Cover of Blighty January 9th 1954

I received a thousand copies of the album finally ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’  produced and written with David Baron on 23^rd December and there is a slight blip with it which most people might not notice. It was the last straw!

1903 Carte Postale

I spent New Years alone which is the first time ever and flew to Mexico having been invited.  A complete last minute surprise and treat and one I will never forget it and the company could not have been better!

Self Portrait taken in Mexico January 2012

I had a wonderful time as I never go away unless I am working.   Music is usually my holiday which is great too but this was different.  I love swimming, walking, taking photographs, eating, speaking Spanish, so I let it all go which is what I had wanted to do for so long. So I sat on the beach and spent my time:

'Manwatching' A Field Guide to Human Behaviour by Desmond Morris published by Triad Granada in 1977

Here are some images and postcards I found but it was hard to find old images.

Caribbean & Pacific Angelfish - An underwater look at some of the different types of Angelfish Photo by Luis Gomes C

Cozumel Mexico Distribuciones y souvenirs S A De C V Tel 99 88 92 19 17

Mexican cards for unknown game

Palacio de Bellas Artes 1950

Famous Mexican Artists 1944 (but I couldn't remember their names)

I still have not submitted my tax return but I am so nearly there.  I have walked through the year before last as though a ghost.  I can see exactly where I was and what I was doing, and the truth is I was busier that year, earned less than I have done this year, and spent every penny I had just to keep my music going.  This year just passed will illustrate to me how little music I have done and how much more I have worked.  The balance definitely shifted because I got myself in such financial straits that at the end of the day I couldn’t carry on.  Working in Oxford with Mike was hugely costly.   So I didn’t perform last year except a gig in March 2011 with Roger O’Donnell which I got a great review for.

Income Tax Year Form from article in Industrial Arts Bernard Jones Publications Spring 1936

So this coming year, I hope to change the balance a bit more towards music.  I’m working on my fourth video (filmed on the last day of Streatham Ice Rink).  The truth is if nowone buys music,  no musician can afford to get out there  and they are sad?!

Lettie as a bridesmaid the only time she was ever asked

I met a tarot reader Betty Palko who said to me many years ago that it would all be alright but there was a price to pay.  She was a clairvoyant tarot card reader at the ‘Mind, Body, Spirit Festival’ in Victoria, and I never forgot it.

Cover of 'Prediction' price 8d Published on November 10 1942

Page 2 of Prediction, December 1942

I watched a great Arena documentary on the ‘Chelsea Hotel‘ and it made me think how lucky I am to have this room that I live in and really does one need much space?  One of the composers of ‘Tubby the Tuba’ George Kleinsinger lived in a hotel room there which was a menagerie that included turtles!

Here’s an idea for breakfast in the Winter from my Good Housekeeping book 1954:

Winter Recipe in Good Housekeeping's Menus 1954 Copyright by The National Magazine Co Ltd

I was reading in Vanity Fair that we are culturally and visually stale which is why we look back the whole time.  They had a good point.  It would be hard to tell much difference between a photograph now and one twenty years ago yet you could tell a lot of difference between one in 1950 and one in 1970.  So I think maybe we should look at style such as below and try and think of some new kind of fashion craze.  We haven’t had one in ages and I’m willing to do what it takes to get involved in one but it has to be NEW.

Streetlook from New Sounds New Styles Magazine September 1981

I’m off to Prague for a week end, a place I have never been, and a place I am very much looking forward to seeing.  When I return I will be updating my website with the wonderful Brian Kavanagh, finishing off the videos and try to start playing my dusty old instruments again.

Anonymous Photograph

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Here’s a track someone posted a song I wrote with Anthony Phillips last year.

]]> http://lettiemusic.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/januarys-journey/feed/ 0 lettiemusic Cover of Blighty January 9th 1954 1903 Carte Postale Self Portrait taken in Mexico January 2012 'Manwatching' A Field Guide to Human Behaviour by Desmond Morris published by Triad Granada in 1977 Caribbean & Pacific Angelfish - An underwater look at some of the different types of Angelfish Photo by Luis Gomes C Cozumel Mexico Distribuciones y souvenirs S A De C V Tel 99 88 92 19 17 Mexican cards for unknown game Palacio de Bellas Artes 1950 Famous Mexican Artists 1944 Income Tax Year Form from article in Industrial Arts Bernard Jones Publications Spring 1936 Lettie as a bridesmaid the only time she was ever asked Cover of 'Prediction' price 8d Published on November 10 1942 Page 2 of Prediction, December 1942 Winter Recipe in Good Housekeeping's Menus 1954 Copyright by The National Magazine Co Ltd Streetlook from New Sounds New Styles Magazine September 1981 Anonymous Photograph http://lettiemusic.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/blighty-xmas-extra/ http://lettiemusic.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/blighty-xmas-extra/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:13:29 +0000 lettiemusic http://lettiemusic.wordpress.com/?p=399 Continue reading →]]> The CD of the album ‘Good Fortune, Good Weather’ has finally arrived.  I am now surrounded by boxes.  The timing could have been better but there’s nothing I could do about that. I was stupid and pretty much everything that could go wrong did, but out of the criminal incident came Michael Seymour, and out of the printing nightmare came knowledge.  I just wish someone had told me sooner that the art work was in the wrong format.    David Baron has worked tirelessly to finish this album of mine so next year it’s going to be very much my turn!

