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. 🎹
Music
Deep Soul…..or is it?
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).
With the Cherry On Top….
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.
Bryan Corbett’s Instrumental Groove Unit
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”.
Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal
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!
Chicago Radio Soul (Via Suffolk)
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.
Various Artists: Goldwax Story Volume 1
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.
Atlantic Unearthed (Soul Brothers / Soul Sisters)
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.
DVD – Various Artists: Folk Blues Festival Volume 3
Another old review (way back in 2003 originally), but like the Bishopstock reviews a while back, I decided they might be of interest to both the R&B Primer aficionados and the Musings crowd, so they appear in both areas. In addition, the DVDs are still available and are definitely worth the entrance fee. This music doesn’t go out of fashion for authentic blues lovers and, surprisingly, there are still enough young fans coming through to make both the past and present viable music destinations – even if with this type of series retrospective (the first two are also worth owning), there is a temptation to wallow in the past and reminisce extensively about the good old days. But short of being there at the time, it genuinely doesn’t get any better than this.
Habit Forming Yet? (Blue Spirits)
Another visit to Jazz At The Fleece and another overnight stay at Stoke-By-Nayland Resort, although on this occasion we decided to have lunch in the lounge and upgraded the room (worth the extra we both agreed). Still extremely good value for money and, as the title indicates, it’s starting to feel like a home from home, although I’m convinced it’s going to be years until we will be considered anything other than naïve novices. It is however a great way of getting to grips with superb jazz players (not literally obviously, that would be rude), knowing that if someone doesn’t ‘float your boat’ for whatever reason, you’ve still had a lovely break at a fine hotel.
A Dangerous habit forming??
Not two weeks (actually it’s exactly two weeks since the last gig but hey-ho) since our last visit and here we are again, returning for a very different type of gig from the last. On this occasion we went to see the Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion, a vocalist and band who we are assured (by the Fleece Jazz promotional literature) have a foot firmly in both the jazz and blues camps. Again, to facilitate our OCD tendencies, we took the fleeze jazz package, which included an overnight stay at the hotel and breakfast the following morning.
Back To The Fleece – Antonio Forcione
Over two years after our last visit, we booked a return to Stoke by Nayland hotel and spa and to Jazz At The Fleece to sample the guitar delights of Antonio Forcione. In the interests of all I should disclose that we hadn’t heard of Antonio, which is of course a sad reflection on us rather than the artist, but we were intrigued by the short bio and reviews on the Fleece site and decided to give it a shot. As an aside, the Jazz at the Fleece offer at the hotel (overnight stay, two tickets to the concert and breakfast the following morning is a cracking deal, in my very humble opinion!