Ben Bernie & His Orchestra - Flower of Araby, Fox Trot (Cherkasky-Schmit-Davis), Vocalion 1922 (USA) NOTE: Not long ago, after I uploaded in YT Ben Bernie's rendition of "My Buddy" (1922), one of You Tubers asked me to present also the flip side of that record. I'm sorry it took some time, before I can now fulfill his request. It's a lovely rendition of one of those "Oriental fox-trots" which simply flooded Europe and both Americas after the sensational excavations in Egypt in 1922, when the intact tomb of an Aegyptian pharaoh Tut-enkh-Amun's was discovered by Howard Carter and George Carnarvon. This event marked the beginning of a real "oiriental;" or "Aegyptian" mania in the pop-culture - from architecture to fashion. Newsreel footage of archaeological digs and Hollywood depictions of the gilded Egyptian empire sealed the deal: Egyptian style was red hot. Egyptian-style motifs soon followed as decorative embellishment in fashion. The bold geometric style of the designs fit in perfectly with the prevailing Art Deco style of the late 1920s. Therefore, the Egyptian revival during the 1920s is sometimes considered to be part of the Art Deco decorative arts style. In my slideshow I took care, however, on something simpler than cultural analysis of the 20th Century Aegyptomania. Simply, I present a few reliable old photographs of the English tourists in Egypt, at the beginning of the last century. Are not they cute?

Comments

1. Czyli mamy Fox Trot  archeologiczny troszke ,bo zdiecia z Egiptu i  chyba na nich tez grupy badaczy????Pozdrawiam.
2. Fantastic record with both side. I love them. Very good quality. Dziekuje Serdecznie Bixbix81
3. Ah, delighted to encounter yet another representing the early '20's fascination with the more exotic locales!  I must say, the A section of "Flower" is certainly reminiscent of the more famous "Sheik" of same geographic origin -- and yet this one has its own distinct merits, so apparent in this rendition.  Though I adore Art Deco, my stylistic favorite, and agree that the Egyptian influence was highly evident in its motifs, I like the route you've taken with the visuals here; I wish I were taking tea among the ruins with the tourists!
4. Love these early Bernies as well at the later ones!
5. My Darling Grzegorz,
   Love the Fabulous song and the BRILLIANT visual.
   I just adore those vintage photos of Egypt...Egypt has always fascinated me.
   This is another place I will probably never see in person because of the unrest in that region. It is so disappointing.
   Loved seeing the real  Shepherds Hotel....
   Did you know Anthony Mighella used the Hotel Des Baines on the Lido in Venice as the site for the  Shepherd's Hotel in
    "The English Patient?"
   YES....there were camels on the Lido....just a bit of trivia.
   Millions of Desert STARS
   Merci
   g
6. Hello Grzegorz and everybody who adores this channel - this vid looks and feels perfect for our nice fall days - which always go too fast. Hope your weather warmed up. Your visuals reflect the Art Deco interest in Egypt - some of those Egyptian motives in Art Deco - my favorite form - are truly breathtaking. At any rate - have a great Sunday and an excellent new week - as well - you - Grzegorz and all of us. Sending you greetings for a good, coming week from sunny, cool and hilly vicinity of New York City.