Blighty Xmas Extra Jane Powell 1954

I have, in the meantime,  turned my attention to videos again.  The first film for a song called ‘Sanctuary’ off the new album, was directed by a very talented film director called Andrew Marshall in Brighton. I found him quite by luck on the Gumtree.  I was looking for a video and he was offering.  Here’s a clip of the car which is a Pontiac Firebird and there aren’t that many of them in this country! Check out the lights:

The second is one I have made for a song called ‘Swirl’. I have just done it at home but I like the look of it very much. The third I’m working on this week so I will complete videos for every song on this album.

I have finally chosen a release date – April 4 2012 as this is the day London goes ‘digital’. This is the day where four million people switch on BBC2 to find that the channel has gone followed by three others on the 18th.  We will either be able to re-tune our TVs  or we will have to chuck them out.  The analogue antenna at Crystal Palace built in 1957 will be switched off and the streets will be paved with sad, unwanted TVs (remember the story of the Little Fir Tree).  It marks the end of an era and gives me over six months till the end of the world on December 21 2012 (end of the Mayan calendar).

You Auto Be Here

I have an idea to go down to Streatham Ice Rink tomorrow to say goodbye. I used to work in Streatham and I am sad to see it go. It’s been there for 75 years. I worked for MCPS back in the day next door but I never went ice skating but I find it incredulous and depressing that it should be knocked down to make way for another bloody Tesco. Here are some images from Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley:

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Cover Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Inside Cover Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 3 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 4 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 5 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 10 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

I am also going to join the Ephemera Society. More and more I am becoming interested in this field of social history and the people that are involved. Many individuals I meet at these fairs are experts and are often called up to consult for films and provide programs and set accessories to fit into the times. It continues to fascinate me in this digital age. One day these photographs, postcards bits of paper will no longer exist.

White Christmas from 'Holiday Inn' Sheet Music Words and Music by Irving Berlin

I met up with Brian Kavanagh and he is going to do a little work on my website. I am going to try and do a mailing list widget as I do not have one and I think it is important! In regards to the live shows, I would like to do some but only if there is an audience to do some to!! I do think the album will do well – it doesn’t sound like anything else and I really hope people buy it.  My brother and my godfather (who will feature in the new Mini Cooper advert as a character called Reggie in gold leggings) are my patrons and have helped me so much as well as David Baron recording and producing it for nothing.  David and I were lamenting the demise of myspace which is all but a graveyard now because if it hadn’t been for myspace I would never in a million years have met David nor had the opportunity that was given to me.

Anonymous photograph from Hamburg

In with each hard copy of the album I sell I shall be putting in several postcards from my collection some of which are quite valuable.

Anonymous Photograph of boy playing guitar at Christmas

I often think about the person’s name and address  and include a postcard related to that or just whatever I can think of. In the end I will charge probably about £6.50 (to include postage) and it will be worth it because the music quality on a CD is far superior than that of digital MP3s online although that will be available too.  Here are some British postcards that all seem to be to a ‘Miss A Dickenson’ most of which date before the First World War which is when postcards were at their most popular- later in the postcards she seems poorly and I hope she didn’t get the Spanish Influenza that was so deadly after the War:

Dear Annie just a line to wish you a Happy Xmas and many more of them from your sincerest friend Emily

To Annie With Love & Best for a Happy Christmas from Lizzie

The Wishes We Send 24 December 1917 'Dear A, just to let you know that I have not forgotten you with love and best wishes from Lily'

Here’s one from Russia:

Unknown Russian Christmas Postcard

I’ve been to several interesting talks lately one of which was Hugh Cornwell.  He was reading from his book ‘Window On The World’ (which I read in two sittings its that good) at the Worlds End Book shop and secondly last night a talk by Will Dobson who freelances for the Redstone Press who have a pop up shop at 102 Portobello Road.  Every year they create these great diaries with a theme which are beautifully designed.

Redstone Press Dairy of the Senses 2012 edited by Julian Rothenstein and Adam Lowe

I urge you to go and visit it as they have the most wonderful things to buy for Christmas.  My friend felt this could ultimately save marriages!

The Household Box New Ways To Enjoy Your Home Relationships Family and Life by Will Hobson published by Redstone Press

The Household Box New Ways To Enjoy Your Home Relationships Family and Life (back) by Will Hobson published by Redstone Press

And now for some lovely recipes- doesn’t this turkey look appetising?

Good Housekeeping Menus 1954 Copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd Christmas Dinner 1

Good Housekeeping Menus 1954 Copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd Christmas Dinner 1 Recipes

I went to see Stewart Lee at the fantastic Leicester Square Theatre which is just the best place ever.  He was dry as a bone, brilliant. A very cerebral comedian and one of the best around.

I also saw my friend Jude play at the 12 Bar with his band Subterraneans which I enjoyed very much!  He helped me record parts of this new album on his 8 or 12 track recorder (I forget which) in London.  It was great to record that way on a few of the tracks.

Here are some Christmas videos I have found in the depths of my computer.  They are rather old but somehow I can’t resist putting them up – getting into the festival spirit.  I am much better on the loop pedal now!

And my little Christmas candle an early demo of ‘Turnaround’ on my casio:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!

(click on images to make larger)

X

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

Anon Photograph of Man in village from Portobello Market October 2011

There are fourteen tracks a mix between the more produced analogue upbeat tracks with the more raw simple songs of ‘Everyman’.  I am also thrilled that Casio have given me their new keyboard the Casio Privia PX-3 to test out and play.  It is wonderful to get their support finally after all this time.  I truly believe once I have actually started playing it, I will have a new friend.  It’s been a while since I played and I am worried I’m out of practice and getting rusty.  I have been doing vocals but just not my whole set up.  One of the reasons for this is that my room is quite small and it’s quite a feat when everything is out to actually move around and I have so many wires it’s like Medussa’s hair.

