GOOD STUFFStuff I Love…
FAVOURITE DOCUMENTARIES: TOP 15
Two parallel stories brilliantly reveal both the reality & malevolent glamour of Mexican drug cartels
NARCO CULTURA (2013)
Banksy’s mischievous masterpiece about graffiti art, celebrity, media gullibility & art snobs
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (2010)
Visually inventive film about the rise & fall of an iconic American city
REQUIEM FOR DETROIT ? (2010)
Errol Morris’ classic documentary noir – which solved a murder
THE THIN BLUE LINE (1988)
Oscar-winning tale of a high-wire walk between the Twin Towers – filmed like a heist movie
MAN ON WIRE (2008)
Epic African-American civil rights series from PBS
EYES ON THE PRIZE: AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS YEARS (1987-1990)
Overlooked jewel about the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landings & their impact on earth
MOONWALK ONE (1970)
Set in the world of 1970’s cricket – a terrific film about West Indian underdogs fighting back
FIRE IN BABYLON (2010)
Live through the Roaring Twenties as PBS brings the era to life with astonishing archive footage
PROHIBITION (2011)
Heavy police corruption in 1980’s New York – with characters straight out of a Scorsese movie
PRECINCT SEVEN FIVE (2015)
Sublime surfing film by director of the equally good skateboarding film – Dogtown & Z-Boys
RIDING GIANTS (2004)
Delightful & beautifully observed film of Cuban youngsters training to become boxers
SONS OF CUBA (2009)
One of the finest Vietnam War documentaries – captivating, haunting & shocking
HEARTS & MINDS (1974)
Another fascinating Adam Curtis polemic wrapped around the Afghanistan war
BITTER LAKE (2015)
Absorbing & immersive film about Brazilian Formula One racer, Ayrton Senna
SENNA (2010)
FAVOURITE MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES: TOP 15
A strange, magical, bewitching trip through the American Deep South
SEARCHING FOR THE WRONG-EYED JESUS (2003)
With intimate access to the Beatles – watch Ringo do the twist in the Peppermint Lounge
WHAT'S HAPPENING! THE BEATLES IN THE USA (1964)
Filmed over 7 years, the relationship between 2 bands becomes an hypnotic psycho-drama
DIG ! (2004)
Terrific moral tale about ambition & strained friendships as a Scottish duo pretend to be US rappers
THE GREAT HIP HOP HOAX (2013)
Ginger drives from London to Nigeria for Afro-Beat madness with Fela Kuti & friends
GINGER BAKER IN AFRICA (1971)
Beautifully-structured, uplifting Oscar-winning film about black-American backing singers
20 FEET FROM STARDOM (2013)
We, The Music – a gorgeous film-poem from the heady days of 1960’s post-revolutionary Cuba
NOSOTROS, LA MUSICA (1966)
Cracking film about the two fascinating men – complete opposites – who managed the Who’s career
LAMBERT & STAMP (2015)
Julien Temple’s very fine film about Canvey Island’ s Dr. Feelgood
OIL CITY CONFIDENTIAL (2009)
Brilliant, evocative & emotional portrait of the band and the city they emerged from
JOY DIVISION (2007)
The Maysles Brothers take on The Rolling Stones, the Altamont Festival & the death of the 1960’s
GIMME SHELTER (1970)
Ingeniously-constructed & beautifully-shot – the film’s a tease, but a very enjoyable one
NICK CAVE: 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH (2014)
Liz Garbus’ absorbing film unfolds Nina’s life through archive audio & revealing performances
WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? (2015)
A great film and one of the very few that captured 1970’s reggae as it was actually happening
ROOTS, ROCK, REGGAE (1977)
Engrossing film – like watching a beautifully-constructed slow-motion car crash in close-up
AMY (2015)
FAVOURITE MOVIES: TOP 25
Scorsese’s dazzling first New York hoodlum masterpiece
MEAN STREETS (1973)
Sergio Leone’s final movie & poignant mobster classic set across four decades
ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984)
Visually seductive, Oscar-winning meditation on hedonism & innocence, aging & memories
THE GREAT BEAUTY (2013)
On the streets of San Francisco – director Don Siegel in his finest collaboration with Clint Eastwood
DIRTY HARRY (1971)
Funny & moving coming-of-age tale with a terrific performance from young Mickey Rourke
DINER (1982)
Mesmerizingly sublime set pieces in this Cuban-Soviet co-pro about the rise of the revolution
I AM CUBA / SOY CUBA (1964)
Alain Delon is the laconic hitman in this killer French neo-noir masterpiece
LE SAMOURAI (1967)
Epic Hong Kong action madness from director John Woo – set during the Vietnam war
BULLET IN THE HEAD (1990)
Woody Allen’s wonderful homage to New York City & George Gershwin
MANHATTAN (1979)
A hitman chase thriller across Texas – the Coen Brothers definitive masterpiece?
