The Magnificent Goldberg

Yes, Fremont is a neighborhood in Seattle, WA, USA fondly called "The Center of the Universe" by its modest and unassuming residents. Thanks Bill, but I still think it's a great statue MG

I missed this post before. It's wonderful!!!! Perhaps my judgement also has been impaired by trips to West Africa - I thought the running water was a nice touch. MG

A 45 Don Wilkerson - Low down dirty shame pts 1 & 2 - Tomel orig MG

Illinois Jacquet also played bassoon, not quite a sax, but on one track of "Desert winds" - "Blues for the early bird" (or should that be "Bird"?) he played alto sax. Oh yes, and Mike's quite right about Jug and Sonny each swapping over to baritone sax in their early fifties band. There are quite a few tracks in which that happens on Ammons' "The 78 era" twofer. And one shouldn't fail to mention Maceo Parker, who made his name on tenor, then switched permanently to alto. Pee Wee Ellis plays a mean baritone sax on "12 and more blues" - a very Rollins-ish baritone. Rusty Bryant also made his name on tenor, but took up alto late in his career, though he continued to play tenor. As did Clifford Scott. And Curtis Amy (but the soprano). Also Manu Dibango (also soprano). Ah yes, Don Wilkerson made a 45 on alto sax (and vocal), late in his career. MG

Brilliant statue! Where's Fremont? America? MG

Considering that he's (arguably) the most consistently strongest voice on Reach Out, maybe not? Regrettably, in that particular case, that's not really saying very much. I think his contribution to Lou Donaldon's "Alligator bogaloo" was crucial to the musical importance and commercial success of that album, which remains an indelible classic of Soul Jazz. (Much more so than to "Midnight creeper" on both counts.) (Mind you, I haven't heard "Taru".) MG

Last time I saw Ronnie Cuber live, he was playing tenor. I wondered whether that might have been a health issue - he's getting on, but not that much. I greatly prefer his baritone playing. Hank Crawford played alto completely differently to the way he played baritone. Really, he might have been two people. Now David Newman's the same man whatever he's playing. David's key, I think, is actually to pick the right instrument for each particular song. Well, he seems to succeed most of the time - I often find it hard to imagine how he might have tackled the tune on a different instrument, what he does seems to fit so well. MG

Step 'n Fetchitt Slim 'n Slam Two Black Crows

This is one of the big disadvantages of vinyl, in my view. Pressings in the seventies and eighties were often not good and, as Bev notes, on a cheapo record player, you'd get skipping. I always found it really annoying when I'd take an LP back to the shop and they'd put it on their high end deck and it would play perfectly. "You must need a new stylus," they'd say as they handed me back the LP. But of course, this was simply another instance of the conspiracy between the major companies and the equipment manufacturers, who usually owned the record companies, to manufacture records that could only be played on expensive equipment. So, in high dudgeon, I put up with the skips, refusing to knuckle under to the powerful. CDs, though not perfect players either, of course, get around this. So does having a half-decent turntable, which I've now got - a Project. But there are some that still skip; I guess hundreds of plays has worn the groove into its present conformation. I keep meaning to make a list of those LPs, and give some priority to getting them on CD, but somehow never get round to doing it. MG

Totally agree. That one roars from beginning to end. Both Shaw and Hutch in great form ! Released 'mid-price' when it came out I seem to recall. I've got that one on LP. Sorry I didn't get the CD when it was out. It's a bugger to have to turn the record over halfway through a tune. MG

Nor's mine. Post has been really strange here lately. I'm still waiting for a CD from London that was posted on 4 Feb. MG yeah, but then you know, stuff like that's bound to happen in nations without a constitution Turned up yesterday - didn't realise it was comong from Ghana! MG

Johnny Griffin Bullwhip Griffin Roddy McDowell

Found this the weekend before last and it turned up today, by Airmail from Ghana! Castro Destroyer - Toffee - Frimprince (And how could you resist a guy called Castro Destroyer?) It occurred to me, while listening, that there is a core of contemporary Ghanaian music which has incorporated military band music from Britain, Swing and Bebop from America, to create Highlife, and further infusions of R&B, Hard Bop, Soul, Funk and now Hip Hop, have changed this core not one whit! I'm going to get a lot more of this stuff! Not only Hiplife but earlier Ghanaian music, which is very hip and very high!!! MG

Paul Bryant - Burnin' - PJ orig mono Houston person - Stolen sweets - Muse orig MG

Joni Mitchell Herbie Hancock Tony Hancock

I'm afraid. That was fuckin' awful!!! MG

Thanks Jr. This looks like n OJC/Fantasy list. I guess Universal Japan have taken over the distribution in Japan, as they have in Europe. Nt Adderley's "In the bag" is in there. I saw someone, soewhere on the board, bemoning its non-availability. MG

This came this morning, pretty quick I think, since it was sent on 4 February from Ghana. The image is a bit small, so it's Castro Destroyer - Toffee - Frimprince Fabulous!!!!!! There were samples of only the first four tracks on the Ghana.UK site where I bought it, but the other seven are NOT a disappointment - some are incredible. Many times unable to sit down and listen! It occurred to me, while listening, that there is a core of contemporary Ghanaian music which has incorporated military band music from Britain, Swing and Bebop from America, to create Highlife, and further infusions of R&B, Hard Bop, Soul, Funk and now Hip Hop, have changed this core not one whit! And I thought, "it would be nice, just now, to have a Hard Bop solo in here", and twenty seconds later, into the last but one track, comes a trumpet player - obviously late for the session - playing, well, not a Lee Morgan imitation but a very nice piece of jazz soloing! I'm going to get a lot more of this stuff! MG

Phil the Greek HM Queen Elizabeth II (his missus) HRH Charles, Prince of Wales

Various Artists - The big horn: the history of the honkin' & screamin' saxophone - Proper Disc 1 - Flyin' home Disc 2 - Blow your brains out (an evocative title, if I ever heard one) Disc 3 - Boogie' the thing Disc 4 - More bounce to the ounce Ah... MG

Last thing last night Coleman Hawkins (with Grimes, Shavers & Bryant) - Hawk eyes - Prestige (Transatlantic Xtra) stereo, but it doesn't say so MG

I think you've captured the essence there. MG

Nor's mine. Post has been really strange here lately. I'm still waiting for a CD from London that was posted on 4 Feb. MG

The wind has veered to the north (or is that backed?) this morning. It's dry but bitter - a bit like Margaret Thatcher. MG

Yes, Bert's is pretty good. I've bought a few things from there in recent months. Bert puts up a thread here when he has a new bunch of stuff. MG