Sensation packed American detective novels, also known as nicken and dime publications, made compelling reading. Book cover late 1940s www.robertopiecollection.com (I have recently spotted these on a new red wine that's just come out)

Out of the recent performers I have seen it was wonderful to see Gail Ann Dorsey and Craig Ross playing with Lenny Kravitz.  Gail is probably the best bass player I have EVER seen.  She has played with everyone from David Bowie to Bryan Ferry to Ani DiFranco.  It is so innate her playing and so much to do with the feel, it goes beyond technical ability which of course she has.  It was so locked in the bass, the drums, the brass, I mean it was seeing a superstar.  He did an amazing show and his musicians were astounding. Craig co-wrote a couple songs on ‘Everyman’ with us.

PJ Harvey was also phenomenal in a completely different way and Thomas Dolby was intriguing.  I was right at the front and here is my favourite track of his.  I wanted to be at the front so I could get some technical tips and I certainly want to try and get my hands on a Kaoss pad which Mike used to play.

I also saw a band called Deaf School down at the club I go to from Liverpool and spoke to one of the band who wrote ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ by Stealers Wheels that featured in Tarentino’s Pulp Fiction.  They had some fantastic songs.

Amongst the other strange and wonderful things I have been doing is I went to a huge show with watches worth thousands and thousands of pounds full of euro bling and Russians.  We sipped champagne and marveled at the workmanship in these incredible things, counting the minutes and watching literally time tick tock tick tock tick. Expensive looking women wore diamond serpents round their wrists and huge watches with 27 time zones reflected on the face.  So complicated I couldn’t tell the time.

he Silent Touch of Time Radio Times advert from Studio International Magazine June 1964

I also went to see a boxing match ‘The Real Fight Club’ at Kensington Town Hall which was inspired really by Stanley Kubrick’s first film ‘The Killing’ which Michael Seymour had lent me.  All these guys with quite straight office jobs compete in amateur boxing matches that last about ten minutes each. It’s pretty exciting and not violent like I thought.  It was more like dancing.  I didn’t see any blood.

Anon photograph of group dancing found at Portobello Market October 2011

I also went to Cecil Court to deliver a postcard I had in my possession dated in the 60s.  I finally found the said premises was open, an antiquarian map dealer,  Tim Bryars who was thrilled with my find and is in fact, in charge of the Cecil Court website and history preservation stuff.  He told me some history, that this was where you could buy films later.  Anything to do with film was to be found in Cecil Court.  What a genius Mozart was who lived above 9 Cecil Court, to have written his first symphony at 8 years old!! And poor Mozart lived in over thirty seven places in his small but brilliant life. All useful facts I have learned from the TV!

Milano Teatre to the Scala Interior Bromofoto Milano from Miniature set of postcards of Milan date unknown

I’ve been collecting more useless ephemera and I have to stop because too much stuff around me is distressing especially when I can’t find anything or when they collapse on me like the other day. However nothing compares to Tomoko Takahashi‘s art which is literally made out of rubbish.  I went to this phenomenal exhibition and got my hands on a snakes and ladders board.  Very useful.  She gave everything away.

Tomoko Takashi at Serpentine Gallery 22 February to 19 April 2005

It is hard enough working for four different people, keeping track of things that I end up with at home.  Here are some more images from my junk.  I rather like these cards that should be stuck into a sticker book.  I carefully put them in some kind of order but they are, in fact cards.

The Rock and Pop Collection of various male artists with biogs on the back

I loved it when pop was all a bit more colourful and punky.  Now nowone can afford to go to art school cause its so expensive.  It’s criminal what’s happening.

The Rock & Pop Collection of various female artists with their biographies on the back

I’m reading again, listening to story tapes trying to educate myself in my hazy lazy kind of way, keeping the wind out of my hair and trying to get it to stick over my eyes like it was straight and cool cause I like to hide, and looking forward to doing a video this Sunday with a fantastic film maker which I shall report on very soon.

The Rock & Pop Collection of various bands with biogs on the back

I am wondering whether Lou Reed at 70 maybe going deaf which is why he wants to play REALLY LOUD with Metallica.  It’s not a criticism I kind of like it.  It’s called Lulu. I guess I’m glad he hasn’t been tamed by old age.  I have to say David Lynch’s new song ‘Crazy Clown Time’ I heard is far out!  His voice is odd. Strangely hypnotic! Maybe it’s the dawn of a new age.

And what about Europe what’s going to happen who know.  I keep watching Hard Talk late at night on BBC News channel 80 trying to make sense of it all.  It’s quite something to go to sleep to.  All I know is that I cannot use my telephone to make any calls to big companies because it is not TOUCH TONE.

Lettie's Telephone retrieved from her boss's bin

Lettie's telephone where she can't get messages because it is not touch tone

My dream launderette machines I saw at table top sale in Leiston The Long Shop Museum, Suffolk….

Old launderette machines at Long Shop Museum, Steam Machine Museum in Leiston,Suffolk

And some inspiring dishes for Autumn..

Good Housekeeping's Menus copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd 1954 Autumn Menu pg 80

Good Housekeeping's Menus copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd 1954 Autumn Menu pg 81

And I love this!

Motives For Marrying from The Secret of a Happy Married Life by Mrs Julia A Shelhamer from God's Bible School and Revivalist Cincinnati, Ohio Eight Edition 50,000 (date unknown)

Click on any images to make larger!

Right signing off for now!  More news soon.  I don’t blog that often because it takes hours scanning stuff in.  It is all hand done and a bit obscure.  It’s now 3.30am in the morning …

Unknown Photograph from old book of photography found at M Masons House- Be careful who you trust

Despite my numerous reports to the police about the matter it wasn’t until my fifth or so phone call that I even had a reference.

