It wasn't a hit nor was Bonaventure, another single. Interview with Mooney