Battling Burrows (unfinished)

The Beast from the East End (unfinished)

The Dharma Bums were commissioned to write and perform an original soundtrack to the silent film Broken Blossoms by Peninsula Arts at the University of Plymouth in June 2008.  
The première was part of the Re-Scoring the Silent series of new film soundtracks at Plymouth University in October.  The performance was a sell-out, and received very positive feedback.  

Broken Blossoms was directed by D.W. Griffith, and stars Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess and Donald Crisp.  Set in the East End of London, it is a dream-like tale of love in the face of adversity.  It tells of Cheng Huan’s journey from China to England, with a vision to spread Buddhism to the West.  His youthful dreams are tested by the sordid realities of life in Limehouse, and he becomes entangled with opium addiction.However, he finds love when providing sanctuary for Lucy from her abusive father, the boxer Battling Burrows. 

"Whilst the comedies of the silent-era remain etched in our consciousness, the dramas from the era are often unfavourably regarded as inferior to modern cinema.  Griffith's intimate and poignant Broken Blossoms blows this theory away, with its themes of abuse and immigration remaining with us to this day."  (Re-Scoring the Silent programme)

The Dharma Bums wrote their original instrumental score for Broken Blossoms as a group.
The soundtrack highlights the diversity of sounds produced by the band. The music is both uplifting and dark, reflecting the emotional power of the picture, transporting the audience into the love and tragedy of Broken Blossoms.
 
“The Dharma Bums succeeded in matching the mood and cadence created by D.W. Griffith.  One wonders what this fine director would have done if The Dharma Bums were knocking around London’s East End in the 1920s.”  (The Strange New Times)

Broken Blossoms Live Soundtrack Part One

Broken Blossoms Live Soundtrack Part 2

The Dharma Bums make progressive folk music. They are a seven-piece band, utilising a van-load of string, wind, percussive, electronic &amp; keyboard instruments. They have played at venues &amp; festivals across England, Wales &amp; France. They recorded an album, ‘Watching the Dark Move’ in Cornwall in 2007. In 2008, they were commissioned to write and perform an original soundtrack to the silent film Broken Blossoms (D.W. Griffith, 1919). In 2009, they began recording songs for a new E.P, 'Old Tricks For New Dogs' in Hereford. Due to unforeseen circumstances this is yet to be completed.
The Dharma Bums is: 
Johnny Powell - guitars, vocals 
Paul Dobbs - guitars, backing vocals 
Pete Heddle - bass guitar 
Chris Derrick - keys, clarinet, backing vocals, electronics 
Sam Leeming - mandolin, guitars, backing vocals 
Amie Willingale - violin, flute, penny whistle, backing vocals 
David James Strong - drums
Former members: 
Simon Marsh - drums (on 'Watching the Dark Move')
Oliver Charles - electronics & percussion (on the Broken Blossoms soundtrack and 'Marks of the Days'
"The Dharma Bums provide the perfect soundtrack to the lives of those with a more autumnal disposition." 
(247 Magazine)


the dharma bums

Popular tracks