Do the Space-Girl Dance

There’s a reason this Raquel Welch video has got over a 1,900,00 hits on YouTube and it’s not an appreciation of modern dance…

Thoughts on Retro

Recently I’ve been listening too old albums on vinyl. One album I’ve been particularly fond of is Laura Nyro and Labelle’s ‘Gonna take a miracle’ from 1971. It’s a collection of old soul songs from the sixties, so itself is a form of nostalgia. I very much doubt that at the time they made it …

Papa John

My obsession with old music continues with John Philips  ‘Wolfking of LA’ . It’s the sort of album that screams west coast. Mellow, middle of the road tunes that have an honesty and depth to them you wouldn’t expect from a heroin addict and alleged committer of incest. A favorite of many musicians, I include a …

Street Life

I find it fascinating the current revival of street photography courtesy of services like instagram. It’s a subject close to my heart as in the past I’ve been one of their number and probably will be again. I note a couple of books are coming out featuring two old time street photographers who have been …

The South Will Rock Again

My favorite reissue of the year despite the hype around the Beach Boys Smile Sessions has to be ‘Delta Swamp Rock’ from the ever-reliable Soul Jazz records I’ve seen it described in The Guardian as an ‘impeccable’ selection of 70’s southern rock and I have to agree. If anyone told me I’d be enjoying an …

Facing the Past

Every so often I come across an old fifties American film that I was previously unaware of that blows me away. Previous examples include such classics as ‘Night of the Hunter’ and the ‘Sweet Smell of Success’. ‘A Face in the Crowd’ is right up there with them. Directed by Elia Kazan and written by …