Originally highlighted by Joe Petroni back in May and ignored here
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=116367
Public Service Broadcasting are a band of two talented musicians who use national/BFI archive material and set music to it. The nature is a bit rocky, but there is stuff in there too like ukulele and banjoele, so not conventional.
They have yet to release a full album, but their EP entitled “The War Room” focuses on the British WW2 era starting before outbreak, highlighting elements of the war at home, in the air and overseas.
As a quick introduction, see
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-war-room-ep/id523629262
The interest for me surrounds the footage used and where the words come from.
Track 1: If War Should Come
http://youtu.be/XGd-MulaoGY
Based on Jack Livesey’s film of 1939, foretelling effectively of the outbreak of war and capped off with Chamberlain’s poignant, sullen declaration of war.
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1315843/index.html
Track 2: London can Take It
http://youtu.be/Cu4Rr07bgVQ
Based on the short film of the same named made in 1940, Quentin Reynolds narration is resequenced , set against a track suggesting tension and progression.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/films/london_take.htm
Track 3: Spitfire
http://youtu.be/_u4Md_aXVJE
Using footage and words from The First of the Few, this will have you impersonating Lesley Howard in pretty short order. Perhaps PSB’s most famous track.
The whole film is on YouTube: http://youtu.be/1ijTSenYJ-s
Track 4: Dig for Victory
http://youtu.be/Whn8585iNxY
Based on another MoI film of the same name from 1942, the message about the war at home strikes a powerful chord.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/films/dig_victory.htm
Track 5: Waltz for George
http://youtu.be/cx41-XjGvuQ
This track really puts you at the extraction of the BEF from France. I can’t listen to it without getting a good picture of the scenes. I have yet to find put who said the words, where the news report came from, other than PSB state on YouTube the footage is from Listen to Britain. This is by far the most startling, poignant set of words on this EP.
Can anyone help?
By: BlueRobin - 16th December 2012 at 23:38
By the way, thanks for posting people. I was expecting this one to rapidly head off the scope!
By: BlueRobin - 16th December 2012 at 23:35
Finally found the source for Waltz for George.
Here is Bernard Stubbs, reporting for the BBC, from Dover:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/dunkirk/14311.shtml
“Reporting from Dover, Bernard Stubbs describes the scene as the ships return from Dunkirk and the troops disembark. He then follows the soldiers onto trains as they head home and also boards a ship to see what the conditions were like. Stubbs notes that, regardless of the strife, the port was well organised and the troops in good spirits.”
By: minisandfords - 16th December 2012 at 22:43
Absolutely brilliant band. Got War Room a while ago, loads more of their stuff on YouTube- check out Protect and survive!
Lucky enough to see them live in Derby a couple of weeks ago- brilliant! Album is out next year according to Twitter feed @PSB_HQ.
By: BlueRobin - 16th December 2012 at 17:48
Adrian’s thread: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=118154
Still interested in knowing about Waltz for George. Might tweet PSBHQ and ask.
By: ian_ - 16th December 2012 at 17:36
Do watch the videos on youtube, the film is mixed perfectly. A mate saw them a few weeks ago and they back project the video.
By: adrian_gray - 16th December 2012 at 16:32
I have a feeling I’ve mentioned them on here too – I heard “London Can Take It” on Radio 6 one night, and was transfixed. I don’t know how they do it, but I found the track utterly compelling, sat there with my eyes prickling listening to that voice…
Adrian
By: Airfixtwin - 16th December 2012 at 16:13
Heard the spitfire track played a few times on the radio (or wireless) , but I’ve only really warmed to it since listening to it on the Rough Trade counter culture CD. Have to say I do quite like it now.
I’ll maybe give the album a listen on spotify.
By: BlueRobin - 16th December 2012 at 13:18
Merged, Ian 😉
By: ian_ - 16th December 2012 at 11:34
Spitfire music vid
By the up and coming beat combo ‘Public Service Broadcasting.’ Making waves on Radio Six and some nice footage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u4Md_aXVJE
See also ‘London can take it’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu4Rr07bgVQ
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December 16, 2012 at 8:12 am