sidewinder

I'm stunned - certainly wasn't expecting to hear this. What a great player, a total individual - one of the best to make this Isle his home. Mingus was spot on in rating him so highly. Only got to see him a few times (the last being at Swanage a few years ago) but was really hoping to see some more gigs from him. Sadly now, not to be. Will play the 'Flare Up' and 'Outback' LPs in tribute later on. And one of his Graham Collier sessions too. RIP Harry.

Happy Birthday from me too

Happy Birthday !

One of my 1967 Jazz Monthlies has the advert for that concert, which also included Archie Shepp as mentioned. I wasn't aware of the 1969 performance at Hammersmith Odeon. Recall at that 1982 performance it was packed to capacity and there was a lot of anticipation for Miles' performance (I think I was in at the first show of the first night - sat towards the back). Remember a distant stooped figure with a stick and white cap. Mike Stern certainly raised a few eyebrows that night with his 'Eddie Van Halens'.

Remember seeing his 'comeback' performance at the London Hammersmith Odeon in 1982 when he hobbled onto the stage with the aid of a stick. First major performance in London since 1967 (at same venue, I think - not counting the one night at Ronnie Scotts).

Whitey Mitchell John Graas Gus Wildi

Haven't seen that one before. A boot of the Milestone Lighthouse recording?

What a great idea - he would be a natural in that role. He could probably have made a living as a stand-up comic. Had the audience in stitches for most of his (unscripted I think) interludes. His story about cooking a meal for Harry Diamond was priceless (the 'Old Harry' tune in the suite was for both the local landmark rocky outcrop and also served as a nice tribute to the late Mr Diamond). First time I've ever seen Tina May and Nikki Illes - but I liked it. Too bad I missed the Barnes/May 'grand finale' (which was packed out at the time I left). Other than that, nearly ran over 3 cows strayed into the road in Wareham Forest on the way back. A close thing...

Tina May with Nicky Illes sounded (and looked) very good on the last day at Swanage. Alan Barnes' 'Swanage Suite' for his octet was also a treat - and very funny too with the Barnes 'repartee' in full swing. Jim Hart on vibes and a young Swedish trombonist who's name I didn't catch both outstanding. Gilad Atzmon performed with the Meier Group and in a cutting contest with Alan Barnes. He took no prisoners in both performances - probably the best playing I have seen from him. After checking out the performance on the beach by Mr A Punch (beating up his wife, kid and croc), really enjoyed hearing 'Back Door Too' in the revamped 'Bar Seven' venue just opposite the Town Quay too. Very cool.

If it was $.01 cheaper I may have been tempted to put in an offer.

Avoid strange people called Vlad wearing black cloaks and offering cheap Blue Note mono first pressings !

To be applauded, for sure ! That place is like a damn black hole.. I'll try to check out the Steve Melling track that you have mentioned. I'm sure I've seen him before at Swanage - possibly as part of Don Weller's Octet.

Predictably good Swanage performance by Peter King - I'd forgotten just how fast he runs through the keys. His band was stellar too - with Steve Melling, Geoff Gascoigne and Martin Drew. The evening show with Liam Noble (solo piano) and Stan Tracey's Octet was also fantastic. Stan is not to be missed at the moment - especially playing stuff like the 'Hong Kong Suite' which could almost have come from his 'big brass', such was the big sound that the trumpet/bone/3 saxes generated. That suite in particular (written for ex-Governor Chris Patten in the 1990s just before they pulled up the drawbridge) is well worth checking out. Probably the most interesting music of the day that I heard was, strangely, the most sparsely attended. Dave Stapleton Quintet from Wales playing tunes from 'Between The Lines' - music that seems to have been influenced by Ran Blake/film noir, Eddie Henderson/Nucleusy jazz-rock and some of the methods of Graham Collier. Nice ! Logistics mean that I'll unfortunately miss Stan's trio gig this morning but hope to check out Colin Hodgekinson and 'Back Door Too' in a few hours time. And then to check out some Alan Barnes.

A few purchases at Swanage:

Good performance last night at a sold out and packed Swanage by John Donaldson and his quartet - 'Tribute to Bheke Mseleku'. Lea DeLaria's band with Janette Mason on piano also went down very well. Coming up in a few hours time - Peter King Quartet.

Lee Morgan 'Search For The New Land' (Music Matters 2x45rpm, stereo). Great issue ! Sonny Rollins 'Vol 1' (Music Matters 2x45rpm, mono)

John Dankworth Orchestra 'What The Dickens' (Fontana, mono)

Bishop's Tipple Bishop Brennan The Baby-Eating Bishop Of Bath & Wells

Just listening to 'Extensions' the other day and that one is a killer which has withstood the test of time superbly - and IMO one of the best albums ever recorded on ECM. Kevin Eubanks and 'Smitty' Smith are 'magic ingredient X' on it, for sure. I had the priviledge back in the day of witnessing a performance by this band whilst stood at the back of the stage right behind Eubanks and it brings back real good memories. The Dave Holland Quintet performance at the Bath Festival a couple of years ago was pretty damn good too. Played to a packed house and got a great reception (for Bath).

Big John Patton Big Jim Sullivan Big Daddy

Yes, it looks as if they are now filling the 'Appleby' slot of old. It's been running for a fair while though - 21 years this year.

Ah - the FOPP Covent Garden. That's the one on Shaftesbury Avenue isn't it? Picked up a copy of the ECM tome by Steve Lake there only last week for £10. Reduced from £45.

I too am sorry to hear of Frank's poor health and wish him luck with this. He sure has given a lot to jazz !

No surprise. Paul, the octopus, is skyrocketed to No 2, just after the Spain. Overall, he will be the next CEO of FIFA, a huge leap forward after Blatter. A totally useless creature, Sepp, put him in a zoo, next to the monkey cage..and BTW don't feed the animal. Can't agree more ! I'll bet the expat octopus has done big things for the balance of trade in Oberhausen. Great marketing by the Burgermeisters !

Bleep & Booster The Clangers Noggin The Nog