"If You Want to Cut Your Throat, Don’t come to Me for a Bandage."

I’m currently wading through Downriver by Iain Sinclair. Sinclair is a British writer & filmmaker. Much of his work is rooted in London, most recently within the influences of psychogeography.

It’s kind of a tough go for a Yank such as I. It’s a surreal/poetic view of the Thames & surrounding environs during the time of M. Thatcher. That was a mighty scary time for the world, but specifically for the Democratic Socialism that was the U.K. prior to that time. Maggie was known as the "Iron Lady". She was great chums with Ronnie Regan, as their economic policies meshed well.

Thatcher pursued a strongly principled (& incredibly fiscally conservative) economic policy, now known as "Thatcherism." (Whether you agree or disagree with her, you have to admit that having an "ism" named after you is an impressive accomplishment. Thatcherism was essentially a free market approach. She stood for:

• Tax cuts
• Small government
• Private enterprise
• Anti-socialism & anti-communism
• Anti-unions

Thatcher's disdain toward labor unions & social programs won her a lot of enemies. Margaret Thatcher famously dismissed the idea of a "society." In her view, nations are composed of individuals with no duties to one other

This recording is a companion piece to the book, made of extracts from Downriver read by the author. Recorded at The Instrument, London - 8th May 1998. Thanks to Bruce Gilbert (of Wire & solo fame) for intersperced audio atmospherics.

Iain Sinclair – Downriver, King Mob KMOB 1, 1998.

decryption code in comments

Tracklist –

The Case of the Premature Mourners

Riverside Opportunities

Premature Mourners II

The Solemn Mystery of the Disappearing Room

Premature Mourners III

Art of the Stage

Sexing of Stones

Premature Mourners IV

Enjoy,

NØ