Jagger's Jukebox

I was listening to Sir Michael in conversation with Paul Sexton yesterday.

Mick was talking about the music that had influenced him and forged the Stones unique sound.

It was brilliant. There was everything from The Staple Singers, Toots and the Maytals, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Credence Clearwater Revival, Peter Tosh, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Davies, Sly & The Family Stone, Eric Clapton Donny Hathaway and Peggy Lee.

No wonder they are the greatest rock and roll band on the planet.

But then I would say that.

Tattoo You.

Not to be confused with the brilliant Tattoo You, written up by some halfwit as the "last great" album by the Stones. It has the masterpiece "Slave" on it, have a listen.

Who are these people?

On Saturday night, I was doing event photography at a mega Christmas party at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow and spotted a couple sporting a startling array of tattoos. I got them to pose for a portrait and no, they had never met before.

I like tattoos as long as they are on other people.

The Arctic Pays A Visit.

I can't remember weather this cold in Glasgow in my lifetime.

The forecast is for -12C tonight.

What Was I Doing?

Over the years, I have been on and off the ciggies many times and finally managed to give them up totally over five years ago.

I was listening to my old pal Tom's radio show the other day and he was talking about those wall mounted ash trays outside pubs and restaurants that have sprung up since the smoking ban. He was describing in graphic detail one that had been overflowing
and had horrible black icicles hanging down, it sounded disgusting. I then spotted this bin with frozen dog ends stuck to the top.

I often wonder what I was doing.

Hattie.

I was at the Bafta screening of Hattie by Stephen Russell last Sunday. It is the true story about Hattie Jacques secret affair with a younger man in the sixties while she was married to John Le Mesurier.

Hattie is played by Ruth Jones and her young lover, John Schofield, is played by Aiden Turner.

I remember Hattie Jacques well from the classic Carry On films and working with the likes of Eric Sykes and Norman Wisdom.

We were invited to the newly refurbished and luxurious Blythswood Hotel after where I managed to get a couple of portrait shots of Ruth and Aiden.

It was a lot more risque than you may imagine.

Cold Comfort.

For you bloggers in sunnier climates, here's what I woke up to this morning.

Last night there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Winter has arrived!

Grand Central.

I was attending an event by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce which was being held in the newly refurbished and iconic, Grand Central Hotel.

£20,000,000 has been spent on the upgrade and I have to say it is now back to its former glory and some.

I slipped off for a look at the grand ballroom and a member of staff gave me a demonstration of the new lighting effects that are now available i couldn't resist taking a few interior photographs.

Magnificant.

Eye,Eye.

I spotted this big eye in the Kelingrove Art Gallery and noticed people waving their arms around in front of it as it winked away.

Yes, curiosity got the better of me and I joined in with a self portrait.

Great place to go and it's free!

Zombies On The Move.

Recently that great phenomenon of being a zombie for the day came to Glasgow.

There were bunny ones, polis ones, scary ones, Mexican ones, young ones, psychedelic ones, Lara Croft ones, walking wounded ones and all sorts of other ones. The scope for news photographs was endless.

It was all completely bonkers but great fun.

Cheesy Or What!

A few months ago I told you about George Mewes cheese shop on Byres Road.

Well, I was in on Sunday morning before the shop opened to get some shots for his new web site. I love doing food photography as I normally get a few samples to try out.

It was all to much!

Swanning Around.

Last Sunday at Rouken Glen Park on Glasgow's south side I spotted this beautiful swan just soaking up the autumn sunshine by the side of the pond. It is amazing the amount of wildlife photography available in the city.

Fantastic.

Scooting About.

It was like a scene from a movie.

I spotted these guys a few days ago in the west end of Glasgow.

I remember when there were loads of scooters on the roads but you don't see many today and the modern ones just don't have the class looks of the vintage ones.

Great to see.

Two Guitar Greats In One Week.

What a great week I've had.

On Monday night the utterly brilliant Joe Bonamassa played to a sell out Glasgow Concert Hall and last night I had a front row seat for a very intimate but also sold out and equally brilliant Nils Lofgren.

I'm not going to try and tell you how good both gigs were as I don't have the ability.

I used my girlfriends wee digital camera to get a few images of Nils in action. It was a bit naughty as photography was strictly banned.......... but I couldn't help myself!

Winter Is Not Far Away.

I like this time of year as some of the colours to be seen are spectacular as nature takes its annual cycle into winter.














Yesterday afternoon in the Botanic Gardens as the sun was setting was the place to be.



Landscape photography is on hand even in the city.