sidewinder

Yeah, will dig that one out a bit later. Great playing by John Young on that one. How is that?? I've seen a bunch of copies around the local shops that I keep passing on. It's a good, straight-ahead session, produced by Rahsaan Roland Kirk back in the early '70s. I'm not a particular fan of Von Freeman's tenor sound but the band is a good one. For me, John Young stands out on this session.

Yeah, will dig that one out a bit later. Great playing by John Young on that one.

No probs.

Mulgrew Miller 'The Countdown' (Landmark) - with Joe Henderson and Tony Williams Duke Pearson 'It Could Only Happen With You' (BN King, stereo)

Have a good one !

Not too much to add Mike - Mole is now long gone but 'Ray's Jazz' in Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road (Leicester Square or Tottemham Court Road tube) is well worth a visit. Have a good trip to the big smoke. I'll be in London on the Friday night only for Wayne Shorter's gig. Too bad I can't stay longer. Where abouts is your gig?

Basie Roulette Live, CDs 1 and 2

Hope it's a good one !

That's interesting - the new book mentions these arrangements actually being written during the Chicago sojourn. Thanks for the clarification.

Yes, we can be truly grateful for that (most accountants would have canned that one before it could get to gestation). I was thinking he'd signed Shaw too but no, you're right, Bruce Lundvall it was.

Yeah, porcy - I should have known that from experience. Combine that with the Fact that the Bristol store is the only one in Western England and the effect of the 21% sale and a day of madness is a dead cert.

I've got it as LT series, how's the sound on Conn Edition? Just playing 'Hank's Other Bag'. It sounds fine, although the sound of this session was always a bit of a 'pea souper' in my opinion. Maybe Music Matters should re-master it? Have also got a UK Liberty LT of this and will dig it out over the next few days (especially as I've now found it after it was hiding ).

More sad news. His promotion of Woody Shaw on Columbia is also appreciated, in addition to bringing Miles Davis back to CBS in the 1980s. RIP.

Nice reminder. I'll dig out the vinyls a bit later. Will definitely get the 2CD set to put on the I-Pod. No Kenny Clarke but the Boland magic is still there.

Hank Mobley 'A Slice Of The Top' (BN Conn Edition, 'Wally' in runout again)

Those early-Liberty Elvin Blue Notes sound very good . 'Poly-Currents' is an excellent recording too.

After a most unpleasant experience yesterday in the Bristol IKEA queuing for miles at Junction 2 of M38 and then avoiding manic Bristol area idiot parents-posessed-with-killer pushchairs (why do they impose that place on their poor babies? ) I got hold of pretty well of their last birch finish 1.49x1.49m Expedit shelf at 21% off (I earned it). The good news is that now assembled it does the job brilliantly and my LP and box storage issues are now history. Adding their 32" x 32" wicker baskets to the bottom shelf also softens the look nicely. After putting this one in the upstairs study I think I'll add another into one of the bedrooms. Looks like it is OK too without need for backing board. You can even push the LPs in to each cube to aford a bit of protection against any sunlight coming in.

Bobby Hutcherson 'Head On' (BN Liberty, stereo)

Bobby Hutcherson 'Patterns' (BN Conn Edition, 'Wally' in runout)

Congratulations to both you and Alison. Great news !

In one of the more bizarre pairings on the 'Frankly Jazz' TV series, she is paired with the Jazz Crusaders for one vocal number on a programme that is otherwise all Jazz Crusaders. Wonder if she was on Dick Bock's books at the time?

Yes, I bought it from 'Ray's Jazz' in London several weeks ago and have just finished reading it - they had half a dozen copies on display. I think Northway Books might well be selling it direct by mail order (which is how I got the Ian Carr 'Music Outside' book).

I've heard there's a 'Euro-Stench' coming in from over the North Sea from either Germany, Holland or Belgium (or probably all 3 ). Will hold nose when I head out later.

What is mentioned in the new book is Hank's bitterness that 'Slice Of The Top' wasn't released at the time of recording and he put the fault squarely on Blue Note. Probably a bit harsh as Alfred Lion was just selling up to Liberty at that time with resultant chaos (well relative chaos - it was Alfred Lion and Blue Note after all) and Hank's release throughput through the Liberty transition actually stayed quite high, compared with some of the other artists on the label. Sadly, a case of really bad timing. As the book says, Hank had unbelievably bad luck throughout his career, not helped by his lack of self-publicity (only fellow musicians and big fans of the music, in general, ever cottoned on to just how great he was).

Looks like the SACDs are up for pre-order at Acoustic Sound's shop. I take no responsibility for damage to bank accounts ensuing.. SACD Pre-Order Bonanza