sidewinder

Just had another listen to the 'Live at the ICA/Retrospective' 2CD set put out on Mokai. What a wild and schizophrenic set of music ! Mainly free-form extended pieces which are very much 'of their time' (wasn't the ICA the place with the student take-over back then, which most of the staff joined in with?) but in the middle of it all there are straight-ahead tracks which must have been lifted from BBC 'Jazz Club' circa 1975. The title track from 'Dragon Hill' is also performed as a live recording in this collection.

From my perspective, Cheltenham looks a bit more interesting this year with the Arkestra/Allen appearance, among other things. Sad that Bath is now rapidly turning into a 'jazz free zone', with the CD store also gone. I guess it is Pump Room quartets and operattas in the Roman Baths from now on.. The best jazz line up in this neck of the woods this year looks to be the schedule of concerts coming up at Turner Sims, Southampton.

Dick Morrissey 'Here and Now and Sounding Good' (UK Mercury, mono) and 'Storm Warning' (UK Mercury, mono)

MJQ 'Under The Jasmin Tree' (Australian WRC) Bonza copy for $10 !

I was very impressed with Diane Torto's lead vocal work with Kenny Wheeler's 80th Birthday big band a few years ago.

It's good ! Particularly like that final track with the bigger group with Harry Beckett and Lyn Dobson. Yes, as Clifford said it is usually found in the wild in 'thrashed' state.

Miss Congeniality Miss Haversham Miss Jean Brodie

The copy of this one I play the most is the 1976 UK pressing which had US imported sleeve and UK vinyl and was (like that whole series) taken from an original master copy. Only £2.99 when I bought it and still sounds great !

According to the programme, John Surman will also be giving a talk before the Saturday performance as well. All in all promises to be quite the Surman Fest ! Last time I saw him I think was in his quartet conservatory performance at RFH as part of 'Jazz Britannia'. That was a standout performance in itself.

Chris MacGregor Chummy MacGregor Gil Evans

Tel Sid William Tel Will.I.Am

Thrilled to hear that John Surman will be performing the 'Tales of the Algonquin' suite with the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of composer John Warren in the Turner Sims Concert Hall this February. About time this one was resurrected in live performance - it is an incendiary work. Incidentally, Turner Sims in Southampton are featuring this one as part of a special John Surman weekend. The other night features his Special Quartet with board member Alex Hawkins on piano. Both of these will be unmissable !

Pharoah Sanders - Izipho Zam, disc 4 from the Clifford Jordan set. I'm guessing that this will be my least-played disc in the box in future years. I was listening to the Izipho Zam session in the car last week. The only track I found a bit 'challenging' on the ear was the one with the yodelling. Other than that - I like it.

Happy birthday - hope it was vinyltastic !

Boy George Gorgeous George George The Towel Arranger

Have to say that I've been enjoying it quite a bit - its a bit more 'out' than my norm. As mentioned, after VPI treatment the sonics are significantly better than expected based on what I've read on this board and others.

Selwyn Lissack Group 'Friendship Next of Kin' (Goody) Better sonics than expected - but not for those of nervous disposition.

Houdini Pagannini Stromboli

Disk IV

Butch Warren Earl Warren Earl Spencer

Saw him on one occasion with Sun Ra, back in 1989. RIP - sorry to hear this.

Kenny Graham & His Modernists/Don Rendell etc. 'Tenorama' (UK Nixa mono). Early Lansdowne series grouping of various tenor led groups. Lee Morgan 'The Gigolo' (BN Liberty blue/white)

Joe Harriott Quintet 'Jazz For Moderns' (Gearbox 45rpm) Short but very sweet..

Lou Donaldson 'Everything I Play Is Funky' (BN Liberty blue/white stereo) Blue Mitchell 'Bring It Home To Me' (BN NY USA, stereo)

Whatever next? Blue Note LPs in branches of Mothercare?