Today's Tune: "Napoleon Bona-Part One" And "Napoleon Bona-Part Two" By Budgie

Cover of Budgie's 1975 albun 'Bandolier'

Napoléon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821) was Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815. However, as the title of this 'Today's Tune' post might suggest, his reign wasn't one long and smooth run.

The French military and political leader ruled over his people through a lot of successful battles and war. Bonaparte is considered a military genius and great strategist by many, as he was during his time as a military leader. He would sometimes tend to go a bit to far in his relentlessness though, which eventually got him into trouble, and people began to turn against him.

One such time came during the War of the Sixth Coalition. Napoléon and his forces had won some battles, but they were losing ground overall. After Coalition forces had captured the capital city of Paris and the French were in a bad position, Bonaparte demanded his men march on the city to take it back. This command led to a mutiny, and eventually as punishment, Napoléon Bonaparte was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba, Italy as part of the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

His people ended up under the control of King Louis XVIII, and the rules of the treaty were blatantly disregarded. On February 26, 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte escaped from Elba, and made his way back to France within a couple days. Louis XVIII found out most of his soldiers, including the ones sent to intercept Bonaparte, were happy to welcome back Napoléon. King Louis XVIII fled the country, and by March 20, Napoléon Bonaparte was back in power. This stint would not last long though, and is known as the Hundred Days.

Bonaparte and his army were defeated by the armies of field marshals Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher at the Battle of Waterloo. Louis XVIII would then be restored to the throne of France.

Today is February 26th, the same date as the day Napoléon Bonaparte escaped from Elba and headed back to France for another run on the throne, leading me to choose the aptly named two-parter from the (mostly) Welsh rockers Budgie. This 'Today's Tune' is a double feature of "Napoleon Bona-Part One" and "Napoleon Bona-Part Two".

Budgie - "Napoleon Bona-Part One" and "Napoleon Bona-Part Two" (1975)



Budgie - "Napoleon Bona-Part One" and "Napoleon Bona-Part Two" Live (2009)

Today's Tune: Rod Stewart Sings "Sailing"

Endeavour replica sailing into Cooktown's harbor near the mouth of the Endeavour River. Photo by John Hill.

On August 26, 1768, Captain James Cook left a port in England on board the HMS Endeavour. The explorer and his crew sailed west, around Cape Horn (South America), on to New Zealand and Australia.

Our 'Today's Tune', Gavin Sutherland's "Sailing" (1972), gives the listener a good idea of how James Cook and his crew members must have been feeling by the time they headed toward home, after such an incredibly long time away.

The song title connects with our story for an obvious reason, but the performer does as well. Cook was the son of a Scottish farm laborer, and the featured singer covering the song is Scotland's most popular singer of all time, Rod Stewart.

Rod Stewart - "Sailing" 1975 Original Recording



Rod Stewart - "Sailing" 1975 Audio with Slide Show



Rod Stewart - "Sailing" Live 2004
'One Night Only! Rod Stewart Live At Royal Albert Hall'

Today's Tune: "Highway Song" By Blackfoot

Photo from www.tccn.ca

Trans-Canada Highway, one of the largest (4,990 mi / 8,030 km) national highways in the world, officially opened on July 30, 1962. It's actually a multi-road system, running across the Southern regions of Canada, from one end to the other. This bit of transportation history lends us the opportunity to relate a rather good 'Today's Tune' selection.

Our featured track comes from a rock band that originated in the Southern US state of Florida. Simply titled "Highway Song", it comes from the 1979 Blackfoot album, 'Strikes'.

Blackfoot - "Highway Song" 1979



Blackfoot - "Highway Song" Paris, France 2011 (New Morning club)
With current singer (Mike Estes) and drummer (Kurt Pietro)

Today's Tune: "Train, Train" By Blackfoot

Photo by Pat Huemmer, copyright © April 6, 2002 - RR Pictures Archives

On this day in 2001, there was a train on the loose in Ohio(USA), according to the New York Times.

A runaway freight train rolled about 70 miles through Ohio with no one aboard before a railroad employee jumped onto the locomotive and brought it to a stop.

