The Lost King

 

"The Lost King" is the title of a new film that I want to see! 

 The film is about the discovery made by Philippa Langley who had some great interest and curiosity about the possible burial site of King Richard III and against all odds was actually able to "unearth" him in a parking lot in Leicester, England!  (I mean, not her personally digging up bones there but you get the idea, right?) It is based on her book "The King's Grave: The Search for Richard III".

‘I had goosebumps!’ – the finder of Richard III’s remains in a car park is celebrated in a Steve Coogan film | Movies | The Guardian

There, I have a link above to a review in The Guardian.  Hope you can read it! Tsk, tsk...the writer refers to Phillipia Langley as a "super-fan".   There are just some words I dislike intensely, "super-fan" being one of them.  It somehow seems a bit of a put-down to me. I wonder why that is.  Perhaps it is because if you are passionate about something our world just finds it hard to describe that great enthusiasm that some of us have even if we aren't "experts".

I also have the trailer below if you want to watch it.  It is three minutes long and I must admit, I don't always want to watch the trailers.  It can sometime spoil it for you! (It does for me anyway.)

I am sure that I wrote about this on my blog before and wished that someone would make a film about it.  Once again, the universe has listened to me. (Okay, now I want to win the lottery!! Are you listening to me, universe? LOL.)  HEY! I just found my post, it was from February of 2013!  Want to read it?  You can at link below!

Georgia Girl With An English Heart: Richard III

 Philippa Langley is of the firm belief that Richard III was NOT the villain that Shakespeare made him out to be. That his play about the king was influenced by Queen Elizabeth who was a Tudor and since he knew on which side his bread was buttered, he presented Richard III as a very bad guy.  I am wondering...and please don't anyone get their knickers in a twist about this but...what if Shakespeare DID get it right? What if Richard III did have those young princes murdered in the tower?  I don't suppose we will ever know for certain.  How can we know?  

Still, the story behind Phillippa Langley finding the bones in the parking lot is a pretty fascinating one to me.  If you read anything else about her, a large part of her instinct about where to find him had to do with a very strong "feeling". Since I also sometimes have strong feelings about certain things, this speaks to me in a very personal way.  (Haven't dug up any bones YET but hey, you never know what I might do!)

  I do hope that they have done a good job with the film.  It stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley and I really like that actress!

The photo that I have here for you is on top of The Old Bailey in London.  It is called the Statue of Justice.  She is holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other and in this version from 1907, she is not blindfolded.  "Justice for King Richard III" might be the next film adaptation!  What do you think, was he a hero or a villain?

Hung Up On A Dream- The Zombies

 

The Zombies! Wouldn't it be great if someone did a documentary about this great English group from the 1960's? They have! It is called "Hung Up On A Dream", which is one of their songs, of course! 

"Underrated" and "A Genius Band" are just some of the comments that I have read about them .  I hope you will agree with me!

The following two videos are from 2019 and 2021.  I think the first one was at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The second one was at the Abbey Road Studio.

 "From teenage friends to legends in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".

I honestly don't spend ALL my time listening to videos on YouTube!

Sometimes, I get out and walk and enjoy nature.  Our redbud trees have been beautiful. They are native trees, and you can not only see them in front gardens and formal settings but also growing wild in the woods. They are such a beautiful shade of lavender/purple. Please don't ask me why they are called "redbud".  I asked my Dad that once and he said, "Well, I can't help it, that's what they are!"

Oh, how he made me laugh! (And he would always laugh with me.)

Take care everyone, let me know if you can listen to the videos that I have given you here. 

Rock & Roll/ Del Shannon & Easter Island Figures

 Could the famous Easter Island figures (Moai) have been "walked" to the spots where you see them upright on the island, or were they rolled along on palm tree logs? So, rock or roll? What do you think? I have a link just here.  (If you don't have time to read it, I can tell you that it amuses me that it says that this figure demonstrated in the video is as if it is on a smooth airport runway!)  My husband reminds me that it is thought that the large stones at Stonehenge and Avebury in England are also to have transported by large logs and rolled to their final destinations, albeit with a very great deal of effort. So, my guess is that the "rolling" might be correct but perhaps, it could have been a bit of both? Just a thought! Rock AND Roll!

Recently, I saw a video of Kevin Bacon playing his guitar and singing to "Runaway". (Yes, Kevin Bacon is an actor but he has other interests as well. He and his brother are in a band, The Bacon Brothers!) I knew that "Runaway" was a big hit for Del Shannon in 1961 but did he write it? Yes, he did!  AND he wrote "I Go To Pieces" which was a big hit for Peter and Gordon.  Remember my recent post where I spoke about "Baby, It's You" by Smith?  Del Shannon is the one behind the arrangement of that song! He was also very influential in the success of a fellow musician from Michigan, Bob Seger!  Reading about Del Shannon, I am sorry to say that he committed suicide in 1990. It seems that it was possible that he could have joined The Traveling Wilburys after the death of Roy Orbison...but sad to say, that did not happen.  The Traveling Wilburys released a recording of "Runaway" after the death of Del Shannon, in his honor. After listening to some videos of Del Shannon (he was born Charles Westover in 1934) I am amazed at his very strong voice! I read somewhere of his "keen falsetto" and that is very true.  I have a video of him singing live on a TV show in the 1980's ...I hope you like it. In 1999, Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Well deserved, I believe! I wish someone would make a film about him...just think how GREAT the soundtrack would be!

