BillF

Fascinating eyes

Here are a few very early and probably ill-considered comments! Track 1 From the 50s, let's say about 1954. Bears a strong resemblance to Woody Herman's music of that time, particularly the riffs and the general character of the soloists, but this is a smaller outfit than Woody's orchestra, octet to ten players, perhaps. Relaxed, groovin' - just my sort of jazz. Track 4 Very much in the tradition of the Hot Club de France. That ought to be Grapelli, but it doesn't sound quite so impeccable as him, so - the master late in his life or a follower closely influenced by him? Tune is "After You've Gone", a Grapelli favourite IIRC. Track 5 Blues/boogie piano (hope there aren't two!) plus bass and drums. Could be a tack piano. For this sort of thing I think Sammy Price or Jay McShann, but it's probably someone more contemporary. Track 6 Having wandered through ideas like Goodman and Carnegie Hall Concert, I'm guessing this is Artie Shaw in a 1941 airshot from Hollywood playing "After You've Gone" with sensational, swinging playing from Hot Lips Page and Dave Tough. Excuse me if all this is quite wrong! Track 7 A real swing-to-bop feel about this one. A band of about seven pieces of the sort that Sir Charles Thompson used to lead, though this isn't him on piano. Date about 1946. Strong "Honeysuckle Rose" resemblances in the boppish theme, so I suppose it's on "H R" changes. Track 9 Love this one! Again, just my sort of music! 1950s, a blues, swings beautifully. Again a medium sized band, this one including tuba and oboe. Latter made me think of Yusef Lateef, lovely boppish trumpet had me thinking Thad Jones. And do I hear Lucky Thompson? "Arranger's piano" of the sort Mulligan used to play, but I think we're in different company here. Would really like to know what this is! That will do for now.

I wouldn't expect pristine condition for the collection of someone who went "Pub Crawling With Jimmy Deuchar", to quote one of the items' titles.

Postage stamp with portrait of the monarch

Blokes in red shirts

Rabbit Mike Hodges Clive Owen

The Fly By Knights (Bob Florence composition) Knights of the Round Table Gerry Mulligan (composer of "Nights at the Turntable")

I look forward to "Bill F and Eric Clapton Play Jimmy Yancey: Live at The Manchester Free Trade Hall' For that gig I'd hand over to my friend, Paul Woodrow. We both played piano at school in the 50s, the difference being that he continued to play every day and now at the age of 70 has a hell of a technique. He can be heard on this clip on organ with the Rooster Blues Band from Calgary, Alberta (where he now lives) backing Chicago blues shouter, Lou Pride. http://www.bu.edu/today/2007/tsai-center-gets-the-blues-tonight/

I can play very simple blues piano. Jimmy Yancey is a great favourite. Got quite proficient at this when I was younger, but seem to have lost the urge to play now.

Dennis Pennis Dick Hampton

Mrs Hacksaw The Iron Lady The Chingford Skinhead

Dick Diver David Schwimmer Hank Cinq

Birks Jeremy Hunt Warrington Minge

Chicken Little Sid Little Eddie Large Big Bill Broonzy Big Maybelle Giant Despair

Harry Lime Johnny Burch Elmer Gantry Elmer Fudd Perkin Elmer Perkin Walbeck Perk Coop Chicken Licken

Let's keep drivin' ...

Harry Lime Johnny Burch Elmer Gantry

Head turned in your cot, eh?

Cow Cow Davenport Eric Heffer Meat Loaf

Lesser known Wells science fiction novel, excellent in parts, though flawed.

The Clambake Seven Oyster Card Jean Shrimpton

Tuned back in after 8 hours and gorgeous Brownie still coming out of the speakers!

Wheel and fender