Miss Ayo-Sue sent me this and, well you will read for yourself and see how funny it is.  But then, reading ”perfect day”, I had to pop on a bit of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day (as you do) on my sexy ipod.  Got to love that ipod, (catch Lou Reed below, happy memories – I was introduced to Mr Reed at the age of 14, no not him personally; his music. I used to kiss boys to his music, Oh my!) and thanks A-S, you gorgeous thing xxx

PS  It is probably too tiny to read on here but click on it and it will take it you to  a window where you can read it properly.

English Escort

I haven’t danced around my boudoir for ages, I did to this; this track is amazing.

Florence + The Machine

Still on a musical note.  I was going to save this for a few days time but I just can’t help sharing things with you.  Ok.  Eva Cassidy.  I was introduced briefly to this lady back in 2002, not personally – her music.  Her tale is very sad, she died far too soon from cancer.  She was little known before she died but (and you will soon lay testament to this), she has the most exquisite voice, which is becoming more and more known now.  I am putting my favourite song of hers (and it also happens to be one of my all time favourite songs) here for you to enjoy but I warn you her voice is so beautiful it will make you weep although the video is a bit twee.  Oh and I have just got round to buying her whole collection – procrastinator? moi?

As part of my extensive research into all things sexy (it’s tough but someone has to, just has to do it :) I came across this little list.  To be honest, I have only heard of a couple of these tracks but I will check them out and then possibly try them out on you hehe (all in the name of this very important research of course).

1. Ohh la la – Goldfrapp

2. Je T’aime… Moi non plus – Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin

3. I wanna be your lover – Prince

4. Got 2 be down – Robin Thicke

5. Boogie on reggae woman – Stevie Wonder

6. Sea of love – Cat power

7. Lover’s split – Broken Social Scene

8. Knot comes loose – My Morning Jacket

9. Greatest you can find – Keren Ann

10. Gimme shelter – The Rolling Stones

Well did you? :)  Yes I am back and what a fabulous time I had in New York!  Saw all the usual sites, Ellis Island, Miss Liberty, Trump Tower (hehehe), Empire State Building etc etc etc.  Too much shopping to mention, put it this way, my tootsies are pretty sore and that Carrie Bradshaw is a little liar – no way could you traipse around the streets of Manhattan in killer heels.  So what else did I get up to?  I was very well looked after. (My heartfelt thanks, Gentlemen) xx

I recommend a particularly charming French restaurant that is filled with the heady fragrance of fresh flowers and has the prettiest website – Le Grenouille.  I have also learnt today that it was a favourite of the Astor family. If you go, try the lobster ravioli – magnifique!  Ohh and I saw a superb Broadway show – Chicago - what a cast!, what brilliance! – I am getting quite spoilt recently with regards to the excellent musicals I have seen.  So what of the new pics I hear you say?  Well, I am going to spend a little time looking for the ones I like the best so in the meantime, I am treating you to a particularly saucy image of Miss Liberty (thanks Mr T :)

It seems I have only just got back and yet I am off again!  Away 7-14 October.  My diary is filling up fast so if you want to see me before I jet off again, please call/email asap.  See you soon! xx

I think nowadays Diva means a stroppy madam.  To me Diva means a supreme female singer of an era where glamour was foremost.  These ladies would never, ever be photographed drunk falling into a cab or worse. No these ladies wore fabulous gowns and were always impeccable.  Diana Ross.  Supreme Diva as far as I am concerned.  Stunningly beautiful and a voice to melt even the coolest of hearts.  I re-visited Diana the other day.  By chance I got a cd with a compilation of love songs and the (has got to be) best love song ever was on there – Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – Endless Love.  That is so beautiful.  So I thought, hey I was brought up with Diana.  Not physically, that would mean I would have an American accent and be a lot older then I am :)  No, Diana Ross was played constantly in my house when I was a child.  I know the words to pretty much all her songs.  So I downloaded her ‘all time greatest hits’ album and spent most of the night reiterating to myself that yes indeed I still know all the words to all her songs, that is scary, it was a long time ago but my memory is obviously intact - the difference is, I also know what they (the lyrics)  mean now.

Hmm this may take a few threads but I have been asked this question more than once and so here goes..

My favourite..

Newspaper Columnists – Julie Burchill, Liz Jones, Piers Morgan

Music – ballads mainly

Comedy – Jack Dee, Billy Connolly, George Carling, Bill Hicks, Chris Rock, Joan Rivers

Places to be – Fiji, Australia, the Caribbean

Drinks – champagne or cocktails

Book – Vanity Fair (Thackeray), White Teeth (Zadie Smith)

Jewels – diamonds of course dahlink! oh and white gold or platinum (not keen on yellow gold – just in case you were thinking of splashing out hahaha)

Colour – blue

Charities – see to the right

Films – obviously all Ken Loach :) but also I loved The Green Mile,  Sixth Sense, Once Upon a time in America, Gangs of New York, My Left Foot, The Godfather (all of them)

Food – actually it would be easier to say what I don’t like – not keen on pasta or North African food – obviously I am not going to be consuming sheeps eyeballs or even tripe – ye Gods!

