sidewinder

My first exposure to George Coleman was at the next Ronnie Scott’s season after this one - either late 79 or early 1980. Ruiz and Higgins we’re back with him but not Drummond. Coleman’s playing was phenomenal. I wonder if there is a rights issue with those ‘Ronnie Scott’s Record Productions’ releases? It was quite active in the early 80s doing releases by Sarah Vaughan, Louis Bellson etc. who were active at the club at that time.

That is sad news, RIP. I certainly remember his ‘Jazz In The Movies’ book coming out, although I never had a copy. I think he contributed to the ‘Jazz On Screen’ articles in Jazz Journal, back in the day.

Art Blakey and Shorty Rogers - both of whom have had strong followings over here. Plus Miles and Coltrane, of course.

Always amazed to think that he tolerated his Mrs bringing her horse into the front lounge of the house ! I recall that he lived for many years in the Avebury area - which seems fittingly appropriate, although he died in Cornwall I think.

Most definitely interesting. I wonder if he will do any material from ‘The Spy From Istanbul’?

UK Columbia, mono first press. Excellent though the stereo reissue is, I think this has the edge - a bit more full bodied, especially in the bass. Nice rich sound, at the expense of a bit more surface noise.

The ‘Sun Ra Sundays’ book has arrived. Excellent - full of interesting commentary, covering both better known stuff and total obscurities. It has got me delving back into my Ra collection so has done its job. Recommended !

Probably supply and demand. Tone Poets are very significantly cheaper in the US compared with Europe. If it had been over here I would have been all over this sale ! I believe they were also offering the Ornette Coleman box for $99, I.e.half price.

Bonkers - but great. 2CD. It originally came out as a 2LP set on German Vogue and is essentially a compilation of several sessions, including tracks from ‘Swing Im Bahnhof’ by the Clarke-Boland Group. London Jazz Collector has more information on it. https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/sahib-shihab-companionship-it-re-2008/

Resteamed, limited edition 1000. The sleeve is fairly basic but it is indeed in stereo and the sound is A1. Certainly at least as good as the original Columbia mono and might even be better. For clarity of detail, the best I’ve heard. Maybe the old mono might have an edge in terms of ‘atmosphere’, will have to check. I thought I hadn’t - but recently came across an old t shirt with the gig lineup on it which confirmed that I had ! It was a Dizzy Gillespie all star tribute at Drew Medical School grounds, South Central LA in the 1990s. I don’t think Max was on stage for too long but not sure. Melba Liston was also there, directing the trombones. The band was full of great names - Billy Mitchell, Billy Root, Lalo Schifrin, Big Black, Al McGibbon, Garnett Brown, Bobby Bryant. Thinking about it a bit more, pretty sure I saw Max in London at a Charlie Parker tribute in 1980 too.

Back in 1982-ish I shared a table at Ronnie Scott’s with Herlin. He was just 17 and appearing in a West End, London show. His first engagement outside the US.

Mr Tanno’s store and Mr Tanno’s personal service was phenomenal ! I don’t think I ever got an LP from him which was less than near-flawless. Even his ‘- -‘ grades were pretty immaculate. Maybe a couple of minor marks on the sleeve at most.

Finally put in my order - have had this one on the back burner for a couple of years now. Looks like JazzMessengers still have about half a dozen copies of this set in stock. Bodes well !

CD7

Talking of Mr Ra, I’ve just ordered a copy of this one - based on the content of a blog, chronologically ordered and smartened up. A print on demand item. Also noticed that ex-Ra trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah has an autobiography coming out soon. Looks interesting.

Now there was a submarine. Now in retirement, alas.

‘Impulse Records: Music, Message and the Moment’ 2CD A very good late era Hutcherson release - and well recorded.

For anyone in UK or Europe, Honest Jons currently seem to have this one in stock for £35.

Thoroughly memorable. Made even better too by getting to chat with Ian Carr at the Barbican bar, who reprised his humourous ‘jazz is dead’ story which he did on TV a few nights before. Priceless !

CD5 - Webster, Gillespie and Eldridge tearing it up.

It was on TV here quite a few years ago. No storage container or auction involved as I recall. The residence was a flat, which won’t have helped in terms of storage. Prior to that there was the late Ed Dipple of Mole Jazz with his lock-up full of jazz LPs. That was the subject of a radio programme !

Denham church

They already did that with the guy who used to run ‘Ray’s Jazz’ in London. His cupboards were incredible !

Jeez ! Poor old Stan had to put up with no end of crap over the years. Huge credit for the perseverance - both him and Jackie. I saw a couple of performances of ‘Under Milk Wood’. One was at Bath Pavilion back in the 90s I think, with the quartet including Wellins and I think followed by the Octet in the second half. I recall that the same quartet did a reprise of some of it in 2005 at the ‘Jazz Britannia’ event in the Barbican. Pretty sure I caught it another time too but I’m not sure where !