Tabs

This morning on my way to the tube something shiny caught my eye - a gold packet of Peter Stuyvesant cigarettes in a rubbish bin. There it was, shining away like it was the last sliver of the sun. It reminded me that I used to smoke Stuyvesant tabs back in the day. Them or Dunhill International. Both were just that little bit longer than 'normal' tabs (half an inch or so, and we all know size matters).

Then I remembered that later this week will be my eleventh anniversary of finally giving up the dreaded weed. Giving up cigarettes is easy. I can say that with confidence since I gave up when I had my first operation for a slipped disk and had access to morphine and codeine tablets to help with the pain. The perfect opportunity. Easy peasy.

Then I thought that the fact I bought extra-long cigarettes must say something about my character. Not for me the ordinary length cigarettes, no, I had to get extra-long tabs. Not everything has to be about a penis extension. I suspect it's more about my addictive personality. Not for the first time did my thoughts fly back to when I used to work with drug addicts and others in the '80s and think that there I could be but for a few safer decisions. I am rather addictive and tend not to do things by halves. Perhaps that's where my addiction to fresh pineapple from the Strutton Ground market at lunchtime comes from? Whatever next?

Kate Bush - 'Director's Cut'

If you're around my age then it's almost mandatory that you like Kate Bush, it might even be a law. So, whenever there's new music from Kate it's quite exciting and quite tense. She has an incredible body of work behind her and will anything new match what she's done before?

'Director's Cut' is that strange thing, old songs re-imagined. The songs come from 'The Sensual World' and 'The Red Shoes' and Kate has kept the best bits but re-recorded the songs, all with new vocals and other new bits here and there. Some are significantly lengthened but none are what I feared most - knob-twiddling for the sake of it and self- indulgent - they all work effectively. They're fresh and breathe new life into the songs. My favourites on this record are 'Lily' (a favourite anyway), 'The Red Shoes' (ditto) and 'Top Of The City', a song I've never really 'got' until hearing this version. The most surprising song is 'Rubberband Girl' with it's indie guitar feel, almost like it's the 'live' version of the album track. And her voice is still a powerful and subtle weapon, and a joy to hear.

The record is beautifully packaged, with the standard edition coming in hardback book format with a glossy booklet inside with all the lyrics and a collection of photos illustrating the songs. The box set includes re-issued copies of the two source albums. I didn't realise it, but both albums have also been re-issued today, along with 'The Dreaming', but I don't know if they've been re-mastered or not.

Listening to Kate songs with fresh ears, listening for new bits and changes to the originals, just emphasises how bold and imaginative she was and still is. There hasn't been anyone else like Kate, a true original when she made us all sit up and listen that first time back in 1978, creating sounds we'd never heard before, using her voice as interpreter and instrument. If you like Kate then I suspect you'll like this record. Buy it.

Cerys Matthews - 'Sweet Magnolia'

It's nice to have some good news, such as a new record from Cerys Matthews. I've obviously been out of the loop as far as Cerys is concerned since I missed her gig in London last week and knew nothing about the new album, 'Explorer', which is out now. It would've been nice to see Cerys at the Leicester Square Theatre but that's old news now, but I've ordered the album so just need to wait for it to arrive through my letterbox.

I've also found the single from the album, 'Sweet Magnolia', a delightfully trippy song and a video to match. If this is anything to go by then I'll be more than happy with the album. Enjoy!

Poly Styrene: 'Code Pink (demo 2007)'

Here's a video of Poly Styrene singing a demo version of 'Code Pink', her powerful anti-war song, from 2007. It's directed by Richard Heslop and here's hoping there are more videos in the vault. This is a great version.

"How many trustafarians do you know?"



"Love and light have got to make a comeback
Don't you know we've got to get the hell out of Iraq"

Shelby Lynne at Cadogan Hall

I’ve been losing track of time here and falling behind with my blogging. It was shocking to realise that seeing Shelby Lynne last Friday at Cadogan Hall was actually my first gig of the year. It’s already May and this is my first live gig...

Shelby was excellent – I won’t say ‘fun’ since some parts of the performance were quite heavy, but she gives good show, does Shelby, and she has a lovely voice. But – and please pay attention Shelby – you’re too thin, you need a few good meals and a glass or two of wine (I somehow think that will be acceptable to you) and some pudding to feed you up. We’ll take you out for a slap up meal the next time you’re in London.

Anyway, Chris introduced me to Shelby when she was last in London three years ago at the Royal Festival Hall with a full band, whereas at Cadogan Hall it was just her on guitar plus her guitarist, very stripped down and bare and, you know what? I liked the sound. She has a lovely voice and the stripped down arrangements worked really well, almost hearing them as she composed them. The set covered her career with a few songs from here and few from there. One song sounded very early Michelle Shocked but I loved her two Dusty Springfield covers, with her pure voice soaring and the audience giving her the big ovation. Quite a few of the songs were from her latest album, ‘Tears, Lies & Alibis’ which is definitely worth listening to.

I admit to really enjoying the show and I’d like to have a drink with Shelby some time, I think she’d be very entertaining. The audience was definitely of the older persuasion, which I don’t quite understand, but they gave her a couple of standing ovations which is a good thing.

The Dangers of a Ninja Gig

By now the news has flown around the globe at least twice that Amanda Palmer has been arrested for daring to play a ninja gig in Dam Square in Amsterdam. The reason for the arrest is still unclear but she was released after a short while on paying a fine. Most odd.

Amanda has a habit of playing ninja gigs, that is, just turning up and playing to a crowd, with short notice following a twitter alert. Amanda is currently on holiday in Holland to spend some time with her sister who lives there (so no, she is *not* on tour as reported in some press comments) but she felt the need to perform. And why not? Have ukelele, will ninja-perform.



