sidewinder

No probs - and glad to hear that folks are enjoying the stereo version on the BGO. It got some positive words in the Heining biography, which I thought was a very good read. It will be interesting to see if the ‘British Jazz Explosion’ eventually get round to reissuing this one, assuming that they are able to find a source. We may be surprised yet !

Yes, it’s a very good Deram stereo copy, no scratches. The transfer was done using a top-flight LP12 deck with Dynavector cartridge into a Soundblaster card of that era and then on to disk on the PC. I spent a lot of time getting the recording level right to optimise signal to noise and minimising any local sources of RF noise. That version was then expertly cleaned up and processed by the audio engineer, Tom Leader in London, on behalf of BGO. Graham wanted me to send in my LP in the mail but I was a bit nervous about that ! The stereo copies are out there - as confirmed by looking at Discogs. The mono is definitely much more prevalent though. The music has plenty of quiet sections though so for the LP transfer to work you need a pretty good/noise free LP copy.

Not sure where I heard/read the stereo bit, maybe I’m thinking of something else but there’s an article on this recording in the May Jazzwise. It does mention a remastering and sound ‘as good as if not better than the original’. That Steam cover design with Dylan T. is based on the one they used in the 1970s in the version recorded with Donald Houston narration, I recall. Looks like I need to get both of these.

I’ve just done a check of the Collier bio by Duncan Heining and there’s no mention in there of the source used for the Disconforme CD. What the text does mention is some opinions on ‘lack of warmth’ on the mono Deram issue, which was corrected in the first stereo CD issue included in the BGO twofer. Somewhat gratifying as the source was my LP and I did the LP transfer ! I don’t think Graham and BGO could trace the stereo master in the archive and I guess there must be doubt that they were able to track down any mono master. What I do recall at the time is that Graham was delighted that at least one stereo source for the release had been located and could be used in the CD reissue.

Much as I very much like the original Lansdowne mono release, this one will apparently be in stereo, for the first time, from the master tapes. On that basis, I will likely pick up a copy. Limited release of 1000 I think.

That ‘Rare Groove’ issue is really good.

CD1 - The audio isn’t great but much of the music is wonderful.

The BGO CDs of this sold out quickly and have been out of print for a fair while. I’ve been after a second (safety) copy and never found one at a sensible price. It’s unique in that the version of ‘Deep Dark..’ was the first stereo CD issue. At the time that the set was put together, even Graham was unaware that a stereo LP had been issued by Deram back in the 60s, as most copies out there are mono.

Thanks for that - sounds good.

What’s the sound like on this set?

French edition.

That’s funny ! Saw that very band too in 1999 at the Jazz Bakery and the whole band signed a flyer, which I still have. Rest of the band was Billy Higgins and David Williams.

B-b-but...... It’s got a ‘tip-on’ gatefold ! 😂

Esquire mono

I’ve likely mentioned it before but in terms of memorable performances I would have to say that seeing Bill Evans Trio at Ronnie Scott’s In 1980 would be hard to beat. 2 nights, last UK performances. Those nights certainly gave some memories.

Thanks for posting it, in any case !

Funny to hear about Pharoah eating at a gig - I remember one occasion catching him at a club and pre gig he and William Henderson were heartily tucking into a meal. Same thing happened with Lee Konitz too ! One of my most memorable experiences is catching Andrew Hill shortly after a performance. Pre-performance I noticed him having a meal. After the gig he was backstage chilling out and supping one of the nice local beers and I got about 15 mins chatting to him. Real nice guy. He signed some CDs and my Mosaic booklet too. Another memorable gig chat was with Sam Rivers. Again, Sam was delightful and he did the honours with the Mosaic booklet. The music with his Florida trio was great too - I saw him twice that tour, including Southampton with JohnS.

It was loud but - Yes. Elvin apologised to my mother. 😂

My family party once had a table next to Elvin Jones’ drumkit. That was something else ! Yeah, Renee Rosnes is great. One of those appearances had Rufus Reid on bass and I think Peter Washington was on at least one of the others. In addition to NYC I caught the Quintet in Western Canada. Can even recall one of the tunes JJ played over my head - ‘Lament’ !

My Buck Clayton Mosaic CD copy came from the sale direct from the horse’s mouth (M Cuscuna) when he was selling sets on eBay and had a real low number. For $99 I think - worth every cent ! Yeah, at the front too in the cramped environs of the NY Blue Note. Jon Hendricks and band were also on the bill. I recall that the fine pianist Renee Rosnes was in the band for at least 2 of the engagements I caught with JJ. Ralph Moore also on tenor. Uptown CD

What a find ! Is there any more of that CBBB/Dizzy concert available? Looks like it was recorded in a shed/barn and not a studio. So many great players there - the late Tony Coe, Ronnie Scott, Derek Humble, Idrees Sulieman..

A reminder to self to dig this one out. Those late period Horace’s are fun ! Reminds me of the gig where JJ was deploying his slide right over my head ! Any other trombonist I would have been worried but, no sweat, JJ’s movements were with absolute precision.

CD3 - The 1952/53 Hartford stuff

Whatever............they have likely done the right thing, for them, at this time. It also seems to be keeping their existing customer base reasonably happy, no small feat. Like many things in this world, it is a workable trade-off. Your list should include items d. streaming e. demographics and f. US Postal Service. The (cost) changes to f. alone, in combination with big increased price per 180g LP, would have decimated overseas LP set sales. Imagine the impact on e.g. the Maynard F. set !

Starting to think that my UK shipment was a miracle !