Flatitude

Lettie in Lennon Park, Havana, Cuba

I thought I was here to stay for a while but I had the wonderful opportunity to work and travel with my lovely boss and go to Cuba with a very interesting group of people who frequent Boisdale, a famous Jazz Restaurant in Belgravia with branches now in the City and Canary Wharf.  On the way out I was sitting right behind a beautiful black man who was attracting a lot of attention.  I then realised it was the brilliant ballet dancer Carlos Acosta born in Cuba.  His father put him into ballet school because he knew he would get proper meals.

Photograph taken near the Nacional hotel, Havana by Lettie February 2013

It is a fascinating place. I ended up staying in Frank Sinatra’s room at the Nacional Hotel (a famous Government run hotel built in 1930) which had a secret door that led to the famous mafia room.  The mafia, their families and subordinates (numbering 500) were there from December 22 – 26 1946.  The hotel was closed to any outsiders and was the biggest Mafia meeting ever held and recreated in Coppola’s The Godfather II.  They ate delicate crab from the southern islands, roast breast of flamingo, roast tortoise and stew drank aged rum and smoked Montecristo Cigars. Women were bought in from Tropicana, Montmartre and Sans Souci. Frank was a cover should suspicion be aroused. The get together being described to honour the Italian from New Jersey.

Ciudade de La Habana Cuba Hotel Nacional de Cuba 80 Aniversario 1930-2010

Bob Hope also stayed there here’s a postcard I got when I got home from my godmother.

Palm Springs California Bob Hope’s beautiful Palm Springs California home and swimming pool

I have always wanted to go to Cuba and here are some things I collected whilst I was out there.  Whatever your thoughts on Castro he got rid of the mob, Batista and ultimately the Americans (except their cars!).  On the day we got back Chavez died.  The tie with Venezuela for oil is vital for the Cuban economy.

Page 1 From Album De L Revolucion Cubana 1952 1959 Cosuma Productos Cubanos

From Album De La Revolucion Cubana 1952 1959 Cosuma Productos Cubanos

Another page From Album De L Revolucion Cubana 1952 1959 Cosuma Productos Cubanos

24 Jun 1957 Dia de los Padrinos (written on back)

Toothpaste was very hard to find amongst many things.  Cuba has two currencies one is pesos which is what the government pays its people and CUCs is the other which everyone wants.

Back cover of Album De La Revolucion Cubana 1952 1959 Cosuma Productos Cubanos

If Cuba is home to rum then Barcardi is king of them.  The art deco building called the Barcardi Building in Havana used to have a bar inside but that has now shut.

La Cia Ron Barcadi S.A promotional material for pilgrims to El Santuariro de la Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Patrona del Pueblo de Cuba offering them photographs

No 9 Arbol de la Paz Santiago de Cuba

I managed to catch Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista Social Club) perform which was a big highlight for me and also met Rueben Richards.

Reuben Richards watching Eliades Cuba February 2013

Reuben is a fantastic soul singer from the old school and is performing on Friday 19^th April at the Hippodrome, London click here.  He has asked if I will do a duet with him and I have accepted this wonderful invitation.

Flyer picked up in a restaurant in Havana Feb 2013

I was walking down Portobello Road one Saturday when I got back and found some nice photographs on the stand there under the bridge that I like so much…they are stories without words, songs that have yet to be written…

Naufragos de Ciudad de Asuncion El Mundo 11 July 1983 Fotographia

Puznair St Moritz 10,000 ft 13 September 1960

Unknown photograph

Special Edition Wellville News (odd ephemera made in the USA)

When will those hazy Summer days return….never mind the Spring.  I think we’ve all been feeling under the weather and certainly I have been.  I’ve been working the day job harder too.

Unmarked photograph

Speaking of gigs, the gig in Norwich ‘Latitude Fashion Mash Up’ on the 14^th March was a bit of a let down to put it mildly.  I’ve made it known to Festival Republic and the organisers but I have to let it go.  I think the worst thing probably about it all were flowers sent to me went missing.  I am, therefore, putting all gigs on hold for now.  Louise Dodds who is launching her own album in two weeks I’m sure will be very busy.  We’ve known each other since Glasgow University days.  She’s an exceptional jazz singer but plays bass and sings with me. I had read in Sebald’s wonderful book ‘Rings of Saturn’ how Norwich was the centre of the silk in Victorian times but all I found was very expensive vintage shops selling 1980s bobbly jumpers.

