MARCH REVIEWS

What I’ve Been Watching

Community S5 – I think this has well and truly jumped the shark, unsure why they brought it back after being cancelled. And Yet I still watched it all!

 

Love Child S2 – this was no where near as good as S1, but still ok in a soap-operay way. Matthew Le Nevez added to cast was a good move.

 

Dates – Newish British series by the same guy that did Skins. This is a drama/comedy show about dating with recurring characters. Realistic and interesting.

 

Broad City S1 – Finally caught up with this cult comedy about two loser/geeky girls living in New York and their exploits. Truly made me laugh.

 

Ruben Guthrie – Despite having the lovely Patrick Brammel as the lead, this was a play by the numbers film of a play (that I have seen) that lacked the grit it had on the stage.

 

Mr Holmes – Ian McEwan is lovely as an aging and possibly dying Sherlock Holmes.

A thousand Times Good Night – Starring Juliette Binoche as a war correspondent photographer and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as her long suffering husband. It starts off very gritty and compelling, with Binoche in the middle east filming a young woman being readied to be a suicide bomber and travelling with her into town and her target. After she is dropped off, she realises what she is doing and tried to warn those around her as the bomb goes off, gaining injuries herself. After waking at home in hospital, her family try and convince her not to return to these unsafe places. Initially she agrees, but the danger is in her blood and she ends up in Africa with her daughter and almost gets them both into a dangerous situation which has longer lasting effects on their dynamics and family relationship. When the action is in third world countries Binoche shines, you can see her focus and why the character is drawn to exposing these poor people. But the home side of the story, whilst it was always going to be a huge contrast, comes across too uneven and soap operay, which is a shame. Both Binoche and Coster-Waldau and the two young girls that play their children are excellent. But it is, of course, Binoche’s film.

 

The Loft –  a remake of an European film about 5 men who share a loft in the city with a pact not to disclose their discrepancies to their wives or partners. Until a woman is found dead in the loft and they all start to turn on each other. This was a bit meh and misogynistic, apparently the remake is better.

 

Runnin’ Down A Dream  - This 4 hour documentary by Peter Bogdanovich about Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is magnificent and one of the best Rock documentaries I have seen. I am a huge fan of Tom Petty, but this was detailed and included all sorts of information and interviews. The attention to detail is mesmerising, and the people interviewed to talk about Tom and the band is great, including George Harrison, Stevie Nicks, and Jeff Lynne. It of course has interviews with Tom and band members over the years. It covers song writing, hits, fame, albums, band member changes, and collaborations. I was particularly thrilled with the attention given to Nicks, Dylan, and The Travelling Wilburys. But mostly you see that Petty’s style is timeless rock, his music never dates, is always great, and he is a much beloved character in the music industry. Mr nice guy if you will. This is a great documentary, you do not have to be a fan to enjoy this, but if you are, you are in for a treat!

 

Beware Mr Baker – This is a strange documentary about legendary drummer, Ginger Baker. What a guy! Genius musican and complete and utter arsehole. The documentarian is a young guy who found out Baker was living out his later years with his 4th wife in Africa. So he chased him down and finally got consent for interviews that became the film. Depending on his mood, depended on how he approached the interviews, with humour, decency or malice, usually the later.

 

Now: in the wings on a world stage – this was a little doco following Sam Mendes and Kevin Spacey’s production of Richard III round the globe as it tours. It is an interesting look into life on the road with a Shakespearian touring company and a star.

 

Chris and Don: a love story – a lovely documentary about Christopher Isherwood and his much younger partner Don Bachardy, an American portrait painter. Told mostly from Don’s perspective, it goes through their very out and groundbreaking relationship in the 1950s and Don’s thoughts on Christopher’s fame and fortune. Don was often dismissed by many of Christopher’s more famous friends. It is an interesting evolution of a relationship which much footage throughout the years.

 

Ai Weiwei: never sorry – great documentary about the Chinese activist and artist, following him and his exhibitions and his clashes with the Chinese Government. I adore Weiwei and his literal middle finger to conservatism, although it does get him into some serious trouble. His art may not be for everyone, but his attitude is worth bottling.

