More on Kale and The Getty images gallery

 On Monday I visited the Allotment in Kensington Gardens and got chatting with one of the guys working there - he showed me his compost and also explained that Kale leaves can be harvested while the plant remains (I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realise this) -he had a nice crop going as well as still having raspberries to pick and very healthy looking strawberry plants (in a raised bed I'm happy to say).

Some raised beds in Kensington

Bags of fun 

As I walked through to Hyde Park I did see too a lady collecting horse manure, hopefully for horticultural purposes - good luck to her.

Getty Images Gallery

As I had some spare time I decided to visit the Getty Images gallery in Eastcastle Street- I've wondered before when photo's become art and I was very impressed with several of the pictures at the gallery, the quality of printing being quite fantastic.One picture particularly took my eye of a woman who was seen on the arms of Elvis Presley and Dennis Hooper - it's

She became a big Hollywood producer

Joan Bradshaw she went on to become a big Hollywood producer films include What lies beneath.

.

A history of the Beatles through their music (part 4) Disintegration and The End

Last week course leader David Harrison left us at artistic peak in Beatle-Land Sergeant Pepper had been released and the group could do no wrong - it was bound to be downhill from here.
In the summer (that famous first summer of Love) the Beatles fronted the UK portion of Our World a technological  coming together of the world using Satellite technology to create a 'one world' broadcast (excluding USSR though) with the unveiling of All you Need is Love.
The album/double EP created after Pepper was the soundtrack to Magical Mystery Tour at the time regarded as a filmic disaster (at least as far as festive  family viewing - being premiered on BBC on Boxing Day 1967) but in terms of music it was judged to be a 'hit'.
After this it was The Beatles usually referred to as The White Album  it was the only double album created by the band and it was likened by David Harrison to that famous 'Curate's Egg' most of the songs were written during the Beatles visit to India and it marks something of a departure in creation as what tended to happen was that John and Paul would arrive with their own completed songs and then other members of the group would act as almost session musicians, the benefits of the 8 Track recording process meant that the group performed less and less as a coherent unit.  George too began to find his Mojo contributing some standout tracks - including the Clapton solo'd While My Guitar...
As usual David has provided a great piece of trivia (new to me but I'm sure many Beatle fans are aware) on Hey Jude there's a f**king hell at 2:57 variously attributed to John or Paul it's an example as far as I'm concerned  of the human failings that great artists sometimes exhibit. After acting as solo artists another theme to try was arrived at as a 'back to their roots' basic group (another project led by Paul)  this was to be called

And in the end...

 Get Back and it was an attempt to create a more 'honest' Album, it was filmed and became the 'Let It Be' project which documented the falling apart of the group dynamic with Paul cajoling a reluctant Lennon and weary Harrison to support him - recognising (perhaps) that the game was up The Boys decided to go out on a more cohesive record and re-assembled the dream team with Geoff Emerick and George Martin in the control room for what some thought the best album Abbey Road (originally planned as Everest).
How cool that the group created a track called The End and then to put a pin prick in their own pomposity added Her Majesty - great stuff.
Don't forget that at the time of the last recordings they were all still in their twenties - quite a body of work to live up to for the remainder of their careers.

I would recommend this CityLit course for students of the 60's it gave me pleasure and insight and a reinvigorated interest with a freshened perspective on  what is called somewhat dismissively 'pop' music.
Here's a video with the Maxwell's Silver Hammer song ...(nice Moog)

 

Kale and Beds

Yesterday was a really good day in terms of December weather and I spent a few hours on the allotment - pulling out some weeds, clearing fallen leaves and adding compost to my 'raised' bed.

I am also able to report that I managed to rescue another pallet which I'm sure I'll find a good use for.

Another Palette finds a home

Kale

Also at the weekend we had our first home grown Kale - this was (I reckon) surprisingly pleasant having a somewhat bitter taste it's a vegetable that's good in terms of Vitamins and traces and looks very colorful on your plate.

Home grown Kale

Ealing Comedy at The Drayton and 'Ghosts'

Yesterday we went to the The No 5 Club, Downstairs at the Drayton Court Arms which is our most local public house. Thew club is run by Phil Zimmerman who shot (?) to fame by appearing on Never Mind the Buzzcocks - he seems to be something of a maverick.
Anyway the act that had attracted me to the gig was Alun Cochrane who I used to think unfunny but now appreciate - he's part of the Frank Skinner Absolute Radio Saturdays Breakfast show most Saturday mornings.

A clean shaven Alun

His humour I suppose falls into the slightly unfashionable 'observational' niche.

Alun avec beard

Alun has his own website but I'm not sure how up to date it is as I reckon he'd agree the picture of him there is more hirsute in terms of the top of his head and less in the beard-y department. Alun was pretty funny for quite a long time and I hope he got some sleep before his radio appearance (I'm assuming) today.

The No.5 club also gives the chance for new comedians and last night there were 2 very good female comedians - with original style including the first Kenyan Comedienne I've seen (working under that title anyway).

If only buildings could speak..

TV Centre
On my way to an appointment the other day I passed what had been/could have been called (I suppose) the home of British Entertainment the old BBC TV centre.

Good and Bad

Think of all the light entertainment TV of the last 50 years as well as Blue Peter and many of the Play for Today's -their home ? BBC TV Centre.
Well the site hgas been sole and I expect it'll be shops and flats soon (perhas some offices too).
What would the building say about Top of The Pops or the Two Ronnies - we can only speculate as modern scientific thought indicates that most likely  buildings don't talk and share memories.

Middlesex Hospital

How it once was

On Thursday I visited what used to be in the days of ITN Wells Street on of the drinking establishments used by employees The Crown and Sceptre - it's still going strong although the Public toilets that were located very conveniently if you were having a drink outside are now closed.
Near the Pub was the Middlesex hospital - it was knocked down some time ago but the new development is moving forward, due to open in 2014 flats and shops I expect.
I remember being at ITN in 1980 when Peter Sellers died at the hospital - not a lack of laughs when on-stage there but heart issues.

The site when unadorned