I cheered up this week when I went to another instalment of Plectrum- The Cultural Pick with Guy Sangster Adams.  Richard, who has been in charge of the Betsey Trotwood for six years was there and recognised me from days back.  He very sweetly said I have been one of the standout performers he has had there and would always put on a gig again for me should I come out of retirement.  Max Décharné was DJ for the evening.

Straight From The Fridge, Dad A Dictionary of Hipster Slang by Max Decharne 2009

The event featured some really great writers and songwriter and talented guitarist Tom Nancollas.  My highlight was Travis Elborough who did a slideshow and talk about London Bridge so I bought his book ‘London Bridge in America’.

So I move on to my new song ‘Hold It’ which is now mixed.  I’m very pleased with this track that I wrote with Mark Vernon who’s day job is being a music manager.  The idea of doing a track a month hasn’t quite worked out as it’s now March so maybe it’s a track every quarter.  I hope to do one with Dave Barbarossa next.  I am also writing with Jonny Taylor.  We’ve already written a pretty catchy tune and I have completed two tracks for Universal with Anthony Phillips for their Summer compilation.

Finally I am so happy Peter Murphy who I met with my brilliant writing partner and producer David Baron back in 2009 with Sarah Fimm has been released without bail in the USA and is ready to tour.  Here I am after a few backstage on my last support date with him in Greece in 2009 after a few beers!  I was feeling quite emotional.  I owe Peter a lot for that experience…

Lettie backstage after supporting Peter Murphy in Athens 2009

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Wishing you all a happy peaceful easter love from alicexxx

Easter Postcard addressed to Marjorie Sims never sent

With aunt’s love ad best wishes for a Happy Easter 1911

It’s so great to hear Zac Alford who so kindly played on my album, ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ on David Bowie’s fantastic new album.  Zac is quite possibly one of the best drummers out there right now….

XX

February Fast Forward

Even if my news of music is at times quiet it is with great pleasure for me when someone finds a picture on my blog that means something to them and one such picture, a few months ago may feature somebody’s great aunt and uncle. So it carries on it’s journey this time for Portobello Road to California.

February seeps with sadness; I wish to thank David Baron  once again because without him I wouldn’t be writing this and there would be no music. Without the support of his family too I would be nowhere.  Mark Beech who writes for Bloomberg amongst other publications gave ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ one of his top albums of the year along with Lana Del Rey.  Click here for the article which came out in December 2012.  It really was a highlight of last year to receive such an accolade and be compared to so many established artists especially as I did struggle to get it out there and largely failed!!

I focus on some postcards now; Norway place of my ancestry.

Norway Flydalsjuvet abyss, Geiranger Foto by Normann T-13-1

Elveseter Turisthotell Norge Foto by Arold Lund Oslo

Elveseter Turisthotell Norge postcard

The light is returning.  It is Valentines Day.

I Love But Thee! Printed in Great Britain (unmarked postcard)

I have been away and I’m so lucky.  I have been away a lot.  I have been flying from the attic.

Cancun-Mexico Distribucions Y Souvenirs S A CV Tel 9988921917

I have never had the pleasure of a boyfriend giving me a piggyback.

Unknown Mexican Film Stars bought in Mexico Jan 2013

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in ‘Play It Again, Sam’ (1977) from Screen Lovers by Anne Billson Photographs from the Kobal Collection published 1988 by Conran Octopus Limited

That above is my kind of love!

Put a light in the window…

‘Put A Light In The Window’ – The Four Lads Lyric by Rhoda Roberts Music by Keny Jacobson Dominion Music Co Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd, Denmark St, London copyright 1957 Planetary Music and Dominion Music

‘Come On Over To My Place’ Words and Music by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil Recorded by The Drifters Atlantic Records copyright 1965 Screen Gems Columbia Music Sheet Music

Then come over to my place…

And…

‘The Birds and The Bees’ Words by Mack David Music by Harry Warren Sheet Music published by Maddox Music Company Ltd Copyright Gomaico Music Corporation

Anyway, I then searched through some old singles and found some studs:

‘Just Another Night’ Mick Jagger manufactured by Columbia Records 1985

‘Okay Okay’ by Pino d’angio -una notte da impazzire – 1981 Flarenasch

Antonio EP Columbia Records – Spanish Music Antonio…the combination needs no description. The is complimentary to the other ….virile impetus, the indomitable fierceness …irresistible sorcery, arise

