The Magnificent Goldberg

Missed #47 due to being hors de combat - but won't want to miss your history lesson. PM on the way. MG

Well, go ahead. Here's a good place to start http://www.geocities.com/fbessem/frames/framemus.html MG

Oh dear, oh dear! VERY pleased to see you've got the Jackie Ivory! MG

Now some Serahule Blues from Mali. Haven’t listened to any of these yet. Ganda Fadiga is the nearet I ever get to buying rural blues! And when I got back home, there were two Sonny Stitt’s waiting for me from Amazon.fr (as if I didn’t already have enough Stitt). So I shan’t go short of new things to play! MG

Alioune Mbaye, dit Nder, began his career with Lemzo Diamono. He’s never made a bad album. I think this is the original issue of Youssou’s East/West album “Egypt”, on his own label Jololi. An interesting album from Ouza – the first on which he’s incorporated a rapper. Haven’t got around to hearing this yet. These two are more conventional Mbalax albums from the latest Senegalese sweetheart of Mbalax. Now on to Djeliya material from Guinea & Senegal This is slightly disappointing compred to her first album, but it’s a good average. Djeuor is the son of the great classical kora player Soundioulou Cissokho and plays a slightly Mbalax-influenced kind of Djeliya. Ibro Diabate is another of my firm favourites – a very soulful voice. This is the Guinean Fode Kouyate (as opposed to the Malian one of that name, who’s dead). MG

A 2004 album from Fallou, produced by Lampe Fall Productions, where I bought most of these albums. A 2004 album from Coumba. Very nice indeed. Ouza is my all time favourite musician (with Grant Green), so this is obviously on my all time list! The third Magic System album – now I have them all! Each is better than the one before. A great album by the most popular singer in Guinea. You can actually buy this one on the web, but the price is a lot more than 13 Euros. Now on to the K7s, at 3 Euro each! First the Senegalese Mbalax material. Fatou has a fabulous voice. Mamadou was one of the original lead singers of Super Diamono, and I think the best of them. Ablaye was featured a lot in the 90s with Youssou Ndour. This is his fourth album and the best – it’s one of the most beautiful Mbalax albums I’ve heard. Assane Ndiaye began his career with Thione Seck but is now one of the most popular young singers in Senegal. He sings like an angel. MG

Well, I had an enjoyable few days in Paris a couple of weeks ago, mainly looking for African music. But, as I got into Paris at 7 AM, I had to kill a couple of hours before the hotel room was ready. So I decided to browse in Virgin, Barbes, rather than fall asleep in a café, and found this: Fairly expensive at 26 Euro, but not bad for a 2 CD set. And I’d been looking vainly for this on the web, so I wasn’t in any mood to quibble. Ricky Ford is absolutely sensational on this! The next day, I hit the African shops in the Goutte d’Or. CDs first – all of these were 10 Euro! Diamond Fingers’ first album as a leader. Wow! What a great one, too! This is probably the first recording of Kandia Kouyate, whose recent recordings “Kita Kan” and “Biriko” have been pretty popular in the West. This was the first of a number of albums from the Cote d’Ivoire that I bought. I had one of Awa Maiga’s earlier albums already and this doesn’t disappoint. Another lady from Cote d’Ivoire. Good tenor sax work from Allen Hoist on this one. More Ivorien stuff. I already had “Premiere Gaou” on a K7. This edition also has the group’s first album, “Papito” on it, as well as a CD of remixes and duets with others. Gnonnas is well known from his work with Africando. Good Afro-Salsa stuff. Now on to the more expensive CDs – 13 Euros each Fallou is one of my Malax favourites. This is his latest album. The gorgeous Coumba is another great Mbalax singer. This is her latest. This one from Viviane is very much a Hip Hop release with a load of different rappers guesting. I think I'm trying to post too much in one post. Continued... MG

Answers in new thread now, folks. MG

BFT 46 BONUS DISC ANSWERS 1 Helen Humes – They raided the joint originally issued on Decca 28113, reissued on LP “Be-beba-leba” Whiskey, Women, and … KM701 (and probably on others) Helen Humes (voc), Conte Candoli (tp) unk (as), Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray (ts), unk (bars), Bobby Tucker (p), unk (g), Don Bagley (b), Chico Hamilton(d) 2 Feb 1952, Blues Jubilee Concert, Pasadena Auditorium, LA. What an audience! And why isn’t all jazz received as enthusiastically? 2 Sekouba Bambino – Syli National 2000 originally issued on “Soutiens Syli National” Super Selection (Guineé) (K7) 0001, reissued on “Ambiance Ballon” Syllart (France) (CD) no number Sekouba Bembeya Diabate “Bambino” (voc), Thomas (tp), Dorus (Didier) (tb), Manu Yodan (as,) Marc Latruque (ts), Zakaria Mamboue (p), Petit Condé (lead g), Ansoumane Camara (rh g), Sidimadi Diabate (bass g), Sory Titi Camara (djembe), M’mabu Camara (bala), Mohamani Diabate (ngoni), Solo Cissoko (kora), Maimouna Barry, Olyza (bk voc), unk (drum programming), (football commentary) 1997 JBZ studios, Abijian, Ivory Coast This is all about the audience, as well. The song is mostly a recital of the names of the Guinean national football team. Sekouba is the most popular singer in Guineé. 3 Lucky Dube – My brother, my enemy originally issued on “Trinity” Gallo (SA) LUCKY9, reissued (in US) on Tabu 53479 Lucky Dube (voc), Prince Lingoase (tp), Jasper Cook (tb), Barry Snyman (sax), Don Laka & Taphelo Khomo (kbds), Ntokozo Zunga (lead g), Victor Masondo (bass g), Vusi Kumalo (d), Veli Shabago (perc), Gugu Dlamini, Hlengiwe Dlamini & Thosama Motsage (bk voc) 1995 Downtown studios, Johannesburg Lucky Dube is THE Reggae singer of South Africa. The album, “Trinity” is his best and almost totally brilliant. But it’s better to get the Gallo version, because the US edition has a bonus track, a duet with Thosama Motsage, who is a great Soul singer, which is one of the most conceptually naff songs I’ve ever come across. Lucky made plenty of anti-Apartheid records under the old regime, apparently without being beaten up or imprisoned. After 1993, he moved to the right and continued to make records critical of the Government and its policies (eq against affirmative action). This one is basically accusing Nelson Mandela of lying and cheating (as does another track on the album). 4 Anna King – The night time is the right time originally issued on “Back to soul” Smash MGS27059 (apparently mono only), reissued on Shout (UK) 24 There are two different stories on personnel and recording dates. Michel Ruppli’s Mercury discography gives a date of 10 Sep 1964 in New York and the following personnel: Anna King (voc), Nat Jones (as) Eldee Williams & St Clair Pinckney (ts), Maceo Parker (bars), James Brown (org) Bernard Odum or Sam Thomas (b), Melvin Parker (d), arrangement by Sammy Lowe. In other words, the regular James Brown band of the time. Clive Richardson, in the 2006 sleeve notes to the reissue, says the LP came out in the summer of 1964 and this track was recorded in a session on 18 January 1964, for which the personnel was: Dud Bascomb, Ernie Royal & Johnny Grimes (tp), Richard Harris (tb), Seldon Powell, Haywood Henry & St Clair Pinckney (saxes), Billy Butler & Wally Richardson (g), James Brown (org), Ernie Hayes (kbds), Al Lucas (b), Panama Francis (d) arrangements by Sammy Lowe. There’s been quite a bit of detailed research done on James Brown since Ruppli published his Mercury discography, so I guess Richardson is right. But you never know. As I’ve posted a number of times since I got this CD a few weeks ago, I think “Back to soul” is the greatest Soul album ever. 5 Lloyd Lambert – King cotton issued on (78) Specialty 553 (a 45 version was issued but my copy is damaged and unplayable so you’ve got a 78 drop), apparently never reissued. No discographical details have been discovered for this record. Apparently recorded in 1955 in New Orleans, probably in Cosimo Matassa’s studio. Personnel is possibly: Lloyd Lambert (b), Lee Allen (by the sound of him) (ts), unk (p), (d). Anyone got any suggestions about who the pianist might be? 6 Jimmy Coe – Lady take 2 originally recorded for States, but unissued. Issued on LP and K7 Delmark DL433 (don’t think it has come out on CD). Jimmy Coe (ts), Remo Biondi (vln), James Palmer (p), John Wittcliff (b), Earl “Fox” Walker (d) 17 Oct 1953, United Studios, Chicago. Coe was a late-blooming honker. In many ways, I think he illustrates the school better than anyone else. He died only a couple of years ago and remained active in Indianapolis until the end. Biondi was normally the band’s guitarist. 7 Johnny Lytle – High treason issued on “The soulful rebel” Milestone MSP9036, never reissued. Johnny Lytle (vib), Billy Nunn (org), David Spinozza (g), Ron Carter (el b), Jozell Carter (d), Ray Barretto (cga) 15 Jul 1971, Decca studios, NY. I don’t know what the organ aficionados think of Billy Nunn, but I think his approach here is quite original. It didn’t seem to fit in the main disc very well, which is why it’s here. 8 Bembeya Jazz National – Petit Sekou Originally issued on “Discotheque ‘76” Syliphone SLP66, reissued on Syllart 38214 (and perhaps on recent Bembeya Jazz anthologies). Personnel includes Sekou Bembeya Diabate (Sekouba’s uncle) (g), and probably: Mory Kouyate II (bass g) (there were 2 musicians called Mory Kouyate in the band), “Vieux” (rh g), Diaoune Hamidou (b), “Mangala” (d), and perhaps other members of the band (laughing and shouting). Probably recorded 1976 in Conakry, Guineé. Here’s one that I just like a lot. 9 Willis “Gator Tail” Jackson – Niamani issued on “In the alley” Muse 5100, not reissued. Willis “Gator Tail” Jackson (ts), Sonny Phillips (p), Carl Wilson (org), Jimmy Ponder (g), Jimmy Lewis (b), Yusef Ali (Joe Hadrick) (d), Buddy Caldwell (cga) 1976 Dimension Sound studios NYC. I HAD to get some Gator Tail in here, of course. But I thought I’d pick one that was a bit different from his usual type of material and approach. 10 Johnny Lytle – People make the world go round Issued on “People and love” Milestone MSP9043, never reissued. Johnny Lytle (vib), Marvin Cabell (ts), Daahoud Hadi (Butch Cornell) (el p), Betty Glamann (harp), Bob Cranshaw (el b), Jozell Carter (d), Art Jenkins (perc) Aug 1972, Mercury Sound studios, NYC. And here’s another I’ve been on about for some time. 11 Al Casey – Casey’s blues Originally issued on “Buck jumpin’” Swingville 2007, reissued on OJCCD675. Al Casey (g), Rudy Powell (as), The One and Only Herman Foster (p), Jimmy Lewis (b), Belton Evans (d) 7 Mar 1960, RVG studio. This was King Curtis’ band, with Rudy Powell instead of Curtis. 12 Manu Dibango & the Cuarteto Patria – Quizas quizas Issued on “Cubafrica” Celluloid 79593. Manu Dibango (sops), Eliades Ochoa, Umberto Ochoa & Jerry Malekani (g), William Calderon (b), Roberto Torres (perc), Eglis Ochoa (maracas) Jun 1996, Studios Davout, Paris. Eliades Ochoa and the Cuarteto Patria became famous later by participating in the Buena Vista Social Club recordings. Manu, as everyone should know, is from Cameroun and is the man behind “Soul Makossa”. (His tenor battles with Hal Singer are particularly wonderful, but didn’t fit in here as well as this.) 13 Ndiaga Mbaye – Nongo Daara Issued on “Naniou Mougne” Jololi K7 no number. Apparently not reissued. Ndiaga Mbaye (voc), probably with Youssou Ndour’s band, Les Super Étoiles de Dakar, which at this time was: Jean Philip Rykiel (kbds), Jimmy Mbaye (lead g), Pape Omar Ngom (rh g), Habib Faye (b), Mbaye Diaye Faye (perc), Assane Thiam (tama), Fatou Galass Niang & Viviane Chudid (bk voc) 1995/6, probably Studio Xippi, Dakar. (One of the first recordings for Youssou Ndour’s record company.) The first thing to say about this is that it was made for a Senegalese audience, not a world audience. And it was not made for an elite section (Senegalese record companies can’t make a profit out of the elite), but for the entire breadth of society. And it’s clear that this audience was expected to recognise the intro, even if most of them would be no better than I at putting a title to it. Who would expect Bach to be a part of most people’s general background knowledge in Africa? Ndiaga is a very important traditional singer in Senegal. The song is an old secular praise song, but this version is quite innovative; first in the use of the Bach backing; second in that Ndiaga slides the praise into Daara J. Daara J is a Rap group and this recording illustrates the very different position in Senegalese society that Rap has. Imagine someone like Pavarotti doing a praise song for 14 Wyclef Jean – Something about Mary Issued on “2 sides II a book” Columbia CK62180. Wyclef Jean (voc, g), Dadi Beaubrum (g), Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis (b), unidentified others. 1999/2000 Hit Factory, NYC. This is in here just because I like it. It has something of the feeling of a sixties romantic comedy (and takes its title from a more recent one). MG

OOPS! Just realised I should put these answers in a new thread. 1 Eddie Chamblee – The honeydripper originally issued on “The rocking tenor sax of Eddie Chamblee” Prestige PR7321; reissued on Victor (Japan) VICJ60230 Eddie Chamblee (ts), Dayton Selby (org), Al Griffin (d). 27 Feb 1964, RVG studio. 2 Sonny Cox – Berimbau (the girls from Bahia) originally issued on “The wailer” Cadet LPS765; reissued on Universal Victor (Japan) MVCJ19118 Sonny Cox (as), Kenny Prince (org), John Howell, Arthur Hoyle & Paul Serrano (tp), John Avant (tb), Rubin Cooper or Leonard Druss (bars), Bobby Robinson or Roland Faulkner (g), Cleveland Eaton (b), Maurice White (d), arranged & conducted by Richard Evans. Jan 1966, Ter Mar studios, Chicago. 3 Lou Bennett – Dark eyes (Otchichornya) Issued on UK Columbia 45 DB7296. Possibly reissued on a King Curtis compilation. Lou Bennett (org), King Curtis (ts), Franco Manzecchi (d) 1964 or (more likely) 1966, Lansdowne Jazz studios, London. 4 Lou Bennett – Moment’s notice Issued on “Enfin”, RCA (France) 430115. Reissued on CD RCA (France) 47796. Lou Bennett (org), Rene Thomas (g), Gilbert Rovere (b), Charles Bellonzi (d) Mar 1963, Paris. 5 & 6 Dave “Baby” Cortez – Belly rub pts 1 & 2 Issued on Roulette R4717, reissued on “In orbit” Roulette R2528. There is a CD reissue of this and two other (all short) LPs in the UK. My copy is from an evidently very popular ex-jukebox 45. Sorry bout that but the rest of the albums isn’t up to very much. Dave “Baby” Cortez (org), rest unknown (grrrr). 1965/66, NYC. 7 Rhoda Scott – Shabazz Issued on “Live at the Key Club”, TruSound TRU15014, reissued on P-Vine (Japan) PCD5621 (as part of a twofer with her other TruSound LP, “Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Rhoda Scott(org, voc), Joe Thomas (ts, voc), Bill Elliott (d, voc) 23 Mar 1963, Key Club, Newark, NJ (by RVG). 8 The Bo-Keys – Back at the Chicken Shack issued on “The Royal sessions”, Yellow Dog YDR1061. Marc Franklin (tp), Jim Sparke (ts, bars), Ronnie Williams (org), Calvin Newborn & Skip Pitts (g), Scott Bomar (b), Willie Hall (d) Apr 2003, Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios, Memphis. 9 Jackie Ivory – The monkey woman Issued on “Soul discovery” Atco 33-178, never reissued. Jackie Ivory (org), Paul Renfro (ts), Bill Nicks (d) 25 Aug 1965, Universal Recordings, Chicago. 10 Charles Williams – Trees and grass and things Issued on “Trees and grass and things” Mainstream MRL345, never reissued. According to Mike Fitzgerald, the personnel is not as per the sleeve. It’s: Charles Williams (as), David “Bubba” Brooks (ts), Don Pullen (org), Ted Dunbar (g), Gordon Edwards (b), Bill Curtis (d) 1971, NYC. This was a long established (since 1966) quartet called The Four Souls, (with Dunbar and Edwards added for the session). (Curtis later formed The Fatback Band, in which George Adams played sax; strange...) 11 Wild Bill Davis – Jive samba Originally issued as bonus track on “The Zurich concert” Jazz Connaisseur JCCD8701. Wild Bill Davis (org), Clifford Scott (ts), Dickie Thompson (g), Clyde Lucas (d) 1 Nov 1986, Zurich. 12 Les McCann & The Jazz Crusaders – A little ¾ for God and co Issued on “Jazz waltz” Pacific Jazz PJ81, never reissued. Les McCann (p, org), Wilton Felder (ts), Wayne Henderson (tb), Joe Sample (p, org), Robert Haynes (b),Stix Hooper (d) – I don’t know which plays organ on this track, but I suspect it’s McCann. Late 1963, PJ studios, LA. 13 Hank Marr – Late freight originally issued on Federal 45 12538; reissued on “On and off stage” King LP933; and “The greasy spoon” King LP1061. Hank Marr (org), Rusty Bryant & Rudolph Johnson (ts), prob Wilbert Longmire (g), prob Taylor Orr (d) 29 Oct 1964, Cincinnati. 14 Billy Larkin & the Delegates with Clifford Scott – Blue lights Issued on Aura ARS23003, never reissued. Billy Larkin (org), Clifford Scott (ts), Hank Swarn (g), Mel Brown (not the same as the guy who plays up in Oregon nowadays) (d) 1965, PJ studios, LA. 15 Jimmy McGriff – Groove alley issued on Blue Note BST84374, never reissued. Jimmy McGriff (org), Arthur “Fats” Theus (ts per sleeve & as per Jim), Ronald White (tp), Joe Morris (as), Bill Thorpe (bars), O’Donal Levy (g), Saint Jenkins (d) 1971, The Golden Slipper, Newark, NJ (but it doesn’t SOUND live to me). 16 Ralph Skipper – Precious lord Issued on Songbird 45 1096. Reissued on “The unfolding of the book of life” (various artists) on UK Island in 1969 (but I haven’t got it any more). Ralph Skipper (org). probably 1967, somewhere down South, I guess. Wouldn’t surprise me if it was in Texas. MG

OK, I'm back on line now. So here are the answers to the main disc. BFT 46 MAIN DISC ANSWERS 1 Eddie Chamblee – The honeydripper originally issued on “The rocking tenor sax of Eddie Chamblee” Prestige PR7321; reissued on Victor (Japan) VICJ60230 Eddie Chamblee (ts), Dayton Selby (org), Al Griffin (d). 27 Feb 1964, RVG studio. 2 Sonny Cox – Berimbau (the girls from Bahia) originally issued on “The wailer” Cadet LPS765; reissued on Universal Victor (Japan) MVCJ19118 Sonny Cox (as), Kenny Prince (org), John Howell, Arthur Hoyle & Paul Serrano (tp), John Avant (tb), Rubin Cooper or Leonard Druss (bars), Bobby Robinson or Roland Faulkner (g), Cleveland Eaton (b), Maurice White (d), arranged & conducted by Richard Evans. Jan 1966, Ter Mar studios, Chicago. 3 Lou Bennett – Dark eyes (Otchichornya) Issued on UK Columbia 45 DB7296. Possibly reissued on a King Curtis compilation. Lou Bennett (org), King Curtis (ts), Franco Manzecchi (d) 1964 or (more likely) 1966, Lansdowne Jazz studios, London. 4 Lou Bennett – Moment’s notice Issued on “Enfin”, RCA (France) 430115. Reissued on CD RCA (France) 47796. Lou Bennett (org), Rene Thomas (g), Gilbert Rovere (b), Charles Bellonzi (d) Mar 1963, Paris. 5 & 6 Dave “Baby” Cortez – Belly rub pts 1 & 2 Issued on Roulette R4717, reissued on “In orbit” Roulette R2528. There is a CD reissue of this and two other (all short) LPs in the UK. My copy is from an evidently very popular ex-jukebox 45. Sorry bout that but the rest of the albums isn’t up to very much. Dave “Baby” Cortez (org), rest unknown (grrrr). 1965/66, NYC. 7 Rhoda Scott – Shabazz Issued on “Live at the Key Club”, TruSound TRU15014, reissued on P-Vine (Japan) PCD5621 (as part of a twofer with her other TruSound LP, “Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Rhoda Scott(org, voc), Joe Thomas (ts, voc), Bill Elliott (d, voc) 23 Mar 1963, Key Club, Newark, NJ (by RVG). 8 The Bo-Keys – Back at the Chicken Shack issued on “The Royal sessions”, Yellow Dog YDR1061. Marc Franklin (tp), Jim Sparke (ts, bars), Ronnie Williams (org), Calvin Newborn & Skip Pitts (g), Scott Bomar (b), Willie Hall (d) Apr 2003, Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios, Memphis. 9 Jackie Ivory – The monkey woman Issued on “Soul discovery” Atco 33-178, never reissued. Jackie Ivory (org), Paul Renfro (ts), Bill Nicks (d) 25 Aug 1965, Universal Recordings, Chicago. 10 Charles Williams – Trees and grass and things Issued on “Trees and grass and things” Mainstream MRL345, never reissued. According to Mike Fitzgerald, the personnel is not as per the sleeve. It’s: Charles Williams (as), David “Bubba” Brooks (ts), Don Pullen (org), Ted Dunbar (g), Gordon Edwards (b), Bill Curtis (d) 1971, NYC. This was a long established (since 1966) quartet called The Four Souls, (with Dunbar and Edwards added for the session). (Curtis later formed The Fatback Band, in which George Adams played sax; strange...) 11 Wild Bill Davis – Jive samba Originally issued as bonus track on “The Zurich concert” Jazz Connaisseur JCCD8701. Wild Bill Davis (org), Clifford Scott (ts), Dickie Thompson (g), Clyde Lucas (d) 1 Nov 1986, Zurich. 12 Les McCann & The Jazz Crusaders – A little ¾ for God and co Issued on “Jazz waltz” Pacific Jazz PJ81, never reissued. Les McCann (p, org), Wilton Felder (ts), Wayne Henderson (tb), Joe Sample (p, org), Robert Haynes (b),Stix Hooper (d) – I don’t know which plays organ on this track, but I suspect it’s McCann. Late 1963, PJ studios, LA. 13 Hank Marr – Late freight originally issued on Federal 45 12538; reissued on “On and off stage” King LP933; and “The greasy spoon” King LP1061. Hank Marr (org), Rusty Bryant & Rudolph Johnson (ts), prob Wilbert Longmire (g), prob Taylor Orr (d) 29 Oct 1964, Cincinnati. 14 Billy Larkin & the Delegates with Clifford Scott – Blue lights Issued on Aura ARS23003, never reissued. Billy Larkin (org), Clifford Scott (ts), Hank Swarn (g), Mel Brown (not the same as the guy who plays up in Oregon nowadays) (d) 1965, PJ studios, LA. 15 Jimmy McGriff – Groove alley issued on Blue Note BST84374, never reissued. Jimmy McGriff (org), Arthur “Fats” Theus (ts per sleeve & as per Jim), Ronald White (tp), Joe Morris (as), Bill Thorpe (bars), O’Donal Levy (g), Saint Jenkins (d) 1971, The Golden Slipper, Newark, NJ (but it doesn’t SOUND live to me). 16 Ralph Skipper – Precious lord Issued on Songbird 45 1096. Reissued on “The unfolding of the book of life” (various artists) on UK Island in 1969 (but I haven’t got it any more). Ralph Skipper (org). probably 1967, somewhere down South, I guess. Wouldn’t surprise me if it was in Texas. MG

