Category Archives: books to read

Paris the 7th Arrondissement – or life beyond Rue Cler

This chapter is from my book A DREAM OF PARIS available on Amazon At the outset I have to make it clear that some of my best friends are American, as indeed are a good number of my wife Niamh’s extended family – the Irish get everywhere. However it seems to me that even youContinue reading “Paris the 7th Arrondissement – or life beyond Rue Cler”

Paris in Black and White

Paris is the most atmospheric of cities. The sights, the people, the restaurants and cafes are evocative of memorable travel and times past. This is a small selection of my photography taken over several visits and rendered in black and white. Please enjoy these and my books on Paris and France are available on Amazon.

CSNY, Joni & The Band Wembley 1974

Taken from my Musical Journey published on AMAZON: England in 1974 was a country in crisis, politically and socially. Strikes, civil unrest, three-day weeks, power cuts, a decaying infrastructure, were troubling many. Saturday September 14th did not seem to be a day where any of that was noticed – at least not by me. HistoriansContinue reading “CSNY, Joni & The Band Wembley 1974”

Linda Ronstadt – Prisoner in Disguise

‘Prisoner in Disguise’ is my favourite Linda Ronstadt album. Every one of the ‘covers’ on here can lay claim to being better than the original. Her voice is so multi layered on this, betraying emotion so deep you feel she owns these songs, you can be persuaded that she did in fact write them. The song selection is perfection. It is of the time. That L.A., Eagles, Southern California vibe is stamped right through this with a tight, multi-talented band of Who’s Who of L.A. musicians. Because she was so admired by these contemporaries, and loved, the whole album is one of harmony and joy, it feels like they got great pleasure from the collaboration. Check out the gorgeous tender backing vocals of J D Souther on the ‘Prisoner in Disguise’ track. She chooses some beautiful songs on here.

Claude Monet and his House at Giverny

The story goes that Monet in his search for a house to accommodate his growing family set out one day by train from Paris and spotted what was then the tiny hamlet of Giverny. Standing out amongst the cluster of properties along Giverny’s long main street he saw from his carriage a long but lowContinue reading “Claude Monet and his House at Giverny”

Amazing Skies over Somerset

We were enjoying some time with our granddaughter last Thursday when she suddenly pointed out that the sky was changing colour. She was right. It had been an awful day of weather – heavy persistent rain and windy. THe first thing we noticed was the sky turning blue and then going into purple as inContinue reading “Amazing Skies over Somerset”

Simon & Garfunkel – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

I had been familiar and enjoyed Paul Simon’s songs for some time because of a friend’s obsession with him. This album was the first one I bought featuring his writing. Maybe not my favourite album that Simon & Garfunkel produced – I prefer ‘Bookends’ personally. It has not entirely stood the test of time as there is an element of being stuck in the time period with a couple of songs. Feeling groovy – well not these days really. It was an important album for me in that the writing was intriguing, deep in places, but captivating. It also has some songs and singing of exceptional beauty. Paul Simon’s guitar playing is farther up the mix on this album and all the better for it. The production is crystal clear and still sounds fresh through the headphones.

French Tour starts here in Beautiful Rural Normandy

Taken from my NEW book ‘Off the Autoroute’ now on Amazon in Hardback, Paperback & Kindle Normandy Our first trip to France coincided with a change to my company car, almost to the very day. It is a long story but for a time I had been using a spare company vehicle after having, shallContinue reading “French Tour starts here in Beautiful Rural Normandy”