Royal Festival Hall

This landmark venue is now closing for major renovation work which will take years. This is where I saw the second ever performance of Brian Wilson's Smile in Feb 2004 and Vincent Gallo (with Jim O'Rourke) in April 2004.
London

Starless and Bible Black

Currently listening to a narration of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood accompanied by Stan Tracey kindly taped off the radio by my Nan. Splendid. Nice to listen to after watching the last of the Picture of Britain series on BBC1. Dimbleby went to Wales and the West Country. Under discussion were Thomas as well as Turner, Constable and Daphne De Mourier.
jazz,poetry,britain,art

Houses of Parliament

London

London Eye from Embankment

London

Rodin - Borghers of Calais outside Houses of Parliament

London

Be Not So Fearful

And so the day after the attacks on our great city of London... It felt strange getting on the bus this morning. I'll leave it to others to comment on the events of yesterday. In particular Christopher Hitchens and Norman Geras can write far more succintly and presciently than I. Harry's Place, Johann Hari and Andrew Sullivan are worth reading as well. I will soon post some photos of the city from a recent visit if anyone needs a reminder of just how great the city is.

Ian Mcewan has a great article in the Guardian. I have just started reading his Saturday and Henry Perowne, the novel's protagonist, comments on the terror threat and how he feels about his beloved city. It's stunningly well written. Now is not the time, but I'm going to post again regarding Francis Wheen's book. There are several literally jaw-dropping excerpts to choose from but the post-9/11 comment from the so-called political left is perhaps the most galling. And yet, mere hours after the event, we have the same untruths bandied about.

I had several listens to the below song this morning. I guess the fact that Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) sung it after 9/11 may give it a more vulnerable, poignant feel. It's a lovely, lovely song...

Be not so nervous
Be not so frail
Someone who watches you
You will not fail
Be not so nervous
Be not so frail

Be not so sorry for what you have done
You must forget them now it's done
And when you wake up you will find that you can run
Be not so sorry for what you have done

Be not so fearful
Be not so pale
Someone who watches you
You will not leave the rails
Be not so fearful
Be not so pale

Be not so sorry for what you have done
You must forget them now it's done
And when you wake up you will find that you can run
Be not so sorry for what you have done

Be Not So Fearful
Bill Fay

London,terrorism,fascism,Wilco,literature