I can't help but wonder how the hell something like that happens, and who got fired over it. With that bit of weird history in mind, the 'Today's Tune' for this May 15th is "Train, Train" (1979) by American southern rock band Blackfoot.

Blackfoot - "Train, Train" (1979)

2010 WRC Rally New Zealand Review

Jari-Matti Latvala coming around a bend on Day 2 - May 8, 2010.
Photo by MacSpeedFoto.

The 2010 WRC Rally New Zealand was held over this past weekend, Friday through Sunday, May 7 - May 9, 2010. In its 40th anniversary year, the rally was moved 200 kms north from Hamilton, its base for the past three years, to a new home in the country's biggest city, Auckland. The winner for 2010 was Finnish rally driver Jari-Matti Latvala, of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT.

Known for its fast flowing gravel roads (some asphalt) and the beautiful landscape of the country’s North Island, Rally New Zealand may be the most treacherous of all the rallies. It's one the drivers, when they and their cars survive it, really enjoy.

I've compiled the following title linked list of articles and some videos (in chronological order), as a review of New Zealand, the fifth rally of the 2010 World Rally Championship Season.

The main WRC catagory is represented here. Links to interesting rally items posted to the internet, but not having to do with this event specifically, may be found in regular Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' blog entries.


Latvala quickest in Rally New Zealand Shakedown
Posted at WRC.com on May 6, 2010

Finn Jari-Matti Latvala was the fastest driver at the pre-event shakedown for Rally New Zealand earlier today, with defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb his closest rival.

The four hour test took place on a 1.5km asphalt road in the Auckland Domain - a park nestled in the centre of the city. The same section will be driven competitively on Friday as SS9. Weather conditions were dry and sunny throughout with a temperature peaking at 16 degrees Celsius...

2010 WRC: Rally NZ Shakedown - Jari-Matti Latvala Onboard

Rally New Zealand stage guides - Friday
Posted at WRC.com on May 6, 2010

After Thursday evening's ceremonial start on the harbour side in Auckland, the competitive action of Rally New Zealand kicks off on Friday with a selection of classic northland stages which haven’t been used on the event for five years.

Organisers of the 40th Rally New Zealand have fully embraced new-for-2010 rules to increase competitive distances, and have employed remote service halts to enable Friday's route to stretch up to the Whangarei and Kaipara districts...

SS1: Petter takes the early lead
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Citroen C4 WRC driver Petter Solberg got his Rally New Zealand off to the best possible start by going fastest through the opening stage.

The Norwegian completed the 11.09km Waipu Gorge test 2.4sec faster than his closest rival, Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier...

SS2: Ogier responds
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier was the quickest driver through the second stage of Rally New Zealand, to narrow the gap on leader Petter Solberg to half a second.

Ogier, running fifth through Friday's stages, set a time of 8min 13.7sec through the 13km Brooks test. His closest challenger was Briton Matthew Wilson, who fired his Stobart team Ford Focus RS though the section just 1.2sec slower...

SS3: Sordo leaps into the lead
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Citroen C4 WRC driver Dani Sordo leapt from sixth place into the lead of Rally New Zealand after a crushing stage win on SS3 - the longest of the event.

The Spaniard, sixth in Friday's running order, completed the 32km Bull stage seven seconds clear of his closest rival, Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala...

SS4: Loeb hits trouble
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb lost around 80 seconds on SS4 when he slid wide and side-swiped a narrow bridge with his C4 World Rally Car.

The incident happened 5.4km into the 22km Cassidy stage and left his Citroen with extensive side panel damage and a door which he had to hold shut with a Velcro strap...

Midday update: Sordo leads after Loeb runs into trouble
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

The result was just as Sebastien Loeb had predicted: he wasn’t leading. The good news for the Citroen team is that his team-mate Dani Sordo is out front after the first four stages of Rally New Zealand.

The news of the Spaniard’s early success did little to cheer the championship leader’s mood. He’d had a bad morning, bouncing his C4 off a bridge in the fourth stage and dropping to eighth place...

