PSYCHEDELIC CELLULOID

New release: Psychedelic Celluloid. Simon Matthews, contributing writer for Record Collector and Shindig!, has released a new book that will appeal to Spy Vibers. From the press release: "The definitive guide to the decade when swinging London was the film capital of the world. Illustrated throughout with colour images, Psychedelic Celluloid covers over 300 British and European films and TV shows from the Beatles via Bond spin offs to crazy personal follies de grandeur, Blow Up and its imitators, concert movies, documentaries, stylish horror films and many more. Carefully researched and drawing on interviews with some of the survivors of the era, it provides a witty and detailed account of each major production, listing its stars, directors, producers and music and showing how they were linked to the fashion and trends of the period." His approach is very similar to the Spy Vibe book I'm working on for Hermes Press (hoping for a summer 2018 release), so I'm especially keen to check out the book. You can read more about Psychedelic Celluloid in The Independent. Author interview here. Limited editions at Old Castle Books. Also available at booksellers and Amazon and AmazonUK. Publisher press release: "After The Beatles stormed America, every Hollywood and European production company descended on London to be part of the new swinging scene... and they didn't leave until they'd signed up every able-bodied pop group or singer to appear in one of their films. A unique and carefully researched cultural history of UK film, TV and music in the swinging 60s. A time when no film or TV programme was without a group, singer or fantastic soundtrack - and London was briefly the film capital of the world. Containing individual summaries of over 120 films, covering everything from John Barry to Pink Floyd via Blow Up, the Electric Banana, Serge Gainsbourg, Magical Mystery Tour, David hemmings, Kubrick, Godard, Jodorowsdky and the London cast of Hair. With comprehensive listings of over 500 related features, documentaries, TV programmes and shorts, an unforgettable trip through the swinging 60s." Matthews is also planning to release companion books about the preceding era and about British film from 1975-1986, so stay tuned for updates. Thanks to Jhalal Drut for getting this on my radar. Spy Vibers, Episode #2 of my new radio spot on Cocktail Nation is live! This month I talk about the 1965 Sci-Fi classic film, The 10th Victim. More info here. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Fahrenheit 451 50th, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art.

MONTY PYTHON & BONZO DOG BAND TOURS 2016

Happy Saturday, Spy Vibers! Another week flew by, as I helped my art students launch a new semester. We're about a week and half in and already the filmmakers have completed their first movies and the photographers have mastered some of the foundation elements of composition. With a three-day weekend ahead, I cleaned up the Spy Vibe lair last night, put my feet up on the ottoman, and checked in with some of my fave artists from the 1960s to see what they are up to these days. You know I like to cover a wide scope of sixties-related material, but the tone yesterday was really set by my postman, who delivered some signed books from Michael Palin of Monty Python! I can tell you the little kid in me was Super Excited. The Pythons stood right up there along with The Beatles and The Avengers as my greatest childhood heroes. It appears Michael Palin is now working with Terry Gilliam to (finally) make Terry's Don Quixote film. If you've seen Lost in La Mancha, you know this particular classic story has been cursed for filmmakers like Gilliam and Orson Welles. But I bet the project will be guided by a lucky star with Michael aboard. Have fun, chaps! If your vibe is British satire and surreal comedy, you might be pleased to hear that a number of autumn tour dates have been announced in the UK for Neil Innes (with The Rutles!) and the Bonzo Dog Band. You will even find some Pythons on tour! Let's add some laughter to our day. More info below.

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (the Bonzos) formed in the early 1960s, combining a love of vintage novelty songs with elements of Dada/avant-garde art, satire, and surrealist humor. Spy Vibers might recognize the group from their appearance in The Beatles film, Magical Mystery Tour (debut Dec 26, 1967). Check out the short they made with British Pathe earlier that same year for their track, The Equestrian Statue. It's a wonderful time capsule of Sgt Pepper-Magical Mystery Tour-era Britain (see below). The Bonzos came to wider attention as regulars on the comedy children's program, Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967-1969), where they appeared alongside future Pythons, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, and Terry Jones. They released a number of albums- and Paul McCartney produced their first hit! Neil Innes of the Bonzos continued to collaborate with the Pythons, most notably on Monty Python's Flying Circus, Monty Python and the Holy Grail ("Bravely Bold Sir Robin" is one of his famous tunes), Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Jabberwocky, and The Rutles. More below. 

