25 January 2009

A Ride on the Big Wheel - Matchstick Men

We are looking down on the ice-rink set up for the Christmas and New Year Fair. You see Italy in the distance. (Photos taken on the 4th January)

Doesn't it remind you of L. S. Lowry's wonderful paintings of matchstick men and women?

Remember the tribute song to Lowry - 'Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs?'

If you don't know Lowry - and even if you do - do click on the YouTube link (above) to see many of his marvellous paintings and hear the tribute song written and sung by Brian & Michael in 1978. Lowry died in 1976. The song was 3 weeks at No. 1 and 19 weeks in the charts.


He painted Salford's smokey tops
On cardboard boxes from the shops
And parts of ancoats where I used to play
I'm sure he once walked down our street
Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet
The clothes we wore had all see better days

Now they said his works of art were dull
No room all round the walls are full
But Lowry didn't care much anyway
They said he just paints cats and dogs
And matchstalk men in boots and clogs
And Lowry said that's just the way they'll stay

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin
When London started calling him
To come on down and wear the old flat cap
They said tell us all about your ways
And all about them Salford days
Is it true you're just an ordinary chap

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now Lowry's hang upon the wall
Beside the greatest of them all
And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow
This tired old man with hair like snow
Told northern folk its time to go
The fever came and the good lord mopped his brow

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

15 comments:

  1. I love the juxtaposition of the ice and the sea. It's that ruffled sea that draws my eye away from the gleeful skaters. And the gleeful skaters on their white ice that continue to pull me back.

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  2. Very unexpected, J. And good old Lowery....it's nice to try and capture his vision with the camera. This is a good try....but perhaps it needs even a few more figures??? Not to mention some smoke!!!!

    I've given it a link on my today's "nerdy" gastronomy post.

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  3. The last thing I expected to sea along the sunny blue Mediterranean is an ice rink. What a surprise.

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  4. What a grand rink an everyone does look like matchstick folks. I love the ice rink with the sea behind. Ahhhhh. Can't wait to see the video. Just got anther look at that ferris wheel below. It really is spectacular Jilly. The color is amazing!!!
    V

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  5. The ice rink was here for the Christmas and New Year festivities. It was in fact dismantled - as was the Big Wheel - the day after I took the photographs.

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  6. I remember when Lowry was the height of fashion and every house had a print..I much prefer Menton, I must say.

    Re. your comment I'll email you directions to the Cathedral. It's well worth a detour, believe me.

    I've tagged you on my post on Nice DP today!

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  7. It was probably cold up there on the big wheel when you took this photo but it turned out nice.

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  8. What fun to skate in the sunshine. You are right about Lowry. MB

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  9. Ice skating by the sea. How cool is that. Loved the link of Matchstalk art.

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  10. There is something about ice skating with the ocean in the back ground....nice.

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  11. ice-skating rink near the vast blue ocean look marvelous ... i'd love to be there.

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  12. Another fantastic sports. An ice skating rink by the sea. Amazing.

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  13. A great day to skate here :)

    Nice image itself

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  14. Funniest thing; I, too, didn't expect ice and Menton together. Looks like a great day in wonderful weather to enjoy the rink.

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  15. Brian & Michael live just down the road from me - see this post on Old Hyde

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