The Genius of Anthony Newley

Just received an email from a friend who has tickets to see Anthony Newley in The Strange World of Gurney Slade tv series (written by Sid Green and Dick Hills - the chaps who wrote for Morecombe and Wise) where Newley casually trips in and out of reality. (This series was allegedly was an influence on Bowie). A great treat as I haven't had the opportunity to ever see this, so very much looking forward to Thursday evening at the BFI on the Southbank. I'm pleased to see that it is also released on dvd on 15th August so your chance to own a bit of Newley magic. Hats off to Network for getting this out...

Preferable Career Choice of the Week

I've always loved this beautiful image by Annie Leibovitz. Meg's disinterested gaze sums up the week in a look.  When the week is grey and slow at the office, I secretly harbour a desire for a new career at a 'Wings of Desire'/Carnivale style circus and to have a go at a spin on the knife thrower's wheel. However, I don't rate his chances on pin point accuracy with that wind speed if Jack's hair is anything to go by...

Photo credit: Annie Leibovitz Estate

Like Camper Van Beethoven

...I had a dream last night and in it art journalist/critic Andrew Graham Dixon had for some reason (as dreams go) temporarily replaced the fabulous Eddie Argos as Art Brut's lead singer. Yes, it may have been induced by the bottle and a half of Chateau de Caraguilhes I had indulged in because of a very terrible week at work you understand, but the more I think about it, I think Mr Graham Dixon would make a rather fine replacement (but heaven forbid the most lovely Eddie would ever leave, of course). And I've absolutely no idea what Mr Graham Dixon's singing talents are like, but he seemed like a nice bloke when he used to come in to our offices the Arts Council London in Great Peter Street, SW1 back in the day.

Photo Credit of Art Brut - I'm trying to find out (sorry photographer)

Alfa Bet: The Alfa Garage in Eye, Suffolk

Here's the ginger carthorse at Titus Rowlandson's Victory Garage in Eye, Suffolk after repair work. The garage is set in an old apple orchard (windfall apples were taken home and made into a crumble) and in the background there are a two Alfa's that are seeking total restoration attention and a Spider awaiting collection.

A Maxi-dent Waiting to Happen

The current vogue for dressing as The Good Life’s Margo Leadbetter ‘I’m off to an afternoon soiree with the 70s jet set’ maxi dress has apparently ended in minor fashion disaster for two women in the workplace here. We noticed a Health and Safety warning was issued after one had ‘sustained a stair injury’ after treading on the hem of their garment whilst another had ‘sustained shoulder lacerations’ after someone else had stood on the hem while they were ascending stairs putting pressure on the shoulder strap of said garment and inflicting injury’. Maxi’s are a great look on Jerry Hall in 1970s après a day on the beach in Mustique with an Anthony Price clad Bryan Ferry on her arm, rather less glam on the wind-blown, grey and rainy streets of London town with an umbrella waiting for a 188 bus.

Image Credit: Sassy By Design

Oh How True, Darling...

A charmingly sardonic song from the chap from Manfester

Action is my middle name

I can't waste time any more

Everybody has a date with an undertaker

A date that they cannot break

Autumn on My Mind

Had been eyeing up these YMC Ghillie Brogues in Brown for a while. It was pay day, the last pair were on the shelves in my size and at a sale price. Need I say more?