A Lark Ascending

I saw Lol once in the basement of a pub in Nottingham in the 80s - I can't recall who it was with. Might have been Elton Dean or even Phil Miller, though I could be telescoping a couple of separate gigs. But the music was largely bebop type tunes. I recall a great version of 'Embraceable You'.

Mine are sorted broadly by era - Early Music, Renaissance, Baroque etc, then into countries where there are substantial numbers and finally into composers or 'various' within the country/era. One area specifically for British classical music, just because I have a lot of it. I've about 1000 classical recordings and as a result of a global purge over Xmas I now have them on just 4 narrow shelves - I basically threw out all the jewel boxes, placing inner sleeve and CD in a PVC folder. A bit harder to get instant access - no spines - but acres of shelf space liberated. I have an Excel file with everything arranged alphabetically by composer.

The Centennial set is OOP, Papsrus - Amazon UK has three sets at £1376 to £1754....yes pounds! You already have things from that set (probably without alternate takes which I can always do without - I've restructured mine on CD-R to elimnate the alternates) - the 'Never No Lament' set, Fasr East Suite, ...and his mother etc. I'd use the discography mentioned above and track things down that way. I've not heard the Naxos collections but they might be a way to build up a representative picture of the different eras. Anyone know anything about these two 4 CD sets?: The Amazon reviews are enthusiastic about Volume 1 as a comprehensive collection of its period but suggest Volume rushes through the 30s. I would suspect they draw from various labels, where the Centennial is just RCA related.

This was 4 + years ago!!!!! Now I remember why I read that Zappa bio!

It was in the canteen at the Reading University Students Union that I first saw Lol! I was a student there from 1973-76. Before my jazz days - I was a typical student prog-rocker (I'd come across Lol via Kevin Ayers band). Two of my strongest memories there were Henry Cow - once in a small room in the old part of the University, and an absolutely blinding gig at the Town Hall a year later. I also saw Nucleus there; and bought my first jazz records - Keith Jarrett, Ella sings Rodgers and Hart. Good to see such challenging programmes being put on there- all credit to you, Red. Wish we had something similar in Worksop! I have to travel to Nottingham or Sheffield for jazz.

The Appelby cancellation was announced a few weeks back on their website. It seems that a major funding source was withdrawn just before last year's festival; then the atrocious weather cut attendance - it was a bit like the Somme on the paths on the Friday! Alan Barnes announced the financial troubles on the Sunday night and there was a whip round to try and help Neil Ferber out. Don't know how much it helped - but Neil's announcement on the Appleby site suggests he just can't bring himself to go on the funding chase again. Can't say I blame him - chasing funds is a dispiriting exercise. http://www.applebyjazz.com/ **************** The Monk record is a quartet album with Clark. I've really no idea about drummers - but Clark has always done the job for my ears. It's worth checking out the recent Stan Tracey records - there are a series of fine trio albums and a marvellous one with Peter King. Also a beautiful vocal album with Norma Winstone and Bobby Wellins that stretches over two discs, exploring not so obvious songs. Much of his recent music is on bass player Andy Cleyndert's Trio label - high quality recordings of marvellous music. Stan is enjoying something of an Indian Summer - he did a concert with Keith Tippett last month in London and has recorded with both Evan Parker and Louis Moholo in recent years. Not exactly resting on his laurels. Trio Records: http://www.triorecords.toucansurf.com/index.html Trio have taken quite a few recordings from live Appleby performances. This one is particularly wonderful: I recall scouring the record stall at the back of the marquee for Wellins versions of the tunes after the performance - luckily, a year later it all appeared on disc. Trio are announcing on their site a forthcoming disc of Tony Coe and John Horler. I suspect this will be the Appleby performance from last summer that was part of the same wet afternoon sequence where the Wellins/Tracey Quartet did the Monk tunes. If so, well worth waiting for. John Horler is another hidden gem. Tony Coe, not exactly hidden, but should be far better known.

That's a great record. I've found it hard to listen to his follow up as it is much more hip-hop based - no criticism of the record, just my unfamiliarity with the genre. My favourite Dune record is this one: That rare thing...a jazz record you can put on when you have people over and they don't look at you gone out! Marvellous, marvellous version of 'Footprints'. I heard a session on a Radio 3 programme a couple of weeks back by Denys Baptiste of music inspired by the Anansi spider stories which really grabbed me. I chanced on it in the car and although I had a rough idea of who was playing I didn't work out the names until I checked online later. Denys got a lot of attention for his MLK disc a while back, one that didn't quite do it for me. But this music sounded really interesting with a strong African percussion element. I'm hoping Dune (or someone else) has plans for this. I'm also hoping to see it appear on the Cheltenham schedule.

Oh, beware! My views come from a very particular viewpoint, not always at one with general thinking! They have no musicological base - just reactions and enthusiasms that come from listening to too many records and going to the occasional concert and festival. Mark Lockheart produced another favourite record of mine a couple of years back: A slight minimalist feel to it but never settling into monotony. Beautiful melodies. That lyricism again that I go for!

