The Magnificent Goldberg

I've a couple of the Fantasy albums - 'Everybody come on out' which is a bit poppy but nonetheless has some really nice stuff in it, and 'Use the stairs' which is a straight big band album, arranged by Wade Marcus and has some very splendid stuff, though I'd have preferred more standards like 'Jordu' and 'On a misty night'. Glad to be reminded, will get this out and listen later. MG

Bennie Green Select MG

My effin' MY!!!! Some Artur Prysock fan died and Half Price books won the prize? MOST envious; I only have 'This is my beloved'. Enjoy. MG

Donald Swann Michael Flanders George Sanders

One of my most favourite albums ever!!!! I like lots of Idris but, funnily enough, never got 'Kabsha' - big mistake, eh? I like his commercial material as well as the straight ahead stuff. For straight ahead stuff, try and find this one, from 1998, with George Coleman, Joe Lovano & Gary Bartz!!!! It's on Cannonball Records, which was owned by Ron Levy and went bust around 2000. OK, back to the original question. Idris' two Prestige albums are both a bit uneven, but the good bits are totally BRILLIANT! Overall, I'd say 'Black rhythm revolution is a bit better than 'Peas and rhythm'. Side 2 of BRR and side 1 of P&R are the brill bits. Side 1 of BRR is better than side 2 of P&R. Ace over here issued a twofer of them, which is probably still in their catalogue. Another good 'un is this Charles Earland, Mel Sparks, Houston Person & Idris Muhammad - ESPM the reunion; live at Akbar Hall - Nectar This is from 1996 - a reunion of most of the band that made Charles Earland's 'Black talk'. A very nice bit of chat from Idris, talking about the members of the audience who were dancing to his drum solo at the gig. Mel sang a couple of B B King songs and was featured on Johnny Copeland's 'Copeland special'. A very nice informal gig. Hard to find, I should think, but really nice music. MG

Have you seen this French film? About Marais - some marvellous music throughout (and not as much bonking as the sleeve image might suggest). Helped set me off on the French Baroque a couple of years back. Never heard of it. Pity about the comparative lack of bonking, though MG

Not quite true - 'The Laughing Halibut' (good enough for Jehova) serves fabulous F&C - in a side street off to the south of Victoria Street. In South Wales, the locals all love 'Curry half and half', which is half a plate of curry half a plate of chips, mixed up in one of those polystyrene cartons. They even used to do it in the staff canteen where I worked - but mostly you get them from one of the seedy late night cafes in Caroline Street. MG

Oh, I should get this. Did it come out on CD? MG

A nice green button for me, please, HBJ MG

And it's a thank you from me, too. Never heard of Marais before so, intrigued, I checked him out on the Hyperion site and bought it. Just started listening now and I'm very pleased. (Also got the Faure, Debussy & Ravel trios I'd saved up a few months ago ) MG

The Snowman The Snowdog Snowboy

Er... What's wrong with the Eldridge box? Don't tell me it's Red Nichols on the cover MG That is the way the original photo was cropped and the off center placement seems ok to me. The Eldridge cover shot was reversed if I remember correctly. Oh shit, yes - and I never noticed MG

Jack Lemmon Tony Curtis King Curtis

Clarence (with whom Don Wilkerson cooked) Rita (with whom Ted Chipington rocked) Jesus (with whom the Violinaires grooved)

Postman brought me this, this morning. Only ordered it a couple of days ago! Kasse Mady Diabate - Kassi Kasse - Discos Corason (HEMIsphere) Dead cheap, too! Only £2-13 including postage, from and Amazon UK seller. Next on my CD player. MG

I saw the poster for Nat Adderley's gig in Cardiff in the late seventies the day after. Missed Teddy Edwards like that, too. All because I didn't go into Spillers on the right day. MG Another thing for which the internet has proven to be a godsend. I get my schedules on line and rarely miss good shows. There aren't any in Tonyrefail MG

Luigi Boccherini Marino Marini Marino Marini (another one!)

YAY! MG

I saw the poster for Nat Adderley's gig in Cardiff in the late seventies the day after. Missed Teddy Edwards like that, too. All because I didn't go into Spillers on the right day. MG

MG

That cover looks like it was recycled from a 1970's disco album. I seem to remember John posting a few months ago about the state of contemporary popular music in Nigeria. That sleeve seems to prove it. MG

I'm astonished! Really. Is that normal for jazz musicians? MG

I agree with Mike, but it's not the whole story of the MJQ's sound. What took me back to the MJQ in 2010 (after fifty years ) was Milt's other recordings. But when I got back there, I realised what I'd never noticed in my youth, that the MJQ's sound was anchored in Connie Kay's playing (and strange kit). Without him, I think they'd have sounded like any other band. (But I've never heard their Prestige albums with Klook, so I could be wrong.) MG

The English patient Anthony Minghella Michael Ondaatje

Lou Donaldson - Cole slaw - Argo (mono) With the one and only Herman Foster!!!! MG