Lost album sleeves #1

Towards the back end of my last stay in hospital I was allowed to leave my private room; the latest MRSA test result had come back negative thus rendering me no longer contagious - I was free to slip anchor and get a few steps in (I'd been atrophying, no two ways about it). Walking the endless corridors I battled against doctors and nurses in their scrubs, consultants, registrars, (hundreds of) visitors, gurneys, wheelchairs and various other medical flotsam and jetsam as I made my way to a sunny walled courtyard next to the cafe where I drank real coffee and absorbed some real rays (Vitamin D is in short supply in hospital, can I just tell you.) I'd been there about 20 minutes, feeling better than I'd felt in a long time, when I looked up from my book and saw what I can only describe as an image that wouldn't be out of place on any number of mid to late 80s album sleeves; probably some obscure Hugh Cornwell Japanese import. Or a rare as hens teeth Depeche Mode bootleg. That's what I thought, anyway. Anyone else looking up might just have seen four chimneys.

★ 

 Whether or not I come back with #2 in the 'series' is, quite honestly, anyone's guess. Let's wait and see, shall we?

All I ever wanted...

I was in town a couple of Saturdays ago taking some photographs when out of nowhere the heavens opened. I quickly took refuge in the nearest shop - H&M (other shelters are available) - while it blew over. Fifteen minutes later I walked out of the store with a brand new winter coat under my arm. How did that happen? I suddenly felt like a proper grown up.

On the bus home I was trying desperately to place the song that had been playing while I was at the till paying for my swanky new garment; I knew it, but I didn't know it. You know the feeling don't you? That's what a brilliant cover does to you.

On the way home, just as I was about to get off the bus, I said "DEPECHE MODE!" (rather too loudly) to the driver. Seems I am that nutter on the bus.

Carla Bruni - Enjoy the Silence (2017)

Reach out, touch faith

They do say, do they not, that life imitates art; and, in true Magnus Mills style, so it came to pass that disenfranchised members of the (it has to be said, rather successful) Sunday Vinyl Session would take it upon themselves to kickstart a new club; sticking by and large to the same format, and operating not a stone's throw away from where we used to ply our trade, it's time to say 'hello' to the imaginatively titled Monday Vinyl.

Since the easing of lockdown we've found ourselves a shiny new venue complete with a shiny new turntable; all we need now is a shiny new clientele. So, if you find yourself in Nottingham a week on Monday kicking your heels, why not come down to the Carousel in Nottingham's artistic quarter, and see what's shakin' on the hill?

We're kicking off with 'Violator' - Depeche Mode's rather splendid long-player from 1990.  And what better way to start our new season. This really was a groundbreaking album. We'll talk about it. Play it. Have a drink. And then play it some more. So please come down if you're a fan of Basildon's finest. And please do come down even if you're not; tap me on the shoulder and tell me what you'd like to hear next time. See you on the 25th. 

Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (1990)

Yellow

DELIVERING FLOWERS

Today's offering, in true Sesame Street style, is brought to you by the colour yellow. Three photographs - two shot in Nottingham during the recent Christmas break, and the third of my daughter-in- law's footwear taken in Manchester sometime last year. The idea to show them together is kind of obvious and I think (well, I would say this wouldn't I?) pleasing to the eye. Unless, heaven forbid, you suffer from Xanthophobia.

NG - ONE

YELLOW LINES

I came very close to choosing The Race by Yello to sign off today, but thought it a tad obvious; though, ironically, Behind the Wheel by Depeche Mode (seen here in yellow vinyl), I think, more than tips its hat to Yello's Vicious Games. It's a small world. And yellow.

Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel (1987)

Someone to Hear Your Prayers

Jesus - this time it's personal

Sex. And religion. A heady mix; this year marks the 30th anniversary of Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode's crossover hit single released at the arse end of the 1980s. Since then it's been covered by all and sundry, not least Johnny Cash and Marilyn Manson.
I love the way the song carries itself. It's got a groove that lends itself to any genre - hence Cash and Manson queuing up to record it. However, my Personal Jesus is the one covered by a bunch of lads from south Yorkshire who, back in the 70s, had cut their teeth on Mott the Hoople, David Bowie, and the Faces. They eye up the dots and proceed to give it a right seeing to.

Def Leppard - Personal Jesus (2018)