I love you, you bring to the game, the excitement, the entertainment, the audacity & not mention the sometimes all too pretenious Yada Yada ( Which we are all guilty of at times...come on admit it ).

But this one is for you.

Be Well & Enjoy.

I was talking yesterday about movies & someone brought up ‘STATE OF GRACE’

A most excellent movie about the Irish Mob in Hells Kitchen, with an excellent cast:-

Gary Oldman ( who for me gives one of his best performances in this film)
Sean Penn
Ed Harris
Robin Wright Penn
John Turturro

I totally forgot about this one…& I must say it rates highly.

It fell behind the year of it’s release as in the same year you had, ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Miller’s Crossing’ & the almost bearable 'Godfather III' ( I still loved it really )

If you have yet to see it, take the time & enjoy.

Here is the Wikipedia Synopsis:-

- In the film, a small group of Irish-American gangsters (inspired by "the Westies") operating in the section of New York City, west of Times Square, known as Hell's Kitchen. When their territory is threatened by gentrification, the boss, Frankie Flannery (Ed Harris) tries to arrange an alliance with the Italian Mafia, their long-time rivals.

Frankie welcomes back Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) to the neighbourhood and into his organization after a long absence. Unknown to the gang, however, during his time away, Terry has become a police officer in Boston. He's been brought back to New York specifically to go undercover in his old neighbourhood and bring down the Irish gangsters before they strike a deal with the Italian-Americans. –

Be Well.

When I was really young I remember my father playing the sitar, the sounds was always magical, but what got me was the music that he used to listen too. Classical Indian Music with Sitar, Santoor, Serenghi, Sitar & the Flute.

He would listen all the time, & then when my parents divorced the next person to play this music was my Grandfather.

The flute, the Bamboo Flute to be precise was the instrument that stuck with me & to this day it is my favourite instrument.

When the Bamboo Flute floats over a Tabla & Sitar, I will say it, it is magical. Maybe it is the Indian in me but I love it. I am transported to a sunrise in India, Rishikesh, looking over the mist across the Ganges.

I love the sound of this music, which leads me to Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, probably one of the best at his chosen art.

I came across his music when travelling in India in 1993 ( funnily enough ). There was a series of albums ( which are still available ) individually named, ‘The Rivers’, ‘The Mountains’, ‘The Deserts’, & ‘The Sea’. Traditional Artist playing Contemporary Compositions to fit the titles. ‘The Rivers’ was HPC’s

‘The Rivers’ in my opinion is one of HPC’s best album’s as it is classic, but contemporary at the same time…same but different to his previous work. One track that is ages long plays out the Journey of the River from the Mountain’s to the Sea…fantastic.

Ok so there is no heavy bass, & foot-tapping beat, but any lover of music has to appreciate the simplicity & beauty of this music.

Music plays such a huge part of Indian Culture. In the old days certain Ragas could only be played at certain times or they would upset the Gods.

A Raga, is like a small symphony, an overture of traditional music, played as an offering to the Gods & Man. There would be & still are Morning Ragas, Evening Ragas, Midnight Ragas…each written for & to specific deities.

Quite a Poetic & Peaceful concept in itself.

HPC’s Flute is amazing & I recommend all take some time to check his offerings. & For the beat lovers, those fucking Tablas kick ass.

I did go off on a tangent there, as I did want to say more about the man Hari Prasad Chaurasia, but you can read it here…sorry feeling lazy.

Be Well.

So here are some of my favourite snaps that I have taken over the past 7 days...or maybe a little more...I have lost count, & there is still the closing of ILLUSTRATE tonight at Highbury Studios...plus a couple of extras...

But to start you odd here are a few, & the others are here @ Pt 2 & Pt 3.

Be Well.

I feel I have been ignoring a great hero of mine. I miss the brutal comic honesty of his words.

This is the man who says it as he fucking means in, & laughs at you at the same time. Fearless.

There is little that he fears, perhaps ‘when will I get laid next ?’, I can see that being up there. All the rest is a joke, & I mean that in all comedy.

The way he writes makes some of the realitys of day to day living look like a joke…something not to waste time thinking over.

Sadly he is dead. If ever anyone lived for the minute it was Mr Bukowski, & to top it all he did not give a fuck of what people thought. He knew himself & was happy with it.

I have written about this ages ago, but Matt Dillon played Henry Chinaski (Bukowskis semi-biographical carachter)in a film adaptation of his book FACTOTUM. Check it out…if you like Bukowski & you have not seen it, you will not be disappointed.

Also check out BARFLY, Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunnaway Directed by Barbet Schroder, Produced by Francis Ford Coppala. One of Mickey Rourke’s best performances in my opinion, & the music is fucking brilliant.

I think I have found another hero for the books…Gary Welch.

I went to see his show @ 13 Newburgh Street, as part of London Design Week.

The way he presents the work & the work itself is amazing.

I highly recommend a visit you will not be disappointed.

Be well.

Goodhood opened its doors yesterday to the Stylin Folks of Hoxton yesterday night.

I must start by saying that this shop is really nice…no really it is really nice. Clean & Simple through & through. Monochrome is the way forward.

An excellent selection of clothing & accessories that do differ from what is out there. Research has been done & they have pulled in interesting & stylish product to make there flag fly a little higher.

I am a big fan of their colour palette, bright but not to over stated…yes you can tell…I want a lot that they have.

My favourite item was the Sperry Black Patent Leather Deck Shoes…fantastic.

I have a feeling that the good people at Goodhood, will be running the hood for a Good while.

B Well.

Yes, was in the studio a few days ago with Mr Aynzli Jones…I did a piece on him a while ago when he was supporting Ziggy Marley.

Well since then My Man, has been in LA, back in London…off to LA again, & then he found himself in Canalot Studio’s, in JohnnyTooBad’s studio to put some finishing touches on the Vocals of Red.
Luckily for me, got called in to take some candid shots, burn a head & generally hang out with Mr Jones.

Always a pleasure & let me say it again, this man is going places…that Voice is killer.

Keep it up Mr Jones.

Here is part 2 in the education...

Be Well...Be Informed.

...Education.

SHOE...do you know of him, about him...you should.

Watch this & increase your knowledge...& thanks to PATTA for the heads up.

Be well.