Roger Bennion's photos

Mick has said this shot includes my signature 'red'. That is a much appreciated comment, Mick :-) Mick also suggests I could link this to “Red” by Daniel Merriweather. I have to admit to never having heard of Daniel but on the first hearing this is a very good song and an excellent recording :-) So, added to 'Soundtrack to Life' almost immediately :-) www.ipernity.com/group/362993 Watch/Listen here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1NCmDYeymo The Clarendon Building is on the right. t'other building is the Sheldonian Theatre. From Wikipedia - “The Clarendon Building is a landmark Grade I listed building in Oxford, England, owned by the University of Oxford. It was built between 1711 and 1715 to house the Oxford University Press. It stands in the centre of the city in Broad Street, near the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre. It was vacated by the Press in the early nineteenth century, and used by the university for administrative purposes. In 1975 it was handed over to the Bodleian Library, and now provides office and meeting space for senior members of staff.” From Wikipedia - “The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, Chancellor of the University at the time and the project's main financial backer. It is used for music concerts, lectures and University ceremonies, but not for drama.”

Original shot taken at the Kop Hill Climb 2014 Kop Hill Climb 2014 (2)

Also added to 'Soundtrack to Life'. Thanks very much for the suggestion, Mick. I had, momentarily, forgotten this classic :-))) www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Juz4W9yEYA

Added to 'Soundtrack to Life' www.ipernity.com/group/362993 This is the State Music Room at Stowe House. If this room were to reflect the best music............EVER it would be a pretty impossible task but would surely include copies of - “Pet Sounds” The Beach Boys “Forever Changes” Love “White Light” Gene Clark “Sweethearts of the Rodeo” The Byrds “Highway 61 Revisited” Bob Dylan “The Band” The Band “Elite Hotel” Emmylou Harris “Late for The Sky” Jackson Browne And, topping the list for me would be “No Other” by Gene Clark. It seems to me that it has taken the best part of 40 years for this album, released in 1974, to be recognised as the masterpiece that it is. Tragically Gene is not here to know because he passed away in 1991 at only 46 years old. From Wikipedia - "Harold Eugene "Gene" Clark was a founding member of the The Byrds and was The Byrds' dominant songwriter between 1964 and early 1966, penning most of the band's best-known originals from this period, including "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better", "She Don't Care About Time", "Set You Free This Time", and "Eight Miles High". On the basis of the quality of Clark's Byrds contributions, David Geffen signed him to Asylum Records in early 1974. Gene retired to Mendocino to compose the songs that became his masterpiece, “No Other”. Produced by Thomas Jefferson Kaye with a vast array of session musicians and backing singers, the album was an extraordinary amalgam of country rock, folk, gospel, soul and choral music with poetic, mystical lyrics. The album wasn't a conventional pop/rock opus and only seemed to have limited public appeal. Its production costs of $100,000 which yielded only eight tracks prompted Geffen to berate Clark and Kaye. The album was minimally promoted and stalled in the charts. By 1976 Asylum had deleted it from their catalog. Gene never recovered from the failure of the album. Ultimately, “No Other” became a favourite of rock critics, growing in popularity with each passing year. In 2013, popularity arguably reached a fever pitch when it was revealed that members of Beach House, The Walkmen, Grizzly Bear, and Fleet Foxes among others would be performing the album in its entirety." I am totally gutted that I have just missed a possibility of seeing the “Gene Clark No Other Band” play the album live in the UK!!! But the saving grace is that the whole concert from the Music Hall of Williamsburg is on YouTube and I hope against hope that it stays there forever :-))) For this upload to 'Soundtrack to Life' I have chosen the title track and it does really need to be played through headphones :-))) And, I think I might already be in love with Victoria, Cricket and Jenn :-) Watch/Listen here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHoZr0cXO68 And, the original version from Gene - www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YULwbhga18

"Oxford Open Doors 2014" As I said previously last weekend was "Open Doors 2014" in Oxford and I 'wos' goin' around a bit like a headless chicken 'cos I didn't know where to visit next :-) I have checked and double-checked and I am sure I am certain this is Oriel College Dining Hall :-)) I don't know who the guy is in the frame. I also don't have any information on the heraldic...religious...stained glass and, so far, I haven't been able to extract any information by searching the Internet :-( I was pleased how my little 'ole Coolpix handled the light here :-) Possibly better to view on black :-)

