Archive Page 2

16
Feb
10

Principality of Hutt River

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Travel

When planning for my shore tours on my recent cruise, I was surprised and excited to see a visit to Hutt River Province listed under Geraldton. I hadn’t heard anything about this legendary nation for any years so it was good to see that it was still around and going strong. It was big news back in the 70s when it seceded from Australia and Prince Leonard declared independence.

It is now known as the Principality of Hutt River. It has its own flag, national anthem, currency and stamps which are highly sought after by collectors. Although it is not officially recognised by the Australian Government, it is a legally independent nation and is still here after 40 years.


The man behind it all, Prince Leonard, is an amazing man. The man who decided to do something about an unacceptable injustice being perpetuated by the Western Australian Government back in 1970. He had and still has at 85, a very sharp and intelligent mind. It was a privilege to meet him and his wife, Princess Shirley.

On arriving in the Principality, the Prince and Princess are there to meet you and I was immediately struck by how down to earth and approachable they are.  They are the ones who stamp the passports and visas, and will chat to anyone.

It is fascinating to hear the story behind the Principality and how the little guy took on the big political boys.  Everything has been done in accordance with international law and there has been a sound reason behind every action from the declaration of independence, the establishment of a sovereign in the form of the Prince and even the formal declaration of war in 1977. While these actions may on the surface appear to be eccentric, they were all very important steps in establishing the Principality. I am reading the book “An Australian Monarch” by William Pitt which gives all the background and you can’t help to gain more respect for Prince Leonard ad his battle against a gross injustice. As the author says in his introduction, the world needs more people like Prince Leonard.

I wandered around Nain, the capital of the Principality, bought souvenirs, had morning tea and attended a talk by the Prince. I never thought all those years ago that I would be able to visit so it was a thrill to be there.

The Principality has an official site:

http://www.principality-hutt-river.com

And finally I had to take a photo of this bizarre sculpture, a surreal depiction of C3PO or at least I think it is. :)

31
Jan
10

Fremantle

By twistinthedark 2 Comments
Categories: Travel

What is it about kids today? Are they losing their innocence too young? I was at the Shipwrecks Gallery in Fremantle today and there were a coupe of 5 year olds running around. They ran into the room where a skeleton lay preserved, a mutineer from the shipwrecked Batavia, I believe. “Ooh, a dead man,” cried one excitedly. “A pirate,” chortled the other. They thought it was fun!

Later on, I was at the Old Fremantle Prison on a guided tour. We got to the gallows where numerous people had died by hanging. The guide warned us because, he said, not everyone would want to see this for whatever reason. It was bad enough that the adults were snapping away with their cameras but the kids were pushing eagerly forward to the front to see where men and one woman had died in a barbaric way. The woman, the guide informed us, was probably innocent but that didn’t seem to bother anyone.

A convict cell from the 1850s

I didn’t take any photos of the gallows. It seemed wrong in a way I can’t describe. Okay, in the main, we’re talking about hardened criminals but the conditions they had to endure were extreme. Fair enough back in the 1850s when the prison was built but this was an active prison up until 1991 and from what we were being told, the conditions hadn’t changed much in almost 150 years apart from stopping the inhumane whippings in 1943 and the hangings in 1964. So much for the rehabilitation aspect. So much for us being better than them.

But the kids loved it and lapped it all up. It didn’t seem to bother the parents who I’m sure won’t sit down with their offspring and talk through the issues and lessons to be learned from history.

My stay in Perth hasn’t been all death and gloom. Yesterday I was civilised enough to cruise up the Swan River to a winery and partake in a wine tasting. I’m not really a wine conneisseur and it did seem all a bit pretentious but I must say that the port was rather nice in a fruity way. A bit like me, I suppose. :)

The Swan Bells

I also went bell ringing at the Swan Bells even if my arms did almost get wrenched out of their sockets. There is a modern bell tower in Perth which resembles a retro 50s space rocket. Very funky.

My art deco hotel

Funky actually describes Perth quite well. It’s a compact city, modern and laid back. I love the art deco buildings, including my hotel. I was last in Perth in 1972 when my family emigrated to Australia and of course, I can’t remember anything apart from being bemused by the Channel 9 shuffle (and if you remember that, you are too old).

I join a cruise ship tomorrow but I have enjoyed my stay in Perth even if the obliviousness of children towards death has perplexed me.

25
Jan
10

Eric Saade – Sleepless

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Eurovision, Music and Sweden

19 year old Swedish guy, Eric Saade has released his debut single, “Sleepless”, and it is available on the international iTunes. It’s very catchy and the clip is sure to win him fans. He is certainly easy on the eye in a emo sort of way (whatever an emo is – I’m useless at all these labels). I certainly wouldn’t let his looks influence me in any way. Okay, I’m lying now. :)

Eric’s next single is called “Manboy” and is one of the contenders in this year’s Melodifestivalen. If “Sleepless” is any indication, Eric could have quite a future.

For more information about Eric, check his official site and his MySpace page.

21
Jan
10

Every day’s a rerun and the laughter’s always canned

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Comedy and Music

I have never been a Weird Al Yankovic fan but I have always loved “Ricky”, a parody of Toni Basil’s “Mickey”. The song and wonderful clip (Weird Al’s first) was all based around the old “I Love Lucy” show and featured the amazing Tress MacNeille as Lucille Ball. You may remember Tress’ voice as Agnes Skinner in “The Simpsons” and Mom in “Futurama”.

