It's my brithday and I'll pleurer if I want to

Off to Paris for a quiet birthday celebration so happy birthday to me.

Voice

Today Alison Moyet releases Voice, an album of 'classic songs' (not covers, mind.) It's stunningly beautiful, simple, tasteful. Arranged and produced by Anne Dudley, Academy Award winning composer, it's an eclectic affair - Purcell, Brel, Elvis Costello, and Michel Legrand. The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies-O!, which every schoolkid in England apparently knows and Elvis Costello's Almost Blue are both sublime. And she sings in French - Je crois encore entendre and Brel's La chanson des vieux amants.



She says in interviews that it's not a 'covers' album as she learned all of the songs from the original sheet music and her singing is sweet and unadorned. I hope she tours with it.

Drool

The new Apple iMac.

Uh oh

So I recently agreed to temporarily be creative director on the BT account and now I'm 'acting' head of creative for the office as the last one recently resigned. I'm a bit terrified of the workload, but excited to be back managing a department and worrying about utilisation and contractors and, oh yeah, creativity.

Happy Mondays

Or some such thing. The weekend sped by and I've done almost nothing. Some laundry. Some cooking. The Japanese and Chinese galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Summer appears to be over. It's cold and rainy in London but then, that's not surprising -- even in August. I don't mind, not being a sunworshipper, but do mind I've still no plans for a holiday and holiday season is nearly over.



Listening to Bjork's soon to be released Medulla -- an album made primarily of vocals (with some digital beats). It's a curious affair that takes a good few listens. One never expects the usual from Bjork, but this is an especially acquired taste.

See your Sushi and eat it too

A German specs company has made eyeglass frames with built in chopsticks.



Cool.

Dinner last night with Kiran at the top floor restaurant at Smith's of Smithfield. Rooftop terrace where we could watch last night's storm. It's miserably humid today ...