 

Blackfish – this pretty much broke me. I love animals and have real issues with those being kept in public zoos etc. I understand the naturalist and protection some species need and that is ok, but when they are made to do shows for people, as astonishing as that might seem, it is just wrong. NOw I have been to Sea World in Qld and indeed in the Florida, where I saw first hand Killer Whales on show...I was equal parts amazed at seeing one of these beautiful creatures up close but equal parts ashamed and ill. The film is based around one particular Orca (the word killer whale is rarely used) who has killed three people, including a head trainer a few years back, and has been the ‘seed’ for many others born in captivity. The dialogue is mostly with a bunch of ex trainers and you can see these people have a lot of pain from their escapades. I felt ill and uneasy watching the film, much as I had watching these large wild creatures jump about in way too small pools in Florida over 15 years ago. It just doesn’t seem right and who can blame them for attacking the small humans they work with.

 

American Pickers S6 – I do love watching Frank and Mike head off in their truck in search of the golden pick. This series is much like the rest, some interesting people who just cannot stop hoarding old bits and pieces and the gems that can be found if you look long enough within their collections.

Annie Lennox – this was a one hour interview type show, but a fascinating insight into the great mind of Annie. SHe was open and honest and chatty and formidable, as only you can imagine. I loved how she reminisced upon her early days of stardom and how it affected her and her long time relationship with Dave Stewart.

 

Bette Davis – a pulled together from interviews across the years type documentary looking at her career. A formidable character on and off screen, especially off screen.

 

What I’ve Been Reading

Hunger makes me a modern girl – Carrie Brownstein – great memoir from Carrie, mostly about her younger years and life on the road with Sleater-Kinney. Carrie’s style of writing is open and earnest and her insight into how she plays and writes and approaches ‘fame’ is very interesting, in that as a fan of many things herself she wants to give the kind of experience she would want to receive from those she idolises.

 

George and Arthur – Julian Barnes – I love Julian Barnes, but this one is not a favourite. I listened to it on audio book in the car. The tale of two English gents, growing up in very different circumstances and how their lives finally intersect at a key moment.

 

Humans of New York – I love reading this website through my facebook updates, it is a mix of surreal, stunning, funny, and sad. I am always deeply moved by the people interviewed on those fabulous streets of NYC. The book is a compilation of these interviews.

 

Somebody that I Used To Know: love, loss, and Jack Thompson – Bunkie King – hmmm, this is a scintillating tale for sure, but I felt the author was actually holding back a lot more information. Thompson does not come off looking well at all in this. I guess it is a 60s/70s mentality he had, but to basically have two lovers that were sisters is pretty messed up which ever way you look at it. It would have been interesting to have Bunkie’s older sister’s thoughts on the whole story, but that was not possible.

 

Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee –  I loved this wonderful graphic novel about the life of Comic legend, Stan Lee.

 

Paris Metro Tales – This was a small paperback of short stories based in and around Parisian metro stops and included stories by Colette, Balzac, Zola amongst more modern writers.

 

Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis – this is a fascinating story of Red Hot Chili Pepper frontman, Kiedis. About his fame, his music, girlfriends, family, Hollywood, and of course his awful drug problem. It is written with much detail and very earnestly, at times you wonder how much is true, but by the end you realise it probably is all true, what does he have to lose? Intriguing detail into becoming a star and the hold addiction can have on some personalities.

 

Fun employed: life as an artist in Australia – Justin Heazlewood – this is an interesting little book by The Bedroom Philosopher, how he survives (or doesn’t) as an artist. He draws on a lot of advice from others and how they do it, rather than just concentrating on his own story, which I found distracting. Nevertheless it is an interesting read.

 

Out came the sun – Mariel Hemingway – this is more about Mariel’s life than her families as billed. Although she does draw on her family’s madness, including her sisters and grandfather. I felt there was much missing from his book and it could have done well to have more added. It felt to me that she was trying to point out, hey I am a Hemingway too and I was nominated for an Academy Award, remember me!?