Now you have a chance to see some of these guys on stage! Try to catch one of the upcoming Rutles or Bonzo shows if you are in the UK this fall (see links above for dates). For readers in the States, fret not- John Cleese and Eric Idle are also on tour! Apparently their show includes fun discussions about Python, readings and screenings of classic skits, and comedy solo spots. Check their official tour website, Together Again At Last... For the Very First Time, for upcoming dates. I'm seeing them twice. It will be my first time seeing John Cleese live, so I really can't wait to see these gentlemen together! Now, let's go back to 1967 and catch some of the vibe with the Bonzos. Enjoy! Still curious? Check out the new set of five classic albums by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at Amazon. Related Spy Vibe posts: Peter Sellers To John Lennon, Surrealism Satire Boom in the UK, The Prisoner Fallout and Surreal Satire, George Martin: Desert Island Discs, Magic Christian Blu-ray, Wonderwall Blu-ray, Python's Dental Spies, New Beatles Film 2016, Sol Weinstein: License to Kvell, Agent Woody, Produced by George Martin, David Tennant Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

EXPERIMENTAL BEATLES

The surrealism and satire boom in the UK during the 1960s, fueled by Peter Sellers, Beyond the Fringe, Richard Lester, John Lennon, and Monty Python were an integral part of a new perspective on life that wasn't afraid to confront social issues with humor and flair. Thinking outside the box led to so many qualities and creations that we hold dear today. Experimentation was essential for this growth, and sometimes the experiments pushed outside the envelope- an experience that can be challenging, but rewarding with the proper context.

The Beatles experimented often during their career, pushing pop music into uncharted territory and exploring the avant-garde. John Lennon collaborated with Yoko Ono on many experimental films and sound recordings. He also starred in Richard Lester's experimental surreal film, How I Won the War. George Harrison played with early Moog music and contributed the soundtrack to the movie, Wonderwall. Paul McCartney made a number of experimental films and tape-loops (later stolen) that inspired the sound collage on Tomorrow Never Knows. McCartney returned to experiment with electronic music and sound collage with the Firemen and Liverpool Sound Collage projects. And Ringo Starr pursued an acting career that included collaboration with Peter Sellers. (see various clips below). At the heart of The Beatles' success was perhaps their playful humor- a quality that originally secured their contract with George Martin, who had produced records for Peter Sellers and The Goons. Much of their work was steeped in play and a love of 'happy accidents' in the studio. The decade saw a boom in surreal British filmmaking. Imagery from Carroll's Alice loomed large and the Beatles were a part of this wave. Spy Vibers interested in exploring the world of 1960s surrealism further should check out the BBC Alice in Wonderland (with Peter Sellers, Peter Cook, and a soundtrack by Ravi Shankar), The Bed Sitting Room, How I Won the War (with John Lennon), The Knack... and How to Get It, Not Only But Also, Beyond the Fringe, and Monty Python's Flying Circus.

In 1967, The Beatles made an experimental film called Magical Mystery Tour. Although it left many viewers scratching their heads (even today), the movie is filled with treasured moments of the group presenting some of their greatest work and playing around with surrealist imagery and challenging movie conventions. It was not another A Hard Days Night, but it was an important work from a group of 1960s artists that we love BECAUSE they were willing to push the envelope and think outside the box. I believe that viewers going into the film, knowing that the movie is influenced by surrealism, Lewis Carroll, Lord of the Rings, and 1967 counter-culture, will find it an interesting experience.

Magical Mystery Tour has been remastered and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 9th (John and Sean Lennon's birthdays). Special features include director commentary by Paul McCartney, interviews, and many un-seen scenes. A collector's edition includes a reproduction of the 2-vinyl record EP (in glorious MONO!), and a book. There will also be a limited theatrical release starting September 27th. Roll up! Roll up! Don't miss it and keep your minds (and ears!) open. Here is the trailer and one of my favorite segments of the group performing I Am the Walrus in the film. 

Essential Beatles Experimental Work:
Revolver (Bealtes album)
SGT Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles album)
Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles film)
The White Album (Beatles album)
Two Virgins (Lennon/Ono album)
Life With the Lions (Lennon/Ono album)
Wedding Album (Lennon/Ono album)
Lennon/Ono film shorts

Electronic Sounds (Harrison album)

Wonderwall (Harrison film)
The Magic Christian (Starr film)
How I Won the War (Lennon film)
Georgia Stone (Ono/Lennon track)
Liverpool Sound Collage (McCartney album)
Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest (McCartney album)
Rushes (McCartney album)

I had a chance to make a music re-mix a couple of years ago for Yoko Ono that won a contest she was holding with the Plastic Ono Band. I followed it up with an experimental short film that you can see here: The Sun is Down. I also made a tribute sound collage and film for John Lennon's 70th birthday, Lennon70. 

Check out our recent posts, including Neil Armstrong: One Last Step, Celebrating 450,000 visitors, Interview with Playboy Bunny Deana, and our series, For Your Shelf Only, where guests share stories about collecting and show us some of their treasures. Series links: Jon Gilbert, Raymond Benson, Jeremy Duns, Peter Lorenz, David Foster, Rob Mallows, Roger Langley, Craig Arthur, Fleming Short, Matt Sherman. Check out my books Counting Sheep and Mort Walker Conversations.