The Magnificent Goldberg

Clover Mollie Boxer (Animal Farm)

There’s an argument that the work a musician does is separate from him himself and that, no matter how bad a person may be, that work can stand by itself. Although I can understand that view, it’s not one I share. Turk Mauro is a tenor player I liked a lot, and bought all four of his albums. But when I found he had been arrested for assaulting a singer, and had to be restrained from hitting her with a chair when she was on the floor, I went right off him. On the other hand, Don Drummond, the trombonist in the sixties with the Skatalites, committed suicide in prison after murdering his girl friend. There’s a general consensus that Don was off his head and needed treatment. I find I can live with the many Skatalites albums from that period and my enjoyment of them is not diminished by thoughts of Don. The case of the Mandinke big bands from Guinea is rather different. They were required by President Sekou Toure to update the traditional music of the Mandinke by bringing in modern instruments. And Toure created a nationwide system of competitions and government sponsorship for the bands. The best bands became salaried civil servants, their instruments, uniforms and transport provided. In return, they were expected, as traditional musicians there have always been expected, to support the government through their music. (But the role of support traditionally also included rebuke and satire when their aristocratic patrons were seen to be wrong.) In point of fact, Sekou Toure was using this music system to bolster his scheme of ensuring that the Mandinke were the ethnic group on top of things in Guinea. It seems clear that the musicians knew this was going on. (But it was going on, and is still going on, throughout Africa, so how much can be expected of people?) The Toure regime became very unpopular and, towards the end, was virtually at war with the people. Political opponents were imprisoned and subjected to the Toure special diet – no food, no water. It is NOT clear that most of the musicians were aware of this, though Miriam Makeba seems to have been. Politically much better connected, she stopped recording for the government record company and resigned her position as roving ambassador. The music is great and, as you see, I kind of make excuses for the musicians. It does worry me, though. Please discuss. MG

Anna Neagle Amy Johnson Nell Gwynn

Rain. But it was nice earlier. MG

Ohhhhhhh!!!!!! MG

Cy Laurie (pun works for Brits, anyway) Truck Parham Ian Carr Yes it does Rudy Van Gelder Vin Gordon Von Freeman

I just tried to google pathe and 35833, the catalogue number. Unfortunately, UK google treats pathe as path, and you get loads of computer addresses. If you're in Sitzerland, maybe your local google isn't so stupid. MG

The jazz artists play so well with the Skatalites on High Bop Ska--so often those collaborations are an uneasy oil and water mix--not the case with High Bop Ska. Really they do! They seem so much an integral part of the band that, until you mentioned it just now, I'd forgotten that David Murray, Lester Bowie, Steve Turre and Monty Alexander were on this. None of those guys are exactly central to my jazz appreciation, of course, so I don't hear them in the way I would if, say, Hank Crawford were in the band. But they do fit in so well! MG

Yes, that's the version we have over here, too. Which is really quite odd. MG

Thanks very much VB2. MG

Thanks Steve. Not another "My jug and I" then MG

I gave already at the office. MG

Link won't work for my Windows media player, I'm afraid. Tried to find it at Amazon UK; picked on a couple of cheap CDs, but no track listing. Sorry to be a bother, but can you suggest an actual album that includes it? Oops! Something to do with the organ MG

Just remembered Louis made an LP for Tangerine. Has any Tangerine material been made available since Ray Charles' death? And what was that one like? If he had a bunch of Ray's band behind him, that might be rather special. MG

You're certainly right - that's the way for me to go. I already have a couple of nice compilations of his Decca period, including a cheapo called "GI jive" which focuses mostly on 1941-44, which I prefer to the more popular style compilations, which only have hits (not that they're by any means bad, but including the less popular material rounds it off). MG

I agree absolutely with everyone who's said that the material away from the "acknowledged masters" is both revealing and interesting in its own right. I was surprised to see I have as many as 8 of those albums (plus probably quite a lot of the material on the Red Allen in a different form and maybe also some of the historical Ellington (I don't know what that album covers)). Equally surprised to see that there are only two that I used to have and got rid of because I didn't enjoy them. And REALLY surprised to see "Hi bop Ska" there I love that album, though I love "Greetings from Skamania" even more. NG

And I thought I'd found a loophole! Tried to place an order, Jim, but when attempting to register it insists I indicate which state I'm in. Won't allow me to go any further without. I'm tempted to go for 'Armed Forces Europe'!!!!!!! I ran into that, Bev. You bypass that "State" field and go for United Kingdom aone or two farther down the page. Once that was in, the "State" field let me put in Rhondda Cynon Taff and a UK postcode. It's subtle, ain't it? You have to think a little way outside the box to get an Organissimo CD. And QRT! MG

Yes - I got a credit, which I used a week ago to order the Jansen again (plus some others to take care of the voucher) - v happy now. Even happier when I get that order delivered. MG Even happier now, as forecast, because the postman turned up early today, bringing another lot of South African jazz CDs. Two by Robbie Jansen The Cape doctor Nomad Jez (looking for images to post, I see Kalahari don't sell this any more) and two by The Elite Swingsters, featuring Dolly Rathebe Siya gida - we dance Woza! Just having my first play through of "Woza!" and it's lovely! MG PS - these Elite Swingsters albums are VERY CHEAP at Kalahari - about 30 Rand. A SNIP!!!

Postman turned up early today, bringing another lot of South African jazz CDs. Two by Robbie Jansen The Cape doctor Nomad Jez and two by The Elite Swingsters, featuring Dolly Rathebe Siya gida - we dance Woza! Just having my first play through of "Woza!" and it's lovely! MG

I'm not sure that's necessarily being a jerk. Guys like Sonny didn't have a permanent band, but went everywhere - places most jazz musicians wouldn't go - and gave lessons to the local backing groups. I think stuff like that is part of a jazz musician's education. MG

I was listening to Sirius this morning, and the disc jockey on the 60s channel Pat St. John said that Curtis Amy had the sax solo on The Door's Touch Me. I didn't know that. Chewy did. I knew, but I'd forgotten. I'm sure he got a credit on the sleeve of whatever Doors LP came out in 1969. He played the soprano solo on "It's too late", by the girl who wrote it (can't be asked to look it up). And he was on some stuff on the Stones' LP with a birthday cake on it, I think. MG

I did some very serious thinking abot the Bear Family box. Found it on Amazon UK for £121 with free post. But I came to the conclusion that I simply didn't want to pay that much for a box of great CDs. MG

Shit, that is a fucking BEAUTIFUL song VB3! (I don't know the English version.) Please recommend a recording. MG

"Ancien combatant" by Balla & ses Balladins, from the album "The Syliphone years" - Sterns. I've actually had this track for many years on the Syliphone compilation "Discotheque 74" but, having got the Balla set, hearing it in the context of the band's other work from that time has pushed it in a little further (or is it farther?). Anyway, three cheers for the old soldier. MG

Benny Spellman The Meters Lovely Rita