 

Troublemaker: surviving Hollywood and scientology – Leah Remini – it seems many drawn to Scientology have had very strange upbringings. This didn’t tell you any more than you would know had you read the articles surrounding this when it was first published, but it is worth the read for the very odd and delicious account of the marriage to Katie Holmes by Tom Cruise.

 

What I’ve Been Listening To

New Coldplay – I’ve enjoyed the new Coldplay, much the same as albums that proceed it.

 

Australian songs of the 60s – this is a great multiple disc compilation of Australian songs of the 60s. We had some superb talent back then.

 

Best of Triple J – another compilation of the best songs played over the years on Triple J.

 

Perfect songs: Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

This is one of those songs that seems to appear when I most need it. I have many go to tunes, Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python, and of course Bridge of Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.

 

But this stunning duet by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush really strengthens me in many ways.

 

I’ve loved this song since it came out in the mid 80s, a big Gabriel and Bush fan, the two of them together was too much for me to bear. I loved the album So, and played it until I was sure the grooves in the vinyl wore, and this track was no exception. Sledgehammer was the big track and a huge hit, visually and vocally, and then there was In Your Eyes from Say Anything. Every song was an instant classic, but the duet brought me to my knees, I played it over and over again, singing along to both parts.

 

It is a song I know very well, and is definitely, to me, a perfect song. I guess as my list of perfect songs has shown so far, I am drawn to melodic and melancholy songs, and again this fits that bill.

 

And yet it is not a song I play purposely these days, but it is true that it always seems to appear on the radio when I need it the most. There is no explanation for this, it simply happens, call it serendipity or synchronicity, I feel that it follows me to make sure I am ok. Only a few weeks ago I was in a bit of a bad place, and was driving home from somewhere and this came on the radio. It made me cry but it also gave me hope, and as I sobbed and sung I could feel my fog lifting.

 

Don’t Give Up.

 

It’ll make me cry, it’ll make me think, but it will always...no matter what...make me feel stronger and more alive than I was prior to hearing it.

 

Rest your head, you worry too much - those lyrics, it is like they know me, have gotten in my head.

 

The melding of those two lovely and unique voices is a perfect pairing, they sound amazing together. Gabriel’s clear, strong voice along side that theatrically stunning almost operatic voice of Bush.

 

Gabriel sings with fear and despair (the story was inspired by depression era photos AND thatcher) whilst Bush offers hope and encouragement within the chorus and her harmonies.

 

And so it goes, two intense verses from Gabriel and the soothing and comforting return from Bush within the chorus.

 

And then it lifts with the all important bridge, Kate singing powerfully and with conviction, “rest your head, you worry too much, it’s gonna be alright, when times get rough, you can fall back on us, don’t give up, please don’t give up.”

 

Gabriel sounds even more powerful in voice, though maybe not so much in words, as he counteracts with his section of the bridge.

 

The song continues with another verse and Kate riffing on the chorus. Where things head, who can know, but I feel the power and strength in her voice, through her vocals and words. Surely only positivity is next. Maybe that is not the intent of the song, but for me, that is what it is about, friends and those who love you holding you up and supporting you, giving you strength when you don’t feel so strong.

 

And then of course there is the superb Godley and Creme video that accompanies it, with Kate and Peter hanging on to each other as if their lives do indeed depend on it. It is as evocative and as sensual as the song itself, a perfect visual representation of how I think the song unfolds.

Perfect songs: Wichita Lineman - Glenn Campbell and Jimmy Webb

Jimmy Webb is a genius song writer, there is no doubt about it. And get Glenn Campbell to sing those songs and you have pure gold. I have been a long time fan of Campbell, and Wichita Lineman is one of those perfect songs.

 

The theme and lyrics describe a lonely telephone line man, up a pole on the line, possibly talking to a love or about an ex-love, and his longing for them out in the lonely country.

 

Whilst the specifics of the telephone line man may escape most, the feeling and emotion of the song everyone gets, it is timeless.

