sidewinder

Sleeve notes are by Richard Williams and John Stevens and I have the feeling that one or both of these were main protagonists in persuading Chris Blackwell of Island to put it out. As it mentions in the sleeve this was ‘legendary’ in the UK as not domestically issued in the 1960s and Stevens mentions many musicians being aware of it through tape copies. I suspect that one of these might be Kenny Wheeler, who has acknowledged Booker as a major influence (you can hear it a mile off in this LP). This was a ‘one off’ at the time, I don’t recall Island following up with others. Essentially driven by the Booker Little UK fanbase and widely issued e,g, you could pick it up in WH Smiths I recall ! (they probably thought it was along the lines on Peter Tosh, U Roy etc. ). Island did put out the very occasional jazz LP. Harold McNair ‘Affectionate Fink’ comes to mind, a very rare LP. All in all, the quartet set always struck me as a stunning release.

Island LP - First UK issue from 1977.

In fact my memory of those gigs is still pretty good (2 nights, 4 shows). On the first night I had a ringside seat at Scotts (thank you Ronnie), right in front of the horns. They opened with an intricate harmonisation of ‘All The Things You Are’, with Turre voicing his part in impressive low register. Never seen any Shaw recording with that tune and certainly not in that arrangement (very much like the famous Parker recording). Shaw was doing quite a bit of tai-chi at various points during both nights. On the second night my seating was a bit further back on the ‘right wing’. Shared a table with a couple of bods from the Netherlands who had flown in especially for the gig. Again, a superb couple of sets. First time I saw Mulgrew Miller. I was to see him again over the years with Blakey, Tony Williams and his own ‘Wingspan’ group.

I have a copy of that one very nicely signed by Al Grey - and also Jimmy Forrest I think. It was obviously sold at one of their UK gigs. Will have to dig it out.

Jack Costanzo/Tubby Hayes (Fontana)

I saw him on one occasion and have a copy of his LP with Tubby Hayes. Fine player, RIP.

I saw the Quintet in London in early 1983 too on 2 consecutive nights - very early in the year, possibly late Jan. The group was Turre, Shaw, Miller, James and Reedus as per the Enja ‘Lotus Flower’ LP. Indeed, they played various numbers from it.

Red/black stereo. Trounces my old CD version.

Sonny Rollins ‘Live at Ronnie Scotts, 1974’. BBC TV broadcast - with Rufus Harley.

Wow ! I have that Copenhagen DVD by Tristano, which was on the same tour I think.

Yes - Dave Cliff, an excellent guitarist, originally frm the NE. Ind and Levitt of course are shoe-ins for this group.

Yep, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, right on the NE Coast. The upper photo is of the venue in recent years. The lower photo is of the gig itself. The other musicians were Dave Cliff, Peter Ind and Al Levitt. Extremely good music. I always associated Whitley Bay with extremely dubious 1970s ‘dance’ venues and not Konitz/Marsh. The time was 10.35 pm, the date 22 Dec 1975 and hence the balloons on the walls.

Clarke/Boland Big Band - Mainz broadcast

Konitz/Marsh ‘Live at the Corner House, Whitley Bay (!) 1975’ CD 2 Venue obviously inspired by the Sing Song Room of the Confucius Restaurant

Quite likely.

Interesting to read that she had a big fall-out with Roulette. Also that she was married to Tony Fruscella and Willie Dennis - didn’t know that.

That is sad to hear, Brownie. I certainly remember her in The Godfather and also those various LPs on Mainstream in the early 1970s. RIP.

Last time I saw McCoy was about 10 years ago and he looked a bit frail even then. Here’s wishing him some comfort.

Philips, stereo