And some recipes for the evening:

‘Grace and Flavour a La Mode’ by Michael Smith Cover photograph by James Mortimer published by British Broadcast Corporation 1980 printed by Belmont Press Northampton

Anyhoo…back to music!  I saw the wonderful Simi Stone playing with Simone Felice and Conor Oberst at the Barbican last Monday.  It was great to hang out with her and the band afterwards. She is recording a solo album with David Baron which I am very excited about:

Simone Felice band Supporting Conor Oberst Barbican 4th February 2013

I missed Viv Albertine by about two hours which was a shame (she was finished by 7.30pm!!) because I particularly like her song ‘Couples Are Creepy’!  Anyway, it was fantastic apparently.

I went to see Rupert Everett in ‘The Judas Kiss’ the play about Oscar Wilde.    It was all about unrequited love.  Such a bummer unrequited love. It was great to see a play as I hadn’t been for so long!

Unknown postcard

Foto Lupex Unknown girl

So I’m playing Norwich Fashion Week: Latitude and Knightshift Dance Company presents in March which I’m very excited about hopefully with Louise Dodds who has just finished her own album which I’m looking forward to hearing.  I have no other performances scheduled at the moment.  The main reason being the struggle I have with transportation and the need to concentrate on the day job.  I wish I could shrink my keyboard and fold my guitar into pieces.  I wish I was light but I am very very heavy man!

I am finishing the track ‘Hold It’ on Friday back in the studio and I’m writing over some tracks with Anthony Phillips and have an idea to record very simply in the next few months.  I’ve found a place that might just be the ticket.  It would be almost like recording at home.  I have no long term plan.  I just want to write more.

I’m looking forward to hearing David Bowie’s new album!   Zac Alford  who played on quite a few of the tracks on my new album kept it very quiet. He really is a phenomenal drummer and long time player with Bowie. I still can’t thank enough all the musicians who helped me with ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’.

David Bowie The Rock & Pop Collection Figurine Panini printed in Italy

Here’s a mysterious postcard from Italy.  It’s so extraordinary the stories that lie behind the pictures.

Constatine’s Trumphal Arch and Coleseum Italy World War II

Self Portrait Mexico January 2013

Happy Valentine

xXx

Happy Christmas!

It feels like a long time since I wrote.  Another Christmas is here, another island has been visited and another Birthday passed.

Picture taken of Lettie on Iphone 5 at Southbank on her Birthday 9th December 2012 by Graham Barrett

My musical journey is twisting on in unchartered waters.  The world didn’t end, the rains came, the snow fell and terrible things continue to happen.

It’s Christmas Eve and I’m very lucky.

Christmas postcard date unknown

Anon old French Christmas Postcard

Leavenworth at Christmas Time

The album ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ which arrived on my doorstep exactly this time last year, which was two years in the making and I continue to be eternally grateful to David Baron and all the great musicians who played on it who are noted on my music page – I made films for nearly every song.  I did a few gigs and the library music I wrote with my friend Anthony Phillips seems to have been picked up somewhere in the world albeit in a quiet way.  Most recently I contributed vocals for an advert for my friend for transmission in South America.

Old Christmas Postcard

My plan for next year is to do a song a month.  I am very pleased about my new track done with my friend called ‘Hold It’.

Alex at Friendly Ghost Studios

It’s timeless and I shall release it with a homemade film at the end of January.  I will then endeavor to do a song a month for the next twelve months so I can carry on my day job and enjoy the side of music I most enjoy, which is ultimately the writing. It has to be said that the promotional side: the gigs, the selling, the marketing and push I find very difficult.

Sold For A Song A Study of an Arabian Mongoose by Clare Kipps Illustrated by L R Brightwell published by Frederick Muller Ltd London 1956

Despite the good press, I have found the years between my albums have made it much more difficult to get it out there with the demise of myspace and the general speed and attitude people have to music which is basically that it is free.  My costs have been spectacularly cheap thanks to this collaboration, which has taken me from London to New York and the Catskill Mountains.

Happy Christmas and here are some photographs of some places I have visited in the last year and best wishes for 2013!

Mexico shrine January 2012

Mexico in January 2012

Atlanta Airport Restaurants (Photograph by Lettie January 2012)

Martello Tower in Suffolk November 2012

Man on beach in Folkestone 2nd December 2012

Flats in Folkestone December 2nd 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

XX

Happy New Year Unmarked

Remember remember

Just to say I am very happy that all my friends across the Atlantic are safe including my writing partner David Baron.  I watched all night as the 800 mile Hurricane Sandy hit the coast of America and my heart goes out to those who have been affected.

