adh1907 Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 Interesting article on Val Wilmer’s photography in the Guardian today: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/nov/21/fela-kuti-bb-king-jimi-hendrix-miles-davis-val-wilmer-mi6 I visited the exhibition mentioned in article today in Queens Park London. I would recommend it. Some good photos I had not seen before. Also some familiar ones, such as Rashid Ali and Frank Lowe used on the cover of Duo Exchange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) As mentioned in another thread, I'm pondering checking out the exhibition next week, time permitting. I remember seeing her in the crowd at The Barbican once. It might have been during 'Jazz Britannia'. Noticed that many of the bookshops e.g. Foyles have got lots of copies of her 1977 book on display at present. Edited November 22, 2023 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adh1907 Posted November 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 I spotted her at Walthamstow wetlands last summer, wished I’d said hello! Used to see her regularly at Oto and Vortex but haven’t visited either for various reasons this past year or so. It’s not a huge exhibition in Queen’s Park and a large number are blues-related. I think this may be because the latest book covers the blues. The prices interested me, around £1200 a pop. My partner bought me a Val Wilmer photo (framed, good quality print) of Eric Dolphy (in London 1961) which we still have on the wall. From Rhythm Records Camden in the 80s and I am sure much less than £100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) Rhythm Records - Isn't that what used to be Honest Jon's, Camden Town? I called in there by chance in the early 2000s just as they were closing down, the place was being converted into a female fashion outlet. Came out with Sonny Fortune on Strata-East for £5 ! Edited November 22, 2023 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Great article; thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Beat Steve Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Interesting article, thanks. As it happens, I've recently started reading her book "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like this". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gheorghe Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Very very interesting indeed. Fela Kuti: I only had read about him in JazzPodium where his music was described as uninteresting and that he had focussed more on his arrogant stage behaviour, having a kind of "servant" who handed him his saxophone and his cigarettes. I never had heard his music. I have one of her books, I think it is titled "Jazz People" and has some great interviews with musicians I really love , Jackie McLean, Cecil Taylor, Howard McGhee, and the best, the very very best interview about Monk, that I have ever read. His answers are so quick and hip and they are truth, I mean I understood his answers very much, as his music is among my favourites . I think she did a great job doing that interview, even if she tries to ask questions in certain directions Monk wouldn´t discuss: Races, Politics etc. He says something like "I´m a musician, I play and get paid for it, let the politicians worry about politics, its them their job they get paid for it...." , and where he says "I got a wife and two kids to cloth and feed". I understand that so well....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjazzg Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 You really should try listening to Fela Kuti. If "arrogant stage behaviour" is a reason not to listen to someone that would exclude an awful lot of good musicians, Miles for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabshakeh Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Agreed. He has a lot of records. Try Gentleman, No Agreement (with Lester Bowie on it) or Expensive Shit, for a taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gheorghe Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 Tried some on you tube.....sure it must have something for a lotta people.....well I prefer other stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adh1907 Posted February 4 Author Report Share Posted February 4 Val Wilmer was the guest on today’s edition of Desert Island Discs on BBC radio. Available on BBC Sounds. I haven’t heard it yet but should be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabshakeh Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 Oh great! Will listen . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 (edited) It was an interesting listen. Some nice reminiscences about Louis, Duke and Monk plus it's not every day that you hear Julius Hemphill selected as a pick on Desert Island Disks. Beats the usual selection of musically illiterate unknowns that frequent this programme ! I like that story about her Mum getting totally drunk (first time ever, apparently) at a Duke post-gig party ! Edited February 4 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverM Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 Interesting listen, thanks for pointing it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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