Barrytown, 2013
There was still blood under the nail of her left index finger. She was tempted to suck it out, but felt sudden revulsion. Impossible – she couldn’t have done that. She walked along an alley dotted with overflowing dustbins; no one had been murdered – tomorrow must be bin day, she thought. For a moment she hesitated, frozen to the spot half way along the alley, ahead of her a frenzied version of herself dropped a bagful of bloodstained clothes into a wheelie bin.
*
Barrytown is the fourth track on Steely Dan’s 1974 album, Pretzel Logic. The track is a sharp dissection of class prejudice, wedded to searing sarcasm, and an upbeat backing track. “I can tell by what you carry that you come from Barrytown” being a sample lyric. You can listen Barrytown here.
*
So, having finished my ham sandwiches, I step out onto Kingsway. It’s a road with a lot of history…
Oh, I SO like this! Interesting story and a very interesting photograph!
Thanks very much, Alex! I’m really glad you like it. More to come…
Reverse vertigo
Ha, yes!
All movies of Hitchcock flashed before me, staring at this masterpiece.
Wow, thanks so much, Arjun!
wonderful!
Thanks so much, Alissa!
I want to know what happens next!
🙂
The first thing that came to mind was MOAI on the move.
That’s really interesting. There’s a suggestion of a profile there for definite.
Thanks Richard , I have not listened to that in a LONG Time!
Ah, it’s one of my favourite albums! They’re all good though. Thanks, Kathryn.
So I was scrolling down the reader on my phone and spotted the title of your post and the first thing that leaped to mind was “ooo, hope this is related to the song”! Can’t tell you how much your photo (and the accompanying text) sum up that tight-throated, heart-in-your-mouth feeling elicited by this (and so many other) Steely Dan classic(s). From the dark foreground to the slightly blurry background and anonymous silhouette it is very representative of how so many of us felt at the time, how we saw ourselves in and through the lyrical work of the band and how it opened us up to a very different view of how things could be…. thanks for the reminder.
Thanks very much for your comment! I’m so pleased the post did something. I’m a big fan of Steely Dan. They are one of those bands that make uncharacteristically (for the medium) rich and meaningful work. They regularly make me laugh with dark joy.
Jolly good, Richard, I really like both image and text.
Thanks very much, Ashley. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but more coming…
I like that at first I thought the image was abstract, then realised it was a silhouette 🙂
Yes, it’s one of those shots where I ummed and ahhed about posting it, which is often a good sign for me. Thanks, EllaDee. 🙂
Ok, I don;t know the song (will check with my son :)), but that pic is a piece of art – haunting, and it says a lot. … and just when we have been(a blogger friend and I) discussing shadows. Truly inspired!
Thanks very much, MJ! That’s such a nice compliment! 🙂 I love coincidences.
Beautiful shot, great opening paragraph, but what’s next?! 😀
Thanks so much, Richard! That’s very nice to hear 🙂 What indeed?! 🙂
🙂
Oh how I worship Steely Dan.
Me too.
lOL I love this direction you are taking on this post !
Great, I’m really glad you like it. More to come…
Hi, Richard. I’ve just been doing some catching up, and exploring your fantastic post of the last many days. WOW! Incredible collection of street portraits. Such a wonderful variety of looks, and great encounters with lovely people. So excited, too, about your Etsy shop and wish you the very best of luck with that.
I love the dramatic composition and shadow of this shot. Great text, too.
Hi Melanie. Thanks very much – what lovely compliments!
ciao! but there is light above…the blue contrast does it for me. etsy!! kings road?
thebestdressup
must be continued…
Yes, although maybe not in a completely linear way 🙂 Thanks, Inge!
i’ll figure it out 😉
What a fantastic meeting of the Kingsway brick wall with a dose of fabulous Pretzel Logic!!! Where to start, and stop, on the lyrics/music of Steely Dan!
I know – all I know is they make me laugh on a regular basis. Think that’s a good sign. Thanks very much, Patti!
Love the story and the pic!
Thanks very much, Elena! Glad you like them.
I love this new twist on the street portrait theme, Richard!
Great, I’m planning on doing a bit more (if I can counter my laziness). Thanks very much, Cheryl!
did you write that opening paragraph? very tight.
Yes, I did. Thanks very much!
Love the dramatic framing and the micronarrative is a compelling companion to the image. “Tempted to suck it out” is very strong. Wow.
Thanks so much, Chris!
I guess I’m heading backwards through time here…
Love the edginess of this. Great image, and slice of a story. And Steely Dan, yes!
Thanks very much, Karen! Glad you like it.
Awesome photo. Love the disappearing figure.
Thanks very much, Cardinal! Glad you like it.
I really like that image Richard, so mysterious.
Yes, it reminds me of being a five year old for some reason – perhaps that bafflement with the world. Thanks very much, Leanne.