The Magnificent Goldberg

Damn right, Aloc! As much as I enjoyed my job, I am still amazed at the magic of having no work obligations. Now completing my third year of retirement and planning to enjoy the next years even more I agree wholeheartedly - retirement is wonderful! MG

Yes, and I think so, too. MG

Earl Bostic - Jazz as I feel it - King orig stereo Howard Roberts - Color him funky - Captol orig mono Billy Larkin & the Delegates - Hole in the wall - World Pacific orig stereo MG

Bill Doggett - Soft - King (good 70s compilation of mainly jazz standards) Bill Doggett - Ram-bunk-shush - King - (good 70s R&B compilation) Bill Doggett - Hold it - King, Gusto reissue MG

In those days, the BBC used to close down at 2AM. On the night shift I was working in the mid-sixties, we'd turn over to a French station for our "music till dawn" - or at least, until the Beeb came on again. Seldom knew what was being played, because the French DJs spoke too darned fast for me to translate using schoolboy French. But one Friday morning, they played what I guessed (though I'd never heard him before) was a John Coltrane album - and the whole of it. After I'd got paid, I rushed down to the jazz/blues specialist shop and waited for them to open. When I got inside I said, "I've just heard something I'm sure was Coltrane, but I don't know what it was. It went on forever, though." "Oh, they all do," said Ken, the proprietor. "It was probably this new one, 'A love supreme'," and he played it. And so it was. Now THAT'S PROPER music till dawn! MG

I always thought he was Clap crap, even when he was with the Yardbirds down at the Eel Pie Island. Though borrowing was what ALL those bands were doing. I liked this bit: I think that's quite nice, as it happens MG

MG

Oh yes - my wife has a mobile and in the last few days she's been getting calls from Orange (her network) to say that she hasn't personalised her answering message and would she please record something like... and then goes on to make suggestions about what she should say. Bloody cheek! But the second worst thing is that they put this on when they let her know there's a voicemail awaiting her - so she can't cut the buggers off or she won't get the voicemail. And the very worst thing is that she says THE BASTARDS CHARGE HER FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF LISTENING TO THE STUFF!!!!!!! MG

I don't think anyone knows about either album's credits. These were Sonny Lester productions for Blue Note, after UA had knocked Soiled State on the head. "Black pearl", another Lester BN (and the best of the lot), which DOES have credits, seems to have them wrong anyway. I haven't got "Something to listen to" - a big mistake I made in the seventies, I think, so I can't even guess at the tenor player. Bet Dan Gould has this album.. MG

You'll love it ! Couldn't you keep it on your side It's over here by now Clearing up here, now. Patches of blue. MG I spoke too soon - here it comes again! (Just as I was going to nip out for a quick cough and a drag.) MG

Tony Robinson Little Pig Robinson Nosnibor

You'll love it ! Couldn't you keep it on your side It's over here by now Clearing up here, now. Patches of blue. MG

Not very many new releases or reissues among my favourite purchases (that I didn't have before in another format). This year's releases of new material: Reuben Wilson, Grant Green Jr & Bernard Purdie - Godfathers of groove - 18th & Vine Sekouba Bambino - CAN history - Super Selection, issued in France on Syllart Houston Person & Etta Jones - Don't misunderstand - HighNote Harlem Art Ensemble - Live in New York - Explore Of those, only the first two were recent recordings - the others were previously unissued vault items. This year's releases of reissues Onzy Matthews select - Mosaic I'm fully expecting the Lionel Hampton Mosaic box to qualify in this section, but it's only been shipped in the last day or so, and I haven't received it yet Stuff that came out before that I just caught up on: Anna King - Back to soul - Smash reissued on Shout (UK) Magic System - Cessa kie la verite - Showbiz issued in France by Virgin Rhoda Scott with Ricky Ford & Houston Person - Very saxy - Ahead Ablaye Mbaye - Maag na - Timco Lionel Hampton - Paris all stars - Vogue reissued by BMG (many thanks to Brownie once more) Rev J M Gates - Complete recorded works vol 9 1934-1941 - Document (this one is spell-binding!) Nat Adderley, with Gene Harris & Johnny Griffin - Branchin' out - Jazzland reissued by OJC Linda Kekana - I am an African - Gallo Jazz and Concha Buika - Buika - DRO Atlantic Concha Buika - Mi Nina Lola - DRO Atlantic MG

Next year may be the year the major labels died--or at least abandoned the music bidness. Hopefully, the vaults will open to some specialty companies like Mosaic as the majors give up the their vain, greedy fight. It might be nice, but I can't say I'm optimistic. MG

I thought this bit was interesting. Alliance Entertainment is, I believe, the firm that owns Concord (at least, they bought it a decade or so ago). If they're doing well, there's hope for the Fantasy catalogue. MG

We shared Sidewinder's storm on the other side of the country; thunder, hail, drenching rain, gales. Garage roof showed a small leak this morning. MG

Very nice! uitar/bass/drums trios are very good to listen to. MG

Clifton Clowers Tower of Power E Power Biggs

Fela Kuti & Roy Ayers - Music of many colours - Phonodisk International (Nigeria) orig Barney Rachabane - Blow Barney, blow - Jive Afrika orig Thione Seck - Le pouvoir d'un coeur pur - Socadisc, Sterns UK issue MG

Ah yes, that reminds me - the slow movement from Rodrigo's guitar concerto has also been recorded by Ximo Tebar, on his album "Son Mediterraneo". (Miles Davis did it, too.) MG

Gene Russell - New direction - Black Jazz orig Sonny Phillips - I concentrate on you - Muse orig now on Freddie McCoy - Gimme some - Cobblestone orig MG

Noble "Thin Man" Watts Noble Sissle Lord Haw Haw

Have I understood that right, Chris? You were making vinyl 78s in the early seventies? MG

Thomas the Tank Engine James the Red Engine The Fat Controller

On 'Visions', right? Yup! MG