sidewinder

I can feel a twitchy trigger finger coming on...

German reissue, early 2000s. Absolute garbage - half the band sound as though they are playing their parts from the washroom. When are Rearward going to get round to their planned reissue of this one?

The UK performance was in April of 1982 I think. I caught one of those performances at the RFH, which was televised here by Channel 4. Great kudos to Cicely for accompanying him that year, after the minor stroke issue. My seat was well back and the house was packed but there was an amazing atmosphere. Last time he played here was over 10 years before.

Good that they still seem to be offering the free mail service above a certain amount.

Interesting to read that Miles and Cicely were planning to marry in 1968 but in the end he switched to Betty Mabry. I recall that she accompanied Miles on the long awaited 1982 visit to the UK and was filmed pushing him through immigration in a wheelchair I think.

Remember seeing her in ‘Roots’. RIP.

How was the VAT dealt with?

Hopefully they will re-press the first Ray Russell. Just heard that Vol 2 vinyl of ‘Ray Russell Live’ will be issued this Spring.

Rearward

Well, we don’t know the specifics of the test evidence sets used by UK and German regulators. These will be specific to each regulatory regime and the way that they are interpreted and the decision criteria/risk tolerability used in each case will differ (and will take into account local norms and legal basis). Personally, I have confidence in our regulator on this matter, if they are concluding that rollout is deemed sufficiently ‘safe’, (taking into account the health benefit gained vs. residual risk and bearing in mind that nothing is 100% ‘safe’).

I don’t think they are saying it is ‘unsafe’ over this age range - they just lack the tangible test evidence under their regulatory regime. Arguments for safe products need to be substantiated with valid evidence commensurate with scope per the certification. Like any product safety certification (it will have a Certificate of Conformity detailing the limitations of use).

CD version

They are a very small operation so just a limited number pressing on vinyl is probably a challenge. Also, few shops stocked them and most sales were through Bandcamp. Plus considering that there is a major pandemic on, they are doing well to get any releases out.

I’ve got it - sonics not the greatest but the playing at Ronnie Scott’s is wonderful. Of historical significance, definitely worth having (recording from Ron Mathewson’s archive).

Very interesting Bill. I remember John (bless him) telling me of his friendship with Peter Clayton and what a good guy he was. I don’t think he mentioned the Sir Charles T. story. Incidentally, I did once see Sir Charles in solo recital and yes - he did play ‘Robbin’s Nest’. ’Jazz Today’ was broadcast at about 4.45 weekdays I think so it needed a quick scarper after school. ‘Jazz In Britain’ as I remember was at some ridiculous time like 12.30 am so many people (and usually me) missed it. Peter Clayton’s ‘Sounds of Jazz’ was Sunday night 10pm to 12.30 am with ‘Jazz Club’ from 11.30 and into the post-midnight slot. I certainly remember hearing at least a couple of those Barbara Thompson broadcasts - ‘Jubiaba’ for sure. ’Jazz Today’ was an astonishingly good programme, especially as it was only half an hour or so. Learnt a lot from those broadcasts.

Plus the Charles Fox intros to ‘Jazz In Britain’ and ‘Jazz Today’. I remember these well, an excellent programme but as I recall ‘Jazz Today’ had an afternoon slot and required a brisk trip back from school in order to catch it ! Very good sound on all the disks in the Barbara Thompson set so far. The Temple Music sourced recordings are excellent, presumably master copies from the sessions. The air checks are presumably good FM stereo copies contributed by fans of the music. I notice that one of these is from the ‘Dave Robinson Archive’ - presumably this would be the founder of Stiff Records? The remastering job is first rate.

Plus the forthcoming Ardley bio coming up as well !

Same here. I still have my copy of Vol 1, bought around 1980. That’s the first time I’ve seen Vol 2.

The Germans would probably be quite good at it, given time and the inclination. The nearest equivalent I guess would be the South Africans, who have had their ups and downs but over the years some of their teams, packed with Boer-descendants, have been formidable. The Aussie teams have featured some pretty excellent German descendants too. As have England (even ex-captains, take a bow Mr Strauss ). Interestingly, I did get a match or two in in North America. The pace attack I had to face was West Indian immigrants, so the ball was constantly wizzing past my face. I didn’t last long at the crease ! Bert Trautmann - still a legend over here.

CD14 - Paraphernalia ‘Live at Marlow Football Club’ !

Agree not great opposition. 6th away win in a row though - last time that was done, Queen Vic was on the throne. The Continent needs to set up a league for this. The Dutch seem to be good at it. They even have a John Arlott clone doing the commentary.. https://digg.com/video/this-dutch-parody-of-english-sports-is-scarily-accurate

Cheer up - England have won in the cricket.

I did say ‘if the dealers are willing’ . Certainly, if I was going to splash serious $ on capable new kit, I would try to have a listen in shop or even better, in own environment. As I say, good dealers (at least over here) will usually try to assist.

The other option I was wondering about was Rough Trade US. The UK site stocks it but the US site doesn’t seem to. Worth keeping an eye open to see if Dusty gets it in ! JPC are also stocking it over in Germany and their site has some useful sound samples for the first disk with the NJO and Taylor tribute. https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/barbara-thompson-live-at-the-bbc/hnum/10328404

I recommend it. Only through the first 2 CDs so far but there is important stuff on here. Not least the Mike Taylor tribute performances on CD2 with a band featuring Barbara, Dave Gelly and vibist Frank Ricotti, with Howard Riley on piano and Jack Bruce on bass (and vocals !). I’m a fanatic for jazz of this type over this era but it does have a ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ feel concerning the important Taylor material, which seems to have been recorded over the air by a fan. Superb ! Nice booklet too, with very fine essay by Dave Gelly. You can also buy direct from Barbara’s Temple Music site - they might be able to do something better on the shipping. Barbara’s excellent bio can also be bought from there.