 

The melancholy of the lyrics and orchestration kill me, every...single...time...

 

I think I could listen to this song forever.

 

You mention Wichita Lineman to any music lover and the response will almost always be the same, a knowing nod, an ahh, and a wistful look, every song writer and poet wishes they wrote it.

 

“I need you more than want you and I want you for all time” is one of the most perfect lyrics ever written.

 

The strings and orchestration add extra depth to what is essentially a country song. Campbell has never sounded better, his translation of those lyrics is spot on. His voice is pure and clean, and the clarity of his sound singing those stunning lyrics against backdrop of the orchestration, it is pure perfection.

 

The song soars on the back of those strings, and pulls back on the stronger lyrics, building slowly for the guitar solo in the middle. Very simply executed, as the good songs often are.

 

REM have always done a lovely version of it (and Galveston) and when searching for that to add I found this gorgeous version with Michael Stipe singing with Patti Smith’s band, it’s not his best version, but worth it to see his interaction with Patti and the deep love they have always had. Totally melted my heart.

Perfect songs: Only You - Yazoo

I was watching some tele and Only You comes on and it made me realise this is a great candidate for a perfect song. Or one I’ll never tire of listening to!

 

I always loved Only You by Yazoo, a romantic sweet song with that 80s electronic edge to keep it from being too saccharine.

 

But when The Office (original version) used it in the final episode as Tim and Dawn’s song, it really resonated with me. It was the perfect song because it worked and was unexpected! And whilst I am not a sookie person I do appreciate romance done well, and that romance in that show was written so perfectly, that it had many people I know at their knees weaping, myself included and that song played a huge part in it.

 

It has that tinny electronic sound, this simplistic style juxtaposes against the yearning of the lyrics. And it somehow it actually holds up, it is as timeless now as it was in 1982.

 

Moyet’s voice is strong and powerful, yet gentle and calm. But it keeps steady and the keyboards get stronger and build rather than her vocals, which I think keeps it from being too over the top.

 

The lyrics and her voice are subtle and beautiful. It’s just one of those songs when you hear it you want more. Even the keyboard solo in the middle works.

 

It’s one of those timeless, perfect pop songs.

 

MADONNA

I would never have called myself a Madonna fan, but when her tour was announced last year I knew I wanted to see her. I loved her when she first hit the scene in the early 80s, my sister and I dancing along with her on Countdown, we liked Holiday but loved Lucky Star. My sister grew into the fan and I appreciated her music, especially that first album. I loved her sass and uniqueness in a male oriented world of music. She really was a feminist icon back then, despite what our parents may have thought.

 

I followed her career, loving her Dick Tracy soundtrack and falling in love with her Bedtime Stories album, and was totally blown away by Ray of Light. I enjoyed her follow up, Music, but pretty much after that I felt her head went somewhere up her butt and she became too painful. In retrospect, for an iconoclast, how awful must it be to try and continually better yourself when younger women are coming and possibly doing it better. Sometimes I feel for Madonna, sometimes I want to smack her.

 

And so I purchased tickets for myself and my two sisters, even though we would have done better to have seen her years earlier when she was in her peak.

 

This week that day came...Madonna Day...bitches!

 

Prior to this we had not heard good reviews, breakdowns, drinking on stage, and later and later starts which pissed a lot of people off.

 

I headed to Sydney with zero expectations, I figured it would be a mega late start, she would probably be miming most of it, her voice wasn’t that great anyway, and she would probably sing most of the newer songs I really didn’t know, but it should look visually good.

 

We popped the best of disc into the car stereo and sang along, fully aware that she may not sing any of them.

 

Our road trip commenced at lunch with another friend hitching a ride, we shopped, had an early dinner, and then headed to Olympic Park to get a car park. This got us into the centre around 7.30/8.00 and we headed to our seats just after 9pm. We knew that when we heard Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Starting Something, she’d be on next.

 

Just on 10am, that song played and the crowd went wild.

