BillF

Very sorry to hear Ray's has gone. One of the last survivors! Vinyl Exchange in Manchester is still in existence (used CDs and vinyl, despite the name), but only just, with one of two shops closed and the proprietor having pulled out and sold to management. But I have a sneaking approval of changes that have happened at HMV's Manchester store. In recent years, jazz has been relegated to a corner of the classical section, run by staunch classicists, meaning that those seeking Miles or Basie were compulsorily bathed in surround-sound Verdi. Now everything has been cleared to make way for more DVDs and games and the one-time classical kings make a sorry sight relegated (together with jazz, unfortunately) to a noisy corner of the pop section, where they're subjected to a non-stop high-volume diet of chart hits! Poetic justice?

Very interesting, Jim! Many thanks!

Akiyoshi/Tabackin Disc 3.

Jupiter Ammon Albert Ammons Jimmy Yancey

Just a layman, too. Is that why I prefer his sound on the Live at Club Baby Grand albums from 1956 to his later "trademark" sound?

Jazz Library from BBC Radio 3. Alyn Shpton reviews the recordings of Charlie Christian. Now playing: "Ad Lib Blues", Benny Goodman Octet.

Fitzcarraldo Geraldo Aldo Ciccolini

Virginia Wade Virginia Wolff Alfred Lion

Horace Tapscott Horatio Nelson Nelson Boyd Joe Boyd Chris McGregor Mongezi Feza Mongo Santamaria Mungo Park Charlie Parker

Horace Tapscott Horatio Nelson Nelson Boyd

Gordon Ramsay Sir Alf Alf Alfie Michael Caine Sugar Babes

Fast Eddie Lightning Hopkins Mistress Quickly

Linda Colley Jack Shepherd Inspector Hound

Clifford Simak John Sladek Karel Capek

Karel Reisz Archie Rice Archie Shepp

Bill Perkins Richie Kamuca Al Cohn (The Brothers)

Eric Alexander Joe Lovano Ralph Lalama

Two of their albums are combined on the Impulse CD, Oscar Pettiford Orchestra, Deep Passion.

Monsieur un tel Telly Savalas Terry Wogan

Noel Edmonds Yul Brynner Chrissie Hynde

David Stone Martin Edward Scissorhands Pepper "The Knife" Adams

Little Jim (Goon Show) Little Jimmy Scott Big Jim Robinson

Andrew Sachs Adolphe Sax Saxe-Coburg

Arnold Bax Arnold Brown Arnold Ross

A A Milne B B King C C Rider