Friday 30 December 2016

Things that matter....

the late Leonard Cohen
It’s been a strange year. Thank goodness for the culture that helps us make sense of things and navigate ourselves through it all. Here are some my own personal highlights from things I’ve read, seen, listened to and experienced this year, old and new. I guess you could call them recommendations.
writer and songwriter,Willy Vlautin
Books:
‘The Free’, Willy Vlautin
‘Born To Run’, Bruce Springsteen
‘On Being An Artist’- Michael Craig Martin
‘Night Studio: A Memoir of Philip Guston’- Musa Meyer (the artist’s daughter)
‘Killing and Dying’-- Adrian Tomine
‘Lean On Pete’- Willy Vlautin
‘Us’- David Nicholls
‘Journey To Nowhere: The Saga Of The New Underclass'- Dale Maharidge and Michael Williamson
an extract from 'Hortisculpture' in 'Killing and Dying' by Adrian Tomine
Exhibitions:
‘My Back To Nature’-George Shaw at the National Gallery, London
‘Quick Light’-Alex Katz at The Serpentine Gallery, London
‘Tragic Forms’-Ken Currie at Flowers East Gallery, London
‘Abstract Expressionism’ at The Royal Academy of Arts
a painting by George Shaw from his excellent 'My Back To Nature' exhibition
Records:
‘Flotus’- Lambchop
‘You Want It Darker’- Leonard Cohen
‘Winter Garden’- Eraldo Bernocchi, Harold Budd and Robin Guthrie
‘Astronaut Meets Appleman’- King Creosote
‘You Can’t Go Back If There’s Nothing To Go Back To’- Richmond Fontaine
King Creosote

Films and DVDs:
‘Fear Itself’
‘The Warriors (Ultimate Director’s Cut)’
….
I’m struggling to recall any particular films or things I’ve watched that have stayed with me. I seem to watch less and less these days.
70's movie classic, 'The Warriors'

Event of the Year:
Bruce Springsteen at the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry
The Boss. 
Happy New Year....