SS5: Ogier the new leader
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

A fastest time for Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier on SS5 meant he became the third man to lead Rally New Zealand on the opening day of the competition.

Ogier completed the brand new 9km Springfield stage in 5min 36.5sec, six-tenths quicker than Sebastien Loeb who was his closest rival...

SS6: Ogier fastest again
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Sebastien Ogier notched up his third stage win of the day on SS6 to extend his lead of Rally New Zealand to 3.6sec.

Ogier was fastest on the earlier run through the 13km Brooks stage (SS2) and took the honours again on the repeat - beating his earlier time by more than 16 seconds...

SS7: Leaders shuffle again
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

The lead of Rally New Zealand changed hands for the fourth time today on SS7 when Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala moved ahead of Sebastien Ogier into first place.

Sebastien Loeb was fastest though the repeated Bull stage but remained 1min 23sec adrift of the leaders after his earlier crash. Petter Solberg was second quickest with Jari-Matti Latvala rounding off the top three stage times...

SS8: Petter into the lead
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg emerged from the repeated Cassidy section (SS8) as leader of Rally New Zealand and the man with the dubious honour of being first in Saturday's start order.

Solberg was the fastest driver through Cassidy, to move back into the rally lead he lost on SS3...

Loeb: podium finish is still possible
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Sebastien Loeb still hasn’t given up on a podium finish on Rally New Zealand, despite completing the opening day of the world championship qualifier more than one minute off the lead.

Loeb dropped out of contention for his fourth consecutive victory of 2010 when he slid into a bridge on the fourth stage of the Auckland-based rally...

WRC Friday wrap: Solberg on top in New Zealand
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

Petter Solberg will start day two of Rally New Zealand in the lead following a dramatic start to round five of the World Rally Championship on the stages north of host city Auckland.

However, Sebastien Loeb, who began the event with a 40-point lead in the drivers’ standings, is more than one minute off the pace following a major scare on the event’s fourth stage when he struck a bridge in his Citroen C4 WRC and lost vital time trying to keep his driver’s door closed...

2010 WRC: Rally New Zealand - Day 1 Highlights

Rally New Zealand stage guides - Saturday
Posted at WRC.com on May 7, 2010

The second day of Rally New Zealand takes competitors south-west of Auckland to the Franklin and northern Waikato areas and to stages last used in 2008.

All the country stages are mixed surface - gravel and asphalt - and the day also includes two all-asphalt tests at the Hampton Downs motor racing circuit...

SS10: Ogier takes the rally lead
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier was the big winner on Saturday's opening stage in Rally New Zealand, jumping up from third place into the lead of the event.

The Frenchman, third in today's running order, overturned the advantages of Petter Solberg and Jari-Matti Latvala who were ahead of him on Friday night...

SS11: Petter up to second
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Former World Champion Petter Solberg moved up to second place on Saturday's second stage, thanks in part to a slow time from Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala.

Solberg now lies 9.2sec adrift of rally leader Sebastien Ogier, while Latvala - who was sixth-fastest on SS11 - is just one second behind the Norwegian...

SS12: Loeb the comeback king
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Loeb set a remarkable time though the 30km Te Akau Coast to put himself firmly back in the fight for victory on Rally New Zealand.

The Citroen star side-swiped a bridge on the rally's opening day - an incident which cost him more than 80 seconds. But on SS11, after his four consecutive stage win, Loeb lies just 1.5sec behind fifth-placed Mikko Hirvonen and 38sec off the lead...

SS13: Ogier fastest on race track Super Special
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Rally leader Sebastien Ogier set the fastest time through the last test before midday service - the 4.6km Super Special on the Hampton Downs motor racing circuit...

Midday update: Ogier leads, but it’s a Loeb masterclass
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Overnight leader Petter Solberg’s hopes that the road surface would be similar to yesterday were dashed on the first corner this morning - that’s how long it took for the Norwegian to realise he was in for a tough three stages. Two cars further back, Sebastien Ogier made his move and leapfrogged his way to the front of the field...

