Author: Seb Palmer

I don’t generally post about work. I might post around work. Perhaps most commonly, if I’m visiting a church, say, after a shift. So I’ll refer to work indirectly.

I’m frequently prompted to take photos in the Amazon Flex app. And sometimes I’ll also opt to take photos outside the app. Usually I’ll only do the latter if the app isn’t giving me the opportunity to accurately record the delivery.

But every now and again, I’ll see a passing moment worthy of recording, such as my shadow at the top of this post, or the abstractions of a trolley and its shadows, as I’m sat, waiting for my next shift to start.

My fascination with some of these images is no doubt related to the jazz album cover art phase I’m currently going through.

I love how, in the shot above (an out-take photo from shooting for The Incredible Jimmy Smith at the Club Baby Grand) Smith’s incredible cool sanctifies a shopping trolley. If I had been the photographer – presumably Francis Wolff? – I’d have said ‘Let’s get that ugliness out of shot!

So here’s one of my shopping cart snaps edited a little, with a potential Blue Note style album cover vibe in mind.

And here’s another one…

I include two attempts at funking this photo up, a la Francis Wolff. I think it’s interesting – these are just done on my iPhone – to see how an idea can evolve. Working in Photoshop one could do far more, of course.

And to finish? Going back to where this post started, but now as a cropped hi-contrast black and white image. Quite nice!

I’m not sure if St Giles was open or not, on my last visit. I think not? But I can’t be sure…

The font is particularly attractive. Nicely and differently carved on each face.

There’s some nice stained glass. Even the plain glass windows are very attractive.

I didn’t have time to linger. And my iPhone was running low on memory, so this had to be a brief and minimalist stop. Didn’t even go look at the separate tower.

I’ve passed this church numerous times of late. Always meaning to stop and take a look. But never yet doing so. And so today, I did. It’s down a little track, of a B-Road.

I didn’t clock as much interest or detail as some other recent churches. One thing I did like is the repeat pattern carved into the stone steps leading up to the altar.

Not a podium placing church, perhaps. But in its own humble way very nice. I like the ‘box’ pews. And the main window is great.

As I left St John’s, I felt blessed. What is about church visits? It’s certain that for me I prefer to be alone. The peace, the solitude, the aesthetic wonderland. It’s always best on a sunny day, as both nature and human artefacts really sing in the sunshine.

Having something of an orgy of Blue Note appreciation right now. And really loving it. This has put me in the mood to explore more jazz, esp of the ‘50s-through-‘70s era.

And not just the music, either. The whole shebang. Record cover design, clothes, and whatever else!

I’ve grouped the above black and white photos together in a way they’re not in the book. They’re all by William Claxton. Claxton also contributes an intro, and is the subject, in part, of ‘Clickin’ with Clax’, an intro by Leonard Feather.

Many of the covers features herein also feature is photography. Anyway, here are a few selections that I either love, or find intriguing.

I have quite a lot of the music represented here. But there’s also a lot – both in these selections – but even more so across the book as a whole, I haven’t heard. Exploring the visual side of these recordings can lead one into trying out the sounds.

David Stone Martin was a terrific artist. So much so that early Blue Note album covers are clearly indebted to his style.

Later it could be argued – altho’ Clax emphasises a different ‘West Coast’ tradition (both in terms of musical and visuals aesthetics) – the influence would flow the other way.

This final gallery of images, below, is to show that it wasn’t always super-cool and über hip. Altho’ maybe that was the feeling at the time? They are all – save one or two, perhaps? – good covers. Some fun, some more serious. But I’d argue this lot – esp’ Exploring The Future – haven’t aged as well as the stuff in the foregoing galleries.

And to finish? Another essential cover for the framed wall art category:

As is so often the case, stuff I’m interested in happens without my being aware of it. In this case I’m talking about a London exhibition of Late Paintings, by Willem de Kooning.

The show itself took place in Autumn, 2017, at the London gallery Sarstedt. See more on that here. There was an exhibition catalogue, now sold out. Which I’d love to have.

Most of Skarstedt’s publications are on artists I rather dislike, po-mo’ art wank. But there are a couple of others I’d love to see:

I was in the rather delightfully named Wiggenhall St Mary, down Church Lane. There must be a church here, I surmised. There’s certainly a chapel. I was right by it. Now turned into a domestic residence. But the road, or track, to be more accurate, carried on. So off I went, for a look see…

And lo, there is a church. Hidden away, accessible only on foot. And, sadly, closed. And in this case, properly closed. For repairs, due to falling masonry. No calling a churchwarden for the key in this instance, alas.

I’m keen to revisit this church, as and when she’s made ready. She’s in the care of the CCT. I hope it’s not too long, afore we can get inside her? She’s in a fabulously pretty and secluded location. Just my cup of tea!

I chanced upon this church just as some folk were going in. So I thought, I’ll stop; I know she’s open! And she was. For a service! This is the first time in all my church visits that I’ve coincided with active religion!

The best thing about the porch is the mini door-inside-a-door. Very cute!

But the best thing about the church overall? Well, it’s a no-brainer. As these photos, I hope, attest… it’s gotta be the stained glass, right?

The ‘lights’ of St John The Baptist’s, Morton, are sublime. They have that intensity of colour and genius of design that numerous windows at Ely Cathedral possess. Can it be they’re the work of the same artist/craftsmen, and/or workshop?

Definitely one to re-visit. A real gem.

Got my hair cut today. At the Turkish barbers in the market square. I love the hot towel and arm/shoulder massage!

And lastly, Teresa snapped the rear view, as obviously I couldn’t! I’m pleased.

And the day after. I’m not usually one for selfies, tbh. But with a newly minted Barnet… why not?

This church was nearby the final drop of my 1st shift. It was locked. Fortunately the local churchwarden, Jill, answered my call, and came and let me in. The first gallery is exterior stuff I shot before Jill showed up.

St Andrew’s, Haconby, isn’t a Miss World amongst churches. Rather she’s a bit of a humdrum dowdy ol’ spinster. But like most old churches, keep looking, and you’ll generally find something.

After the splendid glass of (?), St Andrew’s had a lot to live up to. And, sadly, perhaps, doesn’t really rise to the occasion. Nonetheless, there are one or two points of interest. In the next gallery (?)thC. graffiti is visible, scratched into several walls.

And just as I was getting ready to leave, I noticed an old chest. There was a protective plastic sheet and sundry modern junk on top. I robed these (and replaced them after), so as to get a better look…

A final snap, with the organ in view. And off I toddled. Returning the key to Jill was a minor Odyssey! Not an earth-shattering or even very remarkable church visit. But, as very much is normal, well worth the look.