Cards image from unkown source

All the money I make from my jobs goes into music.  I am not complaining but when someone takes money off you and you count those hours, it is very depressing. My brother and I went to confront him at his address around the corner but he had already run.  To be honest we had no idea what to do if he was in.  Anyway, I hope he rots in the Slough of Despond!

One good thing has come out of it through kind friends, I have managed to get my cover shot done by Michael Seymour who in his brilliant career, not only won an Oscar for Art Direction for Alien, but is also a fantastic photographer, the pictures of Julie Christie, Terence Stamp and Michael Caine in the 60s you may have seen.  I am so honoured that he would do this for me, for nothing, I have let it go.  A thank you to Alexis at London Taxidermy for loaning two beautiful starlings.  If you ever need a stuffed animal he has the most beautiful collection I have seen.

David Baron is mastering the album on Monday and we wrote the 14^th track two weeks ago. I was worried at just thirty seven minutes it was a bit short and as I am very superstitious so we passed ‘13’ which is great. Also the track means the whole thing has a feeling of being done all last week which of course, has been a process that began in November 2010.  I am really pleased with the song and it has a lot of energy.

The thank yous are endless and I will go into it more next time but above all David Baron‘s faith in me has been the most important thing that has ever happened to me and without that, I would not be here.  I also want to thank Brian Kavanagh who created my website and all my photographs so far and I know he could have done more photographs but we will do more eventually.  He is an academic, musician, photographer, website creator, advisor and a brilliant person all round.  Unusual in this day and age.

I am very proud of the album and I am going to be printing a run and selling them like I did last time myself with a collection of my postcards enclosed.  Some of my postcards are worth quite a lot so perhaps they will be of interest if the value of music is so cheap.  I do have a bit more of a plan this time too, in trying to get it out there more.

I am now working nearly full time.  I won’t let go of the music but as you can imagine, it has become increasingly more difficult to perform however, I really hope to next year. Here is a trailer I made during the heatwave at Easter.  I was looking out at the sea and just had to run in.  It was so still and beautiful and not a sole in sight.

As it’s been a while since I posted I just remembered about my eating trip with my friend Petra who runs something called Eat.St.  At the Thames Festival this year we literally ate our way along the Thames as those involved with Eat.St were there and kindly kept giving us free food. It was such a great day and she is doing amazing things with street food.

'We Wanted To Be The Sky' at Thames Festival 10/11 September 2011

Woman with her babies in the fountain at the Thames Festival Sept 10/11 2011

Old London Pub on Southbank Thames Festival 10/11 September 2011

Tango on the Thames - Thames Festival September 10/11 2011

Dining Table across the bridge at Thames Festival September 10/11 2011

Me at Royal Festival Hall at Thames Festival 10/11 September 2011

Royal Festival Hall at Thames Festival 10/11 September 2011

Posh Restaurant at Royal Festival Hall September 10/11 2011

Royal Festival Hall Birds Eye View Thames Festival September 10/11 2011

I have seen some great music lately including my friend Erin Lang at the Slaughtered Lamb performing some fantastic new material.

Erin Lang and the Foundlings 14 September 2011

I can’t wait to see her again next year.  I also saw Crystal Fighters at the Shepherds Bush Empire, with Louise Dodds and, despite selling out, still have to pack away their own gear and still do not have a roadie! So off Andrea went to put his drums in the car for the next part of their hectic touring schedule.

Louise and Andre from Crystal Fighters outside Shepherd's Bush Empire before he had to and pack away his drums

I am looking forward to seeing Peter Murphy, PJ Harvey and Lenny Kravitz in the next few weeks.

Anon photograph from junk shop in Hamburg

My timing is completely out of whack and sadly I’ve had real problems trying to go forward with anything.  I did some photographs with a photographer originally Weston-Super-Mare, the results of which I haven’t seen yet but I have never been to this place but its on my miniature golf map of places to go.

Winter Gardens and Knightstone, Weston-Super-Mare

Anyway, this Summer I very much enjoyed Latitude Festival – here’s a little film.  I was so glad Ford Escort that I was given made it through the mud cause lots of cars didn’t.

The reason I don’t add audio is cause frankly it sounds crap so I made a celtic drone in the hope that Latitude organisers might ask me one day to play as it is my home county…!!

Many thanks to Andrea Marongiu drummer in Crystal Fighters for getting me a guest pass.  I didn’t get there till Saturday so sadly missed Adam Ant and The Duke & The King.  I am so over the moon that Simi Stone sings on one of my songs.  One of my other favourite acts was OMD who completely surprised me and totally blew me away with their songs- all of which I knew.  The lead singer was a hit; great performer, good mover in a kind of kitsch way that I like you know dancing out the words (LOVE IT) and wow he just got everybody dancing! Just like Crystal Fighters, the audience were in it!  I know people don’t care but I personally found the weather pretty grim and it did affect the festival and artists because invariably a lot of people chose to go undercover.  I didn’t even camp!  I spent most of my time in the second stage tent and a lot of great acts were to be found in here but I did feel a bit sorry for some on the main stage.  I had an LED flashing blue umbrella which I thought would enable easy finding but this didn’t much work either despite many compliments about it.  I hardly ever go away in the Summer but I used to take time out in August to work on music but now I know the weather is so bad and it has been for the last few years, I work on through.

On the music front the album ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ is finished just when the hurricane hits.   It’s weird.  I am so grateful for all the incredible hard work David Baron has put into it.   I just don’t know what I would do without him.   All that’s left is mastering and my job to finish the artwork and make it a success which has given me just a few sleepless nights because I have to beg, borrow but I don’t steal …..