SS14: Loeb leaps up to third
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Loeb recorded another crushing stage victory on the repeated New Franklin stage (SS14), completing it 10.4sec quicker than anybody else to move third in the overall standings.

The defending world champion leapfrogged Mikko Hirvonen, Dani Sordo and Petter Solberg to slot in 10.5sec behind Jari-Matti Latvala...

SS15: Loeb up to second
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Another dominant performance through the 21km Baker stage netted Sebastien Loeb another place on the overall leaderboard, with the Frenchman sliding past Jari-Matti Latvala into second.

Heading to the repeated Te Akau Coast - the stage which determines Sunday's road order - Loeb trails leader Sebastien Ogier by 19.6sec and lies 4.5sec ahead of Latvala.

SS16: Ogier takes first in Sunday's start order
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Ogier will be the first driver through Sunday's four stages after holding the rally lead at the end of SS16 - Saturday's final gravel stage.

Ogier's position as road sweeper should prove beneficial to Sebastien Loeb who looks likely to be second on the road on Sunday...

SS17: Ogier fastest on Super Special
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Ogier was the fastest driver through Saturday's final test - the repeated Super Special at Hampton Downs - to secure an overnight rally lead of 5.3 seconds over fellow Citroen pilot Sebastien Loeb.

The win was the second at Hampton Downs for Ogier, who was quickest on the earlier pass as SS13...

WRC Saturday wrap: Ogier leads but Loeb is close behind
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Ogier is four stages away from a sensational debut victory on Rally New Zealand - providing he can fend off Sebastien Loeb on the final day of the world championship event.

Loeb, the six-time world champion, was 1m19.8s adrift of the lead at the start of day two following a disastrous run through Friday’s fourth stage...

2010 WRC: Rally New Zealand - Day 2 Highlights

Loeb praised for stunning recovery drive
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

Sebastien Loeb’s rivals have heaped praise on the six-time world champion following his stunning performance on the second day of Rally New Zealand.

Driving a factory Citroen C4 WRC, Loeb is just 5.3 seconds behind leader Sebastien Ogier, despite the fact he started Saturday’s opening stage 1m19.8s shy of the top spot following his collision with a bridge on day one...

Rally New Zealand stage guides - Sunday
Posted at WRC.com on May 8, 2010

The final day of the 2010 Rally New Zealand is unchanged from the 2008 edition and takes crews more than 150km south of Auckland to two stages near the west coast town of Raglan.

After leaving Auckland from 0600hrs, crews will tackle a loop of two stages including the classic Whaanga Coast which hugs the Tasman Sea coastline. After a remote 15-minute service in Raglan, crews will tackle the same stages again before heading back to Queens Wharf in Auckland...

SS18: Loeb takes the lead as Ogier spins
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Sebastien Loeb continued his remarkable Rally New Zealand recovery on Sunday's opening stage when he moved into the lead of the event.

After losing 80 seconds in a crash on day one, Loeb moved 4.5sec ahead of the man now in second, fellow Citroen C4 driver Sebastien Ogier...

SS19: Loeb goes off!
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Minutes after taking the lead of Rally New Zealand Sebastien Loeb slipped down to fourth after an off-road excursion on the epic Whaanga Coast stage cost him almost 50 seconds.

Loeb went off the road on a long right-hand corner and emerged from the 29km stage with his car sporting damage to its right-hand (driver's side) front corner. With no obvious mechanical damage, Loeb continued on...

Midday update: Loeb mistake sets up a thriller
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

The direction of this year’s Rally New Zealand took another twist this morning when superhero Sebastien Loeb dropped his Citroen C4 WRC on the Whaanga Coast stage.

The Frenchman slipped from first to fourth leaving his countryman Sebastien Ogier out front and defending a slender lead from Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala with two stages to go...

SS20: Ogier hangs on through penultimate stage
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Sebastien Ogier kept himself on course for his first ever WRC victory with a trouble-free run through the penultimate stage of Rally New Zealand.

Ogier will take a 6.2sec advantage into the rally's decisive stage - the repeated Whaanga Coast...