Blackpool postcard Aug date unknown ‘I am having a jolly time here but the weather is not very nice’

I am also relieved Obama is back in- another marathon news watching session.  If you ever want to know about the history of the United States, watch Alistair Cooke’s series on it and you will wonder at how any one man could ever be able to preside over a country (if you can call it that) so vast.

My friend noted last night that I had not updated my news for a while and this has been on my mind recently which is why I went to the Ephemera Society’s latest postcard fair to feast my eye upon some new and interesting stuff and I have also been very busy with my day job- this week working 11 hour days.

60s Pop Group unknown

Unknown Boy Band (date unknown)

I am also retiring from gigging for the time being opting to record more.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy playing live but rehearsals, travel (sold my Ford Escort and it didn’t go very far anyway) but I have played London at least four times since May but again it’s not cost effective to do lots.  Sadly, I cancelled a gig in Colchester.  I don’t wish to let anyone down but if I’m not told where to go and at what time and for an event that already had been cancelled once (at quite a lot of rehearsal cost to me) I’d rather be at home painting plates!

Girl Painting a Plate Royal Delft Ware Factory Fa. W. A Reijinders Delft Holland

My head is better when it’s set to either secretary mode or music mode.  When I try and mix them all up in the course of a week it all goes wrong.  The heady days of touring with Peter Murphy in 2009 where I was a month and a half being spoilt on a tour bus seems now a distant memory!

Foto W Masshardt Kino Interlake Tel 1086

Hoverllolyd produced by Barnes Harris Associates London

When I was going to do a date in Europe I had suggested in the days when I was working with Mike we take the Hovercraft not remembering that they had been phased out of existence some time ago.

Inside Hoverllolyd produced by Barnes Harris Associates London

Instead I’ve been enjoying other events such as seeing Das Fluff support David J, the wonderful Ceasarians and meeting Dave Barbarossa (Adam Ant, Bow Wow Wow), basically enjoying other people’s work!  A big thank you to Guy Sangster Adams for running such great evenings now at the top of the Betsey Trotwood two weeks in a row.

Guy Sangster Adams and Dave Barbarossa at Mustered Plectrum Pick Live Edition Betsey Trotwood 25th October 2012

Pamina Caruso Brassey with Bird on her head Halloween 31st October 2012 for Guy Sangster Adams The Cultural Pick Plectrum Presents

The Witches Mill, Castletown, Isle of Man (Copyright John Hinde Studios)

I spent most of my student days writing gallery and gig reviews in between working as a chambermaid for the Malmaison hotel!  Here I am at a five star hotel in Kennybunkport called the White Barn Inn:

Chambermaid at the White Barn Inn, Kennybunkport, Maine (the window was dressed for Halloween)

I’ve been going to a lot of gallery openings for inspiration.  If I had the money I would buy  - maybe one day!  In the meantime, I’m trying to help organise a show for Michael Seymour’s work hopefully in Soho next year.  His photographs of Terence Stamp, Julie Christie and a little known Pauline Boty are wonderful. Here is a photograph I suspect is from behind the scenes of either a film shoot or advert.  Michael was nominated for his work as Art Director on ‘Alien’ (1979) but worked on so many more projects.  It is quite incredible to see his diary from the 80s where he literally is every other day in a foreign country.  I love his behind the scenes photographs when everything was handmade.

‘Eddie Butler and partner’ by Michael Seymour from behind the scenes (copyright of Michael Seymour)

I’m now a member of the Ephemera Society and get a beautiful quarterly magazine on lovely thick matt paper.

The Ephemerist Journal of the Ephemera Society No. 158 Autumn 2012

I browse as an amateur and listen to the chit chat of these very knowledgeable people.  The lady did say that the young aren’t very interested in all these things because of the internet and she said it was refreshing to see someone younger perusing.

Unknown unmarked postcard

I looked up and did note that I was the youngest visitor in the room possibly by a few decades!  So I will be going to the Ephemera Christmas Party as I don’t really work in an office and pretend it’s my office party.  Last year I spent my ‘office party’ having a glass (or two!) of wine with my friend Christopher Battye, a wonderful Soho painter.

Charbleroi le 17 Septembre 1939

This postcard above is just as World War II is breaking out.

This looks like just after World War II.

