sidewinder

No problem ! I was just wondering as to when the previous occasion was that I saw Norma and have the feeling that it was with the recreated Michael Garrick lineup for a BBC broadcast which had the same band as ‘Troppo’. Best part of 15 years ago now. Not long before that I saw her at Northsea with Kenny Wheeler and Kenny Werner. Henry Lowther was in that ‘Troppo’ lineup and as if by magic he was playing on Sunday night as part of a ‘Tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton’ large group. Henry in a more ‘traditional’ jazz style but good to see him in performance again in his 80s. Time to give the Argo LP Of ‘Troppo’ a spin !

Quick update for HutchFan on the Norma Winstone concert. Norma appeared in a trio with Nicki Illes, piano and Mark Lockheart, saxes. In fact, a not dissimilar lineup from the first time I saw her circa 1988 with John Taylor and Tony Coe. Norma was in great voice, with that sublime range, phrasing and great feel for jazz. A typically varied set too, including tunes by Ralph Towner, John Taylor and Joni Mitchell. One thing that struck me was her incredible timing and ability to hit some very unpredictable pitches on fast passages on unison with Lockheart. A super performance which got an excellent reception at the festival, one of the best over a very good 3 days. Other festival highlights for me - Get The Blessing, Perfect Houseplants, a Miles Davis Nonet recreation led by saxophonist Andy Panayi, Toni Kofi’s Adderley Brothers Tribute with Dennis Rollins and a fine Quintet led by saxophonist Dave O’Higgins and guitarist Rob Luft. Luft also appeared with the excellent contemporary group led by drummer Corrie Dick.

I sometimes get the feeling that for some of these folks, including the Hoffman crowd, it is like collecting baseball cards. A cult. I’m likely in for this box. Currently listening to the Hubbard box and enjoying it. If up to that standard, should be a good one. Have most of the music I think, except ‘Standards’.

Bought from Mr Barnes this afternoon. Good stuff.

That’s a really good box set, which I need to dig out again. I also have pretty well all (I think) of the Japanese pressing Nocturne series on LP. I think they were done by Toshiba. Norma Winstone is appearing tomorrow at Swanage I think in a small group including pianist Nicki Illes. I hope to catch it. Some really good vocalists at this year’s festival, not least Claire Martin with her group. I think she lives up the coast at Brighton so sort of home territory.

Starting tomorrow night, 3 days of British jazz on the Dorset coast at Swanage. Forecast looks reasonable and the marquee by the sea is back in action so bodes well. First up is Alan Barnes.

I saw them live about a week ago - it was very enjoyable. The band announced that Marshall and Babbington had now taken a very well earned retirement, with their places taken by Asaf Sirkis and Fred T. Baker (which is the lineup I saw). Both Sirkis and Baker, highly experienced in their own rights, fitted in well.

Resteamed

Frederiksberg I would say that if anything the Vocalion probably has the edge, maybe due to heavier vinyl. Not a massive differential though.

Made a point of avoiding that area like the plague on my drive through the general vicinity last night. The town is full of nutters at the best of times ! Grrrrrr...😂 That ‘Rough and Tumble’ is a good reissue. Amazon have been discounting it over here as well.

Outrageous that you guys have this site that ‘sells’ LPs for free. Some of us have to pay for them ! I hear they even had some Tone Poets in that offer.

No sweat. Just Trunk’s site allocation is gone. It is up for preorder at a number of places, mid July I think. I’m just spinning the Vocalion LP for first impressions on differences and interestingly they do sound different. More spacious sound with the Vocalion. Possibly also Dave Green comes out clearer in the Trunk. Or maybe it is completely my imagination ! Noticed a bit of tape bleed through in the quiet bits which is present in both versions.

Trunk Records reissue. Sounding good and the sleeve is definitely an improvement on the Vocalion.

Ha - that’s funny. I’d forgotten that I’d commented in this one. Good to be reminded of details now forgotten.

I went there once too about 20 years ago. Bought a Mosaic at discount from Scott at his stand (the O’Day). I recall the drive to the location being a bit on the unnerving side.

Soft Machine - excellent gig up in York. John Etheridge, Theo Travis, Fred T. Baker and Asaf Sirkis. John E. confirmed that John Marshall and Roy Babbington had now taken well earned retirement (60 years of gigs for Marshall !), now replaced by Sirkis and Baker respectively. A nice mix of ‘old classics’ and recent material was featured in the two sets. Etheridge seems ageless !

Not the greatest thing the CBBB ever did but very enjoyable and Gitte sounds fine on it. I have the reissue CD and a vinyl copy on German Hor Zu/Columbia, 70s reissue. I’ve not heard any of it but believe that she has done more jazzier stuff in recent years. Not a Schlager fan, it is up (down) there with C&W in my book !

Beats me what it offers over and above the good Dutton Vocalion CD and LP reissue of some years back. Better sleeve, perhaps.

Saw him with Elvin - I think it was back in ‘79 (seems like an eternity ago). Next tour though he had Pat LaBarbara on tenor.

RVG Edition - sounds pretty good. Conn CD Not in the Mosaic

Some interesting new CD issues have appeared of late. Jazz In Britain has a very interesting Barbara Thompson release with early big band broadcasts from the early 70s and a prototype ‘Jubiaba’ from 1972 (George Chisholm alongside Ian Carr in the trumpet section !) British Progressive Jazz has a release by Kenny Wheeler Big Band which is reputedly the earliest Radio broadcast by this band. Some real finds now coming out of the woodwork ! I’m interested too !

1066 here - significant number in this neck of the woods !

A bundle of nice Stan Tracey reissues on the Resteamed site. Nice sale currently on there.

The ‘Breaking Point’ session. That disk sounds fabulous.

Early days yet. My last Mosaic shipment took several months with the tracking lost but it did eventually get here. The Horace Tapscott took less that a week !