https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/den-bell/physique-pictorial-relaunch-bob-mizers-male-photo

"Game of Thrones" opening sung by a cat

Because last week's episode was just too shocking -- a little something to ease the pain...

The Blue Nile -- The Downtown Lights

By a wild stroke of luck, I discovered that one of my favorite singers, Paul Buchanan of The Blue Nile, has released his first solo album -- "Mid-Air."  That led me to traveling through YouTube tonight, reliving some favorite songs and discovering some new (to me) collaborations...

Here's a song from The Blue Nile's classic second album, "Hats" -- one of the most perfect albums ever recorded.

John Palatinus in Cologne - 2 days left!

Hi friends,

There are only two more days to view the John Palatinus exhibit at Die Kunstagentin -- the wonderful gallery run by Anne Scherer. I talked to John this morning and while he deemed his lastest European tour a success, he was overflowing in his appreciation for the wonderful work put into the show by Ms. Scherer and her group (and, of course, by the wonderful team that his project manager Bernd has around him!).

There are a great selection of photos from the opening night at the gallery at the Die Kunstagentin site (by the way, that's German for "The Art Agent"). I'm embedding the 2 minute video below from that site so that you can get a glimpse of what an opening night with John Palatinus is like -- one great party!



The online magazine Queer.de has a great article about John at Die Kunstagentin which can be found here.

Remember, you only have until July 14 to see the show at Die Kunstagentin, Maastricht Strasse 26, 50672 Cologne.

But we aren't finished with Europe yet in 2012! John returns on October 19 -- in London! Details to follow!!!

Bee Gees - "You Win Again"

First Donna, and now, tonight, I learn that Robin Gibb has left the world. Only 15 years older than me! Thank you, Robin (and Maurice, and Barry, and Andy) for creating the soundtrack of my youth.

Donna Summer - "State of Independence"

Farewell, Donna -- and thank you for all the wonderful music. (And thanks to Rick Castro at Antebellum for reminding me of Donna's fantastic version of this song.)

Jimmy Somerville - "The Core"

Nearly 30 years after "Smalltown Boy," the Voice is still transcendent.

Jimmy Somerville - "Heartbeat"

Ah, the wonders of YouTube -- I had never seen this video until tonight. From 1995 - the hit single that never was. I find Jimmy incredibly sexy -- always have, always will. So there.

Jimmy Somerville - "Coming" (from the film "Orlando")

A forgotten classic, from Sally Potter's amazing film "Orlando" in 1992. A fan-made video by Eretico80, featuring the art of Eadweard James Muybridge, the godfather of physique photography.

Jimmy Somerville and Bronski Beat - "Smalltown Boy" -- Live!

A rare live performance by the original Bronski Beat -- Jimmy Somerville, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek. This song is as powerful (and relevant) today, nearly 30 years after it was recorded...

Eros Ramazzotti - Un'Altra Te

Just a couple of favorites from Eros...

Eros Ramazzotti - Piu Bella Cosa

The Ballad of Little Jo

While trawling through the thousands of "vintage" photos on eBay tonight, trying to track down something interesting to share with you all, I was listening to a k.d. lang album to help ground me and keep me sane.

Something in her mood made me think of one of my favorite films, "The Ballad of Little Jo." Starring Suzy Amis and Ian McKellan, the film tells the story of a woman cast out of her upper-class family for having a child out of wedlock and how she ended up living her life as a man in the Old West.



The haunting soundtrack is by David Mansfield -- really, it is simply beautiful. Here is a wonderful sampling --



The heartbreaking End Title song, "Ballad for Little Jo," sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, can be heard by clicking here. It is one of my all-time favorite songs, and chokes me up every time I hear it.

John Palatinus in Palm Springs!

"Secretly" - A Vintage Montage Of Guys Together

"Secretly" - A Vintage Montage Of Guys Together from MJS on Vimeo.

Video by MJS, with thanks to Will Clark, on whose site I found this.

Don't miss John Palatinus in Berlin!

Tom DeCarlo and Art Ullrich in motion!

The joys of the internet -- while searching for one thing, I found another...

This YouTube video (uploaded by KOK Magazine) is actually a compilation of two Zenith (aka Apollo) productions -- the solo DeCarlo pose flick "Cocktails" and the every-boy's-fantasy team-up of DeCarlo and Ullrich in "Day Dreams." A real rarity -- Art in a posing strap!

The sound is great -- physique films were silent back then -- but maybe there was a special case made and this is the actual soundtrack?

Tom was paid the astronomical sum of twenty dollars to pose in the sand dunes for Dick Fontaine's camera. I hope he upped the amount for the duo posing with Art.

Circa 1954, as the model release attests...

Erasure - "Breathe" & "Don't Say You Love Me"

Erasure are Vince Clarke and Andy Bell -- Andy has one of the purest voices in pop music. I was listening to their album "Nightbird" as I was making this evening's posts, and I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite songs from that album with you...

Belinda Carlisle - "I Get Weak" (featuring Tony Ward)

I was talking with a colleague at work today about the sad state of radio -- the 80s are now considered "oldies" or, in the new radio jargon -- "timeless."

In honor of Rick Castro's symposium in LA this weekend, enjoy this absolutely timeless 1988 video by Miss Belinda Carlisle, singing to Rick's muse: Mr. Tony Ward.

Paul Buchanan and Elisabeth Fraser - "Downside Up"

This song is from Peter Gabriel's year 2000 concept album "Ovo" - with the voices of The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan and The Cocteau Twins' Elisabeth Fraser. This is a fan-made video which is a truly wonderful complement to the lyrics and emotions of the song. I listen to this song often and am always transported to a better place while listening to it.

Thank you for your indulgence....