Added to 'Soundtrack to Life' www.ipernity.com/group/362993 From Wikipedia - "Reflections of My Life" was a 1969/1970 hit single for the Scottish band, The Marmalade. It was written by their lead guitarist Junior Campbell, and singer Dean Ford (born Thomas McAleese). Released in late 1969, it was the band's first release on Decca following an earlier spell at CBS. It went on to chart worldwide, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1969, and #10 in the US in 1970 on the Billboard Hot 100. Initial sales were significant in both countries, and the one million mark was reported in November 1971, when the group was presented with a gold disc for global sales. The track featured a lead vocal by Ford backed by vocal harmonies, and included a reverse tape guitar solo by Campbell. "Reflections of My Life" has produced sales of over two million units. In 1998 the writers were awarded a Special Citation of Achievement by the BMI for attaining radio broadcast performances in excess of one million in the US alone.” Watch/Listen here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=79NiN7ISW7E

"Oxford Open Doors 2014" Extract from the Oxford Mail - “From colleges and museums to stadiums and theatres, Oxford opened its doors to the public at the weekend as part of the city’s annual celebration of its heritage. Oxford Open Doors allowed people to poke their noses behind walls and through doors that remain bolted shut for the rest of the year. The event, organised by Oxford Preservation Trust, saw a wide range of buildings opened up to the public, including Oxford colleges, university research departments, theatres, sporting venues and a former college barge moored on the Thames near Donnington Bridge. A total of 130 venues took part.” I 'wos' goin' around a bit like a headless chicken 'cos I didn't know where to visit next :-) Anyway, never having been able to take any photos in Oriel College (apart from the odd shot taken through the entrance) I decided this was an essential college to visit :-) From Wikipedia - “Oriel College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford (a title formerly claimed by University College, whose claim of being founded by King Alfred is no longer promoted). The main site of the College incorporates four medieval halls: Bedel Hall, St Mary Hall, St Martin Hall and Tackley's Inn, the last being the earliest property acquired by the college and the oldest standing medieval hall in Oxford.”

From Wikipedia - "The Queen's College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford, England. The college was founded in 1341 by Robert de Eglesfield (d'Eglesfield) in honour of Queen Philippa of Hainault (wife of King Edward III of England). The college is distinguished by its predominantly neoclassical architecture, which includes buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor."

Now added to 'Soundtrack to Life' www.ipernity.com/group/362993 Thanks so very much, Norbert. I hadn't even considered linking this to Status Quo - "Pictures of Matchstick Men" :-))) Listen/Watch here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D4YYI8G5EM&feature=youtu.be I have always wished I could draw/paint/sketch but the best I can manage is matchstick men :-) I have tried lots of sketch effects in photo software but, again, have pretty much failed every time :-) However, recently I came across a technique using 'Cutout', 'Edge Simplicity', 'Edge Fidelity', 'Stylize', 'Find Edges', 'Glass Distortion', 'Texture', 'Scaling' etc. Don't I sound like I know wot I am talking about? :-) I like the results I am getting. Probably I will be the only one :-) Anyway, the original of this was uploaded a while back :-)

Added to 'Soundtrack to Life' www.ipernity.com/group/362993 When I saw these bikers in Oxford I immediately thought "this is very likely to be one of my next uploads to 'Soundtrack to Life' :-) www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8jC1lRZGTU

The brightly lit building is Brasenose College. On the left is the old entrance to the Radcliffe Camera. And, red is this year's colour I reckon :-)

I think Autumn has arrived :-)

Added to 'Soundtrack to Life' www.ipernity.com/group/362993 I have had in mind to use this piece of music but didn't think I would ever have a photo with somebody walking on a line or double yellow lines come to that :-)) It would have been obvious to use a Johnny Cash link but I do like this track by Rodney Crowell. And, Johnny Cash features in the video so that is okay :-)) I have most of Rodney's music including a couple of Vinyl LP's I recently picked up in a charity shop in High Wycombe :-) Of course there is another link here because Rodney was married to Rosanne Cash, Johnny's daughter from a previous marriage to Vivian Liberto Cash Distin. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjbqMy3g46E And, not forgetting :-) S is for… MARY SHELLEY Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. A miniature portrait made after her death by Reginald Easton T is for… TOLKIEN ‘Conversation with Smaug’ one of several watercolours painted by J. R. R. Tolkien to illustrate The Hobbit, 1936 U is for… URASHIMA Part of a Japanese scroll narrating the fairy tale of the fisherman Urashima, Keicho Period (1596-1615)