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs

Raid At Jewellers in Hanging Ditch from series of photographs printed Ilford

Anonymous Ladies College circa 1920s not sure

It has been a bit quiet on the music front as I am not performing.  Instead I have been recording some interesting covers, some vocals on a lovely track someone sent me, and writing more.  This week onwards is going to be devoted to playing again ….

Photograph Eberhard Kirsch 1 Berlin 41 1973

Photograph published by Joe Berlin telefon 030 24 26 09 Dated 1973

Musically I have been to a couple of jazz gigs lately with my friend Louise Dodds who is a fantastic jazz singer herself, at an obscure basement bar in the city.  I  can’t believe the performers I have seen who you would normally find in Ronnie Scott’s playing this place for free on a Friday night to but a handful of people.  I also caught the Tony Cannam Set at the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall when they had a vintage week end back in July.  It was probably the hottest week end we had all Summer….these are probably the most successful photographs I have taken with my camera.  I won’t go on about digital but it’s just not the same as the old photographs.  I haven’t done anything to these photographs and at last I like some.

Audience watching Tony Cannam Set at Queen Elizabeth Hall Front Room Vintage By Hemingway 31 July 2011

Tony Cannam Set and child running from fountain through audience at Queen Elizabeth Hall Front Room Vintage By Hemingway 31 July 2011

Postcard to David Briesley

Back of postcard to David Briesley

Bad news, bad news,

Come to me where I sleep,

Turn, turn, turn again.

Sayin’ one of your friends

Is in trouble deep,

Turn, turn to the rain

And the wind.

Bob Dylan (Percy’s Song 1963)

Franca 'C' our Cruise Ship Mar 3 to 17 in 1962

Then the party began Dot Scott Laura all mixed up

Laura & Cath - Laura still on her feet

Leaving the Harbour Dot Cath Scott top of Laura's head

Cath -Scott & Laura

Our 4- chairs on the lounge deck

Scott forms the centre of the picture taken to show one of the many groups of 14 story huble housing in Caracas Venezuela

Caracas, Venezuela our guide educated in Trinidad lived in this huble housing 14 stories each box a 5 room apt rest 37 amo

Bartering for baskets, hats, mahogany etc at Haiti until our ship pulled out of the habour for Port Everglades

The Dining Room on the Franca 'C'

Monday 9-17-62 Unloading at Shannon

9-16-62 Shannon Ireland- Henry Monihan met us with his Princess and managed to get all the baggage 13 pieces on or in the car

9-16-62 Near Cork - A flat- state tropper helps- the man with the jack finally got the car lifted & a new tire was put on the car

9-16-62 Cathering stayed in the car-Henry had a flat tire had to get help Henry was embarrassed and we were delayed

Montmartre Paris - A group of paintings for sale- We bought a Genelli- Upper Right- for Lucia

Lucerne Oct 7 62 Sunday Switzerland we drove over the mountains to Grundenwald

Mist over the perpetual ice 10.7.62 Switzerland Hazy & too much for the camera Rivers of ice on the mountains in the background

San Marco Cathedral 10-08-62 Basilica of San Marco Little shops all around the square- both way chairs for open air dining & concerts in the evening

St Peters Square 10-16-62 Pictures taken the day we got into the church

Cath Laura Dot putting on an act at Mussolino's Stadium Rome 1962

Laura Cath Paul Dot St Peters Square 10.14.1962 Waiting for the Pope to appear at the window & talk to the 50,000 who were assembled on the square

Marian, Cath & Annie

Scott laps it up- 6 pictures taken in Maria & Bobs home- June 22 1963 Elmwood Park

Half the crowd was out in the back yard some where in the house

Blighty Summer Special 1954 Unknown Ephemera bought from ebay

I have been immersed in my day job a lot lately and I look sadly at my huge keyboard that takes up most of my room and the electric guitar which isn’t even mine, gathering dust.  Never have I not picked up my instruments even vaguely so I don’t know whether it is because I’m working longer hours (which is true), I am more social (not sure) or simply because I have been concentrating on other things (maybe- I have been doing a a few videos for other people lately and the process takes a lot longer now I have a more powerful video camera).   However, I am at a wall at the moment.  A very kind person who has been able to help me all through my life has offered to provide mixing and mastering money for Good Fortune, Bad Weather which is great news for me and my writing partner David Baron.  I have a number of songs I just want to get out there.  I was intrigued to watch Guy Chambers on ‘Secrets of a Pop Song’ on BBC 2 trying to write something poppy with Rufus Wainwright.

How do I write a hit song Guy, please?

I am prepared to work as hard as I can so I can chug forward like a wheezy old train that cannot resign, with no obvious passengers or takers for the ride.  But you know what, it’s never that obvious but if you brake and take the train off the tracks you know it’s never going to get going again.  But in the comedian Stewart Lee’s words and I paraphrase ’It was never that great but never THAT bad to give it all up…’ to the imaginary estate agent “I think it was worth persisting with, some people really like it”.  Here he is talking about living in the countryside…

I have spent some of my time this month seeing and hearing some incredible things.  The first of which was this.  I managed to grab the last show of ‘Pina’ by Wim Wenders a documentary on Pina Bausch in the cinema on my own. I knew I would never be able to see it in 3D without grabbing the opportunity. I have never been to the cinema on my own but it was really worth it.  Here is a clip of my favourite scene:

Musically I saw a fantastic violinist/ singer/ artist Bobby Valentino who I loved at the 12 Bar and The Dogbones at the Lexington were amazing.  I also caught up with Jeremy Bernstein from Woodstock who was over for a couple of days.  He did a fantastic gig at the Windmill in Brixton.  Many thanks to Tim for having us.

