Monthly Archives: November 2015

Notebook

Posted on November 27, 2015 by

The conflicting attitudes towards Philby between the sister services of British intelligence would expose a cultural fault line that predated this crisis, long outlasted it, and persists today. MI5 and MI6 — the Security Service and the Secret Intelligence Service … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, History, Politics, Uncategorized, World War 2 | Tagged , , , ,

A love letter to Paris

Posted on November 20, 2015 by

“Si on t’frappait, j’prendrais les armes…”

Posted in Uncategorized

Notebook

Posted on November 19, 2015 by

“Neo-realism” was an obligatory first phase for post-war directors who wished to be taken seriously, and some fine films resulted from it… The products of this genre are usually gritty, worthy and well made, shot on the street often with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

New reality

Posted on November 18, 2015 by

Wembley Stadium last night. [Pic via Die Welt]

Posted in Uncategorized

Strings

Posted on November 17, 2015 by

Was it jazz? No, not exactly. But Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn turned in a breathtaking display at the London Jazz Festival. Here’s my Times review [£]. Five stars.

Posted in Uncategorized

Tricolour

Posted on November 16, 2015 by

The National Theatre lit up in memory of the victims of the attacks in Paris.

Posted in Photography | Tagged ,

Colour blind

Posted on November 16, 2015 by

Aziz Ansari reflects on Hollywood, race and casting: To anyone worried it may be “weird” to cast someone a certain way to play a certain part, because it’s not what people are used to, I say: Arnold Schwarzenegger.  It’s true. … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Film, Race | Tagged , , , ,

Concert of the week

Posted on November 13, 2015 by

  “Dirty Old Town” was, inevitably, one of the encores. My review [£] of “Blood & Roses”, a celebration of the music of Ewan MacColl. Steve Earle wasn’t present at the Barbican, but he does appear on the excellent new album … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged ,

Philip Larkin, photographer

Posted on November 13, 2015 by

“England’s famously provincial and sardonic poet-cum-librarian may not seem the most likely candidate as an early proponent of the selfie.”  The poet and his pictures.

Posted in Photography | Tagged ,

Derby day

Posted on November 12, 2015 by

Manchester City vs Manchester United, Maine Road, 1947. [HT @TerraceImages]

Posted in Photography, Sport | Tagged ,