... not beginning to mean something

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

no JLU cos of opry innit

Geoffrey raids another Proper Box set to play Fats Waller tracks

Jon3 repeats the Cheltenham set of Ambrose Akinmusire with his quartet

let's really put the boat out eh?

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Boat? Jazz? Bored with Radio Tree? No Problem...

Try "The Jazz Boat" - Brit film, 1960. Avec Tony Newley...

"The film opens in a cool-looking London jazz
club (actually a cave!) where all the cats are
jiving to Ted Heath's band wailing on "I Wanna
Jive Tonight" in a scene that rivals the best late
50s American rock and roll films.

Anne Aubrey plays "Doll" a voluptuous dolly
who shows off her highly defined bullet-bra
and skin-tight pants at every opportunity. Bert (Newley) gives her a good looking-over and then they dance. "

Oh the old days are the best..."I wanna wanna Jive tonight" And in fact, everynight. To Radio Tree.

BN.

[Pianorak]

Oh the old days are the best..."I wanna wanna Jive tonight" And in fact, everynight. To Radio Tree.

Trip down memory lane . . . and not a pair of jeans in sight!

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Trip down memory lane . . . and not a pair of jeans in sight!

Really difficult to believe that's from 1960. "Rockers" going wild to Ted Heath. Still, Newley had a pin collar tab shirt. A "modernist".

BN.

[Ian Thumwood]

More firmly in the "Bluesnik territory" is the new album by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander called "Chicago Fire" which tips it's hat toward music (loosely ) associated with the city The one up includes a quartet with pianist Harold Mabern who is totally under-rated and certainly unrecognised on this board. Several tracks include trumpeter Jeremy Pelt too. I've heard odd bits by Alexander before but this album is really easy on the ear - other than a neurotic version of "Just one of those things" which almost makes Bud Powell's music seem relaxed. The album is pitched in to mainstream / modern territory or perhaps the kind of jazz you would expect to have heard on a early 1960's Blue Note. Alexander is absolute perfection especially on "Blueski for Vonski" which is terrific. There is even a version of "Save your love for me" which is cracking. Alexander's command of his instrument is total. He wraps up a funky tribute to Eddie Harris as well as another bop-inspired piece dedicated to Sonny Stitt.

I've always imagined that Alexander was cast in the same mould as scot Hamilton but listening to this record he is a far more modern player and has a much better grasp of contemporary harmony. He's crept a bit under my radar but the presence of Mabern in the line up should make this a record that Bluesnik would love.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Ian, will ck it out. I"ve got Alexander's "Prime Time" from 2008, two live dates, one on DVD. The pianist is David Hazeltine. It is very good in its way and he certainly has the idiom down. I just found it a bit offputting that he tips so often to everyone from Rollins to Ammons to Stanley T's upper register chocked blues phrases. Still he studied with Mabern and George Coleman so no slouch. Just not that distinctive at that time?

Whereas, this afternoon I've been playing Clifford Jordan's "Glass Bead Game" and it is a wonderful set and band. Jordan, as we've said, had totally his own thing in his playing and comps and at a time that almost everyone was adapting to the late Coltrane he had a very mature and reserved concept. Great bass playing on this too from Bill Lee, Spike's father, who I really had no idea was that good.

BN.

[charles t]

Ian & Bluesnik: Thanks for bringing (your) recognitions to stalwart tenorist - Eric Alexander.

I made a tenor-pilgrimage to Stanford Univ. Jazz Workshop a while back, just to hear him.

Alexander being accompanied by his (musical) lifelong-accompanist Harold Mabern, of course.

Eric Alexander is heard to best advantage on a half-dozen or so, releases on the Japanese Venus label headlining:
'Gentle Ballads'.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

[Quarky]

Not greatly tempted by R3's offerings this weekend.

Have to admit to being a secret Jazz FM listener. This is improving, believe it or not [couldn't get much worse], and on Tuesday night 6 pm we are going to be treated to a full hour of Billy Holiday, compéred by James Tormé. May be worth a listen.

......7th October - embarrassed to have mentioned this. The Billie Holliday programme a total travesty, and an insult to Billy. Complaining to Jazz FM.