Unknown postcard

I have just left a job working for a man born in 1920.  There are very few people left who remember World War I.  It’s amazing to think that. The poppy.  Within a few decades there will be nowone who remembers the World War II either.

Other things I have enjoyed since I last wrote was David Byrne and Matthew Herbert talking about music and do we need it anymore – pretty inconclusive but very interesting conversation I thought but few answers for artists trying to break through which really is the holy grail for anyone.  It’s called creating a seminal work of art (in a painter’s life) or in a musical one ‘ a hit’!!  Maybe it requires patience.

Die Patience (La Patience), 1943 by Balthus The Art Institute Chicago Joseph Winterbotham Collection copyright VG Bild-Kundst Bonn, 2007

This is from Atlanta Airport January 2012 on my way back from Mexico.  I had a stop over of a few hours.  It was one of the most amazing airports I have ever had the pleasure of dropping into.

Do Drop Inn by Sheila Turner at Atlanta Airport (photograph of a photograph January 2012)

I very much enjoyed Noble and Webster at the Mott Collection, Walton Street, shouting ‘optimist, nihilist’ for about a minute against a backdrop of some portraits of them.  She said it was a bit like having an argument with two words.  I really like their work.  They create shadows from sculptures.

Another shadow work copyright of the artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster from Creative Review Blog 200

So I’m finishing off my new song next week called ‘Hold It’. Here is the studio.

David of the Friendly Ghost Recording Studio, near Brick Lane Oct 2012

It’s called ‘Friendly Ghost Recording Studio’ and we did wonder when we were there, whether or not there was a ghost in the room.  The lava lamp behaved very strangely creating strange amoeba like patterns and none of the instruments worked.  Anyway, the track is sounding very good.

I really enjoyed the showing of a film by Ed Edwards and produced by Sam Edwards ‘The Promoter’ about Robert Pereno.  We had a great talk and show of the film at the Sanctum Hotel in Soho.

Another final highlight was seeing Hugh Cornwell perform not only his new album ‘Totem Taboo’ but also ‘No More Heroes’.  Just incredible!

It was very hard to sell my boss’s teddy bear on ebay as there was something really special about him but he had to go….!  He went to Durham!

Steiff Teddy Bear Sold on Ebay September 2012

From New Larousse Gastronomique The World’s Greatest Cookery Reference Book published by The Hamilyn Group 1978

When did food become so sexy? I was looking at this old cookbook and really the pictures are anything but.  In fact they’re really surreal!  I think i might have a Christmas party and try these out. I had to redeliver a parcel for a N Lawson last week.  After a bit of googling I knew exactly who it was intended for!

I’m going away soon to an island! From one island to another…X

Lettie with her bedside light globe

September Swimming

A lovely lady who has known me since I was about six and was intrinsic to my musical journey, sent me this review from the Grapevine and I think it was the most touching one I have read.  Thank you to Graeme Mac and Richard Haugh at Radio BBC  Suffolk  who continue to support me so much.  I have to keep thanking David Baron because without him no recorded music would exist.  So again I must credit my writing partner on my whole ‘career’ which I know is a slight one but still…He’s just returned from the Bahamas playing on Lenny Kravitz’s new recordings.  I have had some great press including MSN, Bloomberg, Edinburgh Evening News, Irish Times which has all been very encouraging as well as lots of blogs- many are on my homepage.

Review from Grapevine Magazine July 2012

I returned last weekend to Suffolk to swim in the sea.

Wosley’s Gate Orford Castle Framlingham Castle published by F W Pawsey & Sons Ipswich

As I drift on my back under the still September sky the noise of unearthly sounds filter through my ears and I am somewhere close to heaven.  In the evening I had the great pleasure to watch Thomas Dolby, Murray Lachlan Young, Bess & Georgiana Cavendish and Frances Shelley amongst others perform in Butley Priory a beautiful building dating from the 14^th Century.

Thomas Dolby’s ‘Windpower’ Venice in Peril Records 1982

I have been listening non-stop to Bob Dylan’s new album ‘Tempest’ and Hugh Cornwell’s ‘Totem and Taboo’.  There is a rawness to both these records that just can’t be beaten as well as songs to cry for.

