RIP and Special Thanks to world respected photographer Erwin Olaf

In memory of Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf, who kindly photographed me at his Amsterdam studio in 1983 when No More Walls was published in the Netherlands.

The Guardian published the following obituary:

The Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf, who has died aged 64 following a lung transplant, straddled the world of art, advertising and fashion photography with a sumptuous cinematic and painterly aesthetic. Into his meticulously staged works he introduced subtle imperfections to stir disquiet in his audience: “There should be a riddle in every powerful image, so you are intrigued and invited to look over and over again.”

Here are the portraits Olaf made for me in 1983.  Thanks for the memories!

Useful Links for James Nelson Books:

• Buy James Nelson's new album with Cosmo:

https://cosmoinnit.bandcamp.com/album/james-nelson-climbs-the-column

• Buy James Nelson's previous album:

https://jamesnelsonakamickthepunk.bandcamp.com

• Buy the No More Walls 2020 e-Book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Walls-2020-Book-ebook/dp/B08CRW1YJY

Worldwide Album Launch: "James Nelson Climbs the Column!!!" by James Nelson & Cosmo

https://cosmoinnit.bandcamp.com/album/james-nelson-climbs-the-column

James Nelson is an 83-year-old anarchist from the streets. Approved schools, prison, homelessness, alcoholism, a partial lobotomy and drug dependency blighted his life, until one day in 1972 he was placed on a mortuary slab presumed dead - but then found to be very much alive! 

Since that point, he has overcome his addictions and gone on to be an author and musician. (He's worked with Adamski and all sorts). He’s also given talks around the world about his experiences to help others, and engages with young people to give them a message of hope and courage. I’m very honoured to be his friend and to help tell his story. 

This album is a spoken word / folk-punk journey into his life from despair to recovery and the redemptive nature of people, places and experiences that have made his life what it is today. You’ll find stories, rants, songs and transcendent tales from a unique perspective here within. 

All proceeds from this pay-what-you-want digital album go to the Open door Project for homeless people in St. Albans. 

You can find out more about James here: www.nelsonscolumntv.com

"No More Walls" by James Nelson now on Kindle!

"No More Walls" by James Nelson has now been released as a Kindle-friendly e-book!  All proceeds go to support the Open Door Project, a shelter for homeless people in St Albans.

To download your copy from the Kindle bookstore on Amazon, please click here.

 

More photos of James Nelson of London, author of "No More Walls"

No More Walls: Fourth Edition gets 5-Star review from respected mindfulness author Christopher Dines!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49374375-no-more-walls

Latest news: "No More Walls - Fourth Edition" appears at Goodreads.com

The latest news from James Nelson Books of London, "No More Walls" is now featured at Goodreads.com where you can leave your reviews and comments...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48255688-no-more-walls

Song about James Nelson by Mister John uploaded to Youtube

This is a song about James Nelson a.k.a. Mick the Punk, the Diamond Geezer. The song is written and performed by Mister John, the artist known for worldwide hit record Potverdekke! (It's great to be a Belgian).

For more about Mister John:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8870875/John-Makin.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potverdekke!_(It%27s_great_to_be_a_Belgian)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Makin_(singer)

"No More Walls" by James Nelson on the shelves at Housmans bookshop in Caledonian Road, London

No More Walls, Fourth Edition, the remarkable book with an unmistakeable cover is on the shelves at Housmans Bookshop in Caledonian Road.

No More Walls, Fourth Edition, accepted to be re-stocked at Housmans Bookshop in Caledonian Road, London

Housmans, the long-running radical bookshop selling new and secondhand publications on progressive politics, stocked the First Edition of No More Walls back in 1978...!

James Nelson author of "No More Walls" on World Book Day - 7th March 2019

New Album available: "I Am The Diamond Geezer"

My new album, I Am The Diamond Geezer, is available here to listen to or buy in digital and CD formats. Only £10 plus P&P.

To purchase the album, click on the "Buy" button below. You can also share it on Facebook etc by pressing "Share". If you want to play it, press the "play" button, (the big, black arrow in the box below).

You can also scroll through the tracks by pressing the buttons either side of the play button.

Enjoy!



From Bandcamp:

"James Nelson, AKA Mick the Punk, is a man with a remarkable story. Born into poverty in east London in 1933, he spent much of his adult life as a homeless alcoholic until a near-death experience in the 70s caused him to sober up. He wrote a book, "No More Walls". "I Am A Diamond Geezer" is a punk slice of life based on his book. It's ferocious!"

Diamond Geezer

My New Video

"I'm the Diamond Geezer"

My Video for 1936-1972

Check my first video for my poem 1936-1972.
more audio and videos coming soon...

Be Still

Be Still is one of the few poems I've written. I am still very hyperactive and speedy and the committee is holding midnight tribunals in my head and when I play Be Still it relaxes me and I am not at at war in my head, I am at peace.

Be Still can be puchased £7.00 or $14.00 from http://cdbaby.com/cd/jamesnelson

Simply what is need Reviewer: Avery

Lyrics and music come together to induce what is suggested in a most powerful way; haunting, hypnotique and happy-making. A unanimous choice for every circumstance -- alone or together, quiet or tumultuous,inside or out-of-doors. Tell you mates. Better yet, give them their own disc. Keep writing, James.

An absolute M Reviewer: Mickey Jones

The most spiritual song I've ever heard. The lyrics are astounding. The song is spellbounding. the work of a genius.

Wow ! Am I Still, - now . Great music !Reviewer: Ned N.

Be still has brought me more release from tension and anxiety than any other event in my life. And, it's good music too! I can't tell you how many times I've played it. I just leave it on repeat. Thanks James. Be still, mate.

My videos

http://www.acting-up.org.uk/michael.htm

I AIN'T GOT NONE

This article was an interview with the editor of Spare Change in Vancouver where I was in 1991 I was there for three weeks. I was kicked out of a Salvation Army hostel becuase I was writing about them.

health service what is that if you cant paid

this was taken outside the royal clollege of nurseing me and the health care worker for CHAR which was trying to educate them. the single homeless need health care whats changed from 1980 1n the last 27 years? There is no national health service ?

THISWAS MAYFILED GRILS SCHOOL PUNTEY

this is a head shot photo of me and a pupil at the mayfield girls school where i did a lesson about homeless people

NEW YORK 1989 WHATCHANGE

This is agoup of church and homelss workers from Britain on a fact finding tour of New York in may 1989. Spot me in the photo.