sidewinder

Track 2 – 'Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe' from ‘Neil Ardley's New Jazz Orchestra - Camden '70' (Dusk Fire) This one is taken from a recent CD issue that had never previously seen the light of day. Recorded at the Cochrane Theatre, Bloomsbury, London back in 1970 and a fascinating live glimpse of a UK orchestra that had been gigging with Colloseum but would phase back it’s live appearances in coming years. It's particularly interesting to hear Ardley’s arrangement of 'Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe' which had been the title track of their 1968 Verve album. It's the same arrangement but with a radically different (bossa) rhythm on the intro. The saxophonist on this track by the way is the late Dick Heckstall-Smith, who does his patented variation of RRK to good effect. Too bad the sonics weren’t better for the recording but they are acceptable and I guess it’s a miracle that this was recorded at all. Mention was made of Buddy Rich being the drummer (!) – it’s Jon Hiseman, taking a break from rock festivals and Colloseum. I mentioned that there would be a bonus for anyone who worked out the links between tracks 1 and 2 on this CD. The connection is that Neil Ardley actually studied composition with Bill Russo during Russo’s early 60s London sojourn. Obviously way too obscure for anyone on the board to pick up on it !

Well, activity on the BFT discussion threads seems to have completely dried up so in order to alleviate the hassle of having to create a big thread in one go at this busy time here are the answers. I'll complete this progressively for the 2 disks over the next week so please bear with me. Track 1 - 'Trilothons' from 'Stonehenge' by Bill Russo and the London Jazz Orchestra (UK Columbia 33SX1758 LP) This track is the first part of a suite recorded by Russo with the London Jazz Orchestra whilst he was resident in the UK in the early 1960s. Someone queried whether or not there is a Stan Kenton connection with this track and indeed there is, as (Russo was of course one of the principal arrangers for Kenton in the 1950s). 'Trilothons' is the first part of the suite and captures something of the austerity, wonder and mystery of the prehistoric monument (which recent excavations have established is even older than previously estimated at 3500 BC or so). The London Jazz Orchestra of the time was an amalgamation of jazzers and sessions musicians and included Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Scott and Tony Kinsey in the lineup. 'Trilothons', along with the rest of the Suite, was actually composed by 'Assistant Conductor' Richard Peaslee (not sure if he or Russo arranged it). The LP has never been reissued to my knowledge nor has it come out on CD. There's also another UK Columbia by this lineup that is also worth seeking out titled 'Russo In London'.

Incredibly clear conditions out the back of my place this morning..

Isn't that one a Liberty-era pressing?

Great news, will look forward to it.

Karl Drevo 'Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie' (Rearward/Schema)

Shake Keane's another one. His solo dates are indifferent and bordering on MOR. His work with Joe Harriott on the other hand is exemplary.

Francy Boland - The Orchestra '3. White Heat' (Dutch MPS, stereo). With Kenny Wheeler, Sadi and Frank Rosolino amongst various CBBB regulars.

Kevin Eubanks is another one who comes to mind. Don't know about his GRP stuff (have avoided them). His Blue Notes are nice but nothing exceptional - the recordings with Dave Holland are considerably better.

There's more than I too initially thought out there. The session for Pacific Jazz, one for Workshop Jazz, the Spotlites and a few more who elude me at this moment. Fantastic player, for sure.

Pepper Adams comes to mind - albums under his own name only are invariably good but he always seems to pull out the stops and hit home runs on other dates (particularly with Mingus, Thad & Mel, Adams/Byrd etc.)

nah, this is about fake boobs... Or blow-ups !

Francy Boland - The Orchestra 'Blue Flame' (MPS/BASF Germany, stereo). Without Kenny Clarke - fantastic sonics.

Yes - thank you David for updating us. There's a good lineup of classic Freddie making it's way on the turntable this morning (a nice way to start an Xmas holiday). 'Breaking Point', 'Goin Up' and 'Ready For Freddie' vinyl for starters.. The 'Jazz Review' magazine this month also has an excellent overview of FH's classic recordings - focussing on the Blue Notes both under his own name and with Hancock, Shorter etc.

Here's hoping .. Will definitely be spinning some Freddie today.

Stavros Spiro Agnew Spirogyra Amoeba Protozoa Clamidomonas Euglena (always wondered if that 'O' level Biology would ever come in useful )

Alan Ganley Tony Reedus William Claxton

Highly recommended. An excellent accompaniment to the Revenant set.

Cheltenham and Bath should be safe (hopefully). And London of course. Testing times..

Doesn't look good. Brecon Fest

VG condition! What an enormous waste of money. I would have paid $5 at a push.

I'll second that !

Interesting. Never heard of an Ayler Jazz 625 session before. I assume no recordings were made? Wasn't the tape wiped? (no suprise there) - I've a feeling it wasn't for Jazz 625 but for a slightly later Terry Heneberry-produced series.

Yet more very sad news - will there be no end to it? A true original though and lots of good jazz influence in his early work. RIP.