Calling Dr. Bombay, Dr. Bombay… remember him from Bewitched? Well, maybe he will appear out of nowhere at this chic and modern restaurant. This is no Little India. It is in west Chelsea on 9th ave. My friends have been going here for sometime, but I just got “turned on” to it. I loved the food and the modern decor. I felt like I was in a modern tandoori hotel. Next time I will go in Bombay style and appear out of thin air.
Posted in Hidden Gem
NOW: BELLE & SEBASTIAN – WRITE ABOUT LOVE (2010)
The return of one of my favorite bands. It took years for this new body of work to come out. Many side projects delayed this new CD. Here it is! This time it is classic Belle… Mellow, Groovy, Story Telling, Psychedelic and, this time, Love. They even brought in the adorable actress Carey Mulligan to sing background vocals on the title track. I love it and so will you. All I can say is it is never too late to start on some Belle and Sebastian. Start here and work back.
THEN: DONOVAN – HURDY GURDY MAN (1968)
Remember I just said Mellow, Groovy, Story telling, and Psychedelic… Well this is where is all began. The fey voice of Donovan influenced Stuart Murdoch of B & S. The orchestrated music also is a big reminder. Every once in a while it is cool to lay back, and drink some tea and relax into the world of Donovan!
Posted in Music Maniac
“Dandy Always.” “My Dandy Darling.” These are some of the quotes from my friend Patrick McDonald of New York. I first met Patrick in Fire Island and we became friends instantly. After seeing him at so many parties and, being afraid of those large cocktail rings and ascots, I found out he was a wonderful and friendly person . I ran to his book signing at Bergdorf Goodman. “Four Famous Dandies- Paper Dolls” is the title of this wonderful book about the men of exceptional studied style. Beau Brummell and Oscar Wilde are among the four. This is not matchy-matchy but taste at it highest level.
$21,000 photographs by Anton Corbijn….. I’ll take two! Talk about a splurge galore! I was recently at the opening at the Stellan Holm Gallery in NYC of Anton Corbijn’s “Inwards and Onwards” show. As I walked in the room I was so excited to see these large size visions (57″x57″) on the walls. Anton is known for his grainy photos of musicians and artists. This show included Bruce Springsteen, Kate Moss, Iggy Pop, Alexander McQueen among others. Anton is also a film director and has been a visual director for U2 since 1983. Bono arrived and I told him and Anton about my “U2 and Peter” photo I own from the last show (no, it was not as large or even close to this price). We had a great conversation and talked about our memories of 1983. I then kindly asked for this wonderful photo op, and Bono said sure and to “keep staying young.”
Posted in Events, Splurge Galore
NOW: MARK RONSON & THE BUSINESS INTL. – RECORD COLLECTION (2010)
“I want to be in your record collection.” Mark Ronson is a DJ/producer/singer. He is the king of combining elements and coming up with a fresh new sound. On this album, he adds many synthesizers from the 80’s. He has guest singers Boy George and Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran pitch in. The retro sound he made famous with Amy Winehouse is also apparent here. This is a fun upbeat and swinging sound. Every song is packed with a punch.
THEN: MARK RONSON – VERSION (2007)
I couldn’t think of any older cd to compare because I feel these two Mark Ronson albums are so unique and belong together. On VERSION, he uses covers of older songs and has other vocalist sing on them. He covers The Smiths to Britney. Go figure. It is also fun and packed with punch. Amy Winehouse sings a song and again Mark likes to mash it up!!!
Posted in Music Maniac
This is not your typical coffee table book of pretty pictures. This a tribute to a great photographer in words and pictures that commemorates his life. I have been a big fan of Herb Ritts, and now I can learn more about his life. Richard Gere writes the foreword to the book. They were great friends from the beginning. Madonna and Herb were also good friends and he directed one of her videos. His premature death at age 50 was a tragedy. This book brings his memories and talent back to life. This is a great gift and a great price on amazon.com for anyone who enjoys stylized pop culture.
I recently learned about Alex Prager from the Museum of Modern Art – New Photography 2010. She is based in Los Angeles and is a self-taught photographer. Her works are darkly playful with cues from pulp fiction and also very cinematic. She is someone to know about and watch for. She is now directing small films and also shooting upcoming fashion advertising campaigns. Her work is getting more and more collectible. Her photos make me smile with anticipation…
Posted in Who are you?
The year is 1966. The television show is called “Evening Primrose.” This DVD was finally released of this specially created-for-television lost Sondheim production. It is a long-lost treasure that is restored and remastered starring Anthony Perkins. It takes place inside a department store after hours. The people are gone and the doors are locked. It includes some of Sondheim’s most hauntingly beautiful songs. So try some Jiffy Pop and watch this at home.
Posted in The Arts
Photo by Robyn Lee, on Flickr
Mary Redding the chef and owner of this small spot in the West Village of NYC, knows how to rock and lobster roll. I love going here because the music she plays spans from Queen to the Stones, to Nirvana. She also serves a killer Lobster Roll. The tables are close together and you feel cozy and warm. I used to think of this gem only in the summer, but I can’t wait to have some warm chowder this winter and play name that tune!!
Posted in Hidden Gem
I don’t hike or go anywhere near a cliff, so why would I be interested in a “Clif Bar? My best friend gave me one to try recently and I was hooked. I loved the packaging (even though a little butch), the taste and convenience. I ran to Costco and bought a 3 variety case of these bars. I bring them to the theatre for intermission, to meetings, or wherever. It is great for “grazing” so you are not famished when you hit the dinner table. Who doesn’t want nutrition for sustained energy?
Posted in Treat of the Week
silver fox in the city 