Military Tattoo

[Ausfree]

Anybody watch the 2013 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the ABC last night?

I watched most of it but I have been a little disappointed in recent years as they seem to have moved to a music and dancing only theme. A few years back you had such things as prescision rifle drill teams (the Swiss Guards were spectacular when they drilled a few years ago) and other things that made a good mix with the music and dancing.

I realise it must be difficult for the organisers to scour the world looking for suitable and varied entertainment suitable for this show. I mean the acts they had last night were good as they had a variety of countries contributing acts to the show.

But, it was all singing and dancing and not much else, any thoughts anybody???

[Pickles2]

Ausfree, I agree with what you say.
I did still watch it, but years ago ya'd have seen more action.
We were on a Tour of Scotland many years ago, & we've walked on the "parade ground" which is really quite small, although it always looks large during the telecast.
When we were on our tour, our tour leader was a true Scotsman, ex Army, & some of his mates had been on guard/gate duty at the Castle over the years, where they received several interesting "comments".
One we were told was, " An American lady comes up to the guard & says, "is it true that you wear nothing under your kilts", to which the reply was, "Lady, if you've got warm hands, you may like to find out" "!!
Scotland is a lovely place. Pickles.

[Carzee]

There used to be the more militaristic and non-PC and masculine tone to the Tattoo. There was content such as the artillery pieces over obstacles. But it is telecast and bankrolled by a more thoroughly groupthink society now. I used to tape them all, and I seem to recall the masculine gear got scrubbed about 97, or the late 90s at least.

Last nights wailing of the banshees stuff (dischordant to a point where it was irritating after 20seconds) was a lowpoint. There was some horrid 130 bpm 'marching' as well.

A good effort -a highlight- was the Kiwi Band and marching girls. Top marks.

But the main part of the Tattoo -the heritage- is now and always the entry off the drawbridge of the castle and passage into the massed pipe bands' 15 minute display and then the massed pipe bands at the finale with the Lone Piper atop The Castle. Its great and unique. The multicultural one-offs in the middle are sometimes very good. Sometimes.

In my experience, a mass of bands marching thru skinny streets creates a certain unequalled sound altogether superior. I did it in old King St in Newcastle and it was sensational. There is a quality like reverb that goes on, or maybe its the ghostly atmosphere at night. At any rate, in those ancient stone streets and buildings the Tattoo organisers have a yet to be exploited treasure, absolute treasure.

Did you see last night they gave us at least triple the number of seconds of footage of the massed bands marching down the Royal Mile on the cobble stones; it was a bit of a thrill (I can't ever remember such as lengthly 'stones' footage over the time I have watched the Tattoo).

[Ausfree]

Carzee, I agree with what you say about the Tattoo moving away from a more "masculine" theme to the one they have now, which is a shame because it is now boring, the organizers need a better "mix" of acts in the show. I agree the Kiwi's were good, also the Mexicans were very colourful, particularly the girls dresses, which they swirled around with great effect.

I will be giving second thoughts about watching it next year. Although, by next year I will probably have a little "peek" in the hope that it has improved.:)

[ramblingboy42]

We used to see things like this.......enjoy.

Exibio de banda militar - Um espectculo imperdvel! (http://sorisomail.com/email/16993/exibicao-de-banda-militar--um-espectaculo-imperdivel.html)

[Ausfree]

Very good, many hours of practice there.:D The Yanks are also good at that type of thing!!:)

[33chinacars]

We used to see things like this.......enjoy.

Exibio de banda militar - Um espectculo imperdvel! (http://sorisomail.com/email/16993/exibicao-de-banda-militar--um-espectaculo-imperdivel.html)

Excellent

Yes I was a bit disappointed in last nights show. Maybe gone a bit PC. Have watched for many many years. But think they have weakened the brand. Would have to agree with Ausfree.

Not enough bagpipes & I loved the Yanks too.

Gary

[jsp]

I was a tad disappointed with the quality of some of the performances, I am no expert and am not a performer or artist of any sort but some of the groups didn't even sound like they had tuned instruments or even practiced. This was shown up even more by the NZ groups for example with some decent choreography and timing.

I turned to the Mrs and asked if it was just me getting older and things not being how I remember them as a kid, she said no......

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

You mean precision drills with bayonets attached - something like this...
US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard at Norway - YouTube

Kind Regards
Lionel

[ATH]

We went to the tattoo some 20 years ago and it then had a very military theme with the gun crews etc.
Excellent show and the organisation to get the people in and out was also good.
Pubs down the hill from the castle were packed and had a great atmosphere.
I'll watch it tonight as we've recorded it so don't spoil it too much fellas.;)
AlanH.

[33chinacars]

Thanks Lionel That's more like it :D:D

[Carzee]

Lunchtime EADT they are repeating it on ABC -now. So SA and WA members have time.. but its 30mins into the show in NSW.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

I watched it too, and thought the same - not what it used to be but still largely entertaining.

The NZ showing (both band and drill team) were exceptional this year!

My favourite from (many!) years ago is still this: US Army Drill Team - YouTube

[bob10]

You can have your girly Kiwis, & grown men poncing around in skirts, REAL men do this, Bob


Pompey! The Last Gun Race... - YouTube (http://youtu.be/fDL0wGT2uzs)

[Larry]

You can have your girly Kiwis, & grown men poncing around in skirts, REAL men do this, Bob


Pompey! The Last Gun Race... - YouTube (http://youtu.be/fDL0wGT2uzs)

My wife even agrees that this is exactly what's missing from the current performances.:(!

[korg20000bc]

I too miss what the tattoo used to be.
Now, it is part of the Edinburgh Cultural Festival and not really a martial skills type of event.
I had to switch off.

[Trooper63]

Agreed. I miss the stripping of a gun, followed by an obstacle course, and re-assembly.

I went to the one in Sydney couple of years back, it was ok. Don't think I'd pay again.

Q. In the 2013 (which I think is the one we are talking about) which unit has the female drummers? Dark tunic with leopard skin sash(cover), black fur headdress.... I've tyres to match uniforms to the list of attendees, but no luck.

[Ausfree]

My wife even agrees that this is exactly what's missing from the current performances.:(!
Have to agree with your wife!!!:)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Or the US Marines "Silent" Drill Platoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXa39XyP6q8

Or the US Army Rifle team

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLi9SayY4AY

[3toes]

A few years ago when I was on Hawaii saw these blokes practicing. They were standing on the median strip between the traffic on the highway. Were throwing their rifles around like they were at an event - even had the bayonets fitted. Think it must gave been to ensure that sudden / unexpected sounds did not put them off.