sidewinder

Good stuff ! Don Weller performs regularly at Swanage but hasn't been there for a few years now (in recovery from a major operation I believe). He and his various bands are always worth checking out (especially the Octet). I think I saw a reunion of Major Surgery at Swanage some years ago now.

'Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge at the Opera House' (Verve DG mono) Excellent sounding LP which captures Hawk's big sound perfectly. This one has Stanley Dance's personal stamp on the back with a Braintree, Essex address and some ancient telephone exchange number. Wikipedia says he left Braintree for the US in 1959 so must have been the original owner. Track timings are marked on there too so my guess is that he put these in for a Jazz Journal review way back then. Nice !

Yes - the 'Mr Benn' complete series DVD is a great British Jazz 'sleeper' session . Been a fan of that stuff since childhood. Ray Swinfield's flute is heavily featured. No doubt Mr Benn was a big influence on the film 'Eyes Wide Shut' and that dubious theatrical wear shop. Kubrick must have been a fan..

Not sure which is more lunatic - the prices fetched on this auction or recent prices for not-so-rare Blue Notes.

Earlier today - Art Blakey 'Three Blind Mice' (Solid State stereo, Liberty-era). Suprisingly good sonics !

Best Wishes ! :party:

Wayne Sleep Wayne Fontana Wayne Grezky

Mantovani and no 'Hum Dono' or 'Dejeuner' it is then..

Another beautiful day here in SW England !

Spot on ! Throroughly enjoyed these when they came out on the LT series on vinyl way back when and still enjoy giving them a spin. Particularly like the presence of Sonny Greenwich on 'Third Season' and the arrangements on 'A Slice Of The Top'. Interesting to compare the latter with Andrew Hill's 'Passing Ships' and Sonny Criss' 'Sonny's Dream' on Prestige.

No doubt the UK balance of payments with the EU dived again..

Congrats !

I'd buy this one just for the cover.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-L-UNIT-Orangutang-LP-on-Odeon-Rare-Swedish-Free-Jazz-/221244105560?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item33832d2358

Don - That's very cool that you caught the Colonial Tavern gig. Robin Kelley's bio of Monk mentions that very gig in Feb 1970 and says that due to problems with Monk's poor health the opening was delayed for 4 days. Monk and Nellie were holed up in their room in the King Edward Hotel for most of it and not even a personal visit from Duke Ellington got him out of there ! The bio mentions that Monk had recurrent cold/flu problems during this period, plus prostate issues and deteriorating bipolar disorder.

Virgil Gonsalves Parker Bird

Mannekin Pis Shelley Manne Herbie Mann

Thanks for the heads-up. The reviews sound excellent - I've put my order in! In the process of perusing a few pages in the Bloomsbury Waterstones the other day in their nice comfy chair I ended up almost reading the whole thing. A really excellent book - I'll have to order a copy myself. Peter King writes with great insight and with telling reminiscences of the many major names he has played with (Tubby, Elvin, Ernestine Anderson, Philly Joe Jones and many others). With regard to Tubby, the memories of the '60s big band are very interesting (and the circumstances surrounding that 'Jazz 625' broadcast). Over and above all of this he's a world-class model airman too. Stuff Baldrick, Pippa whatsername and co., this man deserves public recognition !

Joe Pass Pacific Jazz set, CD1

Interesting - I'll look out for it !

Smithers Homer Bart

That series certainly raised the profile within the media here of Lord Kitchener and the MV 'Empire Windrush' emigres. There's even a plaque for them now at their arrival port of Tilbury, I believe - plus they got a 'feature' at the Olympics opening ceremony, such was their influence. By all accounts, this music added lots of spice to a rather staid 1950s post-war Britain. I must get hold of these issues from Honest Jons... seen them in the Portobello Rd shop every time I've called in there.

I really like 'Afrique', bought the original CD issue - certainly very odd as a Basie album but it works to my ears and the Albert Ayler tunes are intriguing (Freddie Green deverves a medal for even trying to play this stuff). Lots of reverb on the recording - not untypical for this vintage.

Great news ! I figured it was imminent when Jazz Journal did the exerpt from the 'forthcoming book' last month. As expected, looks to be very well written. Another real eye-opener when I perused it was Peter King's biography for Northway. Superbly written and packed full of great reminiscences, quite a few of which feature Tubby.

Andrew Hill 'Smokestack' (BN NY USA, stereo)

i 1000% believe you, and im sure the cover art also looks way better on that- does it have the glossy cover. Yes Chewy - glossy cover with the foldback sleeve. Home - It's a quartet. Keith Bailey on drums as well as Ratip, Harry Miller and Marc Charig.