Nick Black

A fascinating experiment, all the more so since (I believe) it would produce radically different results were it applied to French (langue d'oil), Italian or Greek. English must be the only major European language which underwent as radical a transformation from the XIth century onwards.

Here to wish a happy 25th birthday to one of my own novels!

The Rotters' Club, published 22 February 2001.

None of us are getting any younger ...

Jenrick Among the Folding Tables A New Yorker profile

NEW - I'm thrilled to announce I was asked to interview Robert Jenrick at a car boot sale for the New Yorker.

open.substack.com/pub/mrhenrym...

In a word, superb.

Brackett's diaries are a good read. They include the story of Wilder tearing up an angry letter from one of his lovers, but keeping one fragment. Brackett asked him why. He said he wanted to show it to his wife as the blue of the notepaper was the exact colour he wanted for their sitting room wall.

YouTube video by CLASSIC TRASH Ohio Express - Sausalito (1971)

youtu.be/eoD8lSDgkas?...

This is pretty daft but I really like it. Properly stoned bubblegum power pop.

A large, old-fashioned television with protruding buttons and four 1950s style legs

Beautiful everyday Ladybird things.
The television set
Artist: Harry Wingfield (1970)

Symptoms of middle-age I'd not have anticipated in my 20s:
1. Going off (a huge amount of) classic rock.
2. Finding it even harder to cope when confronted with the suffering of animals.
3. Thinking of 9pm as a totally reasonable bedtime.
4. Still wanting to climb trees & explore abandoned buildings.

Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.

YouTube video by NirvanaVEVO Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World (MTV Unplugged)

Happy 59th Birthday, Kurt...

a man is standing in front of a large structure ALT: a man is standing in front of a large structure

My wife played 'cello on Belfast Child, invited to the session as a music student where they were recording in Glasgow. Not AT ALL into pop music, so not recognising him, at one point she asked Jim Kerr if he thought they'd get to meet the band.🫣 (Apparently he was very sweet about it.) #SimpleMinds

YouTube video by Suede - Topic Shipbuilding

I'd forgotten how good this cover was.

'Shipbuilding' - Suede @suedehq.bsky.social

youtu.be/6jz0G48LPiU?...

YouTube video by TedeschiTrucksVEVO Tedeschi Trucks Band - Midnight in Harlem (Live from Atlanta)

#IsmuasMonthOfMusic
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
19 - Song that makes you feel warm

Teddischi Trucks Band - Midnight in Harlem

Susan's raspy soul, Derek's liquid slide, and lyrics of devotion transform this song into a warm and cozy fireside hug. Pure musical gold. 🎸🎤🔥

youtu.be/-wVWjl9Kq6U?...

It's Kenneth Williams' centenary on Sunday, unlikely as that may seem. This piece by Gilbert Adair is a superb appraisal and one I recall reading at the time. It seemed to break the mould of newspaper obituaries, not least in addressing his sexuality very directly. Of interest @bcdreyer.social?
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Whelp...never using an in-room coffee machine in a hotel again

Good to see the principle that no one is above the law is being upheld in the UK, but take note of the fact that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not been arrested because of the harm he may have done to girls, but because of the harm he may have done to profits

Back cover of the short story flash fiction collection POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE by Nick Black

Front cover of the short story flash fiction collection POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE by Nick Black

My odd, sweet, sad, funny, dark, bright ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-reviewed book of short stories, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE is now available directly from me, via eBay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26752117... or through Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/Positive-Neg...

#books #booksky 📚💙 #amwriting #shortstories #flashfiction

YouTube video by U2 U2 - The Tears Of Things (Lyric Video)

Best U2 song in decades.

youtu.be/a4pBXzDPErQ

#U2 #DaysOfAsh

Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine lying on some rocks

I know she's not a Yorkshire teen but Florence Welch would've made a great Cathy...

#WutheringHeights #FlorenceAndTheMachine

YouTube video by mrdodo Phil Collins-Genesis Afterglow Live 1980

Totally agree with all of the above. From 1980, Phil's singing so soulful and invested in here, breaks me up every time, one of my favourite live clips. And then he takes to the drum kit! No Hackett required.

youtu.be/mN0jJcCqVqg?

Best two!

It's good to know that The Royal Family can still unite the nation at times of adversity.

Blackadder In The Suez. (Got no further than the title.)

Horror Express (1972) movie poster. As a train travels along the rails, the smoke from it forms a red-eyed evil entity that chokes a dark-haired woman with it's hand.

#NowWatching 📽️💀 Horror Express (1972) #horror

Night Lights #oilpainting #art

YouTube video by mrdodo Phil Collins-Genesis Afterglow Live 1980

Totally agree with all of the above. From 1980, Phil's singing so soulful and invested in here, breaks me up every time, one of my favourite live clips. And then he takes to the drum kit! No Hackett required.

youtu.be/mN0jJcCqVqg?

Ohhh!! I was going with your Cold War theme, just saying I'd rather a new series with the as-was team rather than a reboot.