sidewinder

What Bob Downes is that, Sidewinder? 'Electric City' - remastered and reissued on Esoteric. They have also put out 'Open Music/Dream Journey' (originally on Philips), which will be my next order. 'Electric City' is pretty wild and sort of psychadelic in parts - in the same genre as that MFP LP 'Deep Down Heavy'. Not so sure I like Bob's vocals - but there's some fine sax and flute from him on this one ! Plus Chris Spedding, Ray Russell and Harry Miller.

No probs ! Royal Mail have excelled themselves today and the 'Windmill Tilter' CD is now playing (with Bob Downes to follow). 'Don The Dreamer' in digital form now gracing the airwaves. They did a good job with Roger's cover art and Alan Shipton's notes look comprehensive and informative. Some audio improvements too I think - for example Dave Holland's bass comes across with more clarity. Jolly good show !

Dennis Skinner Eric Pickles (again ) Tam Daliel

Earl of Cornwall Jethro The Yetties

'Zeitgeist' is quite third-streamish - and not an easy listen, which may be why it may not have come out yet on CD. In many ways I find it similar in its non-jazz/classical influences to John Mayer's 'Rahda Krishna'. Came out on vinyl on EMI as one of the last of the Lansdowne Series from producer Denis Preston.

That 'Poetry and Jazz 250' Argo box is excellent - in my opinion even better than the separate 'Poetry and Jazz' releases. In particular, some nice background playing by the Rendell/Carr group. It also has 'bags of atmosphere'.

King Bladud Ralph Allen Sally Lunn

Congrats to the family !

Sorry to hear this sad news - RIP. I did see him once, I think, with Gerald Wilson's Orchestra. Very fond of his recordings with Bobby Hutcherson.

Yeah ! I'll spin some of that in his honour tonight. Time to dig the set out again in recognition of Elvin. Boy, is his enthusiasm missed on the scene.

I spoke to a chap at Vocalion on the phone a couple of weeks back, asking about the now deleted Bob Downes CD (unlikely to be back, unfortunately). I got the impression that he mentioned something about another Vocalion jazz batch in Oct/Nov although I could have got my wires crossed on this. Didn't go into specifics. If I'm wrong, don't shoot the messenger. I was hoping my 'Windmill Tilter' might be on the doormat tonight but looks like it might be next week. In the meantime, I'll have to make do with the vinyl..

Great set but........ totally potty !

Normo Tebbitt Sir Kevin Tebbitt Sir Humphrey Appleby

Neil Ardley/Ian Carr/Stan Tracey et al 'Will Power' (UK Argo 2LP, stereo). A mix of proto-Azimuth with Nucleus-ish sections.

It goes for big bucks.. $180 for a copy of that quality is a good deal though. Mine's in the post from Amazon. I've now just ordered mine from Amazon too having given up with HMV. Didn't they send you a Freebie seeing as though you "donated" the cover art, Roger? I'll have to stick an order in with Amazon for this one too ! (updated - order placed together with Bob Downes 'Electric City' )

Never heard one but every issue of Private Eye seems to have a full page advertising writeup at the back on the Brennan, of late.

Looks good. Hopefully the first of a whole slew of stuff. Wonder when Simon S.'s biography is coming out?

Mamma Cass Eliot Gould Dan Gould

Art Ellefson ! He's the player from the Prairies who is featured on Ronnie Ross's 'Cleopatra's Needle' (Fontana). I caught Kenny's 75th big band concert and it was very good indeed. Many of the same players in the lineup for the 80th. For the 75th they flew in Dave Holland especially for the occasion. As a fellow Cannuck ( ) I'll be donning my maple leaf badge especially for the 80th. Thanks to all for the kind good wishes.

Thanks John ! Are you planning on seeing the Kenny Wheeler 80th at Turner Sims? (must get a ticket for that one).

Can't forget this gem of a cover..

Glad the weather turned out well ! Looks like we are in for a mixed bag this week. Probably the tail end weather system of Hurricane Earl coming through I guess but this morning it looks fine. Can't believe how lucky I was last week with my week off.

Guys, many thanks to all for your good wishes ! A low key but a very pleasant day and I did get some donations for the Mosaic fund. It is covered with cobwebs and guarded by a huge house spider. That's my excuse anyway

Yes, if used with the appropriate size suction tube. I'm not certain if they do a 7" (got the feeling that they do) but they certainly do a 10" LP version in addition to the standard 12" LP tube fitting. Best to check with a VPI accessory outlet.

Southport? If it's anything like Blackpool it'll be gale force winds and horizontal rain. At least it is everytime I go there.