I suspect there was some politics involved in the slow hand clapping at the RAH - a hardcore free audience with (relative) newbies. Lambs to the slaughter, I'd say. Not a good programming decision! Ingrid's record with Liam Noble is very good too. Kenny has looked and sounded very frail when I've seen him in recent years. I suspect he will focus on writing more and more. He played alongside Bob Brookmeyer in Hans Koller's band at Cheltenham last year. I think 'I.D.' is OOP - it was on Paul Clarvis' label. John Taylor is one of my heroes - I've been following him as long as I've been following jazz (mid-70s). In fact he makes an interesting contrast with Simcock - John's music can be extremely lyrical (thus my attraction), yet it's not over-rich. There's a luminosity there that I think Simcock has yet to learn. He played in Sheffield a couple of weeks back with his trio with Palle Danielsson and Martin France plus Julian Arguelles guesting. Marvellous evening. Art Themen is tremendous - I don't know how many times I saw him in the 70s/80s with Stan Tracey; he's also an Appleby regular. One I'm looking forward to seeing next week is Arnie Somogyi's Ambulance with Eddie Henderson (a partnership that has been going on for a while now). Arnie produced what was, to my ears, one of the most original albums of recent years and it disappeared almost without trace. 'Improvokation', an exploration of his Hungarian roots with both British and Hungarian musicians. It's a record I play regularly.

Red, My tastes in jazz as a whole centre around the tonal occasionally tipping over into free...but I tend not to spend long in the pure free area. I need a tonal base most of the time or I start wool gathering. Out of your list, I really enjoy Ingrid Laubrock (an honorary Brit!) - have followed her recordings for some years, both her jazz-centred ones ('Forensic' was brilliant!) and the things she's done with Monica Vasconcelos in Nois. Henry Lowther is a national treasure and so under-recorded - there's a disc of his from about ten years back called 'I.D.' which I absolutely adore. I think we discussed Jason Yarde elsewhere - someone really must record him. I've not seen much of Orphy Robinson but he did a short spot at Jazz Britannia a few years back that was great; and he plays some very interesting material on the new Robert Wyatt record. Tom Arthurs Centripede did a blisteringly good set at Cheltenham a few years back, with Ingrid; and a great duo with John Taylor earlier last year. I can see what you are saying about the 'hype' but it was ever thus. Time will tell. Gwilym needs time to grow and lose some of the 19thC Romanticism in his playing - but I've enjoyed the two gigs of his I saw with a band including Stan Sulzmann and enjoyed his new record. I've also enjoyed Polar Bear and Acoustic Ladyland (initially). I've not really warmed to the direction of the latter, never having had much time for punk. I'm hoping for something interesting from Polar Bear in the near future, though the chap with the laptop does nothing for me. I've seen Evan Parker many times live and, despite being only an occasional free listener, have always been engaged. Someone I do like very much from that area is Barry Guy. He has a way of providing a context for the freedom that gives me something to hang on to. I recall seeing Lol Coxhill in a candle lit canteen around 1974. Another person who frequently loses me but can also really engage. I lve the Eminem disc of his which collects all manner of bits of pieces from his R'nB days via bebop into the completely free. BillF, I've always enjoyed Alan Barnes - he plays in several formations at Appleby each year and is simply the funniest man on the UK scene, apart from being a great player. I've found the few recordings I have by him enjoyable if not world shattering. But I think this one is marvellous:

Had a quick search and although I could find a few threads on British jazz from the past I couldn't see one dedicated to the current music. Correct me if I'm wrong and I'll shift this. Thought it would be nice to have a thread to discuss, mention, get excited about people performing, recording etc today. Be it veterans like Stan Tracey who are still putting out great records; or some of the newer performers. To start, here are three marvellous records that have given me a great deal of pleasure: One of my favourites of last year, and I was lucky enough to see them do it live at Appleby. Sounds just as you'd expect it to from these wonderful players. Law is probably better known for his freer playing - this is a beautiful trio disc coming out of the Evans line of influence. If you like Marilyn Crispell's ECMs, this should be of interest. A few years old now but a record that should be far better known. Partisans are a guitar/sax and bcl/bass/drums band who play music that is jazz-rocky but without the plodding feel of so much jazz-rock. This music stays airborne. A thrilling record from start to finish. Special mention for guitarist, Phil Robson, a player with a couple of solo CDs of note and who plays a key part in the ensemble of his partner, singer Christine Tobin. I saw him the other night on tour with Dave Liebman in wonderful form. Sax/b-cl Julian Siegel is also a name to watch. There should be a CD soon from a trio he's been touring with Joey Baron and Greg Cohen. The Partisans album above, 'Max' is on e-music. Worth some credits if you fancy taking a chance.

I know what you're saying, porcy62. We all hear with different ears - what some hear as sweet and unexciting I tend to hear as lyrical. Suits my temperament - I tend to lose interest with 'funky', by contrast. And the influence of a weaker performance or even one where you are not really paying attention can be strong on overall perception. I've had exactly the same reaction which you did with Abdullah Ibrahim a few years back. My mind wandered, even though I've loved his records and had previously seen him in a magical big band performance. I think what happened with the second concert was that it was at the end of a long weekend of music in a hall where chairs had been packed in to squeeze in a maximum capacity audience. The atmosphere was claustrophobic and that affected my reaction to the music. I really like the Egea label - but it seems to lean towards the folkier/semi-classical side of Italian jazz. I can see that not appealing to listeners who want something more earthy or abrasive.

