John Daly

That sounds good - hmmm, temptation…

I wonder if that’s the one Melvyn Bragg did when Lean was editing A Passage to India?

In the meantime I’ll keep an eye out for it in the wild.

No prob. I can’t remember exactly how much they were charging for V1, maybe somewhere around €90.

(They didn’t have Vol 2 on the shelves but I’m sure it’s readily available).

Ah, I’ve another 6 weeks, can’t complain!

Ta. Btw, I saw Vol 1 of the Lean boxes in a store yesterday, I am tempted but I have most of them individually already. Do you think the packaging, booklet etc justify a purchase? (If they were 4k it would be a no-brainer).

Is that a 4k or a Blu, Tom?

I’m definitely due a rewatch. I’ll never forget “I’ve prepared two speeches…”

We're over the book to announce that we'll be bringing three works by James Kelman back into print, starting with Kieron Smith, boy in June 2026 ✨

The interior of Amsterdam pub, Cafe de Dokter.

A beer in Cafe de Dokter. Ridiculously atmospheric.

I find that a hazard with e-readers, as one no longer has the benefit of seeing the author/title emblazoned across the cover every time it is picked up.

YouTube video by Rob's Music John Martyn Documentary - Johnny Too Bad

John Martyn Documentary - Johnny Too Bad
youtu.be/q0DVynJD4jE
'BBC FOUR pays tribute to musical maverick John Martyn, who died at the age of 60 on 29th January 2009, with an intimate documentary portrait.

John Martyn (11 September 1948 – 29 January 2009)

“Pretentious” falls into the same category.

Day and Hudson in Lover Come Back (61)

Oh and this must surely be a candidate for worst suit in cinema history.

First time watch. Entertaining romp, with Day and Hudson reprising their Pillow Talk chemistry. Usual comedy of misunderstandings but Hudson’s comedic chops are first rank here.

Marcello Mastroianni

Reading a 1996 obituary for Marcello in Time:
“‘Mastroianni’ became a kind of emotional cologne for the modern male. And no one wore the style as elegantly as he: the dark suit, the narrow tie, the eyes of a man who’s been up three nights straight doing things that would excite anyone but him.”

Spot on. It’s like applying the same level of analysis to Chauncey Gardner.

I sat (with a drink) and watched him play in NYC, 1990 (a trio with Georg Mraz and Roy Haynes)

The Late Monsieur Gallet by Georges Simenon.

Maigret #3. A hotel guest is shot through the open window of his room. As in books 1 & 2, not everyone is always what they appear to be. Maigret solves the case but leaves it officially unsolved to protect the living.

and ‘psychic surgery’.

After reading and enjoying many of his books, that does not surprise me in the least.

Still with “our dominant position means the EU needs us more than we need them.” Who would be bothered to engage with that same old shite.

Wicker Man, 50th anniversary edition.

Yes, it’s a nice release - only surpassed by the recent 4k special edition.

Enjoy!!

Not until Tuesday. Happily packing right now.

muppet fozzie bear is singing into a microphone while wearing a hat and tie . ALT: muppet fozzie bear is singing into a microphone while wearing a hat and tie .

One for @baloobas.bsky.social

Man: Doctor, Doctor, I’m rapidly losing all my hair!
Doctor: Balderdash!

+1

The Carter of La Providence by Georges Simenon.

Maigret #2. Given the title character’s entirely peripheral presence for most of the book, this is akin to using ‘The Butler Did It.’ Nonetheless, a thoroughly compelling read, the most engaging quality being Simenon’s obvious empathy with the working man.