Ahead of Martin Newell’s yearly gig – that’s correct, he only performs live music once a year – at the Colchester Arts Centre, he’s released a new Cleaners From Venus video, ‘He’s Going Out With Marilyn’. Directed by Rob Britton, this is Martin’s second video since he’s teamed up with Soft Bodies Records. Soft Bodies released the Cleaners’ latest album, Return To Bohemia, this summer. Twelve stunning tracks, ‘Bohemia’ is this writer’s pop record of the year. ‘Marilyn’ features an infectious hook and showcases Newell’s life-long love of the 1960s, with its jangle-pop and iconography (the title character also starred in an early Cleaners song, ‘Marilyn On A Train’).
Be sure also to check out the ever-entertaining Newell’s Mule TV clips, following Mr. Jangle himself in his quest for the perfect song for Eurovision. "An online video chronicle of one man’s quest for a clean-shaven song in an increasingly bearded world. Suitable for family viewing (if you have a weird family)."
In what will be its twelfth year running, this year’s The Golden Afternoon is at Colchester Arts Centre this Sunday, September 14, from 2-5 pm. Martin performs songs spanning his career since the early 80s, always ready with an anecdote or joke, and a short poetry set in the middle. For, of course, he’s Britain’s most published living poet. Two years ago he even spontaneously broke into excellent renditions of ‘Life On Mars?’ and Matt Munro’s ‘Walk Away’. Returning special guest this year is Lorraine Bowen.Â