Sonata 1, 2009 Collage by John Stezaker Collection Stephen Bennett Germany copyright The Artist

The Half Moon gig went well thank you so much to everyone who came it really was appreciated! I had spent five days in a rehearsal room next to the Vaccines and I’m trying to get better each time and make it a great night.  I’m still a bit tied up with my complicated routine but at the moment I can’t work out whether I should simplify it or not. People do seem to enjoy it and it’s certainly not boring.  I have at last found my perfect rehearsal room and felt relaxed over the Bank Holiday to spend most days in there on my own.  Louise Dodds came down and was fantastic on bass and backing vocals as usual. In regards to other dates I believe I am performing at Oxjam Clapham which is being held over a day on Saturday 13^th October and at the Twist in Colchester on the 18^th October for the The Leftfield Retro Music Awards where I am presenting an award.

Miss Simeta Marsden Celebrities of the stage Raphael Tuck & Sons Glosso Postcard Series 5765 June 29 1908

I am looking forward to performing at the Elgin, Ladbroke Grove, with Anthony Reynolds on Thursday 29^th November who is coming up from Wales.   This is going to be a very special night.

Tiroler Gruppe Hotel Maria-Theresia J Schlegel Innsbruck Hormayrstr 9 Tel 285032

As a fan of Anthony since his Jacques days it’s going to be a sort of Birthday and Christmas party celebration and its free again.  In the meantime I have been quietly working on new tracks – nothing that I can quite concentrate properly on yet because I’m so busy working my day job again but I’m enjoying the process.  I’ve been writing more over break beat tracks with someone I have not even met but I hope to do some raw material very soon.  He’s done a great remix of a song called ‘Mission’ I did on ‘Age of Solo’ which I hope to do something about!  I have to prioritise my work over any music. I’m just about managing to balance it although I’m slack at responding to emails and things.

Anthony Reynolds Life’s Too Long 1995-2011 Album Cover Chaffinch Records

I have been to so many exhibitions lately– I went to Toby Mott’s  Mott Collection and Vinyl Factory presenting a new book of the album artwork of Kraftwork where I saw a member of the band Visage and a lot of other people I don’t know!

From New Sounds New Styles Magazine September 1981

I do love September.  I drank cider with a friend and contemplated that detectable change in the air before entering Tate Modern for a late night viewing of Munch which we only got half through before being chucked out.  It was wonderful.  We even found a minute rave on the beach down by the Thames.  There must have been about fifty people!

Cover image ‘The Girls on the Bridge’ 1927 Much -museet Oslo copyright The Munch Museum The Munch Ellingsen Group BOO Solo DACs London 2012

I bought a book on dolls and found them very creepy.

German doll Wonderland Brighton dated 1903 in Doll in with googlie eyes from ‘Dolls and Dolls’ Houses’ published by Hamlyn Publishing Group 1989

But I did find this rather inspirational – a barely known artist Enrico Baj but I love his paintings- they make me think of  ’Aluminium Man’.

Enrico Baj’s ‘Tu quoque Brute, Filii mi !’ 1964 from Studio International Magazine June 1964 published by The National Magazine Company Limited

Enrico Baj Nuclear Satire In Collage by Gillo Dorfles Photo by Adelmann from Studio International Magazine June 1964 published by The National Magazine Company Limited

I haven’t been away since a mini-break in Prague and Mexico at the beginning of the year.

La Plaza de la Luna y la Calzada de los Muertos San Juan Teotihuacan Mexico published by Ammex Asociados

Feels like a time ago.

Cooks World Travel Services -holiday tickets

I got to sell my car first…

From Anon Photograph Album 1963 Wadsley Common Sheffield

I wouldn’t say no to a mini break in Canterbury even. I love hotels…

Slatters Hotel Canterbury J Arthur Dixon A Dickinson Robinson Group Product

Back of Slatters Hotel Canterbury J Arthur Dixon A Dickinson Robinson Group Product

But I do love to swim so ….

Hotel Las Salinas Lanzarote copyright Edition Reiner Loose Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote tel 82 57 62 Foto Reiner Loos

Venosta Lago di Resia Campanile di Curon Foto Franzl Bozen Nachdruck verbofen

Oh who knows…got to sell quite a few more CDs first.  Need a hit!

quick hit from super smoothies 50 drinks for health & vitality

Back of ‘quick hit’ from super smoothies 50 drinks for health & vitality

Until October… xx

Where am I?

In the Village.

What do you want?

We want information.

 Whose side are you on?

That would be telling. We want information… information… information.

You won’t get it.

By hook or by crook, we will.

Who are you?

The new Number 2.

Who is Number 1?

You are Number 6.

