General

Norwich Birthday Bash

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A three night break in Norwich to celebrate the not to be mentioned birthday of an individual who goes under the moniker of Mrs. No Name. Riveting news includes the imparting of our mode of transport, which was the train, and a new hotel for us – I decreed that was a very risky thing to do but it proved to be a delightful break …

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Love’em / Hate’em….A Guilty Pleasure?

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Well, we’ve all been here, but most endeavour to keep it hidden. In my case though, it’s shameful admission time; ok, it’s hardly a Ted Bundy type revelation but it is pretty astonishing, even so, especially considering my otherwise sublime, stellar and eclectic taste – not forgetting an almost lifelong obsession with all things Rhythm & Blues. Yet here I am, bearing my soul for the soft rock with some progressive leanings that is the Moody Blues – and the progressive connection is at very best tenuous and probably no more than a pathetic attempt at credibility. After all, this band was definitely no Procol Harum. 🎹

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Deep Soul…..or is it?

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Musings or Primer eh? On reflection, this is clearly a sad but quite niche musing, so it’s going there. Discussion around the definition of Deep Soul has indeed long been a thorny old issue, bolstered in the past by the release of CDs such as “Dave Godin’s Deep Soul Treasures“. The initial CD release ended up being followed by three further volumes of largely excellent material, although it has to be said there was the odd inferior cut on each of the compilations. (Whilst we’re on the subject of great releases by the way, don’t miss out on another excellent CD series from the Kent stable with superb liner notes from Dave Godin called “The Birth Of Soul” – at the time of writing there are now four in the series).

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With the Cherry On Top….

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Long overdue review, as I’ve (re)discovered many an audio delight through the wonderful reissue programme of the fiercely independent imprint that is Cherry Red Records. Bizarrely though, having over the years procured any number of Various Artist compilations (I recall “Surrender To The Rhythm” as my first ever Cherry Red purchase), as well as remastered and expanded editions by Procol Harum, Danny Wilson and Little Feat amongst others, it is yet another undervalued group’s box set that I have chosen to feature.

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Another First for the “Oldies”

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So, having decided on a quiet one at home his year, Mrs. No Name received an email that at the bottom in small print announced two cancellations at the Wentworth Hotel in Aldeburgh for a three night Christmas break. Shockingly, largely because we know and love the Wentworth, we acted on it straight away, booked the accommodation and received an outline of the itinerary. So far, so very good…

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Bryan Corbett’s Instrumental Groove Unit

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Another visit to Jaz Fleece and another overnight stay; this musician was new to me but as we are definitely becoming more open to trying a myriad of different approaches at our newly adopted home, we decided to give him a go. As a confirmed R&B aficionado, I am relatively new to the jazz genre so I would entreat (implore, beseech, supplicate, pray etc.) you to treat me very gently. As we quickly discovered with this particular performance, there are clearly a plethora of truly astonishing players journeying these shores performing to remarkably sparse audiences. Although, since Bryan let it be known that he had being visiting Jazz Fleece since its time in Boxford, clearly it didn’t unduly dishearten him or the “band”.

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Timely Visit To Alder Carr Farm Cafe

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‘Timely’ might be considered an ironic, even a little perverse word by which to introduce any trip to a farm café only around 30 minutes away and on the outskirts of Needham Market. I don’t know how long the café has been there but we’ve lived here for nigh on thirty years and this was the first time we’ve put in an appearance, which is all down to us and is our loss.

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Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal

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Gig Ticket

Two weeks drift by and yet another 50 minute drive (or so) down to the Stoke By Nayland Hotel Golf And Spa Resort for another Jazz At The Fleece gig/concert/event/happening – what you call it rather depends on your history and age range I think. We prefer to think of it as a “Still Kicking but prefer to sit down soiree“. On this occasion it was to see Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal, whose name (Nash) I believe I did vaguely recall from Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Group too large to fit on one picture though – bit rude!

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Long Overdue Catch Up

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Went down to Colchester on Tuesday last to meet up with our ‘China holiday’ friends and discovered we hadn’t met for close on a year, which is the height of tardiness, even for us. Went for lunch but on this occasion we decided to give Carluccio’s a punt as it was inside a well known department store and was only a short walk from the car park (which appears to have increased its prices without any noticeable improvement in its general upkeep).

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Various Artists: Goldwax Story Volume 1

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Goldwax

Another musings (and R&B Review) entry that had come about largely because of the author’s resorting/repositioning peccadillos. What I don’t know is if this predilection for music entries in Musings is renewed vigour or simply a recognition that old age is engendering a certain nostalgia…..ooh well!

“…All I needed was to find some talented artists. My dreams came true with a knock on my front door one night at midnight, and when I answered there stood Roosevelt Jamison with James Carr and O.V Wright…… “(label owner Quinton Claunch)
So goes the story that kick started the Goldwax imprint – read more about the label on the R&B Primer here.

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Atlantic Unearthed (Soul Brothers / Soul Sisters)

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A rare foray into CD reviews for Musings section of The Rag, largely prompted by a fortuitous, periodic repositioning and reordering of this author’s CD collection, as is his fastidious nature . I always feel a slight sense of unease when any reissue programme features previously unreleased or unavailable material. Too often the reason for the tracks failing to see the light of day is self evident, with either song or performance clearly sub-standard – in many cases you can’t help but agree with the label’s initial quality control assessment. Which is why these two releases were a worry; fortunately however, this hard to find material is the exception which proves the Shades rule – I guess the recording machine that was Atlantic in the 60s and early 70s genuinely did have more quality product than it saw fit to actively market.

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