Cheap Salute to Edinburgh Tattoo (Video) Price

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Customer Reviews of Salute to Edinburgh Tattoo

The Edinburth Military Tattoo 1975-1980
This is a complilation of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from roughly 1975 to 1980. These were some of the best years of the show, although some earlier years would be good to see as well. The BBC has recorded the tattoo since the middle 1960s and it would be good if we could have a compilation of these years also. The variety of acts and bands that have appeared during these years should be evident. The Tattoo has its origins from the 17th and 18th centuries when the soldiery had to be summoned back to barracks from the local inkeepers. Over time the ceremony grew in size and significance as military bands evolved in their size and instrumentation. For many the heart of the Tattoo is the display by the massed pipes and drums at the beginning of the show. This is surely a grand display of regimental and allied pipe bands from the British army and the Commonwealth. Other displays would include a massed military bands segment, a display by a foreign act or band of which several are highlighted here. The finale would always be a moving pageant of all the bands together usually concluding with an evening hymn and marchng off to the ever popular "Scotland the Brave" and "Black Bear." It is of interest to note that the Tattoo marked one of the first times military bands and pipes played together, and "Scotland the Brave" was an easy tune for them to combine with. Today the combined bands sound with "Amazing Grace" and other well known tunes has become almost standard fare at these kinds of pageants. The Edinburgh Tattoo has inspired similar shows around the world, most noteably in Canada and the United States recently, but also in other parts of the commonwealth and Europe.

Viwers should enjoy the more traditional displays highlighted in this collection. Current prodcutions of the tattoo have been attempting to main stream in order to attract larger and younger crowds. The result has become a weird mix of civilian, pop, and military acts. Today we find choirs, Celtic dancers and a required Caribbean band from the commonwealth. While some of these displays appeared in the past, they were not established on an almost yearly basis as they seem today. Also, in recent years the pace of the show has increased, resulting in an almost MTV atmosphere as bands and acts race to complete their segment before the next one begins. Current productions do not seem to credit the audience with the ability to concentrate on one act longer than 5 minutes. This is a pity. The older displays shown here allow the viewer to see the various bands for longer periods of time. All in the name of progress some would say, but not necessarily better.

Enjoy these vinatge years of the Tattoo. While still a great show today, the Tattoo has lost some of its soul in recent years. At least here the viewer can capture some of the special Tattoo magic which seems to be lacking somewhat today.