Butterflies, Elvis, Yohanna, Iceland and me.
What a good title for this blog post. Sounds like a folk song or a country music thigh slapper.
Today I posted my critique of Yohanna's Funny Thing Is which is Number 5 on my occasional series of Tim's favourite songs. Yohanna is a young singer from Iceland who specialises in power ballads. She has a great voice and has released some special songs. Funny Thing Is, happens to be my favourite.
As always in this series, I tend to waffle around the subject a bit. My views on small countries, my time as a high flying business exec and female diva / torch songs are explored as well as Yohanna's oeuvre. It's an exciting mix, a real roller coaster of a ride and I enjoyed putting together these 2000 words.
Listen, enjoy. Read, laugh.
Yohanna to read About Funny Thing Is by Yohanna
Cheers ears
Tim
New Song Review To Follow Soon - Funny Thing Is
Spent the last couple of days writing and polishing a song critique of 'Funny Thing Is' by Icelandic singer Yohanna. It's number 5 in my occasional series of my favourite songs. Yes, I'm up my own arse. No, I don't care.
It's nearly finished. The piece has been aided by help from Yohanna herself as she graciously answered some questions I threw at her on Facebook.
If you don't know Yohanna yet, check her out. My song critique in the next couple of days will explain why in much more detail.
Speak soon...
Tim
In or Out?
So, there are many big issues that I could address today.
Does Global Warming actually exist?
Who is going to address the rising UK debt and the continuing deficit?
What about the rise of militant Islam and the ramifications of a schism in that religion for the rest of the world?
Big issues all, but the topic I want to address today is whether a man over 40 should tuck his shirt into his trousers or not. Hold the front page.
Now, historically, I would have favoured the opinion that, when not at work and wearing a suit, the shirt should flow free. No one wants to see a paunch, strained shirt buttons or a fat man sweat. Also, done badly, the tuck-in looks like William Hague with a baseball cap - embarrassing and therefore detestable.
However - although I'm not known to blow my own trumpet - I'm seriously buff these days. I may be over 40 (just), but I can actually tuck my shirt into my trousers without it being a strain or, superficially to me anyway, look that bad. This, dear readers, is not a natural state but the result of many hours in the gym or, lately, body pump or MyRide classes. I am my own hero.
But back to the shirt and the tuck or not to tuck dilemma. What to do?
My answer is - increasingly - fuck it, I do what I want, man. I've reached an age where I can cover a fashion faux pas with a lifetime of savoir faire. (And if you've ever seen those two French imports in the same sentence then let me know - hashtag pretentious writer - one who can't even find the hash key on his Apple MacBook).
It's like leather trousers. We all want to but we're not sure we'd look good in them. Well - lets be honest - most of us would look like a trendy vicar getting a tattoo and riding a Harley. And yet those that do don the leather, we resent for having the goddamn balls to do so. Their bravery is almost as much a provocation as their supposed sins against fashion. They take the blows so we don't have to. They allow us our superiority but, who is looking down on who and, who gives a toss?
So, I'm groping my way towards an answer. To be honest, it was a false question anyway; I do what I want and calibrate therein based on experience and utility. I think my fashion decisions are increasingly going to be idiosyncratic. Deal with it ladies. I'm all about that bass.
So tuck-in sometimes, let it flow on bad belly days. Either way, rules are made for breaking, hearts are made for taking and yeah, that's it for now.
One for the ladies. Tucked and looking good!
Hit and Run Lover
First it was a song.
Then a recording.
Then a book.
Then a script.
It is coming here. Soon. To this website.
Check out the first couple of chapters on YouWriteOn.
http://www.youwriteon.com/books/bookdetail.aspx?bookguid=05185d1d-43eb-4f89-a5b5-e8d036236883
Cheers
Tim
SONG 4 : Two Gene Clark Ditties
Not one, but two Gene Clark songs make up what I'm inaccurately, but steadfastly, calling, Song 4 on my list. Hey - break the rules, man!
Gene Clark wrote many great songs both during his brief time with The Byrds in the mid 60's through to his untimely death in 1991. I've picked Eight Miles High and I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better which are probably his two most well known songs. Gene was a pioneer in many ways; none of his songs are ever straight forward in either lyric or chord structure. Even when they sound simple, they're often not.
Take I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better. Clark doesn't actually sing the title, the actual lyrics, are 'I'll probably feel a whole lot better'. Ambiguous, no?
Anyway, follow this link and enjoy The Byrds storming through I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better and my take on both songs (click on the song title for my essay). CLICK HERE
Cheers
Tim
New Writings
My quietness on the website recently could be an indication of inactivity. It's a theory and a good one. But it's also not true.
I've been writing three new short stories, alternating between them, trying out new ideas, plot lines and, for one, cooking Spanish recipes.
Yes - in order to write a story ostensibly about cooking, I've been buying Spanish ingredients and making a delicious mixture of food from that country. Catalan Cannelloni, lemon chicken with white wine, serrano ham and onions; chickpeas with chorizo and spinach. And sherry (iced dry fino) which always helps. Even when I'm not writing. This drink also turns up a lot in Franco's Fiesta. Funny that.
Anyway, once my broadband problems mentioned in the post below are fixed - tomorrow apparently - I'll be posting new material.
Welcome also to everyone in Brighton who, unwittingly perhaps, became part of my never ending author tour on Friday night.
