RIP KEN RUSSELL

Legendary and controversial director Ken Russell sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 84. 

Best known for his 1971 film The Devils and his 1969 epic Women In Love, for which he was nominated for an Oscar, Russell also directed the cult 1975 rock musical Tommy. He will be sorely missed. 

LIONESS

Two previously unheard songs recorded by Amy Winehouse premiered on Radio 1 today. We're never too sure about posthumously released material from beloved artists, but this is happening regardless, so let's have a listen & decide whether it's any good.

The tracks are called Like Smoke (which features Nas) and Our Day Will Come, and are both taken from Wino's upcoming LP, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which will be released on the 5th of December. Listen to Like Smoke here.

There's no denying her voice isn't at its best, and that the rapper's extended input feels like a filler, but the melody is pleasant, and the production more than able. Overall we're not entirely sold; the jury is still out as to whether unreleased material should remain.. unreleased.

RIP STEVE JOBS

BODY AND SOUL

In what turned out to be her last ever recorded performance, on what would have been her 28th birthday, here is Amy Winehouse covering the 1930s jazz classic Body and Soul with Tony Bennett.

The session was recorded in March at Abbey Road studios for Bennett's new album, Duets II, which is available here. It's hard to watch this without feeling sad all over again at the loss of such a unique woman.

RIP AMY WINEHOUSE

RIP LUCIAN FREUD

One of Britain's greatest painters, Lucian Freud, has sadly passed away at the age of 88. The grandson of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud died in his home in London after a short illness.

Tributes from politicians, art dealers and models have been pouring in since the news broke, including this touching statement from Ed Valzey, Culture minister:

"Lucian Freud was one of the leading representational painters on the international stage, a beacon for those who still believe in the importance of the painted portrait, with a searching visual intelligence that portrays human life in all its variations. In over seven decades of unremitting dedication to his art he provided a body of work which was shown around the world and which drew attention to the great strength of British art in the post-war period. His passing marks the end of an era and he will be sadly missed by everyone who cares about the arts."

RIP SIDNEY LUMET

Sad news to kick off the week, but we can't possibly not pay homage to legendary director Sidney Lumet, who sadly passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. Lumet's work includes such modern American classics as 12 Angry Men, Serpico, The Verdict and (our personal favourite) Dog Day Afternoon; we've included the trailer below, but we'd like to leave you with this quote from the great man himself.

"While the goal of all movies is to entertain, the kind of film in which I believe goes one step further. It compels the spectator to examine one facet or another of his own conscience. It stimulates thought and sets the mental juices flowing".

RIP LIZ TAYLOR

Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Taylor sadly passed away today at Cedars-Sinai in LA at the age of 79. Let's remember her with some of her most iconic scenes, in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Cleopatra.