SPY VIBE RADIO: VENDETTA

Greetings, Spy Vibers! Summer is winding down for us teachers and meetings start up again on Monday. Too soon! But thankfully I have made some good progress in the last few weeks on the Spy Vibe book. During this spell, I've managed to go further and further into the art and locations from my fave film, The 10th Victim (1965). I look forward to sharing it all with you as soon as posible. My new episode on the Cocktail Nation radio show from Australia is now up! This month I introduce the 1966 gritty crime series, Vendetta, produced by the BBC in 1966. The show ran for 36 episodes (most were wiped) and the music was really cool! Vendetta was created by two writers who had worked on various ITC spy shows, as well as Barbarella and Danger Diabolik. In this radio segment, I play two pieces written for the series by John Barry, who at the time was in between Thunderball and You Only Live Twice. I think you'll hear the dark and moody vibe of the show in Barry's tracks. You might also hear echoes of The Persuaders and The Ipcress File! Check it out at Cocktail Nation: Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta. Selected Spy Vibe episodes: Raumpatrouille, Spycatcher J3, Phantom Agents, Phantom Agents II, Lupin the III, Public Eye, Fantomas, Upper Seven, The Beatles Help!, plus Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Episode #4 (Roger Moore/The Saint), and Episode #5 (The Avengers), Episode #6 (The Prisoner), and Episode #7 (The Ipcress File), Episode #8 (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.), Spy Vibe Radio: UFO, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, and Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart. Enjoy! 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: The Saint Podcast Bonus, The Saint Podcast, Barber Lotus, Diana Rigg at 82, Trad Roots, Morricone R.I.P., Fleetway Spy Designs, John Steel Casebooks, Paul at 78, ITC Podcast: The Persuaders, Dazzle Ships, Spy Vibe Radio: Raumpatrouille, Remembering Richard Sala, Crime & Spy Jazz books, Soviet Space Graphics, Numan is FAB, Bruce Lee Blu, John Barry Event, RSD Vinyl Spies, James Bond's DB5, UFO CD Set, Spy Vibe radio: Phantom Agents, Steranko is Revolutionary!, Interview: The Saint I Ain't, Diabolik Interview, New 007 Song, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, New Year Cosmonauts, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration, Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

MICK KARN TRIBUTE

Mick Karn was best-known for his innovative fretless bass playing in the band, Japan, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The group formed with glam-rock aspirations, but quickly evolved into a unique blend of world music, jazz, pop, and experimental soundscapes that set them apart from others in the so-called New Romantic movement. Globe-trotting and multi-talented, the group became an inspiration of fashion and aesthetics that still echo among artists. Mick Karn brought his talents as a multi-instrumentalist to Japan, adding saxophone and clarinet to his fluid bass riffs in their recordings and performances. He went on to record many projects over the past twenty-five years with fellow Japan members, David Sylvian, Richard Barbieri (Porcupine Tree), Steve Jansen, and with music icons Gary Numan, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, and Peter Murphy (Bauhaus). Mick also exhibited his work as a sculptor.


I got in touch with Karn, Barbieri, and Jansen in the early 1990s after I moved back to the States from a number of years living in northern Japan. The trio had set up their own label, Medium Productions, and I sent them a batch of my current Photographs in hopes that we might collaborate in some way. The guys got back to me through their associate, Debi Zornes. They really liked some of the abstract experiments I was doing with a special process of partial split-toning. This was pre-digital, of course. At the time, however, inspiration led me into using the technique to create Buddha images rather than abstractions. Our creative timing wasn't in sync, but I relish the idea of collaborating still. Sadly, a key member of this special group of artists, Mick Karn, passed away on January 4th at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer. My best wishes and love to his family and friends. I dedicate one of my Buddha images (below) to Mick. I think this photograph would have appealed to his sculptor-side. There are links on the Sylvian and Jansen websites if readers would like to make a donation to support Mick's family. Additional information can be found at the websites of Mick Karn, David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, and Richard Barbieri. Mick Karn obituary at the Guardian here. Mick Karn portrait above copyright by Steve Jansen. Buddha image below copyright by Jason Whiton.


My introduction to Mick Karn was a documentary made about Japan's tour in support of their Tin Drum album, Oil on Canvas. My friend Miki and I went to a coffee shop after a screening at a German film festival at Iwate University. I must admit, my thoughts going in were all about my beautiful companion. But as soon as we sat down, my attention became fixed to the big-screen TV across the room. Mick Karn, dressed in a Fab slender suit, seemed to be floating all over the stage (was he standing on casters?). These incredible, burbling sounds came from his bass- it was like nothing I had heard before. This was not your typical guitar-centered music. In fact, the peak of Japan's output was primarily built on foundations of bass and keyboard, rather than guitar. The sound appealed to me for it's cinematic quality. And over the lush atmosphere, the unforgettable sound of David Sylvian's lyrics. I unfortunately lost touch with Miki over the years, but the sound and inspiration of Mick and the guys continues to burn bright. Here are some video clips from Oil on Canvas.