And of course, she’s also the famous Crazy Cat Lady.

Anyway, here’s the clip. A very funny and clever send up.

21
Jan
10

Stop it Debbie, you’re embarrassing me

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Comedy, Gay and Music

This is a camp classic. Julie Brown’s hilarious clip for “The Homecoming Queen Has Got A Gun”.

Watch for the end for the hunky cop and the drag queen surreptitiously stealing Debbie’s tiara. Lots of fun bits and lyrics in between.

17
Jan
10

Ten of my favourite (lesser known) Dusty Springfield songs

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Dusty Springfield and Music

Just been surfing YouTube for Dusty Springfield. There is some classic stuff to be found so I thought I would share some of my favourites from Dusty’s lesser known songs.

First up, Dusty in a box. I have no idea what the significance of the box is but I do love the song, “Spooky”.

Forgive the quality of this one but it is priceless even if the sound is out of sync. Dusty suspended in mid air and being whipped by Kenny Everett. Don’t believe it? It’s true. The song is “Your Love Still Brings Me To Your Knees” made famous in Australia by Marcia Hines. Watch out for Dusty falling off the stairs at the end. :)

Classic foot tapping soul with “What’s It Gonna Be”.

This single from 1979 deserved to be a big hit but distribution problems and a lack of promotion sealed its fate. “Baby Blue”.

“The Corrupt Ones” was the title song to an old movie. Here is the song over the opening credits. Very 60s.

“Blind Sheep” would have to be one of the oddest songs in Dusty’s catalogue. It’s from her classic but under-rated “White Heat” album.

“Your Hurtin’ Kind Of Love” was a single in the UK but for some reason it wasn’t much of a hit. I love it.

“Doodlin’” is a song about being in a mental health institution! Funky!

“I’m Coming Home Again” is a beautiful song and was released at the time Dusty came back to the UK in the late 70s.

Dusty joined Cilla on this fun duet “Heart And Soul” released to commemorate Cilla’s 30th anniversary in show business. Both look like they’re having fun.

“Where Is A Woman To Go” was Dusty’s last live performance. A wonderful song from her last ever album. Okay, I know this is number 11 but Dusty always was 11 out of 10.  I can’t believe that she’s no longer with us.

16
Jan
10

Lots of Tim Draxl

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Movies and Music

I have had a big week of Tim Draxl, singer and actor.

I have had his album “Insongniac” on my MP3 player fairly constantly.

I finally saw his latest movie to be released on DVD in Australia – “In My Sleep”. So it wasn’t that good but for what it was, it was OK. It engaged me for 90 minutes as long as I didn’t think too much about it. Tim was good but didn’t really have too much to do from an acting point of view.

Thursday night I joined James and Colin to see Tim perform at the Civic Hotel. As usual he was great. He can really sing while ripping your heart out at the same time. Great venue, great service, great food and of course, great company. Thanks to James for the photo of Tim and me after the show.

I'm on the left (in case you couldn't work it out)

Another thrill was that we were able to buy Tim’s first CD in almost 9 years. “Live At The Supper Club” was recorded, well, live at the Supper Club back in August. It contains all of my favourite performances and is really quite sublime. It’s interesting to compare the album with “Insongniac”, Tim’s last album recorded when he was 19. Tim’s voice has really matured and you can really feel the emotion behind the song. You can order the album here.

11
Jan
10

Angel Of The Morning – Evie Sands / Billie Davis

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Music

“Angel Of The Morning” is one of those jinxed songs. Two of the best versions were the first two recorded – Evie Sands in the US and Billie Davis in the UK. Both went by unnoticed. Evie’s version fell foul of the record company going bankrupt so the first US hit version was claimed by Merrilee Rush.

Billie’s version was meant to be her comeback after a run of incredibly bad luck career-wise but it was one of her own backing singers who pinched the song and had the hit – PP Arnold.

Nothing against Merrilee or PP, of course, but I much prefer Evie’s and Billie’s versions.

And then in the 80s, Juice Newton had a huge hit with it but that’s another story.

11
Jan
10

I’m Not Scared – Eighth Wonder

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Music and Pet Shop Boys

Eighth Wonder was a somewhat short-lived but no less fabulous group from the late 80s, fronted by Patsy Kensit. Their biggest hit was the wonderfully seductive “I’m Not Scared”, written and produced for them by the Pet Shop Boys.

The Pet Shop Boys went on to record and release their own version but I must say that I prefer the Eighth Wonder version. Something about Patsy’s vocals, maybe. Swedish group, West End Girls also included a version on their debut album.

Browsing YouTube today, I found a video clip for “I’m Not Scared” which I hadn’t actually seen before so here it is.

Some good news is that Eighth Wonder’s album “Fearless” has been remastered and is being released in a couple of weeks. There are bonus tracks including an extended version of “I’m Not Scared” as well as the elusive French language version. Can’t wait for that one. I already have my pre-order in with Amazon UK. :)

09
Jan
10

It isn’t equal if it’s sometimes…

By twistinthedark Leave a Comment
Categories: Gay and Music

A lot of people dismiss Lady Gaga as fluff but one can’t deny the impact that she has had on pop music in the last year. There is actually a lot more going on behind that showgirl facade. Here is her rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” with some new lyrics written about homophobia, something she feels strongly about. A great version.

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