Just a quick Nag today, to let you know that our guest at The Hedsor Social Club on Thursday will be Simon Spillett. He is also featured this month in an article in the Jazz Uk Gig Guide, copies of which should also be available on Thursday. The article is about rising young talent, and its good to know that others now know what we have found out by ourselves!! If YOU haven't found out about him yet, do come along to Hedsor tomorrow! Its still only £3 to get in, and yes, it is still a raffle ticket to get out!

A quick update on Mike Wills. He is still recovering gently at home, the pacemaker is doing its job, and he is due to see a specialist at The Radcliffe sometime soon! He did try a quick blow of his clarinet, but after about 1 minute he gave up! A bit more recovery time (and cardiac rehab exercise) before he can play properly. Patience is a virtue (but I don't seem to have acquired that one yet!).

I'm probably like you, still recovering from the Christmas and New Year activities, but I have been reminded of some Louis Armstrong sessions from a while back.

A friend asked me if I had both the LA All-stars New York Town Hall and Boston Symphony Hall concerts on CD, as they have just been released as a package on the Definitive label, as an import, for about 19 €. As it happens I do already have them, but the enquiry reminded me of the marvellous music they contain. Both these concerts were recorded live in 1947, long before Hi Fi, Stereo, or LP's. And if you think of Louis as a bit "Uncle Tom" grab a listen to these. He was at the top of his playing form, he had wonderful support from Jack Teagarden on trombone, Barney Bigard (in Boston) or Peanuts Hucko on clarinet, Dick Cary on piano, Big Sid Catlett on drums and Arvil Shaw (Boston) or Bob Haggart on bass. The New York set was rehearsed by Bobby Hackett, who stayed behind to play in the gig on Cornet.

The acetates have cleaned up remarkably, and if you want to learn was loose swing is all about, grab for this set. Rockin Chair, Back of Town Blues, Big Butter and Egg Man and about 3 dozen others. The title of Butter and Egg Man refers to the lady singers desire to have a "Big Butter and Egg Man" as a sponsor for all her activities. After all, it would mean he was a rich farmer!!

So, from this impoverished jazz lover,

TTFN

Geoff C

PS
I'm just off to see the Sound Of Music, honest. Curtesy of our lovely daughter-in-law.