sidewinder

Haven’t even cracked open my LP set yet - working my way through the CDs. Other than ‘Grits’ and the very nice bonus material nothing is new, however the sonic presentation even on the CD set sounds pretty definitive. This set is as revelatory as the Rendell-Carr box ! Not one duff LP/session in there - Tubby set himself very high quality standards during those Fontana years. ‘A Man on a Mission’.

Maybe you bought my copies traded in at Mole Jazz for a couple of pounds each? Rare aberration though - pretty well kept everything else, apart from the ‘Phil Seamen Memorial Album’ which never grabbed me at the time.

Well, not too much to say other than it was pretty well made up on the spot and Tubby didn’t know who would be in the band until the session started. Clark Terry was a very late addition. Hence the ‘jam session’ feel to both these LPs. On ‘Return Visit’, ‘Jimmy Gloomy’ said to Tubby that he had heard he was a rock and roll singer and had assumed that the session would be so (said deadpan apparently, not in jest). RRK and the rhythm section also all left in a rush at the end for their gigs. RRK apparently also took eons setting his kit up so Tubby was worried in case the session ended before he could play a note.

Interesting to hear of the chaotic circumstances of this and the ‘Return Visit’ session in the Tubby box booklet.

Sounds like a good move - will do likewise.

Black Lion version.

Only spun it once so far but they are well up to scratch and worth hearing. The remaster is clearly superior to previous versions too. The bonus track, ‘Embers’, on ‘Tubbs Tours’ is particularly fine.

Soulpope - Have a look here regarding details of the previously unissued tracks across various CDs. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Fontana-Albums-1961-1969/dp/B07XK9WDSY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=tubby+hayes+fontana&qid=1577560401&s=music&sr=1-1

Latest remaster + bonus tracks.

Agreed - both this box and the Nucleus are definitive must-haves. That’s a really good idea re: adding anti-static sleeves. ’Song For A Sad Lady’ was composed for singer/Tubby girlfriend Joy Marshall I think. The Turtle Records Joy Marshall/Gordon Beck release has another quartet plus singer version of ‘The Gentle Rain’ also on The Orchestra, apparently arranged by Tubby for Ms Marshall. Really enjoying Simon’s very readable and authoritative booklet too !

On that basis, I guess we’ll get to see the Hank set next Xmas then..

It has been a while since I last played my old LP of ‘The Orchestra’ and the CD version sounds great. Some very strong playing from Tubby, although the album is strongly MOR focussed with overdubbed strings and female soprano on some tracks. There is a very strong overlap with what Harry South was doing with his ‘Stereo Brass’ around the same time, perhaps not surprising as South’s arrangements feature on the session. One of the tracks also has what sounds like a scraping noise over a short section - presumably a flaw on the original master? This is a fantastic box set ! The additional unissued material on the CD set is also definitely worth having.

Nothing heard yet on my order.

From the Tubby Hayes Complete Fontana box. First time on CD.

Plus, you get a credit in the booklet Roger..

First impressions spinning the CD version of ‘Tubbs Tours’ is that this is far superior to previous CD versions, including Japanese Fontana. Lovely crisp and detailed presentation.

My blue bag with superb looking LP and CD sets has just arrived, safe and sound. In the end it was Yodel who delivered it. A Tubby-tastic weekend beckons ! Hopefully not via a Hermes packet boat stopping in at Shetlands, Faroes, Iceland, Greenland, St Johns Newfoundland and other intermediate points..

Tal Euro-Mosaic, CD2 There’s a great little bio of Tal in the booklet. Sounds like a great, well-grounded and friendly guy as well as being a guitar genius.

‘The Complete Tal Farlow Verve Concert Band’ Euro-Mosaic CD1

Several things about jazz in the 70s stand out for me: The Pablo and Concord labels being ubiquitous, readily available in the shops and raising the profile of classic jazz artists. Most of the great big bands (Kenton, Basie, Herman) being very active and regularly touring the UK. Not enough jazz on BBC Radio (‘twas ever thus) but what there was, on Radio 3 especially, was brilliant. Lots of UK ‘Progressive’ jazz musicians spending lots of time gigging in Continental Europe for lack of opportunities in the UK, especially in the mid-70s. Some great LP reissue programmes from the Prestige/Milestone/Fantasy and Vogue catalogues. The return of Blue Note to UK shops (not including imports) under the UA imprint from 1977. Some great and late-lamented jazz vinyl shops in the London area. The Jazz Centre Society having serious plans for a London-based UK jazz HQ. Came to nought in the end, sadly - although JCS did promote some excellent projects. Miles Davis doing his great disappearing act in 1975.

Yes, there was no tracking number with mine as well. I’m assuming that it will only be at the final Hermes stage that such a number will miraculously appear. Being an optimist, I will be stalking the roads looking for lost drivers dumping blue packages in ditches tomorrow. Ta ! Sorry to hear that, Roger. Now that the CD set is ‘in stock’, hopefully things should start happening.

Knock me down with a feather and call me Jehovah, just got a message from udiscover saying my order had been ‘dispatched’. Dispatched to where though - Mars? Wonder how long after getting this message I can expect to get a Hermes email. Next day?

I hear you, Larry - the original silver covered paperback had a propensity to fall apart. Mine somehow survived - miraculously I also acquired a second hardback copy that some kind soul had thoughtfully bound. The book was updated many years later but I’ve always preferred the original. At time of reading it was quite frustrating as the US and UK issues referenced were long since deleted and unobtainable.

Michael James was also a stellar contributor to one of my favourite books - ‘Modern Jazz - The Essential Records’ (1975) as well as to Jazz Journal.