RogerWatersUsAndThem.com (http://www.RogerWatersUsAndThem.com). Us + Them is said to feature state-of- the-art visual production and breath-taking sound in this unmissable cinema event. Anyone who saw The Wall cinema screenings will know how well that was presented, so expected similar quality this time around too. From the look of the teaser trailer, below, it should be a great experience on the big screen! Filmed in Amsterdam on the European leg of his 2017 – 2018 Us + Them tour which saw Roger and his band perform to over two million people worldwide, the film features songs from legendary Pink Floyd albums (The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, Wish You Were Here) and from his last album, Is This The Life We Really Want? Waters collaborates once more with Sean Evans, visionary director of the highly acclaimed movie, Roger Waters The Wall, to deliver this creatively pioneering film that inspires with its powerful music and message of human rights, liberty and love . We’ve had a lot of emails asking what happens after the screenings with the footage – as yet there are no details of a home release on DVD/Blu-ray of this concert film, but rest assured we will let you know as soon as the details are available. We cannot believe it will be long before there’s an announcement of what’s being released. Now, here’s that teaser trailer for what looks like an unmissable film:
An old friend of Brain Damage, Brian Wernham, has put a painting by Syd Barrett up for auction in a sale being held at Cheffins in Cambridge, on February 24th. Cheffins were the auction house which dealt with the sale of Barrett’s belongings following his death in 2006, on behalf of the Barrett family. The painting has been identified as a representation of the megaliths at West Kennet. Syd was very keen on megaliths, and his keen eye for colour is demonstrated in this very rare piece of late art. He burnt most of his final artwork, gaining satisfaction mainly from the process, and then unfortunately discarding most of the resulting art on his bonfire. The painting was professionally framed by Trumpington Galleries in Cambridge, with UV resistant glass to ensure the colours will remain rich. It is watercolour and gouache, mounted on blue sugar paper and measures 30cm x 42cm. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Rosemary Barrett (Syd’s sister). Brian told us: “It really is a beautiful piece and beautifully framed. I hope it goes to a good home.” The painting is lot 284 in the The Art Design Sale to be held on February 24th at Cheffins (https://www.cheffins.co.uk/fine-art/lot-view,-roger-syd-barrett-british-19462006_82404.htm). The estimate is a (surprisingly low) £3,000 – £5,000. A previous work by Syd valued in that range sold last May for £28,270, so we suspect a similar figure for this one; his paintings rarely become available and surely over time opportunities will become fewer.
Scottish songwriter Bethany Ferrie releases first single of 2020 – singalong indie-pop banger “Stayed”. “Stayed” is a song that speaks for the wealth of talent that Bethany Ferrie possesses, in case her various accolades haven’t already. Shortlisted for BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter Awards and named Richer Unsigned Artist of the Week, it’s clear that Bethany …
In these times when many of us are stuck at home, either due to lockdown, or self-isolating, we were delighted when Mark Naisbitt, a BD regular, got in touch with an article he'd written about the link between Pink Floyd, and Douglas Adams – specifically his Hitchhiker's Guide project which spanned book, radio, TV, film and commemorative towels (amongst other things). If anyone else out there fancies adding their thoughts about, well, anything Floyd related really, do please get in touch. We'd love to include your contributions to the site!To celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Douglas Adams epic Sci-fi comedy a rare, specially reworked version returns to vinyl which may be of interest to Pink Floyd fans. Author Douglas Adams and the band have a long time association. The original BBC radio series made its debut in 1978 and quickly became a cult hit evolving into books, TV and a couple of vinyl albums which Floyd fans would appreciate. Adams re-wrote the script for the first six episodes and they were recorded for the two albums, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (part one) by Original Records in 1979 and part two, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, following in 1980.So what's of interest to Floyd fans?Well, the original radio show ended with our heroes stealing a spaceship belonging to the admiral of a battle fleet. Adams, friends with Floyd at the time, altered the ending so that they steal a black, completely frictionless ship intended to crash through a star as part of the exotic light-show by the intergalactic rock band Disaster Area who are really Adams referencing Floyd going through the Wall-era protracted bust up at the time. Floyd, of course, previously released Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, which doubtless gave Adams the idea. The album version was the basis for the subsequent BBC TV series in 1981.The album features the famous cover, 'Don't Panic' ,in large friendly letters, by Hipgnosis, who worked on covers for Floyd ELO among many others. It also contains a line not in the radio version. Upon landing on the barren planet Magrathea, Arthur Dent mentions to Ford Prefect, Ford, do you realise that robot can hum like Pink Floyd? Douglas Adams maintained his association with Floyd and suggested the title The Division Bell to them. He also played guitar with the band on stage during one of the Earls Court Pulse gigs in 1994. It was on his 42nd birthday, a number of significance to Hitchhiker fans! This is documented in Nick Mason's book Inside Out and videos are around on YouTube.Sadly, Adams died suddenly of heart failure in 2001 aged only 49. David Gilmour played at his memorial service in 2001, and also at what would have been Adams's 60th birthday party in 2012. Adams official biography is called Wish You Were Here.As part of this year's Record Store Day (now delayed to June, subject to change depending on how the current situation develops) the original radio series are being re-released on vinyl by the Demon Music Group. Hitchhiker's Guide (the first book) is being coupled with the second book's series, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, on three 180g coloured vinyl LPs. After years of being expensive second-hand rarities, Floyd fans who enjoy the Guide can now get their hands on a copy. However, they're being limited to 750 copies…Oh well, grab one while you can! For this ageing Hitchhiker, it's almost worth getting a new vinyl deck to time-travel back to '78 with Arthur, Ford Zaphod for some fun, adventure and pretty wild things for less than 30 Altairian dollars a day…
