Jigsaw Puzzle

Last night on the way home from the Prometheon session I was playing 'Beggars Banquet' and It occured to me of all the Stones songs (I'm a big fan of everything they did up to when Mick Taylor left the band) 'Jigsaw Puzzle' is probably my favourite.

B S Johnson and Jonathan Coe

I just finished Jonathan Coe's biography of B S Johnson, 'Like a Fiery Elephant'. It's a remarkable book about a fascinating short life.  The last novel that was published in Johnson's lifetime, 'Christie Malry's Own Double Entry' is one of the great English novels and one of my favuourite books. I looked forward to a biography of the writer and was not disappointed, a great book about a great writer

Who do you love

'Who do you love' is a song I've heard countless times by many artists. I never tire of it.  I thought of it today, reading that Bo Diddley had died. A sad day for music and a sad day for the world.

To Live and Die in LA

I bought the DVD of 'To Live and Die in LA' from FOPP today. FOPP is my favourite record shop of the few that remain today, but that's another story. I first saw William Friedkin's great dark thriller 23 years ago, not far from where I bought the DVD today at a cinema, which I seem to recall was in Shaftsbury Avenue. I remember being excited when I saw the poster for this film all those years ago and being very impressed by what I saw in the cinema. I was no less impressed this evening. The film is one of Friedkin's best and possibly his darkest. There are some startling moments and if you like car chases, films with action and very clever writing, this is a film you should know.  Be warned that it is violent and not a film you will not walk away from smiling, but it is a film that will make an impact on you.

One More Heartache

I've been playing this over and over and over in the car today. If you want to hear it, you'll find it on 'the Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw' by the Butterfield Blues Band.

Two novels

Here’s the first words about books on this blog. The two I’ve read most recently were very different novels but both masterpieces. One by one of the world’s best living writers and another by a neglected English novelist. The first is ‘Samaritan’ by Richard Price, a deeply moving, very suspenseful and very compassionate book. This one you would regret not reading if you want to experience great writing. The second is ‘the fall of the sparrow’ by Nigel Balchin. Published in the mid 50s, this is sadly and unjustly long out of print. Who knows what spin of the wheel consigns some writers to be know only by a few, hopefully Nigel Balchin is not destined to lie in oblivion, because this book should be read and his name should be celebrated.

McCabe and Mrs Miller

For some reason, in the many years I've loved films, I manged to miss this one. I saw it for the first time tonight and was stunned. A truly great film. I'm a big Robert Altman fan and to date my favourite of his has been 'the long goodbye'.  I now think 'McCabe and Mrs Miller is his best film.
While watching I was reminded of two films I really admire, 'The claim' and 'ravenous', both films where snow is a character in itself.