sidewinder

I remember at the time it came out that the 'Modern Jazz 1945-70..' book could be quite frustrating as the LP issue numbers given were very difficult to track copies of. Either rare Blue Notes, deleted original UK issues or real obscurities on labels like Dooto, Jaro and Hi-Fi Jazz which were pretty well nigh-on impossible to get hold of in any shape or form in the record shops back in 1975. It was many, many years before I got to hear some of these recommendations. Yep, the groundwork of this book must have been in the work these authors put in during the 60s-early 70s in 'Jazz Monthly'. Some incredible, scholarly essays in that publication !

The Bath Festival performance with a special UK big band (plus his excellent rhythm section and with Greg Tardy and Ron Horton) was back in 2004 I think, Yves. Recently re-broadcast by the BBC (and available on 'dime). I got to chat for a while with Andrew after the gig, he signed my Mosaic booklet and some CDs. I think the QEH performance must have been around 2000-01ish. Will have to check. I think Andrew's site had audio samples from that particular performance (he played a solo set then in duet with Shepp).

Can't beat lots of rest, fluids and good, regular meals. Just recovering at home myself, after a weekend that was wrecked by a bad cold. You know it is bad when even listening to Mosaics becomes a real effort !

'A Jazz Retrospect' has some interesting essays - one which I find intriguing is the one about David Mack and his third-streamish 'serial jazz'. Now there's an obscurity !

Check out this thread for some discussion of the 'My Name Is Albert Ayler' movie. It's certainly worth seeing, with quite a bit of rare footage. Ayler

Just came across this thread - not sure how the hell it got from Max Harrison to attacks with dildos but there you go.. A similar but earlier book - 'Modern Jazz - 1945-70 The Essential Records' (a silver paperback) was the better one I think - compiled by Max Harrison/Alun Morgan/Ronald Atkins/Michael James/Jack Cooke back in 1975 (still recall the vast sum of £2.90 I paid for it - big money back then). A very succinct selection of 200 titles - I've used this list over the years as the basis of building up a collection and I can't recall it ever leading to a single dud choice. Very fine book. The later title (by Harrison, Thacker, Nicholson) had more recent material added in (mainly by Stuart Nicholson) and although it's much bigger, covering a larger stylistic range, I've found some of the choices (Wynton 'Live at Blues Alley' etc.) less than convincing. Still, a good volume to delve into on occasion.

Good on you - then you will really enjoy the Sonny . As for Andrew Hill, the Bath Fest appearance was a major miracle but he was even better I think in solo performance at the QEH a few years before, on double bill with Archie Shepp.

Sounds like a good evening (last time I saw Sonny was about 15 years ago in Calgary with - would you believe it - same trombonist and bassist !) The ticket prices are steep though - £50-60 for one concert is beyond what I would be prepared to pay (even if it is Sonny and even if it is extortionate London).

'Black Lion' is one of Alan Bates' (current owner of Candid ) imprints, in the days before he ran Candid. Never heard of 'DA' though.

Paul Falise Urbie Green Kai Winding

Just about to tuck into this set -

"Next week we're going to have Miles back again at the club...........Sir Bernard Miles." and in a similar vein: "Joe Henderson will be appearing at the club next week............ Joe 'Piano' Henderson." - Ronnie Scott

Looks like the BBC will be recording the forthcoming London concert for future broadcast. Anyone else planning on going along to the performance at QEH and Charles' pre-concert talk? Promises to be one of the highlights of the London Jazz Fest (shame Sonny Rollins is sold out though ).

There is hope - looks like Amazon are preparing to ship a replacement, for Nov 15th-ish delivery.

Oliver Nelson, CD2. The 'Jazzhattan Suite' is great !

Hope it's a good one !

Welcome back, Rodney !

The 'curse of Amazon UK' strikes. Just noticed a scratch on disk 2 causing skips - so this set is going to have to go back for immediate replacement. Damn ! Based on Clunky's post, I'll be lucky to get a replacement by Xmas I guess.

Blimey ! The set is an absolute corker - I'm on the second full set repeat. There are particular highlights: - 'Peter and the Wolf' with Jimmy Smith is way better than expected. Nelson plays great respect to the Prokoviev original but against the odds pulls off some great funky interludes which lead into Jimmy's solos. - The section work throughout, particularly the saxes, is spectacular. Danny Bank and Phil Woods in particular, both of whom seem key to the 'Nelson sound'. - The 'Kennedy Dream', which I've never heard before, is a definite success. An imaginative and moving performance. - Some very funny stories in the liner notes, particularly the one of Wild Bill Davis's organ pitch going chaotic at sea thanks to generator issues and Nelson having to transpose to keep up, which was the 'driver' for his eventual mastery of transposition. - Mosaic have done a typically great job with the sound (and improved on the vinyl sounds for some of the sessions, I suspect) I still remember than night back in 1975 hearing the shock news on the late night jazz radio programme that he had just died - the first major jazz figure that I recall hearing had passed away after I first got into the music. This was at a time when 'Blues and the Abstract Truth' was just being reissued in the UK on vinyl. At the time it was believed to be heart attack due to overweight/overwork but the booklet mentions possible contributory cause of liver damage. Side effects of a malarial infecton could also be to blame. For sure, way too young and a tragic loss.

Very many Happy Returns of the day !

as in up the Amazonian creek without a paddle?

Mine arrived this morning. Took a week to arrive after dispatch though. Worth the wait though. The music is great - and the booklet essay a very informative read.

Up again with this one for the Amazon UK brigade.

Oliver Nelson CDs 4,5 and 6. for this set.

Awesome !