Following on from my belated return to my youth by attending the recent Ipswich Witches speedway meeting, I now find myself reviewing an LP / Cassette / CD series that I first encountered around fifty years ago! But, as it is very much part of the history of R&B, is novel in conception and very well executed, I have no intention of harking back to ‘former glories‘. One word of warning – the sound quality across the series is questionable (variable would also be a fair assessment) so probably not a blindingly obvious choice for any audiophiles out there. However, this is not about the sound, which is very much of its time, but about what the series represents.
General
A Different Fleece
Back to Fleece Jazz last Wednesday but a very different vibe as we saw the Steely Jazz Quintet who, as the name implies, reimagined a range of Steely Dan numbers within the jazz environment. Actually not that much of a stretch really, as Becker and Fagan were rooted as much in jazz as they were in rock, pop, blues and even a little funk; and of course, they were really immersed in jazz big time by the release of ‘Aja’, when Dan were in essence Becker and Fagan with an assortment of session players and sidemen.
Well It’s…Back To Schooldays!
With heartfelt apologies to all Graham Parker fans out there, a long overdue return to my childhood passion, although this was of course to Foxhall Stadium (home of the Ipswich Witches speedway team) and not to Sheffield Tigers Owlerton Stadium, who were of course my home team throughout my childhood; however my earliest actual, genuine memory was the World Speedway Championship of 1965, when the great Bjorn Knutson was the victor at London Wembley Stadium and which I attended with my extended family. However, I do remember going to Owlerton in the days of the great Billy Bales, who rode for Sheffield from 1965 onwards, so I’m guessing I must have first gone to watch the Tigers from about the age of nine onwards.
Paul Jones And Friends (Ipswich Jazz & Blues)
Sunday afternoon and there we were off to a gig at a new venue for us, hosted by the Ipswich Jazz And Blues Club at Venue 16 and, specifically, in the Willow Suite. No, we have not abandoned “Jazz At The Fleece” and there are gigs lined up there as well, but we thought there was no harm in overviewing the local Fleece equivalent to check it all out. As far as the location is concerned, the venue gets a big thumbs up. A short car journey, plenty of parking and a 250 seater venue at capacity. Excellent bar included!
Or Even Thirds…
Although this title makes no sense unless you’ve been watching very closely indeed…..oh you haven’t, well I forgive you anyway. Our third visit to Center Parcs (Elveden Forest) was a relatively last minute affair, prompted by the news that our friends had booked to go and that, following a frankly horrible series of medical setbacks, it looked as though they would actually be able to make it.
Landguard Point….but not as we know it!
Landguard Point is a historic and scenic headland at the southern tip of Suffolk, England, featuring a fort, nature reserve, and coastal walking. Apparently it is the southernmost point of Suffolk, immediately south of the Port of Felixstowe, and faces Harwich to the west and the reason there is a short passenger ferry crossing from the Fort coastline. But, in big news, Landguard Fort was not the reason for our visit.
Chichester and beyond….
….but not very far beyond to be honest, as although we booked a five night break, we didn’t actually venture much beyond the self imposed “ten mile from” Chichester rule – partly because at 90 degrees (32 Celsius for any modernists out there) we considered it an ethical victory to simply avoid evaporating in the ‘melting pot’ (shout out to Blue Mink, although both the group and the song are probably cancelled by now 🫨). In addition, we went down by train (astonishing I know) and it meant we were reliant on train, bus and taxi whilst there. It all proved to be fine though, despite a couple of minor train alterations because of the heat.
In Praise Of….
….. Cherry Red Records, a label I know I’ve mentioned before, but a latest purchase prompts me to explore the merits of the anthologies Cherry Red has put out over the years. Are they worth the admission price and would you, dear reader, push the monetary envelope to purchase them. Well Your Honour, the case for the defence is perhaps best exemplified by the recent acquisition of “When Will They Ever Learn?”, a four CD anthology of U.S. Folk Music from 1963-1969.
A Good Bit
As I ventured into Ipswich on one of my ever decreasing forays into the town, it dawned on me that I have grown increasingly disenchanted with the county town of Suffolk. I don’t know whether it’s my slowly decreasing tolerance levels towards mediocrity or whether the town is simply howling “shitty” to the Ipswich faithful but there is little except the odd errand to justify the bus ride in – thank you at least for the old codger bus pass.
Again….Surely Not!
Back just over a week now from another cat sitting in Sunderland as S&G indulged in their annual trip to the lovely isle of Arran. I can report that the overnight stop on the way up (at Wentbridge) was as excellent as ever and that Bobby and William were both perfectly behaved throughout our stay.
…And So It Goes
Not to be outdone by yours truly, Mrs. No Name, on one of many outdoor pursuits, managed to damage her finger when attempting to control a basketball in what she was at pains to point out was a very complicated manoeuvre to complete successfully – which of course, she didn’t, which turned out to be rather the point 🤕🤕.
Brutalist In All But Name…
As I was taking a stroll into Felixstowe yesterday, after leaving Mrs. No Name to enjoy one of the regular items in her busy social calendar, I approached a building that was fort like in appearance and gave every indication of being brutalist in nature. So it was somewhat of a surprise to find it was the Church of St. Andrew and as it was open and happy to receive visitors, I duly wandered in.
