The Magnificent Goldberg

That illustration reminds me of the ones that King did of Grant Green LPs in '79/'80. Is it the same artist? MG The King Grant Green illustrations were done by Toshio Fujiyama, per Discogs. I can't find the illustrator for the Hall. Fujiyama is also the illustrator of the Jim Hall cover. Ah, there we are then. Thanks Paul. MG

I'm supposed to be threading cotton onto Christmas tree baubles while my wife's at the dentist. I've done nine so far and it's difficult with my stubby fingers. Well, I'm like a pubic hair on a urinal - gets pissed off easily. MG

Oh bloody 'ell - must get a few of those. Thanks Ken (GRRRR!!!) MG

That illustration reminds me of the ones that King did of Grant Green LPs in '79/'80. Is it the same artist? MG

Gloria Lynne MG

Top Gun Superman Clark Kent

I'm with Steve on this. I have a few odds & ends. I LURVE the Lorenzo Holden album on Southland! RIP Mr Buck. MG

My daughter (41 now, so too old for this ) introduced me to her first album and I've got it. It's nice but it doesn't really have anything that continually grabs me. And there's something very decadently adventurous about some of those songs - much like Cole Porter's songs of casual and mercenary sex. All very well done, however. I think there's something somewhere saying she's half or a quarter British. MG

I saw him in Cardiff in 1990. He was bloomin' amazin'! Totally dynamic! And hit that keyboard so the notes went right through you. MG

Granted there wasn't really anything from Jim in the greasy/funky/dirty direction - I understand where you're coming from. Absence of that element from Bill Evans' playing was initially a barrier for me - but only initially. I remember a musician friend trying to convince me by arguing that this wasn't essential in a jazz performance. Well, the Paul Bryant album is somewhat greasy, without being swamped in GREEEAAAZZZE. But Jim Hall played very nice, clear guitar music, with a lovely sound, which was always a pleasure to hear, even though I never sought him out. It's not necessary to be a 'FAN' to appreciate and be glad for the existence of people who play well. MG

John J Loud Juan Jorge Meyne Laszlo Biro

Paul Bryant - Burnin' - PJ - with Jim Hall. MG

I'm sorry to hear this. I can't honestly say that Jim Hall ever meant much to me; I've only got 3 albums on which he played: Paul Bryant's 'Burnin'' (PJ); Nat Adderly's 'That's right' (Riv); and the 3 volume set of Hamp Hawes 'All night long'. Even in that small sample, there's plenty of variety there. A good guy. RIP MG

The Housemartins Martin Luther King Martin Luther

Jesse Powell - Blow man blow - Jubilee (DG Mono) MG

I'm slow - I've only bought two albums that have come out this year, and I can unhesitatingly recommend them Illinois Jacquet & Leo Parker - Toronto 1947 - Uptown Fode Baro - La verite - Lusafrica MG

Sun Myung Moon Moondog Alan Freed

Sam Goldwyn Nan Wynn Big Jim Wynn

Amos Burke Gene Barry Barry Manilow

The Singing Postman Alan Smethurst The Miss from Diss

Costa del Fish-and-chips Essex Woman David Essex

Shep Shepherd Old Shep Elvis Presley

Donnie Hathaway Roberta Flack Flak

Today's haul is all gospel Inez Andrews - A sinner's prayer - Savoy - a 1980 recording that seems to have been resurrected on CD in 2004. Georgia Mass Choir - I still have a praise - Savoy - their latest album, from last year Savannah Community Choir - It's alright now - Malaco - one from 1998 I've never heard of before finding it by accident. MG

Albertina Walker Shirley Caesar Cassietta George