This was the type of music I ignored in times of yore. It was left to my slightly more intelligent brother to appreciate. You know the one. He went on to listen to Steely Dan when you were still extolling the virtues of Focus and Crimson. You had no idea how right he was in terms of longevity and legacy. Of course he was right. That’s why I was referred to as the ‘oik’.
At the right time, in the right place, drinking the right cup of mead who doesn’t like a bit of jazz? Released in 1956 it mainly contains live tracks from 1952 and track A2 recorded in 1955. No idea why they slotted the 1955 one in here, but they are all remarkable quality given how it must have been to record live music way back then. Mono throughout it does not take away from the gloss and sheen of ultimate performers of the jazz world.
I profess to know nothing about Jazz and I enjoyed this. So if, like me, you just want a toe in the water I would suggest there is no better place to start. It may just open that cupboard door for you to a whole new world…