 

The centre darkened and the music started with her dancers and backing crew coming to the stage and after a short while Madonna herself arriving in a cage that was lowered on to the stage! And straight into Iconic from Rebel Heart, followed by Bitch, I’m Madonna, then Burning Up – totally unexpected. There were four different sets and this first one was called  Joan of Arc/Samurai.

 

In between sets a tape played with a Madonna song while her back up dancers and acrobats did mind bending things on stage, this presumably was to assist with complex costume changes and it really worked. By the second set I knew this was going to be absolutely amazing and I felt ashamed to have doubted this very capable woman, who I used to think was an iconoclast...maybe she still was!?

 

Each set featured songs from her Rebel Heart album, which I had listened to only a couple of times, but it obviously had more impact on me than I initially thought as they all sounded pretty familiar to me!

 

The second set was Rockabilly Meets Tokyo and included a sweet acoustic version of True Blue – this was when I realised she was more than iconoclast! She sounded terrific, no miming or auto-tune here. She also gave a great performance of Deeper and Deeper, and an outstandingly powerful snippet of Love Don’t Live Here Anymore (I forgot she had even covered that way back in the day) and ended with Like A Virgin. The crowd went wild!

 

The third set was a Latin/Gypsy one, which was superb. La Isla Bonita, and a fab little mix of Dress You Up, Into The Groove, and Lucky Star. Then Take A Bow before absolutely killing Like a Prayer. Oh Madonna, I am sorry for ever doubting you. She ended this very tight set with Rebel Heart.

Throughout she interacted with the crowd, she had this mantra of Fuck Fuck Fuck Yeah that she asked the audience to help her with, now I love the word Fuck but I felt this just felt a little forced, the only bum note of the night. Also her American accent changed as she spoke, often a southern accent, which I have never recalled hearing before. But look, that is just being really picky. She was honest and funny and interesting and real. She addressed a whole lot of the ‘issues’ the press had made and you actually felt sorry for her. The media always takes stuff out of proportion, we should know better. Yes, she is the mistress of spin, but she is still human. She doesn’t really drink on tour – I buy that totally, how anyone her age could do what she does with the conviction and energy she has, well it would be impossible and as she said, I’m a working Mum, I miss my kids, so sue me! I remembered the early sass and take no prisoners Madonna I loved and saw that shine through and it made me smile. Still, some of the banter was too much, ahh shut up and sing!!!

 

The final set, Party/Flapper came up and I was grinning ear to ear. This was by far the most exquisite and stunning to watch and included the best songs. The set was very Gatsby and stylish and her costumes sublime. It featured Music, Candy Shop, and Material Girl – all fabulous. She also did the most amazing version of Le Vie En Rose, just her and a ukulele, she actually brought me to tears she was that good. This was followed by a lovely snipper of Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. She ended the set with Unapologetic Bitch and pulled Gwendoline Christie up on to the stage. I immediately recognised her, she is very very tall, but doubted myself as I had no idea she was in the country. But yes, it was her and there was some sassy back and forth.

The show ended with Holiday and it was spectacular. It was now around 12.45am. She had played for almost 3 hours. I was beyond impressed.

 

Standouts for me were Like A Prayer, La Vie En Rose, and the Dress You Up/Into the Groove/Lucky Star songs.

 

I do think we were lucky when you match this against other performances but in all I am glad we went and saw this amazing woman!

 

Full Setlist

 

Joan of Arc/Samurai

Taped intro: Revolution

1. Iconic

2. Bitch, I’m Madonna

3. Burning Up

4. Holy Water (and Vogue)

5. Devil Pray

 

Rockabilly Meets Tokyo

Taped intro: Messiah

6. Body Shop

7. True Blue

8. Deeper and Deeper

9. HeartBreakCity (and Love Don’t Live Here Anymore)

10. Like a Virgin

 

Latin/Gypsy

Taped intro: S.E.X.

11. Living for LOve

12. La Isla Bonita

13. Dress You Up (and Into The Groove and Lucky Star)

14. Take a Bow

15. Like a Prayer

16. Rebel Heart

 

Party/Flapper

Taped intro: Illuminati

17. Music

18. Candy Shop

19. Material Girl

20. La Vie En Rose

21. Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

22. Unapologetic Bitch

 

Encore

23. Holiday 

FEBRUARY ROUND UP

February was a little bit challenging, I did lots of great things, but also felt the weight of the world piling onto me by the month’s end.

