Good Morning England

another jazz blog from Geoff with not a lot of NEW jazz or LIVE jazz to talk about.

But I have found things of interest from the past. Some of that past has been my collection, and some of the past has been a record companies collection!

First during the weekend I pulled something from my collection. 

Some time ago I talked about the Rolling Stone’s drummer Charlie Watts and his Big Band recording made at Ronnie Scotts (Watts at Scott’s) in 2004. 

He was after all a lifelong jazz fan. 

I knew he had made a recording at Fulham Town Hall in 1986, as I have the LP (!) and I had transcribed it to CD some years ago for easy storage, so I pulled and played it.

It isn’t the greatest recording, but it’s one of the biggest big bands I have ever come across with 31 in “The Band”. With so many to organise the sound does get a bit messy, but do have a listen (see below). There are some of the UK’s most unrepresented players on this including Annie Whitehead on trombone, and also some of the UK’s very best players too, like Stan Tracy as the piano player. One of the players amongst the throng has also played at Hedsor, saxophonist Willie Garnet.

Willie with Charlie Watts

The late Ken Rankine and Willie were great friends and Willie sat in during one of our Christmas parties.

The recording was released by CBS in 1986, see

https://www.discogs.com/The-Charlie-Watts-Orchestra-Live-At-Fulham-Town-Hall/release/1126702

The event was also filmed and broadcast by the BBC, and that is available on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAU2SSZPiqs

Its pretty low res, but as a piece of history, and as you may have some spare time, do take a look.

The other find was that of a record company that is still in business, but is also having a sale.

Do take a look at https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/products.php?cat=377

a small sample of their offerings

You will see that they have a pretty interesting selection of jazz recordings for you to indulge yourself with. Dig a little into their selection and you will find that many are on sale for only 99 pence. Post and packing will add £2 but if you buy more than one that price should drop.

One of the CD’s I have ordered was of Radio Luxembourg’s 208 Rhythm Club recordings from broadcast made in 1961 by the early Chris Barber Band with, again, Ottile Patterson. 

These recordings were actually made in London by Landsowne Records and their producer Denis Preston who made many of the early LP recordings by both Chris Barber, Alex Welsh and Kenny Baker on the Nixa “Jazz Today” label. If you look at the Dutton catalogue closely you will find many of them here (or should that he “there”?)

If you brows what Dutton Vocalion do have, you are bound to find some things you might like (and can afford!), and no, I’m not on commission! 

Well, enough for now. 

I think it is clear from the current state of the pandemic that an early return to any sort of sociability, let alone live jazz, does appear to be months away. Do let me know what you are doing to swage the pangs of the reduction in jazz intake. Try emailing me at  Octogeoff@outlook.com 

Stay safe, if you get bored try growing lerts!