jameses

Green and Yorkston.
Really happy with the way this looks on the page in the notebook. Less so with the scan - but here it is. Mr. Yorkston is not so thick lipped. Maybe Mr. Green could use this in place of his passport photo.

yorkston festival

I received several James Yorkston albums in the post and they are all I have listened to for the past 2 weeks. Something about his music and his approach to his art that makes me very very happy. In the midst of my not finding a job its good to have the music to go to. Art communicates grace.

More videos here.

conversation and observation

I can not start the day without a proper cup of black tea, made in a pot. Visiting the delightful and inspiring Tea Appreciation Society yesterday I came across this fantastic site.

Nick Hand has been cycling around the coast of Britain since June in order to raise money for Parkinson's Disease Society. On the way he has been making these amazing short documentaries about artisans and craftspeople he meets: everyone from Billy Bragg and my own favourites, the Fence Collective, to a group of potters in Cley, Norfolk. These wee films are moving and marvelous and I plan to watch them all.

I only heard about Paul Smith 2 days ago, when I found out about him here. I like what he had to say about making things. Nick Hand made a soundslide with him as well: 'conversation and observation and the love of life is far more important than any of the other stuff.'

"...just try and make it as beautiful as possible..."

James Yorkston was my best music find of 2008.

This video says a lot about why. There's something very encouraging about someone working on their art as straightforwardly as Mr. Yorkston. And the music is very wonderful.