sidewinder

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.

Great stuff - from the Blossom Fontana box set.

Reports at the time in the British Jazz press confirmed as much, I remember reading them. The book mentions that in order to start a new engagement in Pizza in the Park in the early 80s, which became her regular London gig, Blossom insisted that a wall be built outside to cut out road noise. Her wish was fulfilled in 2 days ! Apparently the last Ronnie Scott’s ‘season’ was in 1976 so too early for me. I remember those other London engagements in the 80s but I guess the style of music did not match my preferences at the time.

I waited with the box set until a certain outlet discounted it, so it was a no brainier. Regretting not going to see Blossom Dearie at Ronnie Scott’s when I had the chance. The trouble was, she had a reputation of giving the audience a b*llocking, in retrospect good on her but a bit intimidating for youngsters. I do remember seeing her on TV on the ‘Parkinson’ (RIP) show though.

The CDs are the same as the Japanese edition I believe, but come in a binder not disk cases. The book is hard backed and covers Blossom’s full career as well as the Fontana years. Comes in a nice hard slip case about the size of a 10” LP. First impression from ‘That’s Just The Way...’ is that the mastering is clearer than the original from Fontana in 1970.

You should be in Marketing ! 😋 Good words on Jazz In Britain. A real ‘force for good”.

6CD set Complete Fontana Recordings, with the very nice book.

Thanks Roger - I’ll order forthwith and ‘my bookshelf over-floweth’ !

Combines ‘Song Of The New World’ and ‘Sama Layuca’.

I still have that one and I think it is the only Applause LP I ever bought. 50 cents from the sale rack at a ‘Sam The Record Man’ at a Canadian mega-mall. Don’t think I ever saw these for sale when new in the UK, although you occasionally see second hand copies. The other week I saw Jazz Crusaders ‘Powerhouse’ with a crummy red sleeve as per Daniel’s post. It is so bad that it is pretty cool. That 45 rpm audio is ridiculous !

On vinyl - very striking rehearsal tape, flawed genius and total original.

Always enjoyed that particular series. Those Vogue Jazz Doubles were great.