It has been over twenty years since I last visited Vence Chapel or Henry Matisse, Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicanes de Vence, as it is known, and it really is a monument to Matisse and his artwork. And reading the Gaurdian (sic) this morning I was reminded of it because there was a review of the forthcoming exhibition at the Tate, which begins on April 17th and I will definitely be trying to get tickets for that. But being in the chapel is extraordinary, because as these pictures show, the big deal is the way the windows work with the colour. Truly, truly awesome and being bathed in the sunlight as it streams in is part of the charm, nay, part of the magic. It is also situated in one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Cote D'Azur, ooh I could live there.But as I was mulling that over, here is something I was considering, since yesterday was essentially turned over to lots of talk about gay weddings; no one has ever asked me the question, '...when did you first realise you were heterosexual?' I guess its too late now but there you go. I mean there was a time my dad raised an eyebrow at me because I read poetry and liked art, well he's the book reader now and the last time I saw a major art installation it was with him and Alex Sharp. And indeed he has been known to attend dance performances and song recitals. Next time I see him I am going to ask, 'when did you first realise you appreciated the arts?' The coal miner might even be middle class (like his academic son). But moving on, what about this wee working class Irishman doing great soul music, turn on your radio, turn it on, turn it on, turn it on and we can see what's really wrong...in my humble opinion, this was the best track on this movie, The Band and Van the Man kicking up a storm on Caravan with a great horn section, listen to how it builds and builds, awesome - and everything I have posted this morning is designed to say, I have a half full glass: happy mother's day. I miss my own mother so much and its only been a year and a wee bit, but if I could tell her anything it would be, 'hey, we're fine, all is good... all is good... all is good...' C'mon Van, cheer us up:
