The Magnificent Goldberg

Robert Louis Stevenson George Stevenson Jackie Brenston

ooooooooooooooo! Next month, then. I'm really grateful, folks. MG

Maybe they'll find an unissued Mar-Keys album! MG

Norman Connors Chuck Connors Chris Connor

Because it was included in the Mosaic PJ box Oh MG

Well, I expect I shall. He's someone I wasn't aware of until he was quite elderly and looked like a cadaver; that put me off. MG

Sandie Shaw Rocky Horror Pebbles

Actually, I was rather shocked at the assumption that it was normal to want to be rich. I've been poor most of my life - sometimes poor and miserable, but mostly poor and happy. It's only since about 1990 that my finances improved to the extent that I stopped worrying about where the next album was coming from, started taking holidays in exotic places like Newark NJ and West Africa, and we started living on about two thirds of my earnings (so retiring wasn't too muh of a comedown). Never had to worry about where the next meal was coming from, thank goodness. But it was a struggle to keep spending within income - and as with Jim, my wife and I decided that our daughter should come first, before a job for her, so we did it on my income only. I'm still not rich. And still happy. MG

MG

Ah - I didn't find it in the Hammond Zone, so I thought it wasn't there. MG

Buddy Greco - Roots of Acid Jazz? Am I missing something? MG

Don't think anyone's used that as a title for a greasy bit of Soul Jazz. They should. MG

Bump! Where are all these organists? And all these organ fans? MG

I don't have ANY of those. In addition to the Raahsan, I think there was a Les McCann, a Wes, a JOS. Haven't seen any others. MG

For some strange reason "Plenty, Plenty Soul" is a very neglected masterpiece, imo. I have always loved this album, and once even had one of those early weird Atlantic green label stereo versions of this, in which Cannonball sounded as if he was playing in the next room. I assume that this remastered reissue is a mono version of this wonderful album? I also believe that the stereo takes were different from the mono takes ... I assume that these are not included. Great Lucky Thompson on the 'B' side .... On the new issue Cannonball remains in an adjacent room but the sound is otherwise very clear. The drums are perhaps a little loud suggesting a mixing problem. The tracks with LT suffer no problems in terms of balance. I've not heard this session before so can't compare but I've no complaints with this issue of Plenty,Plenty Soul I just returned from a week lying in the sun on Cozumel ... and now I have had a chance to listen to this Japanese remastered CD. It certainly is a vast improvement over the last 1989 reissue, however there are still some places where the balance seems to shift or fade ... but on the whole I am very pleased. The sound is a lot brighter than the previous CD. Looks like an upgrade might be a worthwhile investment for me, then. Thanks Garth. MG

Indeed - Johnnie Taylor is really very, very good (but I haven't received this album yet). Little Johnny Taylor is incredible. MG

Just looking on CD Baby for a link to George Braith's "Barcelona blues" to pass on to someone, and what should I find but this?!?!?!?!? A gig recorded by George in 2001, with Eddie Diehl, MarvIn Horne (MARVIN HORNE!!!!), Ben Dixon (BEN FUCKING DIXON!!!!!). I'm supposed to be saving for African music, but really!!!! And Andy Bleaden sent in a review and didn't even tell us about the issue of this album!!!!! Andy - go to the top of the class and jump off!!! Oh, here's the link to the page http://cdbaby.com/cd/jpatton MG

Never bought any Little Jimmy Scott. That's a Specialty release, I think, isn't it? MG

Sonny Knight Morris Day Eve

Art Van Damme Nathan Abshire Amadou Barry (le Super accordeon du Fouta)

Afterwards, try Ibn Batuta; a Moroccan who travelled the world for about 30 years in the 14th C. He wound up with 4 wives (one a princess) all in different countries. Actually, I think I could do with rereading that, now you've reminded me. MG

The Chess Paul Gayten CD (Chess King of New Orleans) credits "possibly Ray Abrams" as the tenor on "The Hunch". The track was cut in New York, btw, even though it was issued on the Detroit-based Anna label (which was distributed by Chess). Interesting. Moses Davis was a Detroit organist, though Tollie was a Vee-Jay subsidiary label. No idea whether "Moses groove" was recorded in Detroit, Chicago, or elsewhere. Sounds like the same tenor player, though. What's known of Ray Abrams? MG

Ah, now CRICKET!!!!! MG

Sonny Stitt Roost sessions discs 1 & 2 MG

These are 2 LP 45 rpm sets. Exactly... and 45 rpm are supposed to have a wider dynamic range...and you have to be wider dynamic to move your ass from the sofa and turn the record after 10 minutes... Of course, if you pressed them with side 1/4 and 2/3, you could put them on an autochanger... MG