Designers – Amanda Wakeley

Glass half empty or half full? – oh half full and don’t waste any!

That’ll do for now, I’m exhausted – will have to go and lie down ;

Oh do you like the pic? hahahaha – are these for real???

Where do I begin? The man, the legend.  Love his music – don’t know him personally so can’t comment on that, and even if I did I wouldn’t.  I dance around the kitchen to Bob Dylan, make love to Bob Dylan, cook to Bob Dylan, hell you can do anything to Bob – the music, not the man – that would be disrespectful :)  A man for all seasons, all reasons and all occasions.  I have super special memories of his music and I only found him when I was travelling a few years ago - but better late than never hey?  I guess I am telling you all this because a few of my guys have asked me what music I like etc etc.  Sooo, I am going to leak out little bits about me (difficult when you are undercover) and my tastes, maybe you like the same things too?

When I was in New Orleans I was introduced to a genre of music called zydeco. I’d never heard of it before but it was good, more than good. I liked it. Its a kind of mix between blues and well, I don’t know what.

Wikopedia…

Zydeco (French: “les haricots”, English: “snap beans”) is a form of American roots or folk music, that evolved from the jure during the late 1800s call and response vocal music of the black and multiracial French speaking Creoles of south and southwest Louisiana.
During the early 20th century this soulful, heavily syncopated, indigenous roots music was discovered by ethnomusicologists and record labels alike. Usually fast-tempo, and dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of a washboard known as a rub-board or frottoir, zydeco music was originally created at house dances where the blacks and free people of color of south Louisiana would gather for socializing.

As the Creoles further established their communities and worshiped separately as well, the music moved to the Catholic church community center and then later to the rural dance halls and nightclubs. As a result, the music integrated waltzes, shuffles, two-steps, blues, rock and roll, and most dance music forms of the era. Today, the tradition of change and evolution in the music continues always keeping relevant while integrating even more genres like reggae, urban hip-hop, R&B, soul, brass band, ska, rock, Afro-Caribbean and other styles in addition to the traditional forms.

I tried to find a way to post a little snippet of a sample for you. Something you just click and there it is assaulting your senses but that’s just not possible on this here bloggy thing (why not?) So I will have to direct your fine selves to the itunes store or wherever you buy your music and type in ‘zydeco’ the best all round traditionial-ish album I have found is The Zydeco All Stars – best of instumental - listen to Alonzo’s Blues as a sample – makes me want to wiggle the tush and shake my marrakas! I just bought it, it’s only taken me 4 years to get this music – not because it is rare, but because I kept forgetting. Hey, but some things are definitely worth waiting for – as I often say to the fellas who keep trying to get hold of me (in a phone not physical sense)

For more go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zydeco

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A musical aside, I just put my top 10 sexy tracks to the right.(removed now ) When I was younger I was a bit of music purist. Hated manufactured bands etc etc. I sneared and scoffed with the best of them , which is bizarre when I can’t even play a musical instrument and my singing ability? well let’s just say don’t go there. It’s funny that now I take Girls aloud ( love ‘em) and Kylie (fab) for what they are – entertainment. Everything doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful and earnest – oh no.

Ok, so I am spending my Friday night ploughing through the 200 odd directories I am listed in to update the pics there. What a boring laborious (is that an American spelling?) process, ok is this correct? labourious. Sooooo, I decide to listen to every track on my iPod to make things go a little smoother. I love my sexy Ipod – one day I may bore you with how much.  Anyway, you forget what you have in your collection don’t you? I’ve discovered soul again! Hurrah what joy! Here’s a tale. I was in New Orleans in 2004, Mardi Gras and if you have ever been there, you will know that every bar plays live soul or jazz music – fantastic! So, here I was in a bar in Bourbon Street with a New Zealand female backpacker pal and we were listening to this utterly fantastic soul singer. All of a sudden he directed his songs to me and from then on we had drinks sent to us from all parts of the bar ( I am sure this wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t have honoured us in this manner). It was brilliant and more importantly he was exceptional. Sadly I can’t remember his name – something like Big Al (he was very much like Barry White). I am not sure what New Orleans looks like now after the Hurricaine but I can imagine that the incredible people there will definitely bounce back. Ohh another thing I remember, quite a few bands in the bars played ‘Sweet Home Alabamha’ so I did tell someone if I ever heard that again I would have to do something drastic. I am pleased to say I am more than happy to listen to said tune again, and yes I do have it on my iPod.

PS I am listening to Alanis Morrisette as I type – feisty chick!