Work continued to be crazy busy with my second new staff member commencing her traineeship. We had our 10th Anniversary Party which was loads of fun, with a magician, party games, and fun for the kids. There were a few minor things to resolve, but nothing new there. But an unpleasant incident with an unstable member of the public, and the unrelenting heat in that huge non air-conditioned building did take it’s toll on me.

I also had a few dramas with boys I say boys cause they sure as hell were not men. This dating caper has not been great the past few months, so I have rejigged a few things, pulled my cranky pants up high and called out some childish behaviour, sleazy behaviour, and good ole liars!  But I do feel a change in the air, so onwards I go!

So between that, some minor health things, and a very long fight with Telstra over non service, Well, I ended the month feeling a little low. As I write this I am pleased to say my bounce back didn’t take too long and I am feeling well and happy.  I guess it is important to acknowledge life is not all fun, we all have our moments, low points, and time we feel that putting one foot in front of each other is too hard. Having people to talk to that can help you is key, and knowing to look after yourself at that point is very important. Please know I am here for everyone if you are ever feeling like that, I know what it is like, my shoulders are wide and my ears open!

So back to the fun, I started the month in Sydney totally immersing myself in art and the city, which you can read about here.

J, L and I saw The Incredible Feelzo: man of moderate talent for the fringe festival. This was a wonderful one man show filled with stories, humour, melancholy, death-defying feats, puppets, magic, and much more.

J, l, A and I headed to the Regal to honour Bowie in watching his Reality Tour from 2003 shown on the big screen. We were all still a little raw in our loss, so many tears were shed that night. It is still difficult to believe he is no longer around.

I continued Oscar Watch with Spotlight, Steve Jobs, Room, and Trumbo. And Brooklyn, 45 Years, The Martian, and Mad Max: Fury Road.

I finally caught up with my dear friend D, for a Christmas and birthday catch up, and to hear about her amazing overseas trip.

I began Yoga with C, it is not as relaxing as I thought, I am much more flexible than I thought, and it is a lot easier to do than I thought, but far more physical than I thought. Moral: don’t think so much and do!

I enjoyed Amy Dale and Candace Fox at our first Share the Story with Carol Duncan at Cardiff Library. Amazing evening, Fox is a star for sure, with her trajectory going through the roof as she is partnering with James Patterson in the near future. Both told many fascinating stories of crime and true crime, the genres they write about, not really one of my topics of interest, but Carol’s great interviewing skills and their vivacious chatter made it compelling.

I had a lovely walk exploring an area of Eleebana, and found a fab lookout hidden in the scrub.

I saw the new exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery, Just Draw, which I highly recommend and a wonderful interactive play called Hello Stranger. Hello Stranger began on a bus, where we were transported to a secret location. We interacted lightly with the music, dance, and story as the evening progressed. At times it was a little confronting, but mostly it was thoroughly entertaining, and a really sharp, well produced play.

J and I ate at Saigon Feast, and I was back at Coal and Cedar with the gals and special guests, N and M.

L & I took a class in Crochet, which was much harder than it looks, but loads of fun. I am hoping to practice enough to commence a throw rug for my lounge room.

At Bookclub we chatted about Patti Smith’s M Train, which I loved.

And of course, the month ended on a high with The Academy Awards. Here are my predictions and how I went.

Here is what I have been reading, listening to, and watching this month.

And some random pics...

IMMERSED IN ART

I began February with a visit to Sydney to immerse myself in Art and wander around the city. This is one of my most favourite things to do.

I always feel at home in museums and galleries and I love just wandering a big city, looking at the mix of architecture, people watching, and daydreaming.

