sidewinder

This is outstanding work. I was amazed to see in depth coverage of Sam’s last UK tour and see that even details of the Finn Peters substitution is included. Awesome and worthy of the esteemed Mr Rivers.

Merry Xmas all !

Don’t tell me - the top one is on the Venus label..

A very good reissue !

Got about 10 pages into mine and will resume again tomorrow.

Just picked up a copy of this set for some Xmas listening !

It’s coming in here from the SW Atlantic system so Florida is to blame !

Sad to hear that. However, I caught that scene I think right at the tail end of what was its peak period and before the 90s economic slump. Cafe des Copains/Montreal Bistro, Bermuda Onion, Top O’ The Senator plus that cafe on Danforth I think (correction - it was George’s on Dundas) where Moe Kofmann used to have a regular gig. All of these had regular jazz - and then there were the smaller outlying places like Chick n’ Deli plus you could catch occasional gigs/broadcasts by e.g. Dave McMurdo’s Orchestra at A.G.O. And then there was the free stage stuff at the Summer DuMaurier Jazz Festival (where free meant the likes of Tony Williams Quintet and Loose Tubes - a rare instance of Ontario taxes put to good use ). At that time, the local jazz scene was way more active than Vancouver, although Vancouver did have its local scene, as did Windypeg and Edmonton, which were stops for prominent touring US groups. Re: the Rex, I probably just had bad luck with that service as it was just the one time. I could usually rely on an enjoyable hour or two there, it was laid back, accessible and generally friendly.

Not particularly a dive as I recall but fairly rough and ready. Certainly a young clientele - lots of students. Wasn’t impressed with the aggressive waitress staff and their insistence on service minimum charge - mercenary ! At the time Toronto had lots of live jazz and some good clubs. The Rex was on my fallback list if the other places were quiet.

Blowing a gale but mild !

I remember quite enjoying the Rex back in the day and the regular Hammond organist they had there, John T. Davis. Beer markup was steep though !

Fine sounding OJC signed by the man himself

This one passed me by at time of release (mid 70s) but enjoying it now. UK MCA.

Good stuff !

CD1

“Bollocks” the mastering statements on discogs may well be - the Studio Masters now available nevertheless provide a credible alternative option.

That cover is Blue Note meets 32 Jazz !

Olympic gold medallist and middle distance runner Seb Coe was a regular at Ronnie Scotts and with membership there back in the day, I believe.

Some interesting comments on discogs that the vinyl is DMM from the same source as the studio masters. Can’t vouch either way but - interesting ! Updated - unlikely, based on info in the box.

Some interesting comments on discogs that the reissue vinyl is DMM of the studio masters files Universal have made available. If that is the case (and I have no proof that it is) and nice as the box is - for anyone with a good streamer who didn’t get the box I would go direct to the studio masters and save yourself a packet !

Lovely version of that box.

On the time I met him I noticed a bit of a stutter too. Genuinely friendly and a pleasure to chat with over a back-stage English draught beer. A memorable privelege and signed a load of CDs and the Mosaic booklet !

Forgot how good this one was. Dig Andrew on harpsichord..