SS21: Jari-Matti Latvala wins Rally New Zealand!
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Finn Jari-Matti Latvala sealed victory on Rally New Zealand today after a thrilling last day battle that went right to the end of the final stage.

The Ford Focus RS driver began the decisive Whaanga Coast test 6.2 sec behind rally leader Ogier, but edged ahead in the final sector when Ogier spun his Citroen C4 three corners before the finish...

WRC wrap: Latvala claims dramatic Rally New Zealand victory
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Jari-Matti Latvala has described his victory on Rally New Zealand as “unbelievable” after he edged out Sebastien Ogier for first place by 2.4 seconds in what equalled the third closest finish to a world championship rally.

The Ford pilot and his co-driver Miikka Anttila started the final Whaanga Coast stage 6.2 seconds behind Ogier. But when Ogier spun and stalled his Citroen C4 three corners from the end of the last test, Latvala was able to...

2010 WRC: Rally New Zealand - Day 3 Highlights

Q&A - Malcolm Wilson
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

How do you sum up Jari-Matti's performance this weekend?
"I think it's been a fantastic drive, especially considering he set no fastest times, so in that way it's been an out-of-character rally for him. But we're really starting to see the benefit of the work we did together in the closed season now. He's finished every rally this year and now he's second in the championship thanks to a great strong, solid performance."...

Ford breaks Lancia's winning record
Posted at WRC.com on May 9, 2010

Jari-Matti Latvala's victory on Rally New Zealand was Ford's 75th at World Championship level and makes it the most successful manufacturer in the history of the sport - smashing Lancia's record of 74 which has stood since 1992.

Lancia amassed its 74 wins between 1974 and 1992 - with the first and last coming on the Italian firm's home round in Sanremo.

Ford's tally of 75 victories began at the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland in 1973 - the year the World Rally Championship was founded...

Latvala’s win puts Ford’s title bid back on track
Posted at WRC.com on May 10, 2010

Factory Ford ace Mikko Hirvonen says team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala’s victory on Rally New Zealand could prove a turning point in the Blue Oval’s fortunes this season.

Latvala’s triumph in New Zealand was the marque’s first since Hirvonen’s win on the season-opening Rally Sweden in February. Citroen’s defending world champion Sebastien Loeb claimed first place on the subsequent three events...

New Zealand my best win so far, says Latvala
Posted at WRC.com on May 11, 2010

Jari-Matti Latvala has labelled his Rally New Zealand victory as the best of his career.

The 25-year-old Finn, who has won twice previously in the World Rally Championship, says it was the manner of his victory in Auckland which really pleased him more than anything else. After a torrid season in 2009, Latvala says his third win demonstrated how much he has changed from last year...

The wrc.com rally review: New Zealand
Posted at WRC.com on May 11, 2010

It’s a strange thing, but Rally New Zealand always has an unnerving habit of throwing up the unexpected.

In 2007, the antipodean event was the scene of the closest-ever finish on the World Rally Championship, when Marcus Gronholm edged out Sebastien Loeb...

Today's Tune: "White Riot" By The Clash

This 'Today's Tune' takes us back to April 8, 1977. That's the day that the first album (self titled) by England's punk rock band The Clash was released in the United Kingdom. Since the song "White Riot" was the first single off this original version of that album, it is my pick from the possible track choices.

Although this song was included in the 1979 USA version of 'The Clash' (Album), it was not issued as a single over here.

The Clash - "White Riot" 1978 At Victoria Park In London, England

Today's Tune: "Don't Try Suicide" By Queen

After a long absence from this blog, today marks the official return of the 'Today's Tune' feature on Junior's Eyes. I use the word official so you know I mean business.

However, that doesn't mean we aren't in for a little bit of whimsical fun. I'm all for being lighthearted and positive, so I chose a track that isn't too terribly serious.

On this day (March 26) in 1999, a jury in the state Michigan found Dr. Jack Kevorkian guilty of second degree murder, for administering a lethal injection to a terminally ill man. Dr. Kevorkian wanted to help people end their suffering, by giving them a professional hand. Strange line of work to get into, I think.

