Hopperesque

Hopperesque

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Thom Jones


       Jorgeson had shown me the wisdom of switching from Camels to Pall malls - they were much longer, packed a pretty good jolt, and when we snapped open our brushed chrome zippos, torched up and inhaled the first few drags, we shared the overmastering pleasure that tobacco can bring if you use it seldom and judiciously.

The Pugilist at Rest
Thom Jones
1993

Friday 25 November 2011

Rampart


A new bad cop Noir due for release soon and featuring Harrelson in the lead role supported by the likes of Robin Wright, Steve Buscemi and Ice Cube.
Anything co-written by James Ellroy is worth a look.




Thursday 24 November 2011

That Trapped feeling


         I had that trapped feeling, like some sort of a poor insect that you've put inside a downturned glass, and it tries to climb up the sides, and it can't, and it can't, and it can't.

Blues of a lifetime-
The Autobiography of Cornell Woolrich

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Almost Blue


Almost blue
Almost doin things we used to do
There's a girl here and she's almost you
Almost blue
Chet Baker
(Costello)
Almost Blue

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Frank Sinatra has a cold


If anyone doubts the link to Noir or Harboiled, they should listen to his rendition of Wee Small Hours or Autumn in New York as a soundtrack.
The celebrated 1966 article for Esquire describes a morose Sinatra silently nursing a glass of bourbon and contemplating how middle age affects the successful guy.
.
The type of classic non fiction in this case found in mens magazines is great along with some of Pete Hamill's New York stuff and also more obscure gems such as Devil Thumbs a Ride from Barry Gifford.