Su Blackwell and Dorian Gray

I've just discovered the works of the artist Su Blackwell. She works with paper and creates book-cut sculptures that are really enchanting. If you have a moment check out her website where you can see some of these wonderful pieces [link]. Last night I also saw a truly atmospheric production of ' Dorian Gray ' in the tiny basement theatre of the already small Leicester Square Theatre [link] ! I really felt transported to another time by this production, and I was enraptured by the classic story. I guess the two experiences have a similar charm, even if they have quite dark and adult themes, there is a magical simplicity in how they are presented that makes you feel rather like a child. Lots of love tt

Seli

I met up with friends in Italy this weekend in the beautiful city of Vicenza. Naturally we ate Baccala, drank Prosecco and visited some Palladian villas ! I also did a fun interview for a radio show ' Libro Oggetto ' [link] which is all about books. I think it will be broadcast in September & will be available as a podcast for one week after the broadcast date. Unsurprisingly, my wake up song for this week is Italian, ' Seli ', a performance featuring the extraordinary Edda Dell 'Orso ( most famous for her work with Ennio Morricone ) from the soundtrack of the film ' 4...3...2...1... Morte '. It's such a bouncy track it will have you running round the block ! Hope you enjoy, lots of love tt.

Books

Paris again this week. It is very hot and quite empty and in the evenings walking across the city you feel like you are in an early 1970s psychological spy thriller ( or maybe that's just me especially when I reach the fun fair in the Jardin des Tuileries !! ). I met up with Larry Klein the producer and musician for a very refreshing chat and cup of tea. We also browsed around the Galignani bookshop where he kindly bought me ' The Selected Essays of Gore Vidal ' and I chose for Larry, Edmund White's ' The Flaneur ' ( we were in Paris ! ). It's a book that expresses how seductive the city is and also what makes me feel sort of distrustful and less comfortable in it. Anyway, it's a real joy to wander into a bookshop and pick out a book for someone you are just getting to know ( I 'd almost forgotten this very old fashioned pleasure ). Here is a classic track that Larry produced with a lovely performance from Madeleine Peyroux. Hope you enjoy, lots of love tt

Podcast 4

Hello ! Podcast No. 4 is available to listen to. Those who have already signed up to the mailing list will know how to access the attic to listen to the podcast, and those who haven't, well, all you have to do is sign up and you will be given a password which allows you to listen to all 4 podcasts. I hope you enjoy !! Lots of love tt

Comme les Rois Mages

Sorry ! I haven't been the most dedicated blogger recently. London has been wonderfully sunny so I've spent most of my time outside. Anyway, in honour of this lovely summer, my wake up song is one the happiest ever written. I think it's vaguely about 3 kings, Christopher Columbus, a blue pond and cosmic truth ! I imagine the writers were very happy when they wrote this one ;) People outside of France might be more familiar with Sheila from her 70s disco period and her big hit under Sheila B Devotion " Spacer " but this earlier song from the 60s is deliciously groovy too. Hope you enjoy the song and the video which appears to have been shot in a carpet shop ! Lots of love tt.