sidewinder

Stan Levey 'Grand Stan' (UK London mono) - UK version of the Bethlehem LP Hank Jones 'Have You Met Hank Jones' (UK London mono) - UK version of the Savoy LP Stan Tracey Big Brass 'Seven Ages of Man' (UK Columbia Lansdowne stereo) Stan Tracey Big Brass 'Alice In Jazzland' (UK Columbia Lansdowne stereo) Acker Bilk with Stan Tracey Big Brass 'Blue Acker' (UK Columbia Lansdowne stereo) Horace Silver 'Finger Poppin' (BN 47W63rd DG mono)

Ferrara is also on that collection of 1957 Gerry Mulligan arrangements put out by CBS (I think it's called 'The Arranger') which features some very Gi-Evansish arrangements for a 15-ish size band. I think Ferrara is featured on 'All The Things You Are' on that collection. (I've heard Humphrey Lyttelton describe that one as 'A FairIsle sweater of an arrangement', which sums it up quite well.

Strangely enough just as I was buying my first beer at the bar of the Jazz Cafe this guy with a beatific smile and mega-cool turban on walked through the entrance and right past me towards the stage area. He'd gone before I had fully registered the fact... No sign of any blondes !

One of the fascinating things about seeing Lonnie in action at close range was to watch his work on the foot pedals. Amazingly nimble and he seemed to be keeping the movement to a minimum on the left foor so the footwork was very efficient. What he was doing with his feet was incredible in itself but combine that with the simultaneous contortions on the keyboard with masterful control of the dynamics and you have a truly great player. I'm still stunned several days after seeing all of this.

I am still slowly working my way through the Nat Cole vinyl set so I have enough for now !

The Doctor and Lou played a couple of great shows in London this week and they were awesome ! I had the good fortune to watch one of these performances less than 1 foot away from Lonnie's keyboard as they performed to perfection the likes of 'Alligator Bogaloo', 'Reverend Moses' and 'Blues Walk'. Dr Smith was amazing - I'd expected great things from his recordings but in person he is a phenomenon. For my money the greatest jazz organist active in the world at this time. Lou was also great - some suprisingly fast runs through the likes of 'Cherokee', some very soulful blues and very hip vocals. Staggering that he can still pull this sort of thing off with aplomb. It sounded like the sort of stuff he was doing in the Scorpion Club back in 1970 but - hey - that's fine by me. Big thumbs up too for guitarist Randy Johnstone, who with his Benson-ish style is the perfect complement for this group. Hope they are back again soon !

Likewise - I am still recovering from the Guiness, Laphroig and extra hot Curry to follow.

Hank Jones/Oliver Nelson 'Happenings' (Impulse stereo original) Oscar Peterson 'Recital By' (Clef deepgroove mono original). Picked up today in NM condition for £6 !

How could I forget that one ! 'Daipur' is one of Norma's all-time greatest performances. Amancio D'Silva too !

Uh oh - another Cellar Door style fiasco in the make?

Ghost was right, thats the one. 'Songs and Lullabies'. Off to the library we go !

There's also a duo collaboration disk with Fred Hersch covering ballad material. Never heard it but my local library has a copy so I'll check it out.

Larry Young 'Unity' (BN NY USA mono) and 'Contrasts' (BN Liberty mono)

Sure (was watching TV last night ) Her debut album 'Edge of Time' on Argo for starters, no brainer. (Reissued on CD by Disconforme). Lots of great recommendations for her work with Mike Westbrook on 'Love Songs' and 'Metropolis' and Kenny Wheeler on 'Song For Someone' and 'Music For Large and Small Ensembles'. Also some of the tracks with John Taylor on 'Pause and Think Again'. Oh - and Neil Ardley's 'Symphony of Amaranths' of course. My favourite Norma Winstone performance - 'Nothing Changes' on Wheeler's 'Song For Someone'. Absolutely wonderful. I'm also quite partial to the various Azimuth LPs. Have seen Norma in performance quite a few times over the years and its always a great enjoyment. The Wheeler/Winstone/Coe group back in the 1980s, a tour she did with Fred Hersch and Wheeler a few years ago, her Wayne Shorter tribute 'Shorter Stories' (with Robert Mitchell) and the fine performance at the Barbican for Jazz Britannia.

Nice one ! Does it have Mr 'Boxman' Koyama's signature on the inside of the front cover?

Hank Mobley LP set, disk 5 - the 'Hank' session.

Seeing this got me reaching for the Mosaic LP set to see if this is also adversely affected - just played record 5 side A 'Fit For A Hanker'. Ride cymbal is quite prominent in the mix but plays back fine, no problem.

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis CD2 ( ) The Roy Eldridge will be going on later in the day.

I'll second that. Hank sounds as if he's weezing a bit in places but the ideas and fire are still very much there ! Nice Cedar Walton on this date too. Picked up most of it on that bargain (and now deleted) 2CD Camden set.

Wow - that's great to hear that John Heard is still very much musically active. Last time I saw him was nearly 30 years ago at Ronnie Scotts as part of Louis Bellson's 'Big Band Explosion' !

'Exercising' the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Complete Solid State CD set whilst doing a bit of cooking. CD1 of this set gets my award for the most perfect Mosaic CD. It's perfectly paced, with a track order which just can't be beaten. Put it on deck and enter another world.

I remember when that Miles/Dameron Paris set came out - at the time it was 'trumpeted' up quite a bit by CBS, even here in the UK, as a bit of a 'jazz dead sea scrolls' item. Certainly a nice find at $2.75 although I don't think it's particularly valuable. Its always great to come across nice stuff like this in crates when you aren't expecting it ! The Brown/Roach is one I wouldn't mind having myself.

Freddie Hubbard 'Goin' Up' (BN 47W63rd DG mono). Forgot just how good this one was - Tyner, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe make one heck of a section. Two great Kenny Dorham compositions/arrangements on side 1 as well, as an added bonus. Followed by Andrew Hill 'Black Fire' (BN NY USA original stereo), in response to Brownie's inspiration.

Alan Shorter 'Tes Esat' (March 11th, 1970 - Paris) Alan Shorter - Trumpet and flugel Gary Windo - Tenor Johnny Dyani - Bass, flute, bamboo flute, piano, bells Rene Augustus - Drums, bells. It's pretty way-out, with some manic playing in particular by Windo. Not up to the standards of 'Orgasm' - will post further thoughts which arise later this weekend.

Just listening again to the 'Roswell Rudd' yesterday. Mighty fine session - typical classy offering from Roswell. Will have to work my way again through the Clifford Thornton, Al Shorter and the two Braxtons this weekend.