An international film star and director revived the Western genre back in the mid-80's with 'Pale Rider'. Then, less than a decade later, he went even further with 'Unforgiven'. Clint Eastwood's direction of this film was superb. What a fantastic story: it all starts with a prostitute being savagely scarred for life. Her friends raise money to hire some bounty hunters to track down and kill the aggressors. English Bob (the over-acclaimed 'Duke of Death') arrives by rail to answer their call for help. But everybody is not as they seem... Unforgiven plays with violence, romance, innocence, suffering, guilt and revenge. Will Munny (Clint Eastwood) is a former outlaw, now a repentant pig-farmer, who must team up with his old friend Ned (Morgan Freeman). Their path is an emotionally dangerous one that takes them further than they bargained for. A time when the fine line between daring outlaws and powerful lawmen was severely tested... Clint Eastwood takes full advantage of this point, portrayed by some witty characters, skillfully acted by a prominent starcast. As I understand it, he kept the script and ideas to this film locked away for years, until the time was ripe. I'd say it certainly was! The 90's have seen some great westerns, and 'Unforgiven' is definitely one of them.

In 1971, Jethro Tull introduced the world to a mysterious, shady beggar 'Aqualung', so known because of his terrible cough. In the title song, Ian sings of this destitute vagabond's adventures and dirty habits. But where does Aqualung come from: is he a war veteran driven insane, or once a wealthy aristocrat? Whatever, Cross Eyed Mary is an acquaintance of his, similar in character. Ian then takes us to the village train station, whilst reminiscing of those wonderful rail memories in Cheap Day Return - a lovely acoustic song, only I wish it was longer. Mother Goose is the centre attraction at the Summer Fair as Aqualung rambles around. Amusing rendition. Then, it's by the river bank our unlikely hero is Wond'ring Aloud of past love lost in time; Up to Me is the more boisterous of times remembered, arguements with friends and relations, parties and raucous affairs. It is here Tull become more religious and philosophical. My God represents a more grim side to God's creation of Mankind, a strange yet appropriate sound to the deeper meaning of this song. Then, hearts are lifted as Tull take us to Church, Ian singing the loud 'Hymn 43'. Slipstream then carries us along Death's road, with God watching us contentedly. Locomotive Breath is perhaps one of the best ever Tull songs on any album. It's about a man who seems to be losing everything as he nears old age, ('sees his children drop at the stations, one by one') and the train represents how the man is frustrated at how God 'stolen the handle' and his luckless life has 'no way to slow down'. Clever symbolism involved here, and reflects our fears of dying. Wind-up is exactly that (well, on the original album) but it describes Aqualung's doctrinated childhood - through Ian Anderson's eyes. Now we come to the 25th Anniversary influence. Lick your Fingers Clean is mad, a romp, but part of the Aqualung theme. Not bad, I thought. There was the bonus of a Quad version 'Wind-up', while we were treated to an interview with an ageing Ian Anderson, who discusses the album at length, its making, the ideas that went into it. Nice touch to a re-vitalized Aqualung. The last three tracks I'd already in my collection; and I wasn't really overkeen on the snazzy Prism Sound that in my opinion spoiled the songs. That was lost a star. I preferred the original sound, so for this otherwise excellent album that's a shame. But thumbs up Jethro Tull in this second outing for one of their best albums!

With a final parting shot to India, Ensign Sharpe finds passage home to England aboard the Calliope. But the journey is to be an eventful one, fraught with danger and conspiracies aplenty! The estranged Peculiar Cromwell, adventuring Royal Navy Captain Chase, the beautiful Lady Grace, and the cold and calculating Sir William Hale - all conspire to liven the voyage westwards. Richard Sharpe is a fish out of water, getting used to life on the ocean wave. He soon proves his mettle at Trafalgar, however, and helps turn the tide against a determined foe. Revenge is at hand. Sharpe is out for blood in a nautical world of cannon and cutlass. There is a brief meeting with Lord Horatio Nelson, before the hounds of war are released. Good adventure, good reading. Perhaps not the best Sharpe novel, but certainly added a different perspective to Sharpe's campaigns. Lovely climatic ending. As ever, Bernard Cornwell's attention to detail proves his research into historical fact is faultless. One almost imagined being there: the crashing waves, the snapping canvas, the creak of timber, admist the smoke, blood, and roar of guns. Richard Sharpe is one of England's unsong heroes.

Alright, fair enough, I'm not a bad loser. The colonists tore themselves from King and Empire, then stoically defended themselves again in the War of 1812. I doff my hat to them in respect. But Harrison's execution of 'Stars and Stripes Forever' is a little overblown with American 'gung-ho', and US victories are unbelievably swift and sure. A British expedition against the US might have caused an American reunion, and imperial troops would have been hard-pressed confronting the Federal States alone, yet I think Harrison's portrayal of the British is seriously underestimated. Even though it is AH, I feel his American roots are running too high, and this spoils the plot altogether. In my opinion, he should have, for example, had American hearts in suspense and shock at how dangerously close the British came to beating a stricken North. Or at least a firm stalemate. Then, with great relief, either the Confederacy changes its mind and turns on Britain, or Britain itself suffers a grievious loss of some kind at the last minute...But I'm not the author, obviously, yet I stongly feel that Harry Harrison's biasness has ruined what might have been (no AH pun intended) a decent, gripping war story. It matters little to me who wins - the conclusion set in book 3 - but an exciting, realistic plotline is VERY important. Still, the characters aren't bad, but could do with a little more depth and meaning. His research into technology of that period is adequate. Pretty average stuff, I reckon, slighted by Harry Harrison's opinion of his beloved nation. For this book, there are only 3 Stars on the flag...hang on, they appear to be Crowns!