I could share so many music videos with you, much more than the ones I have here!

You know I sing along as I listen to these videos but then, I have to stop myself so I can admire this strong voice! (Kevin Bacon apologizes as he sings but he is in tune and besides, I was singing along with him the whole dang time! LOL!)

Please, listen to the last one that I have here...it is Del Shannon singing at a concert in Australia in 1989, not long before he died. 

Watch This: "The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari"

 If you have not seen this excellent documentary about the deadly 2019 volcanic eruption in New Zealand, please do so! I have seen it described as "gripping" and that was certainly true for me.  Don't know if you know this but I am all about books and films about true stories from real life, and especially those that show the bravery and resilience of people during (and after) a traumatic experience. I say "during" and "after" because after such a life altering experience as being on an island during a volcano eruption, for those who survive, the effects are lingering, not just physical but psychological.  

The documentary is by Rory Kennedy. Perhaps you might remember her name, she is the youngest child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy.  After seeing the documentary, I read a magazine article where she was interviewed. One of the things that she said was that she chose to tell the story only through the views of those who were there.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched documentaries where some "expert" comes on and tells us every single detail of the science behind the event.  I just want to say, "Never mind that, just let us hear from the actual PEOPLE who lived through it!" This film does just that and what is more, if you watch this and are not absolutely overwhelmed by the courage of those who survived and the rescuers...well, you just will, I know you will. I pray for those who lost loved ones and for continued strength for those who survived and for those who were involved in the rescue.

If you are not able to view this in your part of the world just now, please make a note of it for the future.  I want to say more about it, but of course, I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't seen it.

Perhaps you know of couples who have met on dating apps and wonder if any of them are successful? The couple that survived the volcano in this film met in such a way. They were on their honeymoon cruise when they did this shore excursion to the island of Whakaari in New Zealand. Such an amazing couple! I am sure you will think so too, their love shines through for all to see.

The song that I have to go with this post is one that I also hope you will listen to carefully.  You might be tempted to sing along but please, make sure you listen to the harmonies! They are amazing. By the way, you all know that I am big fan of Glen Campbell, Sadly, he died a few years back.  This video is a medley of him singing with David Gates. (Remember the group "Bread"?) It is from a show on the BBC in 1975. Note the expression of great respect on the face of Glen Campbell when they begin singing. Now, after listening to the song, I am glad to say that David Gates is still married to his high school sweetheart, married since 1959! Of course, they didn't meet on a dating app but that doesn't mean that you can't find true love online! 

Peace and harmony, my friends. Love always!

Baby It's You

 

All of you must know of the recent passing of a great songwriter, Burt Bacharach. I thought that I knew of all his songs but one that really surprised me was "Baby, It's You".   The Shirelles and The Beatles both did this song but it was the single by the group called Smith that I remember.  I had no idea that it was a Burt Bacharach song! 

The lovely singer was Gayle McCormick. Sadly, she passed away in 2016.  What a great song! Does anyone else remember it?

The song was a hit for Smith in 1967, if anyone can remember those long-ago days!

Hope you are all keeping well, my friends!  It is a cold, grey day here in Georgia! We are promised 40MPH wind gusts with a cold rain.  I would type more but my fingers are too cold! LOL!  BRRR....take care!

Because All Men Are Brothers

 My goodness, you all know after my last post I had to look up the person who wrote the lyrics to "On Top of Old Spaghetti"! The words are by Tom Glazer (1914-2003) and although that particular song was very popular (it was in the charts for 9 weeks in 1963), he also came to feel a bit chagrinned at its success, much as Mr. Burgess did with his "Purple Cow" poem.  (You have to read my last post!)  You may read more about Tom Glazer just here.)  I do hope you will read about him! 

The wonderful thing about good lyricists to me...they might not write music, but they know a good melody when they hear one and have no qualms about writing words to a song even if it is a well-known one.  Listen to the following song, Tom Glazer wrote the lyrics in 1948 and it is set to Bach's "Passion Chorale", which Bach adapted from a melody by Hans Leo Hussler (1564-1612.) -

 "Because All Men Are Brothers". 

Isn't it something that the man who wrote "On Top of Spaghetti" also wrote "Because All Men Are Brothers"?  I hope you were able to listen to the song and to hear the words.  (I gave you two videos!)

The amaryllis is a nice flower at this time of year! 