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007)
A film noir masterpiece set on a train from Chicago to LA – with an Oscar-nominated script
THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s surreal, satirical triumph about a fading Hollywood star’s Broadway debut
BIRDMAN (2014)
A forgotten jewel – a Californian hostage/ransom crime thriller with John Cassavetes
THE NIGHT HOLDS TERROR (1955)
Orson Welles’ baroque film noir classic set on the US-Mexican border
A TOUCH OF EVIL (1958)
This is the brilliant Hong Kong undercover cop original – remade as The Departed by Scorsese
INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002)
Richard Linklater’s wonderfully observed comedy set in the final 24 hours of the summer term
DAZED & CONFUSED (1993)
Low-budget indie comic classic starring Steve Buscemi as loser, Tommy
TREES LOUNGE (1996)
Shane Meadows’ brilliant revenge thriller set in the Midlands
DEAD MAN’S SHOES (2004)
Fascinating & controversial guerrilla war movie shot on location & with an Ennio Morricone score
THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS (1966)
Three stories intertwined around a car crash in Mexico City – Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s brilliant debut
AMORES PERROS (2000)
Wonderful & witty con-man movie from Argentina
NINE QUEENS (2000)
Overlooked at the time, Lee Marvin stars in this brilliant experimental crime thriller
POINT BLANK (1967)
2 Irish hitmen sit it out – a highly original black comedy thriller
IN BRUGES (2008)
Spike Lee’s funky, red-hot, day-glow masterpiece
DO THE RIGHT THING (1989)
Hitchcock’s real time thriller about the perfect murder – long takes all filmed in just one location
ROPE (1948)
FAVOURITE ALBUMS: TOP 30
Their mythical country – rock & roll – gospel – soul classic recorded on the French Riviera
THE ROLLING STONES – EXILE ON MAIN STREET (1972)
His meditative modal masterpiece – an album which sustains an infinity of plays
MILES DAVIS – KIND OF BLUE (1959)
Raucous, fuzzy, garage-blues rock from Ohio – with the classic, Girl Is On My Mind
THE BLACK KEYS – RUBBER FACTORY (2004)
A potent mixture of boogie blues & slow Southern Gothic-flavoured tracks like TB Sheets
JOHN LEE HOOKER – NEVER GET OUT OF THESE BLUES ALIVE (1972)
Ryley has brilliantly absorbed Van Morrison, John Martyn & Tim Buckley into his own style
RYLEY WALKER – PRIMROSE GREEN (2015)
Sly’s introverted shuffle-funk masterpiece
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – FRESH (1973)
Hypnotic big-band Afro-Beat from the originator
FELA KUTI – GO SLOW (1976)
I love Brown’s voice but this album is full of his tight funky instrumentals
JAMES BROWN – THE POPCORN (1969)
Shimmering swamp-rock fantasies of the Deep South from this great San Francisco band
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL – BAYOU COUNTRY (1969)
Masterful melancholia from Sheffield
RICHARD HAWLEY – COLES CORNER (2005)
Country-rock meets bluegrass & wonderful bittersweet harmonies
DILLARD & CLARK – THE FANTASTIC EXPEDITION OF… (1968)
An album of beautiful, dark, baroque samba rhythms by this Brazilian singer & guitarist
JORGE BEN – FORCA BRUTA (1970)
Where it all crystallized for Jimi – psychedelia, hard rock, soul, blues…
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – ELECTRIC LADYLAND (1968)
One of the funkiest & most joyful soul-jazz albums ever recorded
CHARLES EARLAND – LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE (1972)
Shimmering acoustic blues soundtrack
RY COODER – PARIS, TEXAS (1984)
You are there in the front row looking up at Sam – a brilliant, visceral live recording
SAM COOKE – LIVE AT THE HARLEM SQUARE CLUB (1963)
Red-hot bebop from immediate post-war New York City
JAMES MOODY – JAMES MOODY & HIS MODERNISTS (1948)
Atmospheric tales of strange street life dipped in a funky surreal-blues-jazz soundtrack
TOM WAITS – RAIN DOGS (1985)
Ex-Bob Marley & The Wailers’ brilliant acoustic reggae recordings – just vocals & guitar
PETER TOSH – I AM THAT I AM (1970’s)
With Watch That Man, Cracked Actor & Drive-In Saturday, it’s my favourite Ziggy-era album
DAVID BOWIE – ALADDIN SANE (1973)
