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.
R&B Reviews
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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.
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!
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.
B.B. King / Keb’ Mo’ Live…
Another old review from the same period (August 2001) – but the chances are I’m never going to see the great man playing live again, so it returns to the site as testament to one of the true greats of the blues and a truly excellent live performer. Twenty four years ago, would you believe it. Tempus fugit – time is indeed marching on! (As did B.B sadly, in May, 2015).
Another Revisit – Solomon Burke
Another oldie, and it stays on the site for the same reason as Bishopstock – and the chance of ever seeing the ‘King Of Rock’n’Soul live have long gone – sadly, he died in October 2010. Below is the original review of the London Barbican gig, written all the way back in November 2002. It all began a little cheesily – an opening two perfunctory jams by the competent, but not particularly exciting backing band and an oversized red throne centre stage, flanked by buckets of red roses, awaiting the great man. You knew he was big, but nothing really prepared you for the man mountain who finally made his way to centre stage.