Historical Painting: Napoleon in burning Moscow by Albrecht Adam, 1841.
The campaign of Russia in 1812 has often been said to be the beginning of the end for Napoleon. (Two years later Napoleon was forced into exile in 1814.) Though at […]
Historical Painting: “8th August, 1918” by Harold Septimus Power (1930).
Following the launch and the initial success of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918, there was talk that the First World War would likely drag on into 1919. Though […]
Back Stories: The Beatles ‘Liverpool’ songs.
Quite recently, like most fans of The Beatles, I was surprised to hear how Paul McCartney secretly played an impromptu performance in a pub in Liverpool. And if that wasn’t […]
Today in History: Justinian I becomes sole emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
The remarkable rise of a peasant boy named Petrus Sabbatius (Justinian I The Great), to the lofty heights of the imperial palace in Constantinople could not have happened if it […]
On my stereo this week: Kacey Musgraves, The White Stripes & Amy Shark.
Kacey Musgraves – Velvet Elvis. I seem to be a little slow of the mark in catching up with some great albums released so far this year. That said, Golden […]
Hitting the road: Interview with The McClymonts.
Sister act The McClymonts have been a permanent fixture on country charts for over a decade now. In that time they have released five albums and have won two ARIA Awards and […]
Today in History: The battle of Varbitza Pass and the death of Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros.
There have been many Byzantine Emperors who had died in battle – Emperors Julian, Valens and famously Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last emperor who couldn’t hold back the might of […]
Today in History: Birth of Rembrandt van Rijn.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born July 15th 1606 in Leiden during The Dutch Golden Age (1585-1702) where the Dutch Republic was the most prosperous nation in Europe. It led […]
On my stereo this week: Iron & Wine, London Grammar & Paul Kelly.
Iron & Wine – Call It Dreaming. I first discovered Sam Beam back in 2007 and for a while drifted back and forth revisiting some of Iron & Wine releases […]
Cinemas Greatest Scenes: The Death of Sergeant Elias.
When I saw first the movie poster for Platoon in 1986, with Sgt. Elias’ arms raised in the air, I was gobsmacked by its graphic nature but at the same time […]
Today in History: The death of Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Relatively early in the complex state that was the Roman Empire, a man named Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus), became the fourteenth Emperor of Rome. He inherited a healthy empire from […]
Quick Music Reviews: Dorothy – 28 Days In The Valley.
Dorothy – 28 Days In The Valley (ROC Nation Records) In 2014, Rolling Stone called Dorothy “a swamp-rock stomp electrified by the caterwaul of lead singer Dorothy Martin.” Whatever the […]
Cinemas Greatest Scenes: The Grapes of Wrath – I’ll Be There speech.
John Ford’s own understanding and fondness of the American people and their history is no more evident than in his masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath. It is one of the […]
Guitar Heroes: St. Vincent’s cover of The Beatles “Dig A Pony”.
Annie Clark aka St. Vincent is only one of a handful of guitarists in this ‘new era’ of music that I get goose bumps when I listen to her play. […]
On my stereo this week: Pearl Jam’s “I Am Mine”.
I vividly remember how Pearl Jam almost broke up, reeling from sadness, anger maybe even guilt, when a concert tragedy literally shook them to their core at Roskilde, in 2000. […]
Love is Blind: Interview with Dustin Tebbutt.
In 2013 singer songwriter Dustin Tebbutt’s break-out track The Breach was a surprise hit that caught indie fans wanting more. Since then, he has created an interesting body of work […]