PC broke - been at the menders waiting for a spare part. Only arrived today. Lots to catch up with. MG

What wonderful images! Thanks guys! MG

That's a really great video Roost - thanks for posting it. It's terrific to see her (anyone) playing Pee Wee Ellis' "Pistachio" a great tune rarely done. Rhoda herself looks great - no danger of us losing her in the near future I guess. Very interesting idea for an organ trio - org, tbn and dms. No organist has ever done much with trombone. MG

Suit & Tie Guy, I don't know who you are...but if you were a girl, I'd marry you. Couldn't agree more on all counts. And Swedish Lullabye..never heard it...but sounds awesome. "Swedish lullaby" is a fine album. It has Groove's best recording of "Killer Joe" - the rhythm is so much more punchy than on the one he did on "Blues all day long" a few years later for Muse. And the sax player - Willie Akins - was a real discovery. A very good album to find; one of my favourite Groove's. MG

A pity the guy didn't also mention "Gatorade". I just put "Star bag" and "Gatorade" on one CD - brill combination. Gator never tried to be the greatest jazz saxophonist ever - he KNEW that was Charlie Parker. When he and Bird went out on tour in the early 50s, they used to do a finale together and after playing a bit, Gator would just step back and let Bird play. What Gator did - better than almost anyone else in my view (even McDuff) - was persuade the audience that they were in the right place at the right time listening to the right band and having a great time. It's music to lift your spirit after a hard day in the factory or whatever and to get you dancing and yelling your cares away. Yeah - working class music. MG