WD40/ Blurb

 Someone once wrote a comment on my blog that said, "Thanks SO much for that little factoid".  I have had a few nasty things left here over the years but that one....well, I just thought to myself, if you don't care for the things that interest me then please, just take a hike! 

My father used to listen to show on the radio that was by "The Professor of Useless Knowledge". He loved it! (Very often, info given would be the background of things that we use everyday that we take for granted.) He said to me once, in a kind of confidential tone, "You know, Kay, I don't think any knowledge is useless. I like learning about anything!"  My Daddy died in 2019. How I wish I could tell him the following but by telling it here on my blog, I think it would please him.... (And oh, how much I love to learn of anything and everything too, just as he did!)

Whenever I hear a door squeak as it is closing, I can just hear my Daddy say, "That needs some WD40."  (He always said this, and you know I do the very same thing).   WD40, it stands for water displacement and was invented in San Diego, California in 1953 by the Rocket Chemical Company which is now the WD40 Company! What does the "40" stand for?  They got it right on the 40th try! It was originally designed to protect a missile from rust and corrosion, but the employees of the company began to take cans of the product home in their lunch boxes for personal use.  What exactly is in WD40? I can't tell you that, it is a trade secret and was never patented.  The copy of the formula is in a bank vault in San Diego, California, just in case anyone is worried about it! 

That really tickles me thinking of the 40th try... I wonder, what IF a person had said, "Dad-gum it, this is the 39th time trying this, I am GIVING UP!".  See, whenever you think of failure, just go and look at that can of WD40, you know you have one! 

______________________________________

Remember me telling you that my husband and I like to do "Wordle"? One of the words recently was "blurb".  It made me wonder how long that word had been around.  It was coined in 1907 by Frank Gelett Burgess (1866-1951), an American writer. His book, "Are You a Bromide", showed a woman on the cover called "Belinda Blurb" who touted his book. Therefore, "blurb" came to be known as "an inspired testimonial" or "a flamboyant advertisement". (Those quotes were his descriptions.)  It also amused me to discover that he is the same man who wrote the following:

"I never saw a purple cow,

I never hope to see one;

But I can tell you, anyhow.

I'd rather see than be one."

Perhaps you find that verse tiresome and I think the author himself must have come to feel the same way, since he also wrote this...

"Ah yes, I wrote the "Purple Cow".

I'm sorry now I wrote it.

But I can tell you, anyhow,

I'll kill you if you quote it!"

Still, I am fond of rhyme and you really should have some funny bits to quote to children! You know I always have some! Why, how many people know all the words to "On Top of Spaghetti"?  This is sung to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey" and I don't know, I STILL think it's funny! Look it up, folks, I will QUIZ you on this!) LOL!

So, that reminds me, very often, I used to call my Daddy and say, "Guess where I am?" and he would say "On Top of Old Smokey?" (meaning Stone Mountain, which is the highest point around this area).  Therefore, I have given you a photo of me on the very top of Stone Mountain!  Go take a hike folks, it's good for you!

And listen to music! As I have been typing this post,  Richard was playing this song by Ralph McTell, "The Maginot Waltz".  Ralph's guitar playing is very good but you know what, Richard is very, very good too!  What a lovely song! If you click on that link below, I do hope you will hear Ralph himself playing and singing!

(2) Maginot Waltz - YouTube

I really wanted to make sure that I got at least one more post written during the month of January. WHEW! I made it! 

"Like A Twig" and "Window, Window"

 

(This was at a restaurant and Richard liked the bottles over the bar!)

How has this year been going for you all? Anybody else tired of all the bad news and want to hear something good for a change? I was very pleased to learn that John Fogerty after a fifty year battle, now has the rights to his own songs that he wrote while he was a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival! These songs would include "Bad Moon Rising", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Proud Mary" and "Fortunate Son".   John Fogerty had the rights to his solo material but think of this...whenever he sang any of those songs that I just told you about, he would have to PAY to play them!  It got to the point that John Fogerty only wanted to perform his solo songs and I can hardly blame him! (It is a bit complicated for me to understand, it is not a 100% win for him but nevertheless, if he is happy then I am happy.) You may read more about it just here.

 

For some other good news, I think I might be able to get some videos of my FAVORITE songwriter! This would be our son, Christopher when he was in the band, the Sevens! This is when he performed at Smith's Old Bar in Atlanta in 2013!  Don't you want to hear him sing and to play the guitar? Sure you do!  (I notice that one of my blog posts about our son has been viewed almost 100 times this week! And the blog post is from years ago too! Can anyone tell me why that is?)   The blog post is "Christopher, The Babe and A Great Writer" you may read it here.

                  "Like A Twig"

"Window, Window"

Both of these songs were written by Christopher!

The recordings aren't great but I promise you he is a great singer and guitarist.  And he has them under his own copyright too!

Hope you are all doing well, my friends.  Peace!