sidewinder

Yikes ! Didn't think it was that elusive.. Picked it up for a measlyish 10 Euros in Germany at a store some years ago. Aggie/erik was with me - maybe a lucky mascot?

Hey chewy - quick aside, this might be of interest to you. Rick Wakeman was on the TV last night over here. Programme called 'Grumpy Old Men'

I can explain one of these by the fact that my damn broadband keeps disconnecting every time I try to download disk #2 ( - time for new ISP). I'm on the case with disk 2 !

Very Merry Xmas to one and all.. I got the Penguin Guide Edition 8 so I should resurface sometime next week...

Oh wow - Truly sad news for this Xmas morning. May he RIP.

Just downloading and seems to be working fine ! Thanks and Merry Xmas !

Is it not for most weekends? Verve Flip Philips/Charlie Ventura disk 4. Great swing music from Philips with Harry Edison, Bill Harris and Billy Bauer. A 'sleeper' set, this one.

A subtle little number..

Jeez - they get everywhere !

Festive Ventura/Phillips, disk #1. Charlie Ventura sessions.

That is true - just checked my Harriott discography. The 'Abstract' did not come out on Jazzland but did get an issue on Capitol. The Columbia LP is a very great rarity. The two EPs you mentioned by the way that make up 'Southern Horizons' are 'Blue Harriott' and 'A Guy Called Joe'.

Indeed - this one is at the top of my 'wants' pile and the myspace site is great !

Here's the other one. 'Abstract', original issue in the UK in 1963 on UK Columbia with totally different artwork. Nice move picking up the Jazzlands. Both sessions are undisputed UK modern jazz landmarks.

Wishing you the very best with this.

'A fool and his money..' etc etc

Mmm - Airto and his Cuica on 'Jingle Bells'...

Have a good one !

Love this bah humbug blog review of Duke P's 'Merry Ole Soul' ...here's my only concession to the festive season.Bombarded with shite Christmas songs from all directions (Take That AND Cliff Richard-what a double whammy for complete bollocks this year.One old c**t against five young but even bigger c**ts - tis the season to be utterly despondent if you are within a mile of a radio etc) But Ho Ho Ho here's Duke striking back with a jazz Christmas Cracker.Yes it sounds like it should be crap-but it aint!!! Duke pulls in Bob Cranshaw,Mickey Roker,and Airto for a selection of festive tunes and a very fine spin he puts on them too.The concept appears to be hokey as hell but the reinterpretations are cliche free and have some great moments.As I said I hate Christmas music(if i hear that bloody Slade record again I will pay for someone to shoot Noddy's fucking nuts) but this is really very good.

Lonnie Liston Smith Melba Liston Dame Nellie Melba

Two all-time favourites I've been playing recently on their original vinyl: Blue Mitchell 'Out of the Blue' Wynton Kelly 'Kelly Blue' My all-time favourite though is probably Cannonball's 'Live at the Lighthouse'. That one spontaneously combusts !

'The Congregation' about to go ballistic too. As for 'Saxophone Collosus' I'll stick with my nice Bergenfield second press. Saved me over a grand !

It's also the only set issued by Tal's underground 'Concert Band'

Sounds like a good move to me..

Yep, I know that one. It was a short film done for the BBC's 'Omnibus' series. In fact, part of the film shows Kenny getting on a tube train on his way to one of these sessions. There's also nice footage of a Big Band radio session done at Maida Vale for 'BBC Jazz Club'.

Just perusing the lineup on this compilation of the 70s cult BBC kids cartoon series and I see that one 'Ken Wheeler' is credited on trumpet, with a variety of other jazzers including Ray Swinfield on flute. Always liked the incidental music on this series ! (sort of 'Curried Jazz meets Sesame Street').