BillF

Jazz Library from BBC Radio 3: Carla Bley

Memphis Slim Skinnay Ennis The Thin Man

I actually saw Roland in Dobells just after 10am one morning listening to Omer Simeon! No fans, just me, Roland and the miserable Dobells guy (actually Doug Dobells son in law, can't remember his name) All of which confirms that Roland was a great historian of the music. "Hog Calling Blues" didn't come out of nowhere! And all this at a time when some misguided fans acted as if anything pre-Coltrane was uncool!

Tony Coe Henry Coker Kokomo Arnold

Great name! Can't quite equal that with my latest purchase: Dutch Jazz Orchestra, Moon Dreams: Rediscovered Music of Gil Evans & Gerry Mulligan (Challenge) (Under discussion here a few weeks ago)

Sid James Sid Vicious El Cid

Typical of Lonehill, isn't it? They're so free with the word "complete" in their titles, too!

A legendary Dobell's story is that Roland Kirk spent his days there while playing at Ronnie's at night. He is said to have brought sales to a standstill as admiring fans blocked the tiny shop to hear Roland demanding to hear track after track by Fats Waller!

Orville Ornette Arnett

Bill Evans at Shelly's Manne Hole (Riverside/Polydor)

Barbar Celeste Arthur

I can certainly identify with that, John! On one of my my first visits in 1957 at the age of 17 I was chased out of the booth for playing too many 78s! (They were by by Pinetop Smith and Meade Lux Lewis.) There was also an infuriatingly cool bloke behind the counter on the ground floor who accompanied everthing on the sound system with (admittedly accurate) "cymbal" strokes with his ball pen! But Johnny Kendal downstairs in the dungeon-like second-hand section was a really sweet guy, this confirmed by a woman friend of mine who went out with him.

Cyril Kornbluth Jimmy Cobb Ed Balls

I'll certainly back you on that! Majestc! Definitely one of his greatest. Perhaps its un-memorable title causes it to be overlooked.

Must try that one. Read four Amblers recently.

The original Dobell's stood in a block known as "the buildings" which was demolished in the late 70s/early 80s and replaced by a new block now full of tourist trash outlets. Back in the day it was said that the ultimate in cool was to live in a cold water pad in the buildings "within the sound of Do-Bell's".

How that photo takes me back! I remember staring transfixed at the window on the right in 1962 at the then brand-new album from the "disappeared" Sonny Rollins, The Bridge, with its hugely impressive cover photo.

Charlotte Church The Yardbirds Robert Graves

That's the first I've heard of these since he told me he'd recently recorded them. Sadly, this was when he knew he hadn't long to go. Here you go, Bill.. Ed Dipple Sound Archive Thanks, Sidewinder. (I no longer qualify for access, but a family member does.)

Carlos the Jackal Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Dr Jackyll and Mr Funk

Joe Orton John Osborne Arnold Wesker

That's the first I've heard of these since he told me he'd recently recorded them. Sadly, this was when he knew he hadn't long to go.

Somebody should write a book about that place ! Well, at least Radio 3 has covered them. (Leni Dipple's reminiscences on her late husband.)

J Fred Muggs The Beaker People Gene Ammons