the (real) day of the lords: joy division

I am a big fan of Joy Division as you know and incredibly thrilled to post these newly published images by the man who consistently photographed the band: Kevin Cummins. His private press book "Juvenes" (published by To Hell With Publishing in a limited edition of 200 - naturally completely sold out within 2 days for 200 British Pounds a pop) pushes Anton Corbijn's (Control) vision back into the arch shadows.

There are many versions of events, but then there are indisputable facts. Kevin Cummins took pictures of Joy Division from their inception as Warsaw right through until their sudden tragic demise. He lived in Manchester around the band and knew them all intimately as friends. This is not the case with the photographer Anton Corbijn, director of last year’s high-profile movie “Control”, who only actually photographed the band a couple of times. And while Corbijn’s great Joy Division imagery will always stand the test of time (that awful “Atmosphere” video apart), the photos of Kevin Cummins reveal many more sides to Ian Curtis, Bernard Albrecht, Steven Morris and Peter Hook.


Among the pictures included were these of Joy Division at the fabled Art And Furniture store on Manchester’s Chapel Walks. Here we get the chance to imagine Curtis, the JG Ballard obsessive, and band mates as if time warped to a Nineties private members club. “That place was so ahead of its time,” concurs Kevin Cummins. “The guy who owned the shop was Jonathan Silver, a contemporary of David Hockney. He had some great art in that place. I bought a framed Allen Jones screen print off him that day actually. Ian Curtis had bought his wedding suit from Jonathan’s clothes shop. His were the only places in Manc to get decent stuff and it made a great, very unrock-‘n’roll, location."

Such alternative angles on the hackneyed Joy Division myth are further revealed with the timely release of the film Joy Division, scripted by Jon Savage and directed by Grant Gee. At a talk following the first screening, Joy Division’s sleeve designer Peter Saville tactfully avoided panning 2007's Control. Offstage he’s less circumspect. “Yes, that film was not very good. It’s great there’s another better film that’s been made already.”

I just can't get enough of Joy Division!!

three tenors

I know, tomorrow we all go back to our regular schedule and there will be no more automated responses to my emails and my posts are more or less about fashion again. Enough already with the booze, cookies and turkey feasts! Christmas is like Halloween: not my favorite part of the year, holidays in general are a bit of a drag.... I used to like them when I was a child, because they seamed exiting and we did not have to go to school for once, but when you are an adult, holidays are pressure to have a good time, even when you don't feel like it. That is why, if you don't get a chance to be together with family, it is the best time of the year to get away, really, it's cold and frisky and besides some great seasonal features such as unique window displays around town and some indeed lavish house parties, you won't miss a thing... or maybe you still do??

Well, one thing, which caught me by complete surprise and thankfully before I left, I would not have wanted to miss is this unique transmission on PBS:

The Tree Tenors, Konzerthaus Vienna, 1999, Holiday Favorites.

Before I start gasping and lashing out on the details, let me tell you: I am by no means a classical music fan, but when a huge orchestra (Vienna Symphony) is joined by the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children's Choir and led by 3 incredible Tenors - the very best frankly - are on the menu, I have to give in.

Placido Domingo. Jose Carrera. Luciano Pavarotti. Pavarotti being my favorite of the three in terms of character and Placido Domingo the most sympathetic. Pavarotti is huge - a bear I suppose - and his voice shatters everybody and everything. Not having heard him means not having lived. I just adore him!!! Sadly, if you have never heard him live, it's too late as he has already departed this earth and mother earth has lost her voice.



It was just an abundant joy to see and hear the 3, softly giving respect to one and another where it was due. It seamed that especially Mr. Carrera was a big admirer of Pavarotti's as whenever it was Luciano's turn and his voice hit the walls and ears, he could not help but look over to him and - only he nows what he was thinking - but there was a look on his face that spoke a kind of disbelieve of what he heard. It's true, Pavarotti's tone is unearthly, an angel's voice.



Hearing them go through not only American X-mas carols but also many of the ones we used to sing, accompanied by my Grandmother "Omi" on the piano back in Switzerland, such as "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" and "Oh Tannenbaum", was - what can I say - pretty unique! I was moved to tears.



The harmonies were what ultimately killed me, as well as the nostalgia that came with everything... I turned the volume up to as high as it could go with out ruining the speakers. I did not care about any neighbors! I was just happy I did not miss this. A good way to end the year and to start a new one. In that spirit they sang "Happy X-mas! War Is Over If You Want It." written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. So true. So true.



A standing ovation followed - truly, truly deserved.