sidewinder

There were only 5 or 6 people in the store when Charles was in there so to say it was a stealth visit would be an understatement ! The concert tomorrow should be good.

Just also to add that the guy in the store confirmed that they had several boxes of Tone Poets brought in specially from the US with Tone Poets otherwise currently unavailable here. 'Cornbread' is in that category. Honest Jon's also just opposite, which is nice.

Yeah, it was totally unexpected. In fact I was stood right next to Charles scanning Tone Poets wondering justvwhat this guy to my left was doing sat down at a table doodling away. Then reality kicked in when it dawned, didn't have long but got some nice shots before he left like a flash. Very low key to say the least but nice guy ! There weren't many folks in the store at the time but all left delighted. Not only that, they threw in a Blue Note beer, stickers and tote bag too !

For anyone currently in Central London, Blue Note UK are currently running a pop-up store at King's Cross (Coal Drops Yard) and they have a good supply of Tone Poets and other LPs. I just picked up 'It's Time' and 'Cornbread' plus a signed Charles Lloyd LP. Not only that, Charles was in the store signing LPs so I had my photo taken with him. Awesome !

Sadly, being fleeced comes with the territory for these sets, great as they are, these days. Fortunately they are not issuing new sets every week !

No answers to your question but I am on my way by train to see Ron's sellout London performance tonight ! Never seen him live before so should be good.

I have a copy if that King pressing too - supplied by Mr Tanno and graded by him as 'N--', looks immaculate. I wouldn't be surprised if this one is reissued in the Tone Poet series. More than happy with the King. I saw a styrene copy in a shop in London once - knackered with only one label and that was hanging off. They wanted a small fortune for it too.

CD6 - Brick Fleagle

I've gone the Mosaic direct route for this one. The nice pre-release discount will offset the shipping charges to some extent. A nice Xmas present to self, when it arrives.

I'm finding this 2CD set of Shearing MPS recordings, picked up second hand at Ray's Jazz in London, surprisingly very enjoyable and very well recorded. Time to dig out his Mosaic box again. Followed by another London 2CD purchase on the 'Sleepy Night' label (whoever they are..) Edited to say that it doesn't play on my CD player. What a crock - back to the shop it goes.

Winnipeg 60 for me. Thanks for running this again !

So hard to pick out specific highlights as everyone played so well. There was a very well deserved standing ovation at Cadogan Hall. I have to pick out Cecil McBee though, who was truly astonishing for an 88 year old. Such efficient note placement and big sound. Billy Hart - what can you say? The guy remains a human dynamo, gave it 200% A great pleasure too to hear again the lovely trumpet tone and attack of Eddie Henderson. His lip was spot on right to the end. George Cables - first time I've seen him but what a player and not letting mobility issues stop him. Got a huge applause. Billy Harper - some telling and probing solos, nice to hear him on his own 'Croquet Ballet'. Last time I saw The Cookers was around 2012 with our late friend JohnS. They remain, thankfully, a vital presence in jazz.

The Cookers in London. David Weiss, Eddie Henderson, Billy Harper, Donald Harrison, George Cables, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart. So many highlights..

Fine set. If I remember rightly, this could be had as one of those 'Euro Mosaics' which Zweitausendeins were selling at discount (many years ago now). Along with the Tal Farlow and the Gerry Mulligan Concert Band I think.

My pre-order copy of this fine tome arrived today. First impression from scanning the chapters - looks great. I particularly like the look of the chapters on Garrick and Mayer but to be honest there's a comprehensive overview of all 6 and in each case their full careers and key recordings are looked at. The CDs are also worth having - some great broadcast music from 1972 from the Garrick group on CD1. Not audiophile but in musical terms top-notch. Back to reading...

It wouldn't surprise me if there is some rationalisation going on in Sheffield University's IT I.e. getting rid of old legacy Web content with an aim to minimise cyber vulnerabilities.

I've got the book and CDs on pre-order too and really looking forward to it. Hopefully not long now before it goes out in the mail. Heining's previous books on Graham Collier and George Russell were really good so I have high hopes. Not quite so keen on the 'Trad Dad's.. ' book but I need to give that one another read.

Saw Trevor Watts with Jamie Harris and Veryan Weston (keyboards) a couple of years ago at Swanage. Hardly anyone in the audience but it was really great, superb interplay and Watts very much on form. I have some photos taken at the gig somewhere. Must get hold of his 'Jazz In Britain' CDs with Liam Genockey.

With regard to the last Rendell/Carr album 'Change Is' and a mention in Roger's book (p42) about the possible origin of the title 'Change Is' and suggested links to a short lived club at 15 Bath Lane, Newcastle - looks pretty conclusive I think. Here's an advert showing that they did indeed play the club (or, according to the microscopic text, were lined up to play there): This particular 'club' has quite a history. Apparently the whole thing was a total money-pit, funded by comedian and major star of the time Bob Monkhouse, who later claimed that the co-founder/host/hypnotist (stage name 'Romark') had hypnotised him into funding it ! The club opened in 1969, folded quickly when Bob pulled out and hardly lasted into the 70s, so that would align with the release date of the LP. Sounds almost like something out of 'Get Carter' ! Story here: Change Is

‘Man From Uncle’ was an old TV favourite from childhood. RIP.

That version of ‘Winchester Cathedral’ on the album would have the bones of the Anglo-Saxon Kings located up in the rafters of that institution shaking in their caskets !

This must be a special ‘Hoffman Forums’ edition. Not for me. The Debut CD box more than suffices. Absolutely !

Just received my copy of Ed 3 - Great piece of work Roger, this version is definitive and with significant additional content. Great CD too - very much recommended by me and thanks, Roger, for putting this out. Ian would be proud !

RIP John Marshall.

This is very sad news indeed. Just a few months ago I went to a Soft Machine gig looking forward to seeing and hearing John - it turned out that he had very recently taken retirement after 60 years as an active musician. At the time I was thinking/hoping that he would have a good, long well-earned retirement ahead but I guess from this news that illness must have already prompted that decision. May he RIP. Remember seeing him quite a number of times in the late 90s/2000s. With John Surman at Jazz Britannia in 2005 springs to mind - a masterful performance. Thinking about it, the first time I saw him would have been in 1983 with Gil Evans' British Orchestra. More recently as I recall he put in a stalwart performance at Ian Carr's Memorial Concert - power with great precision. Also remember seeing him with John Abercrombie. He'll be missed, for sure.