High octane big-band Latin jazz from New York City via Cuba
MACHITO – KENYA (1957)
Reflective indie folk masterpiece
SUFJAN STEVENS – SEVEN SWANS (2004)
Sprawling brilliance – my favourite late 60’s album of theirs
THE BEATLES – THE WHITE ALBUM (1968)
Incendiary political hip-hop that shattered the musical landscape
PUBLIC ENEMY – IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK (1989)
Their 3rd album and the often overlooked, understated jewel in their catalogue
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND – THE VELVET UNDERGROUND (1969)
Deep, edgy, atmospheric jazz – the sound of a master at work
YUSEF LATEEF – PSYCHICEMOTUS (1965)
Joe’s finest moment – raw Latin street rhythms over sweet, melodic vocals
JOE BATAAN – RIOT! (1968)
Great title – and an album full of hypnotic folk-blues drones
STEVE GUNN & MIKE GANGLOFF – MELODIES FOR A SAVAGE FIX (2013)
New York Hispanics & African-Americans come together for this Latin funk classic
HARLEM RIVER DRIVE – HARLEM RIVER DRIVE (1971)
Alternative-rock’s loud-quiet masterpiece full of unbelievable melodic rage
NIRVANA – NEVERMIND (1991)
FAVOURITE BOOKS: TOP 20
Tough, lyrical autobiographical bestseller – Harlem drug addict & stick-up artist discovers himself
PIRI THOMAS – DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS (1967)
Washington DC’s crime novelist supremo wraps a tight thriller around Martin Luther King’s death
GEORGE PELECANOS – HARD REVOLUTION (2003)
Marion “Joe” Carstairs was bisexual, the fastest woman on water in the 1920’s – and so much more
KATE SUMMERSCALE – THE QUEEN OF WHALE CAY (1997)
Brilliant exploration of Muhammad Ali’s impact on the 1960’s – in and out of the boxing ring
MIKE MARQUSEE – REDEMPTION SONG: MUHAMMAD ALI & THE SPIRIT OF THE SIXTIES (2005)
His hilarious satire on South African Apartheid
TOM SHARPE – RIOTOUS ASSEMBLY (1971)
Beautifully observed short-stories of Dominican Republic life from this Pulitzer-Prize winning author
JUNOT DIAZ – DROWN (1996)
The definitive tale of the rise of renegade 1970’s American movie directors – Scorsese, Coppola…
PETER BISKIND – EASY RIDERS, RAGING BULLS (1998)
Superb account of the turbulent, complex relationship between the USA, Cuba & its exiles
ANNE LOUISE BARDACH – CUBA CONFIDENTIAL: ITS REVOLUTION AND ITS EXILES (2004)
Wonderful collection of his impressionistic colour photographs from the 1940’s & 1950’s
SAUL LEITER – EARLY COLOR (2006)
The first in his USA Underworld Trilogy – reimagining the dark political deeds of 1958-1972
JAMES ELLROY – AMERICAN TABLOID (1995)
Exceptional portrait of Chet Baker’s music – and his life – the image & the reality
JAMES GAVIN – DEEP IN A DREAM: THE LONG NIGHT OF CHET BAKER (2003)
Superb investigation into the JFK & RFK years – their politics & their assassinations
DAVID TALBOT – BROTHERS: THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF THE KENNEDY YEARS (2007)
Wild, hilarious & sharp biography of pot smuggling misadventures in 1970’s Colombia & Venezuela
ROBERT SABBAG – SMOKESCREEN: A TRUE ADVENTURE (2002)
Powerful collection of journalism documenting how the Vietnam War started, then imploded
REPORTING VIETNAM: AMERICAN JOURNALISM 1959-1969 (2000)
Funny, brutal exploration of his teenage years – darkness amongst the Californian orange groves
CHARLES BUKOWSKI – HAM ON RYE (1982)
Crazy tales & sharp observations from their mythic Exile On Main Street American tour in 1972
ROBERT GREENFIELD – STP: A JOURNEY ACROSS AMERICA WITH THE ROLLING STONES (1974)
Innovative biography of this flawed World Heavyweight Champion and his ties with the mob
NICK TOSHES – NIGHT TRAIN: THE DEVIL & SONNY LISTON (2000)
Beautifully-written, tender, half-dreamt vignettes about the lives of jazz icons
GEOFF DYER – BUT BEAUTIFUL: A BOOK ABOUT JAZZ (1991)
Wolfe’s New Journalism tackles Ken Kesey, the Merry Pranksters, acid trips & Hell’s Angels
TOM WOLFE – THE ELECTRIC KOOL-AID ACID TEST (1968)
Highly engaging, brilliantly candid memoir
KEITH RICHARDS – LIFE (2011)
Terrific account of Frank Sinatra & his buddies’ Las Vegas coup – and their endless party
SHAWN LEVY – RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL (1998)
