Following on from Brad’s post about the event honoring Kenneth Anger in New York, it reminded me that I wanted to do another post of one of my favorite Marc Almond songs. As frequent readers of the blog know, I’m a huge Marc Almond fan, and I try to post a song by him from time to time. Today’s selection is Ruby Red from his Mother Fist & Her Five Daughters (that’s a euphemism for masturbation if it’s not obvious) collection from 1985. Mother Fist is a masterpiece. It’s moody and exotic, it’s got amazing arrangements (courtesy of his greatest collaborator Annie Hogan) and the lyrics are pure poetry. telling tales of visits to places most of us would not want to go to. I love every single song on the album, but this is my favorite track. Well, top two…

The Ruby Red video was directed by Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson, of Throbbbing Girstle and Coil infamy. It appears to be inspired by Kenneth Anger’s films and by Pink Narcissus (also inspired by Anger). I think this video is as amazing as the song. I’ll bet MTV didn’t touch it!
 

 
Below a dramatic performance of Saint Judy, Almond’s paean to Judy Garland, at the Palladium in London during the Soho Jazz Fest, October 6, 1986.