Mike Westbrook

[T.D.]

Recently heard my first Westbrook recordings, On Duke's Birthday and Westbrook-Rossini. Greatly enjoyed them and would like to explore more.

Looking for recommendations, preferably of releases with some chance of US availability. Thanks. Didn't see many prior threads on MW.

[HutchFan]

T.D.,

My favorite Mike Westbrook recordings -- along with the two that you mention above -- are both from the early 70s:  Metropolis and Citadel/Room 315.

Metropolis is readily available on CD in the U.S.  BGO has reissued it. 

Citadel isn't so easy to find, but I would definitely recommend searching for it.   It's worth it!

Just to whet your appetite, here it is on YT:

 

[T.D.]

Thanks! I'd already seen good reports on Metropolis.

The studio recording of Citadel/Room 315 is indeed hard to find, but a recent release of an earlier live recording is available and looks promising:

Edited August 28, 2020 by T.D.

[mjazzg]

That's a lot better than "promising". If it is easily available to you, grab it

[sidewinder]

Although the Swedish performance of ‘Citadel’ is good, I’m not a great fan of the sound, which is a bit on the thin side. Prefer the studio version - the BGO issue is worth searching for.

[David Ayers]

4 hours ago, sidewinder said:

Although the Swedish performance of ‘Citadel’ is good, I’m not a great fan of the sound, which is a bit on the thin side. Prefer the studio version - the BGO issue is worth searching for.

Have you heard the new reissue? I’m hoping the sound is at least ok...

[sidewinder]

8 minutes ago, David Ayers said:

Have you heard the new reissue? I’m hoping the sound is at least ok...

Yes, I have the Swedish recording on vinyl. It’s fine but my personal preference is the original studio version in the BGO CD reissue. I prefer the latter to my RCA LP version.

Music-wise all are excellent. I think Surman plays better on the studio version. In fact, it is one of his best performances IMO.

Even 10 years ago the BGO was hard to find. I chanced on a good second hand copy in a shop and even then it wasn’t cheap.

Mike W.’s current Orchestra has been featuring numbers from this title in concerts over the past few years. 

Edited August 28, 2020 by sidewinder

[David Ayers]

5 minutes ago, sidewinder said:

Yes, I have the Swedish recording on vinyl. It’s fine but my personal preference is the original studio version in the BGO CD reissue. I prefer the latter to my RCA LP version.

Music-wise all are excellent. I think Surman sounds better on the studio version.

Even 10 years ago the BGO was hard to find. I chanced on a good second hand copy in a shop and even then it wasn’t cheap.

Cool. I’ve ordered the CD so fingers crossed. 

[sidewinder]

2 minutes ago, David Ayers said:

Cool. I’ve ordered the CD so fingers crossed. 

BGO or the recent recording?

Both very good really so you won’t be disappointed either way.

Edited August 28, 2020 by sidewinder

[David Ayers]

2 minutes ago, sidewinder said:

BGO or the recent recording?

Both very good really so you won’t be disappointed either way.

The recent one. Sampled and ordered via Bandcamp. 

[sidewinder]

15 hours ago, T.D. said:

Recently heard my first Westbrook recordings, On Duke's Birthday and Westbrook-Rossini. Greatly enjoyed them and would like to explore more.

Looking for recommendations, preferably of releases with some chance of US availability. Thanks. Didn't see many prior threads on MW.

Both of those are excellent too. Mike’s site was offering the Hat CD of Rossini (Swiss radio version I think) a while ago for £5, which was a bargain. Both the live version of the Rossini and the radio version are great.

I have ‘On Duke’s Birthday’ on a 2LP set and that is very good too.

Calling resident Westbrook experts Chris-T and Jazzscriven for further pointers....

6 minutes ago, David Ayers said:

The recent one. Sampled and ordered via Bandcamp. 

Good move !

This recent archival 2CD release also captures some fine performances in excellent sound and with a good cross-section of his and Kate’s work, including stuff from ‘Citadel’.

Edited August 28, 2020 by sidewinder

[T.D.]

Thanks!