Cheers, Tim
I Remember the 1970's
I do, I really do remember the 70's.
Large collars, wide trousers, brown ties, power cuts, strikes, rubbish public utilities.
Can't get broadband in my new house for two weeks. Literally it feels like I've gone back to the 70's and hanging on the telephone to BT pleading with them for a line.
The fact that this is the 21st Century and the company is Sky makes no difference. These things need to get quicker! I know my expectations have changed in the ensuing decades but progress is unstoppable and times for connectivity need to improve. Yes, Eon and EDF, I'm looking at you too... Having to go to the pub all the time to get my email is not a way to exist. Yeah, really.
Moan over.
I did write a short story yesterday which I need to polish but will post soon.
Tim
Rock and Roll
Playing, who knows what - blues, country, at Quench. Photo: Wayne Docherty
In my left hand is rock and in my right hand is roll.
Rocked Quench in Burgess Hill tonight... Although I'd been on a brewery tour in London came back to the Hill and played 'I'm a Man' and ' Help Me Make It through The Night".
Phew! Held those chords for the public! Maybe I'll be back next week on Thursday.
See you there.
Tim
Flash Fiction
Flash fiction, Flashman, Grand Master Flash, flash in the pan...
I'm trying my hand at this new(ish) genre of micro short stories.
I'm following my own excellent advice on editing in order to get my flash stories up - or down - to standard. Basically, edit, eliminate, be ruthless; micro attention to a very precise format. You haven't got the words to develop slowly or the space to gradually build. It's all very in-yer-face stuff. A disciplined exercise, in fact.
I'll post my stories here when I'm happy with them!
Cheers
Tim
Savage - The Eurythmics
I've posted a new article on the ABOUT part of this website - my personal favourites songs. Number Three is the moody title track from the album Savage by the Eurythmics (1987).
Follow the link and click on the song title for an article about this special song. I've also posted a video to a rare live performance of Savage.
Enjoy!
Tim
Kindle Offer
Hi
They'll be a time limited offer on the Kindle version of Franco's Fiesta starting tomorrow!
Watch this space.
Cheers
Tim
Inspiration
Hi
Check out this on Goodreads where I talk (briefly!) about my inspiration for Franco's Fiesta.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7329128.Tim_Robson
Cheers
Tim
Writer's Block
Hi Everyone,
I've just written a piece on overcoming writer's block on my profile within Goodreads. It's something all writers need to overcome at one point or another. In the answer I give, I go through one or two of the strategies I employ to get rid of the dreaded blank page!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/7329128.Tim_Robson/questions
Regards
Tim
New Short Story -
Hi
I"ve posted a new short story. Well, it's posted as a short story. It's really a first chapter I was kicking around for a while. I may come back to original idea sometime but the piece I've shared today works pretty well on its own.
The world of singles. Bars. Bar-flys. Pick up artists. Opening lines. Pea-cocking. It's a deeply cynical world and my Truth story gets right to the heart of this.
Guys - see if you recognise yourself in any of this. Girls, maybe you've been approached by someone like this yourself! Let me know.
Anyway - hope you enjoy it. Click HERE
Cheers
Tim
Solitary Man
Song Number 2 - Solitary Man - in my list of interesting songs is now posted on the About page.
This lesser known Neil Diamond song was his first hit, way back in 1966. Before that, he'd been a pretty unsuccessful song writer.
1966 was an interesting year for Neil; not only did he gain his first solo hit, but also one of his songs was taken up by that year's manufactured group - The Monkees. I'm A Believer became a worldwide smash and Diamond never looked back.
Read about it HERE.
Cheers
Tim
Barcelona Bound!
I'm off to Barcelona (again) tomorrow.
Last time I went there - August - I wrote Yes/No, the story I posted on the 'Other Writing' page of this site.
Who knows? Maybe I'll feel the urge to write another this time. Spain seems to stir the creative juices!
Watch. This. Space.
Cheers,
Tim
Hello to those of you with my card
So, I met you in a bar, in a restaurant, in a shop, in a public place. In Brighton. Or Burgess Hill.
You were handed a card by a slightly mysterious guy. "Look at my website," he said. And here you are. On my website.
Well - congratulations! Here it is, and here I am.
Hope you enjoy what you see. If you click the Amazon link, even better. Drop me a line anyway - either as a comment or contact me directly at tim@timrobson.eu. Look forward to hearing from you.
Other parts of the country - don't worry I'll catch up with you. As and when!
Cheers!
Tim
Writing - Guide
Occasionally I like to welcome in my good friend Mr Hubris and invite him to take a front row seat in my life.
That being so, I have added an article to this site on the process of writing which discusses various styles - where, when - as well as the how. I discuss the important topic of editing.
Give it a read and let me know what you think!
Cheers
Tim
Kindle Edition of Franco's Fiesta - now available
The Kindle version of Franco's Fiesta is now available on Amazon to buy, borrow, use to inform and entertain your friends and family about how well-read you are...
Find it here... CLICK
More tips and traps to follow along with song reviews for the ABOUT page...
Cheers
Tim
Kindle Edition of Franco's Fiesta
By popular demand (I write these words with a semi serious face) I have been working on the Kindle edition of Franco's Fiesta.
Hopefully, this should be released this week.
More news to follow.
Cheers
Tim