Just an update for the few who might know me personally – for others this will be a pointless excuse for a blog entry. I mentioned that I was ‘a little’ poorly on the South Causey break, what with the cold/Covid shenanigans and the toothache I’d had for weeks. Well on my return I went to the dentist who couldn’t really establish any core problem in the affected area (although a very small filling was completed).
Just back from a two week jaunt to the North East. The core of the trip was the Civvy P of S&G but we managed a little of the ‘before and after’ to keep it even more interesting. Five hotels and a five day catsitting on behalf of the ‘honeymooners’ kept it “varied”. Back to the favourite stop off on the way up, as we had another overnighter at the Wentbridge House Hotel. Usual good night’s sleep although booking a ‘cosy room’ seems a little pointless as we always seem to get upgraded. Breakfast and then on to South Causey.
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 …
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. 🎹
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).
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.
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…
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”.
‘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.
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!
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).
Musings is taking a bit of an R&B battering at the moment but I promise this is the last of the music focused meanderings that have been so prevalent recently. I shall have to call this month the November abomination and a direct result of the recent CD restructuring calamity.