I also so Seb Roachford drumming with Pamelia Kurstin playing Thermin after the band Snorkel at Cafe Oto in Dalston.  Never have I witnessed such an intriguing amalgamation of sounds and what I thought was how musical it was.  There was so much variation in the soft and light dark and hard and I never hear that much at the moment.  I would love to lace my songs with the atmosphere I heard that night.  I just don’t know how. I am looking into some unusual old gear that is cheap and idiosyncratic and seeing what I can find. With my limited budget, it is in some ways a blessing and other ways a handicap.  I wish I was an engineer and had all my days free to experiment. I have been reading up on Laurie Anderson again who invented a lot of her own instruments.  However, I appreciate it so much when I hear it.  Frank Byng and his label Slowfoot really are really out there pushing the boundaries.

I met Zac Alford that night for the first time. I am so honoured he plays on my record. He came after his show where he is drumming for Glee.  He only caught Seb Roachford and Pamelia Kurstin’s set and we talked a bit to them after the show.  They really are fantastic artists and truly talented people.

I am very excited as I am going to Latitude Festival this week end. Near to home so don’t have to camp and a guest list pass, wow I can’t believe my luck.  I know kind of know or have a mutual friend of two bands performing The Duke & The King and Crystal Fighters and last week I met a dancer performing in something called Electric Hotel so I’m excited.

Bloemen-expositie- Flower exhibition- Blumen Ausstellung (Holland)

I went for a job once at News Corp.  I didn’t get the job – it was to be PA for the Editor of the Sunday Times Review.  It was an interesting interview. I never forgot it.  I came from the Guardian which was a lovely friendly place and kind of messy in a good way.  Here there was a fountain in the office building.  It was far more corporate.  I was interviewed by an American who implied that celebrity had crept into journalism and it was who you were rather than how good you were that got you the job(which is exactly the time I decided against trying any further to get into this industry).  She also said no journalists were in house really so all I could see were sub editors.  Anyway she said that the News of the World would go to extreme measures to get a story and that despite being owned by Murdoch they were all in competition.  Anyway, the printing press is on site and she said they would get the pulp from the Sunday Times and try and piece together and find out what story the Sunday Times were leading with. Isn’t that amazing.  They told me all this in an interview.

Ariel View of Houses of Parliament Big Ben Westminster Abbey and Whitehall London

I ended up in Victoria station at 11pm at night losing my temper with the ‘Photo Me’ booth.  I was trying to apply my make up and the really annoying automated voice would not stop.  She would not stop.  When I eventually got my change out it kept coming out of the machine and in the end I started shouting at her and left in a huff.  I eventually came across one on my travels back from work one day in Hammersmith.  I finally got some pictures which my friend remarked doesn’t really look anything like me which is kind of ironic and rather defeating the purpose.  A memento to a disappearing ‘thing’!

Bob Dylan is seventy.  I got quite overwhelmed on his Birthday.  I looked back at old footage and for me he is still my favourite artist.  My ipod has barely anything else on it and he has travelled with me throughout my life and his words have rippled through me.  He deserves every accolade because he is simply great.  I remember hiding outside the SECC for an hour just to get a glimpse of him.  I know he hates this kind of behaviour from fans but I plead guilty although I am not quite so obsessed to meet him as I was.

I went to see Terry Reid at the Jazz Café which was a great evening even if the venue is not one of my favourites.  I was kindly on BJ Cole’s list which was quite an honour.  I didn’t meet BJ but I am sure I will one day.  The gig was fantastic, Terry’s stories were great (he famously turned down singing for Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple) and his voice reminded me of Tim Rose who very few people know about.  BJ Cole is a fantastic steel guitar player and has played with everyone from Elton John to John Cale as well as creating beautiful music in his own right.  Recently he has been working with Scott Walker which will be very interesting to hear.  The band was great and it was completely rammed to the rafters.  We all enjoyed it immensely.

So I was at the Chelsea Arts Club and talking about these tapes that have changed my life ‘The Psychology of Winning’ by Denis E Waitley which I found at a local car boot sale.  I liked the cover and wasn’t going to listen to them but I got hooked.  I guess it’s a bit like the ‘Secret’ that everyone goes on about but for me this is my secret.  It literally helped me to look so much more positively at things.

Denis E Waitley Cover of 'The Psychology of Winning' Tape set

Denis E Waitley inside of 'Psychology of Winning'

A Liverpool music rock writer Mike Evans was there and a huge pigeon pooed on me not once but two or was it three times.  I couldn’t believe it.  He was miles up but managed to hit me head on.  I was then told that in fact this was a very lucky sign.  So I feel that could be the reason that our song  ‘Lucky’ has been chosen to go on a film but I’m keeping it under my wing because I never have full details and I’m afraid I will get it wrong.

I’m still writing, and adding stuff to the songs. I finished a song today after my meeting with an advertising music company.  Peter Murphy sang it with me originally but the idea of trying to get that track off Mike is just not a possibility and really not worth the agony.

I have found two fantastic bookshops.  Firstly Worlds End Bookshop I have known for many years but it has been taken over by somebody new, and we talked about music, a little chit chat.  In the window was a beautiful 1915 children’s book but I didn’t ask how much it was cause I knew it was a lot.  Anyway, I got this lovely publication about Elizabeth Taylor and what’s amazing about it is she hasn’t even met Richard Burton yet!!

