Thread: Military Tattoo

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.

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).

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.

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

Exibio de banda militar - Um espectculo imperdvel!

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

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

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

Exibio de banda militar - Um espectculo imperdvel!

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

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......

Hello All,

You mean precision drills with bayonets attached - something like this...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgcGNDxuyoI]US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard at Norway - YouTube[/ame]

Kind Regards
Lionel