It’s undeniable that Bob Mortimer is approaching national treasure status in the UK. The Middlesbrough lad with two law degrees made his name as part of the absurdist double act Reeves and Mortimer alongside Jim Moir, aka Vic Reeves. More recently , he’s found a more conventional fan base thanks to the panel show ‘WouldContinue reading “Book Review : Bob Mortimer – The Satsuma Complex”
Category Archives: Lorna Irvine
Great Style Never Fades
Some looks are timeless. Here are a few icons providing that some ideas are classic-from really simple, to flamboyant. Top: Prince in his ruffled regal pomp. A still from the film ‘Purple Rain’ in 1984. This was the soundtrack and film that made him a global superstar. Below: this picture features the wonderful Debbie HarryContinue reading “Great Style Never Fades”
“It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘
Who, prithee, can we count on in times like these? Who’ll be there in our hour of need, when all seems lost? Russell Brand is struggling to find appropriate pages of comforting verse in his bible; Trump is struggling in general, and the world remains as divided- and divisive – as ever. Let us turnContinue reading ““It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘”
Album Review: Camille Camille – Enchanted Sea
Belgian singer-songwriter Camille Willemart has an effortlessly beautiful voice, perfect for emulating chanson -era material, a la Francois Hardy. But it’s what she does with her arrangements that so intrigue. They feel eerie and detached, even as they are quiet and lovely. There’s a sense of the calm before the storm to Camille Camille. ‘J’aiContinue reading “Album Review: Camille Camille – Enchanted Sea”
Archive Review: Aldous Harding -Designer
Aldous HardingDesigner New Zealand singer-songwriter’s third album is sublime New Zealand-based Hannah Harding – who records as Aldous Harding – kicks down the doors of perception, like her druggy writer namesake. In her case, though, it’s the limitations of folk music that she skews. This, her third album, finds her on haunting and beautiful form. PJ Harvey memberContinue reading “Archive Review: Aldous Harding -Designer”
Going Cold Turkey
Back in the 2010s, I thought it was simple. I’d just dip in and out. Just a couple of hours a day, nothing too intense. “I’ve got this”, I’d chuckle to myself, convinced of my absolute control of the situation. Then, as more time passed, I became like a network of wires, tangled and foreverContinue reading “Going Cold Turkey”
Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy”
Flamboyant pianist Liberace was the epitome of Las Vegas: camp, flamboyant and always the most fabulous in the room. He was never subtle, or understated. But this clip is completely next level. Sometimes, mainstream culture, in a completely misguided way, attempts to capture the youth oriented zeitgeist, and in the mid -sixties, that’s exactly whatContinue reading “Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy””
Vintage Film Review: Quadrophenia (1979)
“We are the mods, we are the mods, we are, we are, we are the mods”. Few chants are as iconic in British cinema as Franc Roddam’s peerless Quadrophenia. With a star- making turn from Phil “Park life!” Daniels as frustrated “face” Jimmy, plus brilliant support from the likes of Jamie Winstone, Sting, Leslie Ash,Continue reading “Vintage Film Review: Quadrophenia (1979)”
Nick Cave Virtual Exhibition: Stranger Than Kindness
Available through Nick Cave’s website is the chance to virtually take a trip through his exhibition, Stranger Than Kindness. It’s a fascinating wander through his passions, inspiration, musings and the creative process itself. Featuring artwork by Cave and a painting by old flame Anita Lane, to mocked-up studios, an old bedroom and library, ephemera, toContinue reading “Nick Cave Virtual Exhibition: Stranger Than Kindness”
Just Step Sideways : Gelli Haha- Klouds Will Carry Me to Sleep
Spring always makes me listen to hyperpop or bubblegum. Gelli Haha fuses both together. It’s absurdist, neon bright music that’s psychedelic and pure disco, as if Superorganism and Tom Tom Club had got together and eaten too many E numbers (ahem!) in a fever dream. It’s fabulous, melodic and febrile. Angel Abaya’s voice is justContinue reading “Just Step Sideways : Gelli Haha- Klouds Will Carry Me to Sleep”
Hit The North 