On Thursday 6th January 2022 we met at The Brewers Arms in Lewes. Hang on, aren’t you the Hove Book Group? We are indeed, but as Robin now lives in Lewes he selected the venue. We were all keen to sample the delights of Lewes too.
We were discussing Robin’s Viva Espagna themed choices - although Tristan dubbed the choices "Spain not Spain" as they all featured non-Spanish people in Spain
READ: Cocaine Nights (1996) by JG Ballard
LISTEN: Viva Espagna playlist
WATCH: Sexy Beast (2000) dir by Jonathan Glazer
READ: Cocaine Nights (1996) by JG Ballard
Some of us had previously read and enjoyed The Atrocity Exhibition (1970), Crash (1973), and High-Rise (1975)
HBG had also watched the film adaptation of High Rise
Like High-Rise, Cocaine Nights is about a post-industrial community cut off from the rest of the world, and the power dynamics within.
In the expat community of Estrella de Mar, JG Ballard seems to be asking…
- Can you have too much of the good life?
- What happens when the boredom sets in?
- What do you do when the good life starts to look like a living death?
Posing as a whodunnit, or perhaps more accurately a whydunnit, Cocaine Nights is a tale awash with drugs, violence, pornography, and the odd psychiatrist.
Bobby Crawford, the charismatic tennis pro, is a great character and his belief that there’s a link between crime and community engagement is a winner.
Needless to say the ideas here are more important than the crime, sex, and drugs fuelled plot
Most of us found it provocative and enjoyable.
Nick 7 / Tristan 6 / Nigel 7 / Keith 7 / Roland 5 / Robin 5 / Hamish 9
LISTEN: Spanish Bombs playlist (Spotify)
Any playlist which starts with The Clash is alright in our book. Spanish Bombs is far and away the best tune on this playlist.
Spanish Harlem is quite the gear change, and Ezra’s Barcelona even more so. Some of us couldn't get with Ezra’s voice.
The Tallest Man On Earth’s King of Spain gets things back on track. Great and underrated tune.
None of us had ever heard of Holden or their Madrid but the retro, spaghetti western vibes and sultry vocals got a double thumbs up.
Spanish Caravan by The Doors is fab.
We queried how Cuba’s Buena Vista qualified for the playlist but Robin said they were singing in Spanish so there you have it and Chan Chan is superb.
Next up grumpy Van M’s Spanish Steps instrumental was a tad insipid
Frxxer were another new name. More Cockney than Spanish. Some horrible autotune in the middle. We couldn’t work out what it was about but presumed it was all about a weekend in Alicante?
Mink de Ville’s Spanish Stroll is an all time great and the other real highlight after The Clash
Penultimate tune by Hendrix seems a bit jarring after Mink DeVille. A few of us agreed his sound has aged quite badly.
Finally it’s Foals.
A mixed response.
Would Sketches of Spain by Miles Davies have been a better fit?
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4X8oJ2hS7smQy6EAPofwAe?si=z57u1jKUQ8aE8GSxAdoguQ&nd=1
WATCH: Sexy Beast (2000) dir by Jonathan Glazer
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| Robin |
An accomplished Brit Gangster flick with Ray Winstone playing an out of condition, retired criminal who just wants to be left alone. Ben Kingsley’s psycho is maybe too overcooked and unrealistic but it’s a memorable performance none the less. Lots of subtle references to other gangster flicks, not least Performance via a cameo by Edward Fox. The script, performances, location and direction are what elevate it from more run of the mill fare. Very enjoyable.
HBG endorse it: 11 November 2021 ->
East West Street (2017) by Philippe Sands (Book)
I Love Dick (Prime)
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty (2021) by Patrick Radden Keefe (Book)
Who They Was (2020) by Gabriel Krause (Book)
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019) dir by Marielle Heller (Netflix)
Basically, Johnny Moped (Netflix)
Outlaws (BBC iPlayer)
Mr Jones (2019) dir by Agnieszka Holland (Prime)
American Utopia (2020) dir by Spike Lee
The Power of the Dog (2021) dir by Jane Campion (Netflix)
Green Knight (2021) dir by David Lowery (Prime)
Get Back (2021) (Beatles doc dir by Peter Jackson) (Disney +)
WH Lung (live music)
We are Ladyparts (All4)
Dave (iPlayer)
Proclaimers: This is the Story (iPlayer)
Hit the Road (2022) dir by Panah Panahi
Power of the Dog (2021) dir by Jane Campion
The Sparks Brothers (2021) dir by Edgar Wright
Hellbound (Netflix)
Succession Series 3 (NOW TV)
What We Do In The Shadows - Series 3 (BBC iPlayer)
Portrait of a Lady On Fire (BBC iPlayer)
Sorry to Bother You (2018) dir by Boots Riley
And Away… (2021) by Bob Mortimer (Book/audiobook)
The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
The Nest (Netflix)
Anne (ITV player)