At least she's out of jail now. Hop on a train to London, Amanda - I still wear my 'Punk Cabaret is Freedom' badge. And Amanda tweeted RIP to Poly Styrene so has a good grasp of the important things in life. Come to London Amanda, we'll look after you.

Poly Styrene: "Let's make the world a better place"

Tomorrow is the funeral of Marianne Elliot Said, better known and loved as Poly Styrene, the punkstress who brightened our lives by bringing us her day-glo and her challenge. It's strange to see the outpouring of love and respect for Poly from all over the world that's taken place since her death was announced two weeks ago. Strange since she was so quiet for so many years, but gratifying to witness the love.

I've tried to read most of the articles that have been published in the press and online. Some are analyses of Poly's impact on music, culture and gender politics and others are the simple and beautiful memories of fans like me. I've disagreed with some of what I've read and other times I've loved and shed a tear or two. But the important thing is that people, great and small, noticed and noted Poly's passing. She left her mark in this material world of ours, and on people like me and quite possibly you, and, through her work, she lives on. And in this Plastic Bag, will always live on.

As well as the millions of words that have been written and tweeted around the world, Poly's moving on to a higher plane has left a positive legacy for me. Through talking to people about her I've met some lovely people online that I hope will become friends through Poly. Another legacy are all the photos of Poly that have appeared online. When I set up the Last.FM page a few years ago for Mari Elliott (the name Poly used for her first single) I couldn't find any photos of the young Poly so used an X-Ray Spex photo, and now there are some lovely photos of her.

Back in 2006 I made an appointment with the National Portrait Gallery to see the portrait of Poly taken by Pennie Smith. It's not on display for copyright reasons, but is in the archives and is available to see if you book an appointment in advance. As soon as I saw it - it's the one with her standing in front of a Polyfilla poster - I remembered it from the NME in about 1978, with Poly dressed like her mam with a coy smile. It has subsequently leaked onto the internet.

Here are some of my favourite new photos of Poly that I've gathered from the web - if I'm breaking any copyright restrictions, sorry...


Fans on the Poly Styrene mailing list received a surprise gift today - a drawing by Poly. It's delightful in it's childlike innocence and naivety and bears the legend 'Generation Indigo ... Let's make the world a better place' and she signed it. It's the least we can do to follow Poly's wish.

So, tomorrow, smile at a stranger on your way to work, say 'hello' to someone, put 10p in a charity box, direct a tourist to where they want to go, but do something to make the world a better place. Do it for Poly. And at 3:00pm UK time send some love to Poly, chant or play one of her songs. Say farewell to Poly in your own way. I will.

Namaste Poly!

Poly Styrene Funeral

That's a title I never thought I'd write. Poly's funeral is a private affair for family and close friends only, but it takes place on Thurdsay 12 May at 3:00pm UK time. Send some love to Poly on Thursday.

And, according to a message on Poly's site from Future Noise, they're planning a tribute concert for September/October so watch this space for news. I'll be there.

Alex Polizzi is The Hotel Inspector

If you've been in Bhutan for the last three weeks then I can forgive you for not knowing that 'The Hotel Inspector' has returned to Channel Five on a Monday evening at 9:00pm. If you haven't been in Bhutan, then shame on you for not knowing and watching. The Hotel Inspector is, of course, Alex Polizzi of 'the world-famous Forte hotel dynasty' and it is her mission to seek out and improve the dreadful hotels and bed & breakfasts around the UK. As soon as she appears with her dangley ear-rings and big red overnight bag, you know you're in for a treat.

Some people seem to forget that, essentially, the programme is an entertainment - and a jolly good one at that - and take it a bit seriously. It's obviously serious for Alex and the hotels and B&Bs involved (it's their livelihood, after all) but I've gleefully joined in the tweet-storm every Monday night, commenting on the hotels, how dirty or mis-managed they are, Alex's latest ear-rings and, of course, when she swears. Alex encourages this through her own tweets and that says more than anything, that it's entertainment - it's fun, sit back and enjoy it. And enjoy it I do.

How she keeps her temper with some of the crass idiots she deals with is beyond me. How can anyone run a B&B and leave mould to grow in a communal shower? How can anyone think it's fine to have a blazing row in the restaurant kitchen with the door wide open so everyone can hear? How can a proprietor invite Alex in to help them and then ignore all her objective suggestions? It's all very strange and bizarre behaviour.

And that's the joy of 'The Hotel Inspector' programme. We see Alex's assessment, her initial discussion with the proprietor followed by all-out war and Alex eventually winning. It's a classic Jungian archetypal landscape in every one hour programme, in which our heroine always wins. Of course she does - Alex is *always* right. That is the sole rule of 'The Hotel Inspector' and ignore it at your peril.

Bring on the rest of the series!

Portrait of Poly Styrene As A Young Artist

In 1978 Alan Yentob directed a documentory about Poly Styrene and it's surfaced through DangerousMinds, so here it is:

X RAY from Zoltan on Vimeo.

The quality is poor and it looks like it's from an old video-tape recording, but it's great to see and hear the young Poly in the year that turned X-Ray Spex into pop stars with three top 30 hits (when that meant huge record sales) and their first album. It's a mixture of the camera following Poly around London and on tour, live footage from Liverpool (Eric's of all places) and Poly providing a voice-over. Who would have though Poly rode a bike around London? I like the short scene when she seemed genuinely pleased to be given a bunch of flowers.

Also on Vimeo is this live recording of the Spex at CBGB's in New York. It sounds better that the 'Live at The Roxy' tapes.

Poly from Zoltan on Vimeo.