I saw live performances of both 'La Banda' and 'Round About A Midsummernight's Dream' a few years back - both thrilling concerts. Mirabassi and Gaslini get strong votes from me too - in fact I must follow up Gaslini more. I'd put 'Sudori' up there with 'We did it! We did it!' as my favourite Italian jazz records.

'Boring!' is the last word I'd use about 'Live in Paris', 'Live in Japan' or the exquisite 'Infant Eyes'. Some of his discs can be very reflective and lyrical. I do reflective and lyrical big time! I only have a couple of discs by him, but I very much enjoy: Gorgeous version of 'Over the Rainbow' there.

Dave Liebman with one of the UK's best young(ish) guitarists, Phil Robson plus Aiden o'Donnell (bass) and Jeff Williams (drums). Wonderful mix of standards - 'In Your Own Sweet Way', 'Speak Low' - and originals from Robson. Liebman started a great version of 'India' by playing a MacDonald's straw - a party piece?

I love Italian jazz - though, as with talk of 'European' jazz, the term disguises an enormous diversity. As well as names already mentioned, there's great music from people like Gianluigi Trovesi, Pino Minafra, Enrico Pieranunzi, Stefano Bollani and a host of others - I must have a shelf of the stuff. Last year's Appleby Festival had an Italian sub-theme with the splendid Lydian Sound Orchestra and one of my favourite singers, Maria Pia de Vito (who I see is playing the Blue Note in NYC tomorrow night). My advice is to explore via labels like Splasc(h), Label Bleu, Soul Note or Black Saint. Some of this music is getting better known because of the ECM recordings - but I don't think ECM catch the warmth and humour of the music. I'm a great admirer of ECM but when I hear what they do with some of these Italians I start to understand why others have long had a problem with the label. What works for me in other areas of the music leaves me a bit chilled with the Italian music. Stefano Bollani is simply one of the funniest, spirited, most unpretentious musicians I've seen - but his ECM solo disc, though interesting, seemed so solemn to my ears! A great source for Italian jazz is www.jazzos.com. E-music carries a lot for easy sampling.

Thanks so much for this, king ubu. Really, really useful!

£5 at "Bulldog Barbers". Worth taking a cheap flight, if only for the edgy ambiance.

That must have been when I had a 'No 2 on top, No 1 at the sides' for charity! I get it done like that about once every six months now! Found this scary place called 'Bulldog Barbers' - the barbers are like bouncers - last time I was there they were giving advice to another customer about getting a stolen DJ kit back - 'Slip Tiger 50 quid and he'll go and get it back for you!' No way are they going near me with a cut throat!

I put it down to playing games with us around the time of the party conferences about a possible election. Has a government ever gone from smug invincibility to total headless-chickendom so swiftly!

Yes, that's what I mean. I've seen him a few times playing in other people's bands and he's been electrifying. If there's one live gig I'd love to hear was recorded it would be one I saw in a dingy working men's club in Sheffield about ten years back. Louis Moholo's 'Spirit's Rejoice' with...wait for it...Jason Yarde, Paul Rogers, Keith Tippett, Evan Parker and Paul Rutherford. Yarde held his own in that exalted company. As I said before, I think he's heavily involved in production - I've seen his name on some of the Dune label CDs.

Great, great band! They were absolutely thrilling at the UKs Cheltenham Festival a few years back.

Cheltenham (early May; international artists with a good UK showing, mix of big box office names and the highly respected, old favourites and the up and coming) and Bath (late May - eclectic with a continental European focus [though the Mingus Big Band headlined last year on one night, Andrew Hill played a few years before]) are regulars for me too. Sadly Appleby - a largely British mainstream affair (though with great Italians last year) + Evan Parker's Freezone (you know the records!) - isn't happening in 2008. Vital funding got withdrawn last year leaving a bit of a crisis. The one I keep meaning to go to is Sienna - late July/early August. It's tied in with a big summer school and has an Italian jazz focus.

Tempting at it is, I think I'll hang fire on the Private Collection - too much to absorb at present and I like to pace things. My main fear is that I'll get half the series and the rest will vanish. This happened with RCA Fats Waller series a few years ago. I'm hoping that some time in the next ten years or so the behemoth record companies will realise that it might just be worthwhile to transfer their jewels into downloads - either themselves or via licensing - and things might escape that way. I'm not counting on it, though! Some of the smaller classical companies are much quicker about this. [As predicted the DHL card was waiting for me this evening...have booked to fly to Helsinki this weekend to pick it up from their depot].

Hi hepcat1950 and WorldB3! Can I just say that I enjoyed my time at AAJ very much and have a lot of time for many people there - posters and amongst those who run the board. I hope they can get things sorted out - there are few places to discuss jazz and related musics as it is. The positive side of this sad episode is returning here and enjoying chatting to people I've not talked with in a while. I've taken my shoes off and put my slippers on.