Kenny Wilson’s Blog Selection
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The Long Walk of the Situationist International | Greil Marcus (The Village Voice)
“The situationists were bent on discovering the absolute ability to criticize anyone, anywhere — without restraint, without the pull of alliances, and without self-satisfaction. And they were bent on turning that criticism into event.” by GREIL MARCUS Originally published May 1, 1982 How Extreme Was It — 1 — I first became intrigued with the Situationist International…
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Watch the Tate Modern Restore Mark Rothko’s Vandalized Painting, Black on Maroon: 18 Months of Work Condensed Into 17 Minutes
Here is a video and article from the site Open Culture. It relates to what I have written previously about art vandalism and the harsh treatment of it’s less famous perpetrators, especially as it is seen as real artistic expression by some major World artists, particularly Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei. It raises real issues of…
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Phil Riley: “Such a Tiny Boat” new E.P. released on Spotify and YouTube 1st June 2021
Phil Riley is part of a group I belong to called “Reynard Collective”. We are all singer/songwriters promoting and developing our work. It is already yielding results. Here is a link to a Spotify playlist of Phil’s new E.P. “Such a Tiny Boat” Out on June 1st, ‘Such a Tiny Boat’ is the latest digital-only…
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Review: “Bob Dylan In London (Troubadour Tales)” by Jackie Lees and K G Miles | Kenny Wilson
I am aware that every book I have read about Bob Dylan seems to raise more questions than answers. That includes this charming and well presented publication that takes us on a tour of Dylan’s time spent in London over the years. It’s full of amusing and interesting anecdotes and a remarkable level of detail…
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“A Folly Called Old John” by Kenny Wilson
Here’s a new recording of a song I have written and recorded about a building on a hill at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, England. It is a strange building (known as a folly) that is built to look like a beer tankard. My friend Al Owens wrote the lyrics and I did the music. It…
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Remarks on Timothy Leary’s “Politics of Ecstasy” by Allen Ginsberg
“The new consciousness born in these States can be traced back through old gnostic texts, visions, artists & shamans; it is the consciousness of our ground nature suppressed & desecrated.” by ALLEN GINSBERG Originally published December 12, 1968 ‘Christmas in Earth’ By the late ’40s of this memory Century the people I knew best and loved the…
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“A Poison Tree” (William Blake)
Here is my second recording in the Romantic Poets series. It is “A Poison Tree” by William Blake. I intend to do a few more from the “Songs of Innocence and Experience”. They are obviously intended as songs and are just the right length. Blake is a particular inspiration to me. In 2019 I went…
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Piaf and Cocteau: Les Enfants Terribles
When I write I disturb. When I make a film I disturb. When I paint I disturb. When I exhibit my paintings I disturb, and I disturb if I don’t. I have… Piaf and Cocteau: Les Enfants Terribles
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“La Belle Dame Sans Merci” (John Keats)
I have started a new project setting works of the Romantic Poets to music. Here is my first attempt “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” by John Keats. I visited his grave in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. It was a strange and spiritual experience! I recorded this at home using Cubase 9.5 and various instruments…
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“Aint Misbehavin” by Parisian Swing Band
Here is a recording I have just made in my home studio of Fats Waller’s classic jazz hit “Aint Misbehavin’”. I actually played all of the instruments on this which turned out to be a bit of a trial and more difficult than I thought. A good learning experience though. I play with a band…
Got any book recommendations?