Back to Jazz At The Fleece last Wednesday and also a return for Sarah Jane Morris, who told us quite early on that she had been performing here for nigh on twenty five years. Well, we have certainly not been going to the venue for that length of time, but we did see her in July 2023 when, on that occasion, she was performing the songs of John Martyn – we enjoyed that one so much, we bought the CD on the night.
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.
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.
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!
….. 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.
After a somewhat lengthy absence we finally returned to Stoke By Nayland and home of Jazz Fleece for what we hope will be a series of overnighters and jazz gigs. Unfortunately, these may be a little sporadic, given the serious business that is Mrs. No Names’ excessive and detailed calendar of activities! For example, we are missing “The Wonder Of Stevie” in three weeks time because of one of her conflicting reveries – shock horror!
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.
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”.
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!
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.