The Magnificent Goldberg

That is the album House Warmin' and is one of my favorite McGhee albums. Definitely not any sort of pre-existing backing track, just warm, very bluesy and soulful blowing by all concerned. Highly recommended. Funny you should say that - I think of it as one of my favouriteAmmons albums! MG

Monk Montgomery Bruz Freeman Elvin Jones

The Williams Singers - It was you Jesus - Checker 10073 (orig) MG

Paul Winley was ace at using the same stuff for backing tracks. The whole of "Harlem underground" by the Harlem Underground Band is run over tracks recorded (for Winley) by Willis Jackson, which were issued on Trip. They come from his LPs "Mellow blues", "Funky reggae" and "Willis Jackson plays around with the hits". I believe the same tracks were also used for an album I haven't got called "Erotic moods" by George Benson, who was said to be one of the guitarists on the first two Jackson LPs (though he's unrecognisable). Winley also recorded an album by Gene Ammons with Howard McGhee, which apparently first issued on Argo 4020, with a rhythm section I've never heard of. Barney Richmond on bass; Jake Fisher on guitar; Willie Mashburn on drums; and Waco on bongos. I've often wondered if this was another case of running solos over an pre-existing backing track. Anyone know? MG

I know that Rance Allen's been well covered by Fantasy reissues. I have some Violinaires, but not that one. I'd love to hear it! This is definitely a niche-product, whose purpose seems to be to collect/issue stuff that nobody else would. Hell, most people probably don't even know about it. I wish that Gospel would get the quality reissuing that it so richly deserves, but until it does, I'll take whatever I can get, by whoever puts it out. If I get what I'm expecting, I'll be getting a collection of mostly "local" acts whose passion might well exceed their skill. I'm ok with that, especially with Gospel music, where the passion is really the object of the game. There's probably going to be gems and duds side-by-side, and not necessarily in a favorable ratio. I'm ok with that too, because with this type of compiling, getting access to the gems is really the object of the game. This is a good set to get if you're into "obsucurities", and enjoy pondering the stories of the people who came to make records such as these. There's also some really good music here as well. Nothing "essential", but very, very few duds. Far from "essential", but definitely enjoyable, and at many levels. Looks like it came up trumps! Since you were keen to hear the Violinaires "Groovin' with Jesus", I thought I'd do a tape of late '60s-mid '80s Gospel groups, if you're interested and can play cassettes. It won't ALL be funky; some of the best stuff is always going to be slow and very soulful. (All this stuff is on vinyl, so I can't yet put it on CD, something I need to correct before it's my turn in the BFT barrel.) PM me if you're interested. MG

The Loving Sisters - In God's bosom - Peacock 45 MG

And it's Glengettie for me, again. My wife says I'm addicted to tea even more than music. But she refuses to get Ceylon from the Supermarket. MG

I thought I had! I asked if you knew about any album releases for that one and the one with Hank Marr. If I thought I could get them on an album - even with a load of (other) trash on it - I would have my tongue hanging out. MG Yes - it's still there - post 16, top of page.

Manuel Emmanuel Riggins Joe Liggins

Slim & the Supreme Angels - More than alive - Nashboro 7209 (orig) The Savannah Community Choir - He cares for me - Atlanta International 10104 (orig) MG

Rev Leo Daniels - Quit talkin' to your self (sermon) - Peacock PLP161 (ABC pressing) The Loving Sisters - Trying time - Vogue (Fr) INT 40 010 Mildred Clark & the Melodyaires - Lord help me to hold out - Savoy SL14588 (original) Benny Cummings & the Kings Temple Choir - Now - Creed 3083 (original) MG

I didn't realise it was a specific chain. You get the same thing here - they're always crowded - but they only deal in books and there's hardly any on jazz or any other kind of black music. At least in Cardiff - other cities here have a wider range. MG

Buddy Guy - In the beginning (Red Lightnin' original) Lightnin' Slim - Rooster blues (Excello probably a reissue) Randy Crawford - Now we may begin (WB, UK pressing) King Curtis - Live at Fillmore West (Atco, UK pressing) MG

Artemus Ward Carlos Ward Montgomery Ward

Well, can a place be useless that usually yields nothing of interest, but then coughs up an $80 copy of the Mosaic Nat King Cole Trio set? Sometimes persistance in the face of overall uselessness yields a gem....... In my town, Cardiff, Wales, they're useless. That's what the thread's about - how are the cheapo bookshops in your town? MG

Margaret Thatcher Jerry Goldsmith Raymond Chandler

Ordered! Gawd blesher Guv! ($7.80 for p&p! Phew!) MG

Howard Keel Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein III

Excuses, excuses! We know you were in there, telling yourself secrets. MG

Thomas Mann Carl Mann John Manning

Been through this disc in detail now with the answers and I've now got 5 albums to find. Christian McBride – Getting’ to it – Verve (I've tended to ignore McBride in the past and, on the strength of this, that was, as usual, a mistake. Any other stuff I should put in the list for early investigation - a euphemism for purchase?) Shelley Carroll – Lone star shuffle – Leaning house jazz Frank Morgan – Raising the standard – High note Buck Clayton – Songs for swingers – Columbia Joe Wilder – Alone with just my dreams – Evening star I think that indicates that you damn well got through to me, Dan. Thanks! MG

I've got the King Curtis and the original Aretha album. Didn't know there was a 2 disc version. I see there are only 4 extra songs but a big heap of alternative performances by Aretha. I also see that the reprise of "Spirit in the dark" with Ray Charles is stated to be 19 minutes, as opposed to about 8. I'm not sure how much extra value you get, though. I've always preferred the King Curtis album to Aretha's. "Young gifted and black", "Amazing grace", and "Songs of faith" are the Ree albums that turn me completely OUT! MG

Useless. The main retailers are useless, too, nowadays. MG

John Zorn Joel Dorn Calvin Newborn

Not nearly as many as I've bought. When my mother ran away to sea in '67, I had to move into a bedsit and there was no room for my singles, so I gave maybe more than a thousand away! I guess I must have about 20-30, without going through them. I have 33 albums. MG