Whilst looking for a subject to link with some music for today, and subsequently reviewing this bit of history, I couldn't help but think of all those people that try suicide totally unassisted. What if you screw it up and end up still alive, but maybe in even worse shape? It would be terribly embarrassing if you couldn't even get killing yourself right.

I think the best advice, when start thinking about snuffing yourself out, can be found in the Queen song, "Don't Try Suicide" (1980). Here it is now, in case you're feeling blue.

Queen - "Don't Try Suicide" (Audio with lyrics)

Today's Tune: "Arizona" By Scorpions

Flag of Arizona - Became a state (48th) February 14, 1912.

Okay, it's really late in the day to be posting a 'Today's Tune', so we'll make this one "short 'n sweet" as they say. Since the state of Arizona was first organized as a United States territory on this day in 1863, I offer the 1982 Scorpions song titled appropriately, "Arizona".

Scorpions - "Arizona" (Recorded in 1981 / Released in 1982)

Today's Tune: "Black Sabbath" By Black Sabbath

Happy Birthday Black Sabbath! Today is actually the birthday of the English rock band that many say invented "Heavy Metal" music, because it's the 40th anniversary of the release of their first album, also titled 'Black Sabbath' (Recorded in 1969 / Released in 1970). My choice for the 'Today's Tune' is naturally the title track, "Black Sabbath", so no big surprise there.

For much more on the band and the anniversary, check out today's post by Joe Siegler over at Black Sabbath Online. Otherwise, enjoy this great tune. It started a genre of music that many millions of people, including myself, love a great deal.

Black Sabbath - "Black Sabbath" Live in Paris (1970)


Original Band Members:

Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals and Harmonica
Tony Iommi – Guitar
Bill Ward – Drums
Geezer Butler – Bass

Toaday's Tune: "Sunday Bloody Sunday" By U2

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is our 'Today's Tune', in rememberance of the events that occurred in Derry (a.k.a. Londonderry), Northern Ireland on January 30, 1972, during what is refferred to as 'The Troubles'. That January 30th is known as 'Bloody Sunday', for unforgettable and tragic reasons.


Intoduction on Wikipedia's 'Bloody Sunday' (1972) page:

Bloody Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Fola)[1]—sometimes called the Bogside Massacre[2]—was an incident on 30 January 1972 in the Bogside area of Derry,[3] Northern Ireland. Twenty-seven civil rights protesters were shot by the British Army Parachute Regiment during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march.[4] Thirteen people, seven of whom were teenagers, died immediately, while the death of another person 4½ months later has been attributed to the injuries he received on the day. Two protesters were injured when they were run down by army vehicles.[5] Many witnesses, including bystanders and journalists, testify that all those shot were unarmed. Five of those wounded were shot in the back.[6]

Two investigations have been held by the British Government. The Widgery Tribunal, held in the immediate aftermath of the event, largely cleared the soldiers and British authorities of blame — Widgery described the soldiers' shooting as "bordering on the reckless" — but was criticised by many as a "whitewash"[7][8][9] including by former chief of staff to Tony Blair, Jonathan Powell.[10] The Saville Inquiry, established in 1998 to look at the events again (chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate), was expected to report in late 2009 but has now been delayed until March 2010[11].

The Provisional Irish Republican Army's (IRA) campaign against the partition of Ireland had begun in the two years prior to Bloody Sunday, but perceptions of the day boosted the status of and recruitment into the organisation enormously.[12] Bloody Sunday remains among the most significant events in the Troubles of Northern Ireland, chiefly due to the fact that it was carried out by the army and not paramilitaries, and in full public and press view.[2]...

This is a part of Irish history that has been chronicled and and rightfully made unforgettable through varius mediums, including song and film. The most memorable film made about it is the 2002 television film, 'Bloody Sunday'.