Cover of 'Elizabeth Taylor The Inside Story of her Life and Loves' published by J B Publishing Corp 157 W 57th St N Y Copyright 1957 J B Publishing Corp

It’s that old.  Elizabeth Taylor-the girl with the violet eyes!

Back of 'Elizabeth Taylor The Inside Story of her Life and Loves' published by J B Publishing Corp 157 W 57th St N Y Copyright 1957 J B Publishing Corp

The second shop Hurlingham Books is at Putney.  I had always walked passed it but it was never open.  Anyway, I eventually saw two books I really wanted in the window.  I entered the shop thinking I must go in and browse to which a man inside said ‘you here to browse?’ and I realised this was quite a joke.  You can’t really ‘browse’ cause the shop is just piled high with books that are barely accessible.  Anyway I thought the technique was great.  I stand outside the shop point my finger on the windowpane which he can just about see then he goes into the shop finds my finger, shouts, and lo and behold he manages to pull it from the pile without toppling all the hundreds of others, plugs in his card machine and I got two lovely books for hardly anything.  I am so pleased I am back in the habit of reading.

Real Photograph Gorleston-on- Sea August 1932 bought at Portobello Market May 2011

I am very excited on the musical front for my friend Roger O’Donnell who is going back on tour with the Cure.  A far cry from our little pub gig in Stockwell I’m sure.  I also had a lovely catch up with my friend Daisy and her husband Chris who’s been playing with Imogen Heap.  I would love Daisy to play cello on a song of mine but it hasn’t happened yet. In the meantime, I’m concentrating on my little plan, keeping my head down, working hard and fitting in the music when I can.   I am hoping to go to America to do a video with someone who really loves this song and would like to do it for love which is quite something in this hard day and age.  It would be an offer I couldn’t refuse.  I am very happy.  Here is my inspiration ‘Lucky Number’.  I can’t compare it to this fantastic song but it is the most amazing video from a unique and brilliant artist Lene Lovich….

Brian Kavanagh has finished my website which I am very pleased about.  It is nice and simple and I can update my blog which is incorporated into it, in the News page.  So we are going to release ‘Good Fortune Bad Weather’ in the Autumn probably on the day of the Equinox like last time.

P & O Chusan J Arthur Dixon

Time has moved fast and now we are at the Royal Wedding.  I can’t really think of anything to say about it except I wonder whether Philip has said anything untoward as we DO know he does say some pretty ODD things- anyway I will be toasting K & W .

Ever since I read Alan Bennett’s ‘Uncommon Reader’ I keep imagining the Queen is always trying to steal away to try to read another book rather than do the done duties of a Queen (and I hear she is stealing away at half time perhaps to do just that!)

Soiree at Maxim's Paris 1949 by Gilberte Brassai

The album is still getting there.  David and I wrote two more additional songs last few weeks which was really an exercise to try and get some more direct snappy songs.  I really like these tracks and they are quite personal and are definitely some of the strongest songs we have written. I am very happy with them.  Some songs like the video footage I posted some months ago have been abandoned.  We are being much more discerning with this album.  Both David and I write very quickly so it’s a great chance to keep running with it.

Anonymous Photograph

I have to say the Bank Holiday has been a bit of a financial nightmare and I have had to cancel my trip out of London to see a friend as a result.  I feel totally hopeless at the moment- stuck in every area of my life.

Nurburgring Eifel International Reen Und Touristenstrecke

I did have one good bit of luck which was with a lottery ticket I found on the underground.  Someone had paid £14 for four lines on the Saturday and Wednesday lottery a couple of weeks ago.  Can you believe it but I got three matching numbers, sent it off and got £20 back.  I also won a Thunderball £3 so I am hoping this run of good luck will continue.

I managed to avoid paying the train fare back to Suffolk and diesel is expensive.  I did go on a detour to a secluded beach in Suffolk which I won’t name because it’s a secret and went swimming on my way back from Ipswich.  It was like a dream; the day was so hot the heat quivered above the shingle and the light was beautiful, misty hazy, a lone bouy bounced away in the far distance and the beach was mostly deserted.  I love this place. It brought back a flood of memories.  I then whirled back with the only tape I have in the car the Tindersticks.  I must have listened to it about 500 times.  I love this band so much.

Pony Trekking Silloth

Talking of bands I went to see another the other week which kind of assaulted my senses in a very memorable way but blew my ears away.  They are called the Dogbones and I have to say I have not seen two drummers on stage since seeing P J Harvey a few years ago and I have to say when I mean loud, they put Peter Murphy in the shade.  My ears were ringing.  Seeing them took me on a journey back to Queen Adreena and Daisy Chainsaw and really watching such accomplished musicians evoking such a disturbing nightmare unlike anything else I have seen, was worth it.  I have been listening to their album which I am really enjoying and I can’t really explain it but they have much more resonating than any other band I have seen of recent times.  They seem totally out of time in a strange way and yet totally in it.  Like a post grunge metal vision that could really be captured in some kind of Japanese horror film.  I can’t compare them to Queen Adreena or Daisy Chainsaw as Katie Jane Garside is not in this new outfit and I never saw them. I have to say though watching old footage of her I can see she was a very compelling performer but then so is Nomi.

Butlins Pwllheli Inside Gaiety Theatre

So apart from watching the brilliant Eddie Izzard (I got the whole boxset for £3 gave it to my bro and watched it with him all over Easter) I got to see the Hunger and Peter Murphy, is amazing, beautiful dark and very dangerous here he is below, which got me reading  “The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols” and the bizarre life and death of Bela Lugosi…

Finally got my camera working and did a video for ‘Aliminium Man’ the first song we recorded for the new record.  It really is great creating videos that cost nothing.  The toys were bought from the Viktor Wynd’s Little Shop of Horrors unfortunately one didn’t move but that didn’t matter. He looked cool and that was the main thing.

