RIP Mike Westbrook. Another of the greats has left us.
Reggio Emilia Italy, in the Nineties.
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One of my favourite Jazz pieces - Metropolis Part IX. Farewell Mike and thanks for the music.
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A great and creative musical life - his gigs will be long remembered and new projects from him will be missed. More appreciated outside the UK than in it I fear but very much appreciated by his fans as totally dedicated to the music.
He was still gigging until recently - although frail he was clearly enjoying every minute and directing things from the electric piano. I caught what must be the final ‘Band of Bands’ performance in Torquay last December.
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A while ago I picked up this two for one in Fopp. Not sure if it was the price, the cover or the fact that Chris Spedding played on the first album.
As the girl in the car says “Mm Mike your solid gold cadillac is just out of this world”
To which Mike Westbrook replies “Yeah Baby”
Two of his best albums.
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Wow! £144 on Amazon!!
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Now that is a nice piece of music! Shut yer eyes, and just let it waft over you!
So it just had to be bought!
(With an excess of !!! 
)
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Wow indeed! I think I paid £1 for it. But that was in the days when Fopp did deals like that.
I think it must have been the price that enticed me.
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I heard the track Oh! Darling on Radio 4 Jazz Record Request a year or so ago.
Instant purchase. Phil Minton’s vocals are a knockout.
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That was the last Band Of Bands gig in Torquay. Mike did one more gig in December at Blackheath in London. The final performance in his lifetime of Glad Day. We have an announcement about Mike on the Westbrookjazz website https://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/
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Thanks Chris - I had hoped to make the Blake concert in London but sadly couldn’t make it. The Torquay gig was pretty memorable.
Incidentally, as with Lyme Regis a year earlier I took some photos at the Torquay gig so if you, Kate/family or band are interested in seeing them I could forward copies on.
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I paid £2 I think - at Fopp too. Obviously I was fleeced !
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So much great and varied music over so many years. Last seen with the Uncommon Orchestra doing his Duke tribute in May 2022 at Cheltenham. Lots of longstanding players like Alan Wakeman & Chris Biscoe plus the Mrs and Minton. Great (and rather late) night.
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Please do, I think you know the westbrookjazz email address?
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Yep, no problem. May take a few days for me to get time to upload.
It will be fine whenever you can manage it. 
Not sure what Mike would have thought about this broadcast in his later years but I think it is brilliant. With the ‘Love Songs’ band lineup.
I’m pretty sure I caught this by chance on BBC circa 1971 as a nipper. Obviously affected my brain ! Produced by Tony Staveacre I think.
Dave Holdsworth soloing with Punch & Judy. Incredible !
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Thanks for the photos. Some good ones there which I will pass on to Kate. I tried to reply by email but it bounced back saying mailbox full.
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Got the response, thanks.
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Heads up for anyone interested - the Poliakoff ‘Caught On A Train’ drama with Mike’s atmospheric soundtrack is getting a rare rebroadcast on BBC4 this Wed 6th May at 10pm.
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Coincidentally, on the same day as his funeral.
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