Author Archives: graemelawrence

The Sound of 1972.

Paul Simon. In his first solo album since the split of Simon & Garfunkel two years prior, Paul Simon answers any doubts on who the songwriting talent was in the duo. While Simon’s earlier work was largely folk orientated, this album sees a variety of influences from different genres, while retaining some of the essenceContinue reading “The Sound of 1972.”

1972: The News.

January: First scientific handheld calculator is introduced Rose Heilbron becomes first female judge at the Old Bailey East Pakistan is renamed Bangladesh Two New York City police officers are assassinated by members of the Black Liberation Army Bloody Sunday: British Army kills 14 unarmed nationalist civil rights demonstrators in Derry Coal miners begin a strikeContinue reading “1972: The News.”

1991: The News.

January: Operation Desert Storm begins with air strikes on Iraq by allied forces SAS patrol, Bravo Two Zero, deployed in Iraq February: The IRA launch a mortar attack on 10 Downing Street The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation is formed The IRA explode bombs at Paddington and Victoria stations US President George H. W. BushContinue reading “1991: The News.”

The Cinema of 1991.

Miller’s Crossing. What’s the rumpus? Set in Prohibition-era America, the Coen Brothers’ Miller’s Crossing follows an emotionless gangster, Tom, as he uses his quick wit and nous to play opposing sides of the criminal underworld against each other in order to survive. Tom (Gabriel Byrne) is the chief advisor, a consigliere if you will, toContinue reading “The Cinema of 1991.”

The Sound of 1991.

I Wish My Brother George Was Here. Having listened to Del the Funky Homosapien’s second album, “No Need For Alarm”, only a few weeks ago, the change in sound is immediately obvious and stark. While the 1993 release was largely produced by Del himself, his debut, “I Wish My Brother George Was Here”, was producedContinue reading “The Sound of 1991.”

The Cinema of 1960.

Spartacus. The first thing to mention about Spartacus is the cast and crew. Kirk Douglas. Laurence Olivier. Jean Simmons. Charles Laughton. Peter Ustinov. Tony Curtis. Stanley Kubrick. Dalton Trumbo. When a group of individuals as talented as that is assembled something great is destined to happen: Spartacus doesn’t disappoint. Spartacus (Douglas) is a defiant slaveContinue reading “The Cinema of 1960.”

Week 4: 1991.

Unbelievably a third year from the 90s within the first four weeks. The selected films from 1991: Miller’s Crossing. Riff-Raff. Thelma & Louise. Kiki’s Delivery Service. Boyz n the Hood. There were some seriously great albums released in 1991 (Nevermind, 2Pacalypse Now, Blue Lines, Screamadelica, De La Soul is Dead, …), hopefully I’ve found someContinue reading “Week 4: 1991.”