I am not a number, I am a free man.

(The Prisoner 1967)

Auger well for August and beware of hubris

So many things have happened since the last gig I have had trouble picking myself up.

Back of Paris postcard 1982

In my crisis I headed down to get my cards read a tarot card reader I found on the internet and it turned out to be someone who had come to my gig!  She read my cards & I signed her CD! How bizarre!

Miniature Tarot Pack

I very rarely get my cards done but when I have a question they have always given me an answer.  If you don’t believe there is anything out there such as those meetings where you met a particular person, the telephone call when you were just thinking about them, the night that you met the one, then sad for you.  I do believe there is something more than what we see. I dipped into the Bible recently after reading an interesting article about Michelangelo; there is something in it whatever it is, stories, parables, avatars (I once took Darshan from Mother Meera) there are people who are some kind of vessel.

Untitled From What We Bought The New World Scenes from the Denver Metropolitan Area 1970 -1974 by Robert Adams

The hangover lasted a week and wasn’t helped when I turned up to Plectrum with only half my things and I wasn’t even doing a full set. A man who said he suffered from biopolar said I really touched him and that I was a female Lou Reed which is one of the biggest compliments I have ever had coming from a stranger.  It was another great evening ran by Guy Sangster Adams who does a brilliant job and met Jerome Alexandre (The Scuzzies) who is doing a new album.

So I’m releasing a single in August called ‘Mister Lighter’.

What the hell does that mean; not much these days.  Here are some singles from Fara my local charity shop- somebody who had a big 80s collection has obviously gone digital and left them so I bought about twenty of them;

‘Land of Make Believe’ single by Bucks Fizz 1981 RCA

Sometimes I wish I felt more:

‘Hyper-active!’ single by Thomas Dolby Single 1983 Original Sound Recording EMI

‘Twistin’ The Night Away’ single by Divine 1985 In Tune Music Ltd and Photo Records Ltd

‘Twistin’ The Night Away’ back of single by Divine 1985 In Tune Music Ltd and Photo Records Ltd

‘Bette Davis Eyes’ by Kim Carnes EMI America 1981

‘Fin De Semana Me Conformare’ single by Los Diablos 1971 EMI

‘Friend or Foe’ single by Adam Ant EMI Music Publishing 1982

The other thing I am doing is merging my Facebook accounts.  Never very good at it at the best of times, I’m going to at least try.

I saw a wonderful film called ‘Searching for Sugarman’.  I saw Rodriguez almost as a holy man, living to a kind of ‘chop wood, carry water’ philosophy.  I suddenly thought maybe you just have to have music running parallel to your day to day existence and embrace the moments.   I then dipped into ‘Status Anxiety’ by Alain de Botton who I adore.  Everyone feels anxious about their status and the fact I live in one room (which I now pretend is a hotel room) should make no difference because half the time the people living in very large houses are living in one room. If you feel a bit low about your status grab a National Enquirer. Nobody’s life is perfect.

From the National Enquirer May 7 2012

I have been very lucky to be cheered up by Eddie Izzard, Sean Hughes and my cousin, Alan Cox, in School of Night at the Soho theatre last week at the Soho theatre before they all head to Edinburgh.  All of them were excellent.

Printed & Published by ETW Dennis & Sons Ltd Scarborough & London (no date)

I also saw Louise Dodds, who is playing bass with me, upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s – she is an amazing Jazz singer with a natural innate musicality. Also there was Andrea Marongiu on drums and Ant Law playing guitar and later that week Louise’s group the Bellinis were performing at Floradita in Soho.  In fact I’ve been spending a lot of time in Soho lately. stopping by the French, glimpsing Phil Dirtbox walking down Dean street in a seriously wicked jacket.  Parts of Soho are dying but there’s still a pulse.

Mr and Mrs Santinelli, residents in Soho since 1923 from ‘Soho Now’ by Stephen Gill in Granta 65 Magazine Spring 1999

Wow London is quiet though.  All the shops are empty:

Design of a Modern Shop Simpson’s New Men’s Shop Picadilly from Industrial Arts Magazine Summer 1936

All the restaurants are empty:

Hotel Oriente Costiera Sorrentina 80069 Vico Equense Tel (081) 8798143- 8790077

I very much enjoyed the opening of the Olympics and Brian Kavanagh who took my photographs and  did my website was one of the many drummers drumming at it.  I did try to spot him on my tiny TV and he did point out there were quite a lot of drummers and implied it was a rather stupid thing to do.  David Baron, my writing partner was deeply disturbed that none of the musicians were paid but we are on a tight budget here in the UK!  I used to work part time for Special Olympics which is a wonderful organisation and all the people involved truly remarkable. I am enjoying watching all these fantastic and at times strange sports such as synchronized diving (Chinese impeccable as usual) and wonder why miniature golf isn’t considered worthy.  I know Ace Man Tim Davies has been trying to get the committee to take this sport seriously to no avail.

