Just won a couple of eBay auctions and paid £18 inc postage for three excellent Dexter Gordon Steeplechase recordings. Swiss Nights 1&2 complete the trio of recordings from the 1975 Zurich Jazz festival and Bouncin’ with Dex is another Quartet recording from the same period
Dexter Gordon - Swiss Nights Vol 1, Steeplechase (1980)
Also bought tickets to see Mr Cole on his forthcoming Autumn tour.
Lloyd Cole (and also with The Commotions) has been a long standing favourite for both my best mate (my wife) and myself. We’ve seen him live quite a few times over the many years, back to the 80’s, etc.
A lot of his solo material is great, simpler arrangements, mostly acoustic. The joy of this latest album is that he is playing material with a band again. It’s brilliant. So, we’re really looking forward to the concert. We already know it’s split into two sets : (1) acoustic ; (2) electric band, etc. And the band includes two former colleagues from the Commotions. We can’t wait for the concert date.
In a fit of self indulgence a few months ago that I’ve felt a bit foolish about ever since, I ordered 4 of the new DG Original Source issues ( Trout, Abbado, Ozawa and Gilels Sonatas) from the DG website.
I’d previously bought the Kleiber 7th and the Brahms Concertos which were worth the great expense, so I had egged myself on a bit
This morning upon opening the post I can feel another 30% more foolish. This didn’t happen with my earlier order, so I guess the total cost of this order crossed a HMC value threshold that I wasn’t aware of. Ouch.
Thad Jones - Detroit - New York Junction, BN/TMR (2023)
Again a beautiful spot varnished, tip on jacket.
I believe this mono recording from 1955 isn’t a RVG recording and it isn’t as excellent the Electric Byrd it is though still very good and very listenable.
The leads and solos are all recorded a bit ‘hot’ which is actually fine on my P8 but might be a problem for some.
It is though a definite keeper which I’m also very pleased to own.
Kenny Cox and The Contemporary Jazz Quintet - Multidirectional, BN/TMR (2023)
A word on the music first which I much prefer to the ‘Introducing’ title released on the BN Classic Series it’s exceptional and some of the best more ‘traditional’ Jazz from the late 60’s that I’ve heard.
Again beautiful cover and flat reasonably quiet vinyl. Sounds excellent and again a real keeper.
Just a word on the mastering by Warren Defever on the three records above that I own he’s done an excellent job he is someone I’d never heard of before this series but hats off.
All remastered from the original tapes and I think I read somewhere overseen by Don Was though I can’t 100% confirm that.
These were all the black vinyl variants and though I’ve read negative reviews on the SHF I couldn’t be happier with the three I have direct from TMR U.K.
What a fantastic sound on this one. Great performance of every musician. One of the best Tone Poets! Had it on my list and got it finally when the price was dropping. An absolute must have
My limited vinyl collection dates from 70/80s, with newer special editions.
These two albums were ones I wanted back in 70/80s, but never did.
I’ve followed these two on discogs and eBay for years. Reluctant to buy without seeing and worried about condition.
Took the plunge last week and pleasantly surprised. Both were dusty and have cleaned up well. No scratches or major pops/clicks. The Kit Hain one sounds more crackle clear, the Burlesque one has more present crackles, but hey they are way better than I expected. Very happy.