Man With a Mission (10 pics from '25)

Here's my second photograph to mark 2025. Back in those hazy, crazy, lazy days of Summer, my good friend Ernesto and I decided to pay a visit to a mannequin graveyard; fifteen thousand mannequins in the middle of nowhere Lincolnshire. Someone in my writing class had given me the steer: 'It's made for you,' she said. Turns out she was right. I took scores of photos that day so editing to down to one was nigh on impossible. But I guess if you have Superman powers then nothing's impossible; here's that one photograph.

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I'm currently obsessed with Library Music and the KPM label. Here's another exponent of the art; where lounge and jazz and soundtracks collide.

Mike Mansfield - Man With a Mission (1974)

Library Shares · Keith Mansfield - Man with a Mission - (KPM 1136) - 1974

Girl in a Sports Car (10 pics from '25)

It's been one helluva year, I don't mind telling you. I'm not generally one for hyperbole so I'll just say 2025 has been tough. If you want chapter and verse then take a peek at some of my back issues - you'll get the gist. But, and this is a big but, it hasn't all been bad. Friends and family (you know who you are) have got me through this. Music has got me through this. Books have got me through this. And my camera has got me through this. During my recuperation I was still able, despite feeling quite weak, to get out most days and get some (much needed) air in my lungs and, whilst out and about, point my camera at whatever and whoever I bumped into.

So what I've done is select 10 photographs I took at some point during the last calendar year. They're not in date order or indeed ordered in any way. Just 10 shots straight off the bat. Also, I've tried to choose images that I haven't previously posted on my blog. Oh, and there may be a piece of music to go with them as well. I say may - I'm not 100% sure yet as to what the other nine pics will be (or even that I'll post them all this side of the New Year). 

Anyway, let's start with the lovely Lisa. Lisa & Mike own a rather nice bar in my part of the world. Lisa heard I was poorly and said there'd be a drink with my name on it when I was well enough to venture out. And, sure enough, there was. Thank you, Lisa

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Alan Hawkshaw was, together with Johnny Pearson, the King of Library Music. His compositions spanning 50 years can be heard all over film and TV. He also wrote the theme tunes for Grange Hill and Countdown. 

Alan Hawkshaw - Girl in a Sports Car (1973)

No brainer

It's no secret that Emerson, Lake & Palmer plundered the classical repertoire mercilessly. Their debut album was them performing Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky's piano concerto in 10 movements) live at Newcastle City Hall; I know, it's insane. Everyone, even non-prog fans knows their take on Coplands's Fanfare for the Common Man but for Monday Long Song I would never be so populist. Instead I've gone for their interstellar version of Alberto Ginastera's Toccata. This, and every other track on the album it came from (1974's Brain Salad Surgery), changed my life overnight. I bought the album the week it came out and I've still never heard anything quite like it.

ELP - Toccata (1974) 

And for anyone who wants to compare and contrast, here's the source material. 

Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra (feat. Astuko Seta) - Piano Concerto No. 1 (4th. movement) Toccata 

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 Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)

Keith Emerson (1944-2016)

Greg Lake (1947-2016)

Carl Palmer (1950-)

I forsee terrible trouble

I think it's a pretty safe bet that had I still been running Vinyl Club (and I must admit I haven't ruled out bringing it back) that the Dan would have made a further appearnace. Would I have gone for 1977's Aja - their imperious slab of Yacht Rock? Maybe. But more likely, I think, I'd have reached a bit further back to their 1972 debut, the fully formed Can't Buy a Thrill - a statement of intent par excellence. This album really did raise the bar for everything and everyone that followed. If, heaven forbid, you found yourself on Death Row on your final day on earth savouring a final meal of your choice with a last brandy & cigar complete with your bespoke soundtrack, the chances are the tune below would still be ringing in your ears as you fried in the chair. Proper little ray of sunshine, aren't I?

I've never needed an excuse to play the delightful Elle Cordova and Toni Lindgren. Their musicianship, be it original compositions or classic covers, is absolutely jaw dropping. And this Steely Dan reinterpretation is no exception. It could originally be found on side one, track two on the aforementioned album. But as you can see in this video it is vey much at home on a balcony at 8,000 feet. 

Elle Cordova & Toni Lindgren - Dirty Work (2025)

To Heron back (#5)

Thankfully the rain held off just long enough today thus enabling me to get well over 20,000 (dry) steps under my belt. Highlights of Friday's urban hike? My first proper sighting of the new footbridge over the Trent; more horrific 'go slow' school children; a rather splendid pork pie and, unsurprisingly,  the ubiquitous Heron Foods. Oh, and I got my hair cut.

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So wots with these kids, then? To be found outside many a school in the county, anyone who's seen The Brood (classic 1979 body horror flick starring Samantha Eggar) will know the vibe that these things give off.

But enough of the children from hell already, here's that bridge I was telling you about. Back story -  developer builds swanky new apartments with river view. However, they're on the wrong side of the river: down-at-heel Cowlick Vs upmarket Lady Bay. No problem, speak to the local Council and voilà, let's build a £20M footbridge. The first new Trent crossing in 65 years. 

Anyway, that was enough excitement for one day. Time for a pie and a pint. The Old Volunteer always has at least one sensational dark beer on and a selection of filled rolls and pork pies. Come to daddy.

No pictures of Tracy my love hairdresser, sadly. Maybe next time...