So I set off early, caught the Shitkansen down and headed straight for The Art Gallery of NSW. I love the walk from St James Station near the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, The Domain, and The Botanical Gardens to the Gallery. There is always a sense of excitement and anticipation. I timed my arrival early so I could grab some breakfast at the little cafe in between the gallery and those glorious trees in the park. I sat and caught my breath and prepared myself for a lovely day of art.

A little after ten I wandered over and bought my ticket for The Greats: masterpieces from The National Gallery of Scotland. This was in its last days of exhibition, and the trip was timed specifically to catch it. It featured artists such as Botticelli, Titian, Monet, Gauguin, and Cezanne. Plus a whole lot of others that are less familiar, but equally as impressive.

I slowly made my way through the exhibit, listening to little bits of historical and artistic information about a handful of the key paintings on the headphones provided. The Botticelli’s were as intricate as you would imagine, but less sensual than you would think.  I was thrilled to be in their presence.

I always admire the Masters style, but find them too austere to call them favourites, but it is always wonderful to be in their company. Monet, Gauguin, and Cezanne, I have seen many of in various galleries in Australia, Europe, and the US, and they never fail to capture my imagination. Monet was my first art world love, and I can sit and look at his paintings for hours. Gauguin’s islanders are fascinating, his love of them deep and magnetic. But Cezanne’s simplicity and perfection always takes my breath away. 

I really loved this glorious waterfall, by an artist called Church (I think)

After a little shop in the gift shop – a must – I had a quick wander through the regular galleries, stopping to say hello to a few favourites.

Whiteley

Grace Cossington Smtih

Russell Drysdale

Dobell's Olley

Monet

Frederick McCubbin

Arthur Streeton

I left the gallery to a slight drizzle, and made me way through the domain to The Mitchell Wing of The State Library. I love The Mitchell Library, it IS The State Library in my opinion, as opposed to the new wing on Macquarie Street. It doesn’t have the spectacular dome like The State Library of VIC, but there is something more familiar and homely about The Mitchell...as a Librarian, I have attended many a conference there, it is MY library and I love being on it’s hallowed grounds. The beautiful columns featured the fab exhibit I was about to see, Tony Mott, Rock Photography.

I paused in the exquisite foyer, took in its beauty, stood and looked into the main reading room of the library, and then made my way up the stairs to the exhibit. It was free and also about to finish, and what an extensive exhibit it was. Huge life-size prints of Kylie, Michael, Bjork. Regular photos, in colour and black and white, of a range of musicians from all countries and all genres. There was music playing throughout, album covers, magazine covers, and videos to watch. Mott IS the master of Australian rock photography. I was there for a long while, time standing still as it often does when you are partaking of something mesmerising.

I was getting hungry and ventured towards Circular Quay for lunch, but stopped at The Museum of Sydney on the way. I love this cute little museum hidden in the city, and always enjoy looking at the creations there. They had a small exhibition of Lloyd Rees etchings, pencil drawings etc. His work is so intricate, incredibly detailed pieces of Sydney at the turn of the century. I have always been a fan, so it was lovely to get up close and personal with these small historical mementos of time long gone. IF this is your thing, Lloyd Rees is on until 10 April, so you still have a month to see it if you like his stylings.

I had a wander around Circular Quay working out where to eat, but it was simply too muggy and hot a day – especially after the rain subsided – to do the outdoor thing, so I headed to the News Cafe for the air con and one of their great burgers. 

After feeling full and satisfied I headed to my fourth and final exhibit of the day. Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career at the MCA. I know a little about Grayson’s work, mostly his ceramics. I love his sense of wonder, diverse representations, and his warped sense of humour. I was blown away by the depth and range of his work, and that wasn’t just subject matter but the types of art he worked on. Besides many of his ceramics, there was sculptures, abstract art, installations, drawings, and tapestries. I had no idea about his hugely detailed Tapestries and was completely blown away. I was lost in his fabulous world for a long time. I love the MCA, its regular collection and the wonderful exhibits it shows. Grayson Perry is on until 1 May and I highly recommend.

I could sense a storm coming so I made a few purchases at the wonderful MCA Shop, and took the train home, experiencing the most magnificent of sunsets along the way.