Got someone in red in my picture.....again :-)

Extract from following website - www.cherwell.org/news/2013/10/08/new-70-million-maths-building-for-oxford-university “Oxford University’s new Mathematical Institute facility, the Andrew Wiles Building, was officially opened on 3rd October 2013. The dedicated building will be at the centre of the department’s and its students’ academic life, serving for all 900 undergraduates, whilst boasting workspace for over 500 researchers and support staff, and featuring six lecture theatres which will also benefit the university as a whole. The building's design, by Rafael Viñoly Architects, aims to be architecturally sympathetic to the Oxford skyline. Named after one of Oxford's most celebrated mathematicians- Professor Sir Andrew Wiles, who famously proved Fermat's Last Theorem- the building reflects further mathematical influences in its architecture, from the paving patterns conceived of by Sir Roger Penrose, another Oxford mathematician, to the intricate canopies and windows.”

Added to Soundtrack to Life www.ipernity.com/group/362993 Shall I let you into a little secret re the fox? ........................................................... :-) From Wikipedia - “Area Code 615 was the name of a Nashville country rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, taking their name from the telephone area code, which at the time covered all of Central and Eastern Tennessee. The band was made up of session musicians, recording only two albums before resuming normal session work. Their best known work was "Stone Fox Chase", which was used as the theme to the British Broadcasting Corporation's music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test.” Wayne Moss: guitar, bass, engineer, studio owner Charlie McCoy: harmonica Weldon Myrick: pedal steel guitar Bobby Thompson: banjo Buddy Spicher: fiddle David Briggs: piano Norbert Putnam: bass Mac Gayden: guitar Kenny Buttrey: drums, producer, occasional cross cut saw Elliot Mazer: producer, engineer, occasional Farfisa organ I did not know until I bought the cd reissue of the only two albums they released that Wayne Moss played the famous guitar riff on Roy Orbison's “Pretty Woman”and that Wayne, Charlie and Kenny were the rhythm section on Bob Dylan's “Blonde on Blonde” And, somewhere I have the 45 rpm of “Morning Glory” released by Mac Gayden.........a classic :-) It is also so sad to find out that Weldon Myrick (born 10 April 1938) passed away on 2 June 2014 following a stroke. RIP Weldon “Stone Fox Chase” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYph_LGY6YE I have also come across a clip from the Johnny Cash show - www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUGCxqrRJUY p.s. combining photos ain't my forte :-)

Added to Soundtrack to Life www.ipernity.com/group/362993 It may quickly become obvious that I am struggling with my first entry to this weekend's 'Soundtrack Weekend' and have reached desperation stakes!! In a panic I have come up with a 'JAMI' link :-) Jami is singing 'Problematicna' and it has been a 'problem' for me :-) .......................hope ' Problematicna' doesn't have any sort of double meaning :-( I am led to believe that Jasna Milenković....... Jami (this nickname is made up from the first syllabuses of her name and surname) is a Serbian pop/folk singer. Watch/Listen here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=frUQk5HTtrQ **********ALTERNATIVELY********** J is for ... JAMI 'The vain dervish rebuked'. Mughal court painting dated 1595 by the artist Basawan, illustrating a scene from the Baharistan ('Garden of Spring') by the Persian writer and mystic, Jami K is for ... KAFKA Page from Franz Kafka's notebook containing the opening of his story Die Verwandlung ('The Metamorphosis') 1912

~ Explored! ~ Thank you very much :-))) M is for … MAGNA CARTA One of four early engrossments of Magna Carter owned by the Bodleian Library issued in the name of the boy king Henry III in 1217 N is for… NASSAU HOURS Book of Hours made for Engelbert of Nassau. Flemish illumination by The Master of Mary of Burgundy. c.1470-1490 O is for … OWEN Photograph of the poet Wilfred Owen, who died in action on the Western Front in the First World War