John said Pharoah played pretty "inside" on those gigs.... Yeah! And Pharoah is one of THE great blues players when he's not out. MG

Ace in Britain have issued a few - including Jr Wells' "It's my life baby" with Buddy. A live gig in '68. MG

Near guess. But not Bryant. Was he ever in the New Orleans scene? Probably not ... I have a Krazy Kat LP ith some Bryant tracks in that style - recorded for Gotham in 1955. (The LP was released with Bill Jennings name stated first.) Interesting - didn't know about those records. My computer's down. Off to the menders. Unlikely to be back for a couple of weeks. So I'm in the library now. Will keep in touch as may be. MG

Not New Orleans this time. MG

Yep - that's it. I knew you wouldn't like the drum machines, Mike. But I thought you might get this one. Near guess. But not Bryant. Was he ever in the New Orleans scene? You like the tenor player. Yes, it's Lytle. MG

We don’t actually know which R&B musicians Lou was talking about in Bob Porter’s sleeve notes. I find it very hard to imagine he would have been referring to the likes of Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, Cleanhead Vinson, Ray Charles or Charles Brown. But they antedated Idris joining his band, which was in 1965, so they must have been related to what was going on before James Brown started developing Funk. And I think most of us dyed in the wool R&B fans, “of a certain age”, would agree that there were a lot of bad R&B records and musicians knocking around in the late fifties and early sixties. So Lou had plenty of scope for criticising specific musicians, singers or records. But Lou had been moving his own music in an R&B direction since at least 1958, with “Blues walk”, or even the year before, with “Swing and soul”. This stemmed from his taking on the one and only Herman Foster, who spent the next several years alternating between Lou’s band and that of King Curtis. And by 1963, he had John Patton in the band – and Patton’s main work experience had been with Lloyd Price. Bob Porter’s notes imply a swift change in Lou’s views. But that clearly isn’t the case. Apart from anything else, “Alligator bogaloo” was recorded after Idris had been in the band two years. It’s clear to me that a good bit of work had gone into the new style that album unveiled. And yet, it still follows along the general line of development Lou was taking from the late fifties on. I can’t agree that Lou’s motivation for this was money. At the time “Alligator bogaloo” was recorded, no jazz musician had had a hit with this type of material and rhythm. Even Ramsey Lewis, the most successful jazz musician of the period, was using a rhythm that seems mostly to have been an adaptation of Motown. Lou’s hit came out of the blue and couldn’t have been predicted. OK, you can argue that he kept it up because of money. I had a sneaking suspicion that was the case when “Midnight creeper” came out. Yes, it was a formula – just as Blue Note’s Hard Bop albums all had a “Sidewinder” as a hook. But I really came to the view that this was what he wanted to do (at least up until George Butler took over Blue Note after Francis Wolff’s death). Lou has said that the post-Wolff material was just stuff he was paid to turn up to do. Lou isn’t really one for thrusting his views on music under one’s nose. But he did write the sleeve notes to his 1990 album, “Play the right thing” and these reveal where Lou was coming from, all the time, I think. Yes, clearly Lou is on the same page as Crouch and Wynton, but, except for this one occasion, just letting his music speak for itself. Lou was, in my view, never a standard kind of Bebopper, in the way Parker was for example. Sure, he learned tons from Parker (and others). But he also learned tons from Benny Carter. And what he got from Carter was elegance and serenity. So I don’t think it’s right to characterise Lou’s criticism of R&B, whatever it was, as being directed against music because it wasn’t complex enough. “Blues walk”, “Groove junction”, “Grits and gravy” complex? Give us a break. Lou’s combination of funk, grease, elegance and serenity is his own. And it’s surely always been aimed at getting the people to have a good time. Oh, and has Chewy got Lou's phone number? MG

A little known fact is that the original British release of "Kulu se mama" had "Om", which hadn't then been released here, inside the jacket. Now THAT made for some interesting listens, I can tell you! MG

That's interesting. Motown deliberately engineered their records so they'd make an immediate impact on a car radio. I'd always assumed that they knew that a customer was hooked or not on the basis of that first listen in a car. MG

No - Odell wasn't the only organist to use two tenor players. Do you recognise either tenor player? That might help. MG