I am also excited that Sarah Fimm ‘Near Infinite Possibility’ is releasing her album on May 5th and David’s band Media is now available to buy by clicking on the previous link.

I watched a film called ‘Silent Running’ and its brilliant.

Silient Running from STARLOG Photo Guidebook Robots 1980

I haven’t cried at the end of a film in ages but I burst into tears.  It just took me over the edge.  It was the robots you see.

Letraset - Studio of Crosby Fletcher Forbes London Photography by John Bantin Printed in England by Gothic Press Limited

The gig with Roger O’Donnell (The Cure amongst others) and recently I have been returning to the album ‘Disintegration’, was great.  Here’s Roger talking about Moog…

(Roger O’Donnell talking about Moog)

It’s a quirky electronic night, the only one we know of in London, hosted by Dean Ford called Synthetic at a little pub off the main drag in Stockwell called the Cavendish Arms.

Letraset in Action from Letraset published by Gothic Press Limited

I managed to do my set without any backing tracks and, on the whole, the looping came out really well.  I don’t use a computer I do it all through my boss pedal. I was so happy.  I spent hours and hours rehearsing, concentrating not only on trying to get the first loop spot on but also the vocals.  I also now know which sounds on the Casio I can tolerate and which beats are the best.  My choice is restricted which makes it a lot easier. It was also my first gig without Mike for ages and it was very good for my confidence.  It is a lot easier doing it on my own because I only have to keep in time with myself and I can rehearse without making expensive journeys or even hiring a rehearsal room.  Anyway David was very impressed that I had managed to even try to perform my album which uses a whole band all on my own with the Casio.  Obviously things would be better with a band but I have given up for now finding anyone.  The songs sound very different from the album but in a really good way I think.  I will continue to develop and change them so no two performances are the same.

Letraset in Action from Letraset published by Gothic Press Limited

I did a duet with Roger at the end of the night and was really impressed by his set on the moog which has such a unique sound.  I particularly loved his track which he began on his telephone.  It was beautiful.  We hope to do another gig together in the future. I am really grateful for everyone who came down which on the whole was all my friends and family.  Thank you to all of them.

(Anthony Phillips playing at home 1996)

I have also been doing quite a few library tracks with Anthony Phillips who used to be in Genesis but is a fantastic artist in his own right.  He came down to my gig which was fantastic!   I am a little concerned that my voice will be saturating the library music market but so far, this doesn’t seem to be a major concern!  I do think, though, it’s a phase which is why I am hoping Anthony will give me some of his beautiful instrumental tracks to write on so I can continue to write with him in the future.  In the past library was always instrumental but recently there has been more demand for songs.

Garamond from Letraset published by Gothic Press date unknown

I have used what little money I have to create a new website and Brian Kavanagh who has been instrumental in helping me with photographs and advice.  Considering how busy he is, I am really so grateful and I don’t know what I would do without such lovely friends around me having lost what I thought were some good ones last year, forever.

I have been watching the news non stop for weeks and I have to say, the world is tilting and changing beyond all recognition.  These aren’t repeated patterns there is a shift.  I don’t want to be too pessimistic but I write my blog not unaware of what is going on around me and these infiltrate my stories found in the songs.  I performed ‘Atmosphere’ last week simply because I found it strange that I should write what I did and speak of Tokyo (a place I have never been to) and do a video of Sizewell B Power Station in Suffolk two years ago for that song.  My thoughts are with the victims of all of this from the Middle East to Japan to the Ivory Coast…

(‘Atmosphere’ by Lettie produced by David Baron ‘Age of Solo’ 2008)

Someone after the gig said she felt like she had been cleansed.  I found that very complimentary.  All I want to do is make sure that I continue to perform the very best I can and be relevant.

The album ‘Good Fortune, Bad Weather’ is very nearly there and I was listening to some more mixes when unfortunately someone stole my ipod at Victoria station which was engraved from David and Jinhi  ‘To Lettie from the Baron Clan’ so I’m in silence again.  If anyone sees it please give it back.

Aside from that I have joined the local library and been watching probably too many films and accruing library fines but I want to support my local library desperately I don’t really watch TV except for the odd sporadic (had to check the spelling on THAT word!)program like the wonderful documentary on Ron Sexsmith or the history of Stiff Records.  The films I have been watching are obscure to say the least the sort of films that you NEVER see in Blockbusters or on TV (where does the library find them I wonder!)- one of the most memorable has to be ‘Last Night‘ typically dry and Canadian.  Nelly who is from Canada (aka Norelle French)  said the funniest thing I had heard all week at the Synthetic night; she asked me if I felt like I was floating in a bowl of Cheerios- as the glitter ball created strange rings on the floor……it took me about ten minutes to cotton on to what the hell she meant!

I have also been trying to read again and my highlights have been reading Alan Bennett’s ‘The Uncommon Reader’ and Steve Martin’s Autobiography ‘Born Standing Up’ which I read in about a day and loved.

(Steve Martin brilliant comedian, actor, magician and banjo player to boot!)

On the music front I went to see Crystal Fighters and hung backstage because my friend Louise who’s in a band called The Bellinis boyfriend is their drummer Andrea Marongiu and I have to say he’s one of the best drummers I  have heard in ages.  It was great to meet some of the band, some of the fans, and remember how much fun it was touring with Peter Murphy – who is presently on tour in the USA.  His new album ‘Ninth’ out soon will be fantastic.

(My favourite song by Crystal Fighters – At Home)