Content, Casting and Production from Wikipedia's 'Bloody Sunday' (TV Film) page:

Content

The drama shows the events of the day through the eyes of Ivan Cooper, the Protestant Stormont Member of Parliament (for the Social Democratic and Labour Party) who was a central organiser of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in Derry on 30 January 1972. The march ended when British paratroopers fired on the demonstrators, killing thirteen instantly and wounding another thirteen, one of whom died 4½ months later from injuries he received on that day.

The soundtrack contains only one piece of music, a live version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2 which plays over the closing credits.

Casting & Production

Cooper is played by James Nesbitt, himself a Protestant from Northern Ireland, and a number of the military characters were played by ex-members of the British army. Gerry Donaghy was played by Declan Duddy, nephew of Jackie Duddy, one of those killed on Bloody Sunday. Big Brother 2007 (UK) housemate Seány O'Kane was in the film as well.[1]...

U2 - "Sunday Bloody Sunday" Live (mixed source tribute)



'Bloody Sunday' 2002 TV Movie Trailer

Today's Tune: "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas

On January 29, 1861, Kansas was admiitted into the Union, becoming the 34th state in the USA. Therfore, I've chosen a song from the classic rock style band Kansas for this 'Today's Tune'.

"Carry On Wayward Son" was originally released on the 1976 album, 'Leftoverture'. It was also sold as a single in '76, and became one of the band's biggest selling singles ever.

Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son" Live at Canada Jam in 1978

Those shorts have to go. ... er ... uh ...
Well, just put something more on please!

Today's Tune: "Telephone Line" By ELO

On this day (January 25) in the year 1915, Scottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell inaugurated the first US transcontinental telephone service, speaking from New York, NY to fellow inventor and American assistant Thomas Augustus Watson in San Francisco, CA.

Taking the obvious route for this one, I've picked "Telephone Line" (1976, released as single 1977) as the 'Today's Tune'. Cued up, are the original music video and a fairly recent looking live performance, both by the UK's pop band Electric Light Orchestra.

Electric Light Orchestra - "Telephone Line" music video (1977)



Electric Light Orchestra - "Telephone Line" Live

Today's Tune: "Zoom Club" By Budgie

On January 21, 1976, the supersonic Concorde jet was put into service by both Great Britain and France. London, England to Bahrain and Paris, France to Rio De Jineiro, Brazil were the first routes for the speedy metal bird.

This bit of flight history makes for an easy connection to our 'Today's Tune' on this day. Welsh rock band Budgie makes an appearance with the well wishing motivator track, "Zoom Club", off the 'In For The Kill' (1974) album.

Budgie - "Zoom Club" (1974)

Band Members:

Burke Shelley - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Tony Bourge - Guitar
Pete Boot - Drums

Today's Tune: "I'm Goin' Mad" By Scorpions

The very first suspected case of Mad Cow Disease in the USA was reported by our government on December 23, 2003. Most cases have occurred in the United Kingdom, but some cases have shown up elsewhere, including America.

Mad Cow, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that manifests in cattle. It causes a degeneration in the brain and spinal cord, which makes the animal go a bit "wonky" (technical term). Usually, it shows up in adult cattle at about four to five years old.

Sometimes we humans feel like we've been driven to madness, while trying to deal with the landmines life sometimes presents to us. Germany's most famous rock band, the Scorpions touched on this with their first single. Our 'Today's Tune' is "I'm Goin' Mad" (1971), from the 'Lonesome Crow' (1972) album. The lineup for this album didn't stay together. It included Klaus Meine (Lead Vocals), Michael Schenker (Lead Guitar), Rudolf Schenker (Rhythm Guitar), Lothar Heimberg (Bass) and Wolfgang Dziony (Drums).

Scorpions - "I'm Goin' Mad" (Full length audio version)



Scorpions - "I'm Goin' Mad"
(Short available music video clip)

Today's Tune: "London Calling" By The Clash

Originally released December 14, 1979, 'London Calling' was the third album recorded by thee best and one of the most successful punk rock bands this planet has ever known, England's The Clash. This 'Today's Tune' features the title track "London Calling". The song was released as a single, though only in the UK, one week earlier.

