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Did Ian Simpson Watch 1984 Before Designing The Beetham Tower?

// March 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Design, Movies

Manchester’s Beetham Tower is a building that I love. I know many of the City’s inhabitants aren’t fans, but I love the sharp impact that it has on our skyline. Without wanting to sound too Kevin McCloud, the juxtaposition of this huge ultra-modern shard of glass rising up from the red brick, industrial revolution buildings is stark and impressive. As a former resident I may be slightly biased, but still – it’s a great building in my opinion.

Anyway, whilst watching the movie adaptation of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four I couldn’t help but notice what appears to be a clear render of the tower through Winston’s apartment. It is especially clear at the point where Winston and Julia are arrested.

Manchester's Beetham Tower in the film 1984

Is Ian Simpson a fan of the 1984 film Nineteen Eighty-Four? I think so.

Beetham Tower Image by David F Morton from Flickr

Another Very Short Music post – Stephen Fretwell, Magpie

// November 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // General, Music

I’ve not listened to this album for at least a year, and before that, plays of it came randomly and somewhat far apart.

That’s a shame really, because every time I hear this album I tell myself I should play it more often. I really like this album. I like Fretwell’s outwardly northern vocals. I like his similarly bleak northern lyrics and songwriting ability and I like his voice.

Perhaps one of the reasons I don’t listen to it that often is that it doesn’t suit every occasion. It’s something to put on and enjoy at high volume in solitude. It’s a little melancholy in parts but the majority of it is modestly optimistic; even if as is the case with “Run” the lyrics seem to be describing a damaged, yet sincere and sad relationship.

I personally (and somewhat controversially) think that when Fretwell is on form he is potentially England’s answer to Dylan. As I am a huge Dylan fan, that’s not an easy thing to say, but certain parts of this album show huge chasms of Dylan-esque potential. As controversial as I know some people might find that statement, I stand by it.

Regardless of how people may interpret it, I do love this album and although I might not listen to it over and over or every week, I’m certain I’ll always have a copy of it with me till the end of my days.

He has done a second album, which is also quite good, but for me, Magpie will always be the stand out record (unless of course he betters it with a 3rd album – EPs aside).

I’ve put a couple of tracks below for your listening pleasure. If you like them, then please go and buy the album.

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Ian Brown – Stellify EP and Video

// August 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // General, Music

I’ve not got much time to properly review this today, so I’ll expand on it later. But Ian Brown’s new EP Stellify is well worth buying for both time-served King Monkey fans and new-comers.

The four track ep takes its tracks from the upcoming “My Way” album and signifies a return to form after the underwhelming effort (sorry, that is hard to admit) that was “The World is Yours”.

In the words of Ian Brown himself; Beg, steal, borrow or buy it – it’s worth it.

Here’s the video for Stellify featuring Ian taking a stroll through the streets of Manchester.

Video player and video stream supplied by Polydor/Universal Music

Manchester Calling – Musically At Least

// June 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Perhaps subconsciously I’m a little homesick but whilst I’m sat here working away in Camden I can’t stop myself listening to some good old Manc classics.

It all started this morning when one of my all time favourite records came through via an iTunes set to random. The unmistakable rhythm guitar from the classic “Let’s Take a Trip” by Northside gripped me immediately and sent me into a spin back to a little Manchester-in-my-head. For me it’s one of the defining songs of the whole ‘Madchester’ scene and to some extent Factory records too; optimistic, uplifting whilst still being a bit rough. (For the record in my opinion much of Factory’s music was quite uplifting -if a bit scruffy- despite the belief by some that it was all a bit tragic due to the Joy Division association, but that’s another debate.)

Following on from that, I couldn’t help but dig out Palatine: The Factory Story; the 4 piece box set containing some outstanding tracks from pretty much every member of the Factory family. From Joy Division early James and The Durutti Column through to more the obscure X-O-Dus and Kalima the full set mixes the upbeat with the downright grim. It’s a pretty good way to reawaken any dormant Manchester thoughts in anyone’s brain and today in-particular I’m glad for it (gladferit?).

If you can dig it out (I believe it goes for anything between £75 and £1000 second hand these days so good luck), I highly recommend it. Although listening to the albums from which the tracks are taken is always worth the time if you have it.

My notable tracks:
Sketch For Summer – The Durutti Column
Hymn From a Village – James
Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division (Of course this has to be there)
You’re No Good – ESG
Happy Ever After – Stockholm Monsters (Weird Johnny Rotten/Brian Ferry/Roxy Music sound but lovely)
Sparkle – Kalima (The birth of the Balearic scene maybe?)
24 Hour Party People – Happy Mondays
World In Motion – New Order (Catch Me If You Can, Coz I’m The England Man – Ha Ha John Barnes)
Wrote For Luck – Happy Mondays