January 20th, 2007
Saturday miscellany: Cancer Vixen, Femi Kuti, Edith Wharton, Old Joy and new Bjork
My next book purchase is Cancer Vixen, which featured in the Guardian magazine two weeks ago (can’t find a link to the feature, but here’s the paper’s review). Dovegreyreader is equally enamoured of Marisa Acocella Marchetto’s graphic novel about the Big C.
Bjork’s new album, due for release in a couple of months, will feature Antony, Toumani Diabate and some production from Timbaland. Oo, I’m excited.
The IFI will be screening Old Joy - starring our favourite string vest-wearing musician Will Oldham - from January 26th-31st. Details here:
Femi Kuti on Nigerian politics.
The new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah album is pretty good, the new Bloc Party is a bit disappointing.
Hermione Lee on the influence of France on Edith Wharton’s work.
Is Ewan McGregor set to play Kurt Cobain?
And finally, January 20th is the birthday of Italian film director Federico Fellini. Do yourself a favour and rent one of his films. From today’s Writer’s Almanac: “[He] said that the most important year of his life was 1939, when he traveled with his friend, the comedian Aldo Fabrizi, all across Italy with a vaudeville troupe.”
January 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I’m liking The Shins’ new album myself. Poptastic.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
The project will be the first official film about the tragic rocker, who committed suicide in 1995…
I know I’m being a pedantic arse, but you’d think that a music site would get the year of Cobain’s death correct.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Colm, I hear the Shins is great. Phantom are playing it to bits too.
Kav, twas ‘94 wasn’t it? Also there was a film about him a couple of years ago(don’t know if it was ‘official’) directed by Gus Van Sant starring Michael Pitt.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Kav, twas ‘94 wasn’t it?
It was indeed; I was in first year at college and remember I was in the Buttery (the Trinity bar) when someone came up to us and said, tastefully, “hey, did you hear Kurt Cobain’s topped himself?” My younger sister still has her ticket for the famed Dublin gig that had just been cancelled but which had been scheduled for that very night. Apparently MCD made a freaking fortune because hardly anyone brought back their tickets for a refund and they didn’t have the expense of putting on the gig.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Yeah…it’s one of those “where were you when Kennedy was shot?” things for people. I hate having to tell people I was just after finishing table tennis practice. It’s just not rock n roll.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Hello - I really like The Shins as well but loads a good stuff out there at the moment; I’m from Barcelona’s new album - I think it’s a new one? - is brilliant. More of the same catchiness for the depression that is January - THE longest month of the year. I’m laughing my way to bed on Monday and Tuesday nights though after watching Dan and Becs on RTE - is anyone catching it?