Serge...You're Under Arrest

Following on from my recent posts on French musician Serge Gainsbourg I thought

that I'd post up another one of his Paris concert performances.

The late eighties seemed like a fruitful period and I absolutely loved his music from

the movie 'Goodbye Emmanuel' which I bought on vinyl.

Often declared a musical genius as well as an artist that seemed to enjoy courting

controversy, he actually seemed like the most unlikely pop star with his uncoordinated

stage movements. But Parisians loved him. And he did have the knack of surrounding

himself with some fine musicians.

VIDEO UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE BY laramade 1959

Some People Are Happier Being Alone

Here's a fascinating stop motion short animation film by Lili Giacobino that comes with

a social message.

It portrays an introverted character that prefers his own company at peace in his own quiet

natural surroundings. And as the character says in the short video, perhaps we live in a society

where social interaction is imposed on us. And I can fully understand the message here.

Perhaps 20 years ago my own space here in my studio flat was the hub of social activity

where I endured the dramas of other people's lives, the constant phone calls demanding that

I show up at yet another party or social gathering. But I think with age now I don't miss any

of it. Maybe I'm starting to feel like the character in this short video because I revel in my

own peaceful surroundings which has become my creative sanctuary.

Interestingly just as the closing titles show up on this video we see the production's creator

Lili Giacobino setting up the cottage and the whole mini film set, showing how it was all

put together.

HAPPIER ALONE BY LILI GIACOBINO

LILI GIACOBINO ON YOUTUBE

LILI DESIGNS

Korean Lights

I was pleased to receive this beautiful traditional Korean lamp just the other week

through e-bay.

And coming from South Korea it took a while to get here. I have in the past made one or

two Asian lamps, but these kind of lamps are made by true craftsmanship and are not

so easy to emulate. Interestingly the lamp came with an overpowering bright bulb so

I changed it to a low wattage 15 watt bulb, the type you have in a fridge or oven.

And so now it gives off a nice warm glow.

Below is a traditional Korean house called a Hanok which represents a significant

side of Korea's residential culture and architectural heritage.

I photographed this at the Korea stand when I last visited The British Museum.

Danny Rampling....He'll Lift You Up

I was pleased to stumble across this video a while back. It was put out by the people who

run Jacfest Dance Promotions.

And this particular video was put out during the Lockdown when many Clubs were closed

making life difficult for deejays to make a living. And one deejay that campaigned to

the government for assistance was legendary 90's deejay Danny Rampling.

And so here he is appearing alongside other Jacfest deejays during a Live stream with only

an online audience, featuring Danny, Alex P and Hutch. 

And having seen Danny perform at Finsbury Park and Brockwell Park alongside Judge Jools

back in the 90's heyday, I can't ever recall seeing him so excited and animated. The Lockdowns

greatly affected him but I believe this was the first time that he got back out and back on the

decks after being cooped up at home. 

And yet Danny just seemes to have the knack to lift your spirits with his uplifting sounds, as

can be heard in this Jacfest video where he appears during the first 30 minutes.

JACFEST PROMOTIONS

JACFEST YOUTUBE

DANNY RAMPLING ON MIXCLOUD

Fenton House and Gardens Hampstead

 

Cared for by The National Trust, Fenton House is a 17th century merchant's

house in Hampstead North London. And it's also one of the oldest houses in Hampstead.

And so these are just a few pictures I took back in June 2024 while walking around it's formal gardens, but never got round to posting the pictures up here, although I did make a short video while there, which is up on my Youtube channel HERE.

FENTON HOUSE HAMPSTEAD 

 

Waiting For The Summer.....Goodbye January.

So while the January Cornish holiday reservation lists seem empty with lots of untaken

bookings, probably because many are still paying off for their recent Christmas, I thought

I'd grab myself a week in early June when all Schools go back and the holiday prices drop.

But will I get the good weather unlike last June?

And as always, by March and early April most of the holiday bookings will be taken.

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Earlier in January Britain faced the wrath of one of it's worst Winter storms named Goretti.

And the West Cornish Castle Island of St Michael's Mount felt the full force of the storm.

And if you're familiar with the Island it is covered like a forest with trees dating back by a

hundred years. But sadly the storm devastated eighty percent of all those trees. One almost

dreads to imagine what the full picture of the Island looks like by now or how long it will all

take to recover.

The above picture of  The Mount was taken last Summer by Max from Singapore who I

bumped into while staying down in St Ives last June.

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Around the start of early January and the New Year's holidays I was struck down with one

of the worst cases of a sinus infection that I can ever recall. And the worst part of it was that

for two and a half weeks in the first part of January I had literally gone deaf in both ears.

And it was actually quite frightening. I couldn't answer my phone and I couldn't hear the

tv or radio. And my own voice was like a muffled vibration sound in my head.

I was also having to wear a mask over my nose to cover up visible nasal polyps.

And so eventually I took myself off to the local Hospital Casualty Department and endured

a truly horrible six hour long wait to be seen by a medical team who supplied me with

anti-biotic tablets while setting me up with an appointment the following day at an Ear

Nose and Throat Department at another Hospital where I was given even more medication as

well as further follow up appointments at ENT Department.

Almost within a few days I could feel a great improvement. I was gradually getting my

hearing back while at the same time getting a feeling of euphoria with the knowledge that

I could hear once again, although it's back by about eighty percent while continuing with

the rest of my medication.

Interestingly they said on the radio yesterday that many people with various health problems

are simply not prepared to wait the six hours to be seen and would rather suffer in silence

at home which is quite sad. 

__________________________________

And so I can now finally put those headphones on and return to listening to music, something

I missed terribly.

And so below we have Youtube reactor Jayvee reacting to Steely Dan's 'Hey Nineteen'

from their 1980 album 'Gaucho' which also happens to be my favourite Rock Pop Smooth Jazz

album of all time.

I simply knew that when my hearing returned that Steely Dan's Gaucho would be the first

thing I'd want to hear again, with 'Gaucho' being the zenith track with it's amazing harmonies.

More of Jayvee's Youtube Channel.