The album actually consisted of various types of music, and not just straight up punk. The band also delved into pop, reggae, rockabilly, and ska. Often, the different genres were fused together within the same piece. The original version of 'London Calling' included a total of 19 listed tracks, forming over 65 minutes of music, so there was plenty of room for variety.

Like the makeup of the album itself, the song "London Calling" was about various things as well. These guys had a lot on their minds, and they always liked to share their political and social views of what was going on in the world. War, potential catastrophes - both natural and man-made, and the band's financially related career concerns were all included in this much covered tune. It was written by band members Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, who came up with the lyrics to most of The Clash's material. I bet they never imagined it would be as big as it has gotten. It seems the song appears, at least in the background, in countless television shows and movies.

The Clash - "London Calling"

Today's Tune: "I Can See Clearly Now" By Johnny Nash

On December 9, 1993, a troubled Hubble Space Telescope was considered ready to be put "Back In Action", after astronauts made some repairs and adjustments. They also broke some space walk records on that day.

In the course of their repair mission, the astronauts completed a record five space walks on that December 9th, including the longest of the 11 days they were in orbit around Earth. That longest happened while the 40 ft. solar panels that power the telescope were unfolded.

The main repair on their list was to correct a focus problem caused by a mirror in the lens system that was manufactured just a teeny tiny bit too flat. They fixed the problem by adding a compensating lens. After all the repairs had been made, Hubble became an incredibly useful scientific tool, instead of the $1.55 billion dollar piece of practically useless space junk it would otherwise have been.

"I Can See Clearly Now", written and recorded as a successful comeback hit by American singer and songwriter Johnny Nash, seems to be a fitting song for the 'Today's Tune' in this case.

Johnny Nash - "I Can See Clearly Now" on The Midnight Special.

Today's Tune: "Smoke On The Water" By Deep Purple

On December 4, 1971, the Montreux Casino in Switzerland was set on fire by someone messing about with a flare gun during a Frank Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) concert. The story of the tragedy was eventually chronicled in the world famous and often covered Deep Purple song aptly titled "Smoke on the Water".

Therefore, I offer that very song as the 'Today's Tune' for this December 4th. You might have noticed that American guitarist and songwriter Zappa also latter died on this day in 1993. Rest in peace, Frank.

Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water" Live in New York, NY (1973)

Today's Tune: "Cold Hearted Man" By AC/DC

On December 2, 1982, doctors at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah performed the first implant of a permanent artificial heart in a human. Sixty-one year old retired dentist, Dr. Barney Clark was the recipient of the man-made heart. He lived 112 days with the device, dying on March 23, 1983.

For our 'Today's Tune', we look at the life of a man with a much different kind of heart problem. The lyrics of AC/DC's "Cold Hearted Man" describe a real bastard, who ends up regretting having lived the lonely life of a bully. Making sure everyone feared him, he was never able to enjoy a lasting relationship.

"Cold Hearted Man" was originally released only on the European versions of the album 'Powerage' (May 25, 1978). I still have one of the superior French vinyl copies. The tune is finally included worldwide in a recently released box set called 'Backtracks' (November 10, 2009). The edgy sound that was pressed into the original vinyl has been softened up a bit for all CD releases.

AC/DC - "Cold Hearted Man"

Travel Through The Cosmos Online Now For Free

Carl Sagan at the Very Large Array, located near Socorro, New Mexico, USA.
Photo provided by Cosmos Studios.

Travel through the Cosmos online now for free. Visit SnagFilms, and watch countless films and programmes anytime and anywhere an internet connection is available. There are many varied subjects to choose from. The list of choices now includes the classic scientific television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, co-written by and staring world famous scientist Carl Sagan (November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996). Twelve of the thirteen main episodes are currently available.

I thank Ted Leonsis for pointing out that this trip through time and space could be experienced via SnagFilms. Ted is the Chairman and Majority Owner of my favorite NHL team, the Washington Capitals. If you're interested in sports, films or music, and you haven't already done so, check out his blog - Ted's Take.

Cosmos - Episode 1: The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean