Interview by Becky Davies and Photographed by Rankin.

Thanks, Roxy!

After the recent Times episode, maybe an example of how relaxing an interviewee can bring its own rewards...

Cher Roxy,
Merci beaucoup for posting this.
AS Monsieur Smudge remarked, it should be forwarded to Ms.Polly Vernon as a testimony to intelligent journalism!
regards,
Windswept.

Whew! I was worried that BF might have to suffer yet another night under the impression that every interviewer would treat him with the haughty, sneaky, low-down conniving demeanor of the oh-so-disrespectful Ms. Polly Vernon! I (and I presume Mr BF) will sleep better tonight...

Of course, if PV was shown this interview, she might say "Hey, those questions and answers relating to BF and The Great Gatsby are familiar because they are just like the ones on the Q&A sheet that I was handed by BF's assistant!"

Oh DC, you are so negative. Really, didn't you want to be reminded yet again that BF worked in a tailor shop when he was a lad and that's when he began a life-long fascination with fabrics? Yes, I know its rather personal information about Our Hero, but it remains so interesting, even upon the sixth or seventh telling of the tale. And what about his early love for Charlie Parker? So wonderful to be reminded of that again! (even though it it is essentially impossible to connect anything in BF's voluminous musical catalog to Bird's amazing bebop sax sound...). And yes, BF is enamored of Prince and Bob Dylan!!! Wow. I didn't see that coming!

I guess I'm not sufficiently "culturally and visually hungry" to appreciate all that this interview has to offer. But hey, BF looks happy in the photo spread and good for him!!!

P.S. DC wishes to advise the VRM readership that his churlish comment above regarding BF and Charlie Parker does not come from out of the blue, but derives from a long time love of Bird nourished by frequent listenings to a vinyl collection of about 40 CP albums. Should anyone care, DC's favorite Bird recordings are the Dial sessions from '47 (hardly a surprise) and the live radio broadcasts from the Royal Roost nightclub in late 48-early '49. DC is waiting for the time when BF will not simply name-check Parker, but actually talk in some detail about the Bird recordings that Our Hero most cherishes...

Cher DCJ,
Don't despair. If you are feeling "culturally and visually" disinterested, you are probably just going through your dressing down period.
As our hero points out, this is always a mistake and I would certainly concur.
Personally I find that a trip to my tailor and a couple of new ties to be the perfect remedy.
If you don't take action,in a couple of years time, you'll probably find yourself looking at self portraits when you were dressed in baseball jackets and caps and you were hunched over your PC writing negative thoughts!
Don't allow that to happen — take action now and be happy, AEWBF is nearly upon us.
Regards,
Windswept.

I'm a stylista of the "black t-shirt, black pants and gray sports jacket" variety, pretty much a modest-budget version of what you'll see at uber-hip NYC gallery openings. (I could illustrate with a clip on C-span from a couple of years ago, but I'll refrain.)

The one aspect of BF's visual presentation that I do emulate is his hair. Mine is a bit more silver (an uber-hip way of saying gray) than BF's, but in terms of the "tousled mane" we share common ground.

If I'm really in the mood to be stylish and flaunt it to the world, I'll sport the wonderful concert T-shirt from the Mamouna Tour along with the requisite black pants and understated gray jacket. I think even Karl Lagerfeld might like it should we pass on the streets of late night Tribeca...

Cher DCJ,
I wouldn't go near Karl when he's sporting those gloves - particularly in Tribeca!
Regards,
Windswept.

Thanks for the heads up WS2! Actually, I don't think I've been in Tribeca since about the time Mamouna was released!

But the Mamouna Tour T-shirt looks good anytime, anywhere...