Miniature Golf Course Cannes France

My next gig is at the Half Moon in Putney on Wednesday 29^th August at 8.30pm you can buy tickets here as this is my last gig in London for a while before the Elgin with Anthony Reynolds on 29^th November 2012 for a pre Christmas celebration.  In the meantime I search for my elusive hit and look forward to Laurie Anderson on Friday.

Here are some pictures from a rainy day at Blenheim Palace for Coys car auction in Oxford.  This is dedicated to my godfather Robert Peel who has helped me so much.

Photograph of Lettie in a Peel at Coys Vintage car auction at Blenheim Palace by David Bagg

Coys Vintage car auction Blenheim Palace, Photograph by Dave Bagg

Lettie by James Ussher

You can still buy my album from me on my website including specially chosen ephemera all unique and chosen by me.

I saw this on a tree.

Missing Dog Frank

Click on any of the images to make bigger

Over and X

July Live

Thank you to everyone who came to support the album launch of ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ at the Elgin.  I was very overwhelmed and some had travelled some distance to make it. The only person missing that night was David Baron, my writing partner, who is based near Woodstock, USA and busy producing Simone Felice and the wonderful Simi Stone amongst many other things.

Moby Dick English Pub Steak House Disc O Tec Lloret De Mar

I am updating my news to mention my next gig, this Friday 6^thJuly 2012 at The Cultural Pick -Plectrum- The Live Edition at a wonderful venue called the Horse Hospital organised by Guy Sangster Adams.  It was a bit difficult to promote this second night being so close to the launch but it seems a few of those who couldn’t make it are coming on Friday and it is a mixed evening of film, poetry and readings.  I will be performing tracks on guitar and slightly different ones from the launch.

Plectrum-The Cultural Pick Live Edition flyer 6 July 2012

All is going well in regards to the album.  It has now got distribution and whilst I will continue to do gigs and promote it the best I can I am also going to be doing some new tracks this Summer when I get a bit more time due to some of my employers going away some with Anthony Phillips. The response to the gig on Wednesday was amazing.  Louise Dodds was fantastic on bass and a few people from my time supporting Peter Murphy as well as those who had heard me on Radio 6 had come along who I had not met before.   I sold out of CDs.  Here are some photographs taken by the very talented James Ussher.

Lettie at the Elgin, London 27th June 2012 w/ Louise Dodds on bass launching album photograph by James Ussher

Louise Dodds at the Elgin, London 27th June 2012 launching album photograph by James Ussher

Lettie at the Elgin, London 27th June 2012 w/ Louise Dodds on bass launching album photograph by James Ussher

Lettie at the Elgin, London 27th June 2012 w/ Louise Dodds on bass launching album photograph by James Ussher

At this time the only other gig I have organised is a support slot on Wednesday 29^th August 2012 at the Half Moon Putney supporting an Australian band ‘The Wishing Well’.  Information can be found here.   I also hope to to do a gig with Anthony Reynolds in October or November.  I have been a fan of his work for years now and did a duet with him in Spain which I have never heard.  It will be good to do something with someone I am such a fan of!  He introduced me to this wonderful film:

From French Cinema since 1940 Volume One by Roy Armes from The International Film Guide Series published by A Zwemmer Limited London A S Barnes & Co New Jersey

In the meantime I am creating a film for ‘Mister Lighter’, which should be finished in the next few days.  Thank you once again to everyone who came down it meant such a lot to me and particularly to Louise Dodds, my old flatmate from Glasgow, who is such a talented Jazz singer and artist in her own right, who after only two rehearsals effortlessly played! Apart from Oskar Silen who used play bass with me but now lives in Finland and with whom I caught up with on the eve of my gig I have to say this is the best stage partner I have ever had X

Yolana From ‘The Directory of Psychics How to Find, Evaluate, and Communicate with Professional Psychics and Mediums’ by Hans Holzer copyright 1995 by Aspera and Astra Inc