RogerF Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I'm very sorry to report the death of Ian Carr, this afternoon. He was 75 and had been suffering from ill health for over two years. He was a major figure in modern British jazz and was, of course the author of the Miles Davis biography. He will be sorely missed by many, fans and musicians alike. More here: http://www.iancarrsnucleus.net Roger __________________ Quote
mikeweil Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Another one gone ... I played one of the Nucleus LPs quite often back then, the programmatic "Labyrinth". Other wise I found their music a little too cool, but he sure was a fine trumpeter. Didn't know he was already 75 ... R.I.P. Edited February 25, 2009 by mikeweil Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 Very sad. Nucleus were never a big favourite (though as it happend I'd just ordered a copy of the '76 live CD after hearing a great track on JRR a few weeks back) but I really liked Carr's 'Old Heartland', a 'jazz with strings' project that really worked. Enjoyed his Miles and Jarrett bios too - the discography in the former was central to building up my Miles collection. My favourite memory was a programme he did in the early 80s on the BBC comparing the mid 50s, Lincoln Centre and Plugged Nickel versions of 'My Funny Valentine'. Eye opening. Quote
king ubu Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I've never felt much of an urge checking out his Nucleus and other electric stuff, but the band he co-led with Don Rendell was mighty fine - I love those albums! r.i.p. Quote
sidewinder Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) I'm totally gutted by this news. As well as being a huge fan of Nucleus and Rendell/Carr I got to meet him on one occasion at the Barbican. Very down to earth, astonishingly modest re: his albums and instantly likeable. It was obvious at the time that he wasn't well but it was only afterwards reading his bio that I realised how serious his health problems were. A true giant of our UK scene - may he rest in peace. I always liked his writings and TV programmes on Miles too. His Miles bio is still the best. Thanks for passing on the sad news Roger. Edited February 25, 2009 by sidewinder Quote
sidewinder Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 As mentioned on the Ian Carr tribute site, it's somewhat astonishing that Ian, Guy Warren and Blossom Dearie (the latter two who recorded with Ian to good effect) all passed away within a very short period. Quote
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 I've never felt much of an urge checking out his Nucleus and other electric stuff, but the band he co-led with Don Rendell was mighty fine - I love those albums! r.i.p. I've always enjoyed the earlier material that came out of the EmCee Five. Now spinning..... Quote
clifford_thornton Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 Ah shit. RIP and thanks for the music and the words. Quote
sidewinder Posted February 25, 2009 Report Posted February 25, 2009 Also worth mentioning just how great his book on '70s contemporary UK jazz 'Music Outside' is (recently replublished by Northway Books). Written with true insight and not a wasted page in it. Quote
GA Russell Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Very sorry to read this. I have two Nucleus albums, a Best of compilation which I think is called Smash Hits (maybe not) and the later In Flagrante Delicto. That compilation showed that a huge number of greats went through that band. PS - Now I think that the name of the album was Direct Hits. Edited February 26, 2009 by GA Russell Quote
sidewinder Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 PS - Now I think that the name of the album was Direct Hits. 'Direct Hits' it is. Quote
JohnS Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 More sad news. Saw him a lot in my younger days. Quote
Jazzjet Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 A great shame. A true pioneer in British jazz and I shall remember him most for the Rendell/Carr group which really cemented my love of jazz. Quote
blind-blake Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 I love those albums with Rendell, too. Very sad. Quote
sidewinder Posted February 26, 2009 Report Posted February 26, 2009 Thinking about it, I've got the feeling that Ian was in the lineup for George Russell's 75th performance at the Barbican, which was probably the only time I ever saw him live. Must have been one of his last performances - and that was 5+ years ago. Quote
sidewinder Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Times obituary here: Ian Carr Obituary Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 1, 2009 Report Posted March 1, 2009 As I mentioned earlier, Nucleus were never great favourites of mine (I recall seeing them around '74 at Reading University - intrigued me but I wasn't really ready for jazz then). But I ordered this last weekend by chance, after hearing it on JRR, and it's a cracker: I suspect the studio albums don't do themselves justice as they were limited to quite short tracks. Here the band can stretch and change pace mid song just like the Miles records of the era. I'll want to explore some of the other live albums that have come out in recent years. Quote
Jazzjet Posted March 2, 2009 Report Posted March 2, 2009 As I mentioned earlier, Nucleus were never great favourites of mine (I recall seeing them around '74 at Reading University - intrigued me but I wasn't really ready for jazz then). But I ordered this last weekend by chance, after hearing it on JRR, and it's a cracker: I suspect the studio albums don't do themselves justice as they were limited to quite short tracks. Here the band can stretch and change pace mid song just like the Miles records of the era. I'll want to explore some of the other live albums that have come out in recent years. I got this one a little while back and, you're right, its a good one. Some good musicians in that band. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted March 2, 2009 Report Posted March 2, 2009 I need to get the Cuneiform disc with Ray Russell. I imagine it's pretty wild. The Rendell/Carr material is, of course, my preferred outlet for Carr's work. Quote
sidewinder Posted March 22, 2009 Report Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) A very good, albeit brief, audio tribute to Ian here on BBC's 'Last Word' radio programme. About 5 minutes in. Some fabulous musical snippets too - Rendell/Carr's first 'Shades Of Blue' LP, 'Nosegay' by Nucleus etc. BBC Radio 4 Ian Carr Tribute Edited March 22, 2009 by sidewinder Quote
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