Any opinions on this one (or earlier releases of same)? Early (c. 1969), but appears to be something I'd like.

[sidewinder]

13 minutes ago, T.D. said:

Thanks!

Any opinions on this one (or earlier releases of same)? Early (c. 1969), but appears to be something I'd like.

A classic of its kind ! Excellent Turtle Records release of the Deram LPs, in good sound. Plus additional tracks !

Edited August 28, 2020 by sidewinder

[mjazzg]

16 minutes ago, sidewinder said:

A classic of its kind ! Excellent Turtle Records release of the Deram LPs, in good sound. Plus additional tracks !

+1 👍🏼

[T.D.]

Thanks everyone. I went for Metropolis, the Swedish Citadel and the Turtle Marching Song + reissue. All in stock from US vendor.

[mjazzg]

Lots of great music in that selection. Enjoy them.

I'm listening to the RCA LP of Citadel now having just listened to the Swedish version and ordered a reissue of Metropolis, all because of your original post so thank you!

Edited August 28, 2020 by mjazzg

[jazzscriveyn]

On 28/08/2020 at 2:11 PM, sidewinder said:

Both of those are excellent too. Mike’s site was offering the Hat CD of Rossini (Swiss radio version I think) a while ago for £5, which was a bargain. Both the live version of the Rossini and the radio version are great.

I have ‘On Duke’s Birthday’ on a 2LP set and that is very good too.

Calling resident Westbrook experts Chris-T and Jazzscriven for further pointers....

Good move !

This recent archival 2CD release also captures some fine performances in excellent sound and with a good cross-section of his and Kate’s work, including stuff from ‘Citadel’.

On 28/08/2020 at 2:11 PM, sidewinder said:

...
Calling resident Westbrook experts Chris-T and Jazzscriven for further pointers....

 

Hiya Bob & all,

Sorry for being late to the party, I haven't been to this forum for a year (terrible workload on the job).

Mike and Kate have posted weekly videos over the past year on therir own website. All are still avaible online. I'm sure you have noticed those and found out what you like.

My favourite among Mike's three solo albums is "Starcross Bridge".

I also recommend Mike's early album LIVE (re-issued on CD a couple of years ago as "LIVE 1972")

[sidewinder]

Hi Frank !

Thanks for the reminder on the videos. I need to check more of those out. The ‘Starcross’ CD too. I have the LIVE and need to give it another listen.

Hopefully some more SW UK Westbrook gigs in 2022 when things have calmed down a bit. Stay safe !

Edited November 27, 2021 by sidewinder

[T.D.]

Thanks for the info. Will check out Starcross Bridge.

I really enjoyed the 3-CD Turtle reissue of Marching Song. Purchased Catania a few months later. Just recently ordered The Cortege, but it hasn't arrived yet.

[jazzscriveyn]

1 hour ago, T.D. said:

Thanks for the info. Will check out Starcross Bridge.

I really enjoyed the 3-CD Turtle reissue of Marching Song. Purchased Catania a few months later. Just recently ordered The Cortege, but it hasn't arrived yet.

On 28/08/2020 at 2:11 PM, sidewinder said:

 

"The Cortège" indeed another must-have

My first live experience of the Westbrook Universe in 1996 near my home town: "Off Abbey Road" 
 

[T.D.]

On 11/27/2021 at 5:31 PM, jazzscriveyn said:

"The Cortège" indeed another must-have

My first live experience of the Westbrook Universe in 1996 near my home town: "Off Abbey Road" 
 

Just received The Cortège...it's outstanding.

[sidewinder]

7 hours ago, T.D. said:

Just received The Cortège...it's outstanding.

I’ve got a copy of the LP set - good excuse to dig it out.

 

[sidewinder]

Up for this thread and the TV broadcast of ‘Original Peter’ by the BBC from 1970, with the Concert Jazz Band plus Norma Winstone. Totally bonkers but great !

Original Peter 1970

Where else can you see a Dave Holdsworth trumpet solo backed by a Punch and Judy show punch-up !

[Michael]

I've got this one on hand, with book if I can locate.  Pm if interested.