Record Reviews

ALEXIS KORNER ~ EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES: THE SIXTIES ANTHOLOGY GRAPEFRUIT 048 (Barcode: 5013929184800) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1961 - 1969 Released: 2018 This is a wonderful Box Set which presents on 3 CDs a retrospective anthology of the recordings made during the 1960s by guitarist / pianist / vocalist / songwriter / bandleader Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist, the Godfather of British Blues. Spanning the entire decade, these recordings were made with a plethora of British Blues, Rock and Jazz musicians, reading like a who´s who of the British Blues / Blues-Rock / Rock And Roll / Blues-Jazz and early Jazz-Rock Fusion, comprising of dozens of names, which passed through Korner´s legendary group Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist. As bizarre as it might appear, Korner was a white Jewish boy, born in Paris, who arrived in the UK in 1940, escaping the Nazi persecution, and who in time almost singlehandedly reanimated the interest in the Blues on the local British scene, leading to a phenomenon called the British Blues Revival, which started by the mid-1950s and literally exploded by the mid-1960s, when it became the British Blues Boom. In retrospect this musical idiom proved to be one of the most fundamental cornerstones of British Rock, later spreading also to the European continent. Korner´s charismatic personality and influence were a decisive factor leading to the formation of such musical icons as Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, FreeFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist and countless others. The material collected in this Box Set was available over the years on dozens scattered releases: LPs, singles, EPs, collections, etc. many previously never available on CD. Korner´s recorded legacy suffers from inconsistency and neglect and this Box Set is the first of its kind attempt to present the music in a coherent and logical configuration, showing the incredible diversity and the great talent of Korner as a musicians, songwriter and bandleader. The 3 CDs offer altogether sixty nine tracks, which are a comprehensive picture of Korner´s activity during the 1960s. Korner continued his career until his untimely death in 1984. Overall the Box Set is full of magnificent music, presented in chronological order by date of recording, which in an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. All the recordings were beautifully remastered and offer a first class listening experience. The Box Set includes an extensive booklet written by David WellsFind albums by this artist, which is informative and well researched, a true model for what all releases of this kind should offer those who buy the product. Absolutely essential to all British Blues connoisseurs!

Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 16/02/2019

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

ALEXIS KORNER’S BLUES INCORPORATED ~ BBC SESSIONS VOL.1 1962-1965 RHYTHM AND BLUES 097 (Barcode: 5060331753742) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1962 - 1965 Released: 2024 This is an archival album, which presents recordings by Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist’s Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist, made in early 1960s by guitarist / pianist / vocalist / songwriter / bandleader Alexis Korner, the Godfather of British Blues. These recordings were made with a plethora of British Blues, Rock and Jazz musicians, reading like a who´s who of the British Blues / Blues-Rock / Rock And Roll / Jazz and early Jazz-Rock Fusion, comprising of dozens of names, which passed through Korner´s legendary group over time. As bizarre as it might appear, Korner was a white Jewish boy, born in Paris, who arrived in the UK in 1940, escaping the Nazi persecution, and who in time almost singlehandedly reanimated the interest in the Blues on the local British scene, leading to a phenomenon called the British Blues Revival, which started by the mid-1950s and literally exploded by the mid-1960s, when it became the British Blues Boom. In retrospect this musical idiom proved to be one of the most fundamental cornerstones of British Rock, later spreading also to the European continent. Korner´s charismatic personality and influence were a decisive factor leading to the formation of such musical icons as Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, FreeFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, ColosseumFind albums by this artist and countless others. Korner continued his career until his untimely death in 1984. The material collects recordings from six different sessions, a total of twenty-four tracks. The collective personnel taking part in these recordings includes, alongside Korner, vocalists Cyril DaviesFind albums by this artist, Long John BaldryFind albums by this artist and Herbie GoinsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, Graham BondFind albums by this artist, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, Nigel StangerFind albums by this artist, Brian SmithFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Bernie GeorgeFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Dave StevensFind albums by this artist, Johnny ParkerFind albums by this artist and Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, bassists Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, drummers Charlie WattsFind albums by this artist, Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, Ronnie DunnFind albums by this artist and Terry CoxFind albums by this artist. It does not get any better than this, does it? Overall, this album is full of magnificent music, presented in chronological order by date of recording, which is an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. Although the sound quality of some of the tracks, especially the early ones, is a bit shaky, the importance of the music sets everything aside. This is an absolutely essential release to all British Blues connoisseurs!

Updated: 02/10/2024Posted: 01/10/2024

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ALAN SKIDMORE ~ A SUPREME LOVE CONFRONT 33 (Barcode: 5060446128084) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 - 2019 Released: 2023 This is a colossal career-spanning archival 6CD Box Set by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, which presents recordings between 1961 and 2019, documenting almost six decades of music making by one of British Jazz most prominent figures. Although most of the music was played by ensembles led by Skidmore, it also includes his work with Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist´s Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist, S.O.S.Find albums by this artist and S.O.H.Find albums by this artist trios, UbizoFind albums by this artist, Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist and even Weather ReportFind albums by this artist. Most of the music was composed by Skidmore, but, as the title suggests, a significant portion of it was composed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, with Skidmore admitting to being his devoted disciple. A vast majority of the 46 tracks included in this Box Set are previously unissued. Over the years Skidmore played with the absolute crème de la crème of the modern British Jazz musicians, including John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as many pioneering European and American Jazz musicians. The music is presented chronologically and beautifully illustrates the gradual metamorphosis of Skidmore from Blues and mainstream Jazz player towards more adventurous areas towards the exploration of Free and Avant-Garde Jazz, which occurred by the end of the 1960s. The last two CDs are dedicated to the exploration of the music of John Coltrane, including a live performance at the legendary Café OTO from 2019 on CD6. The music is of course brilliant from start to finish, and the release of this Box Set is a truly festive occasion to hear so much music previously hidden from the public ear, all of which is essential to every true British Jazz fan around the globe. The level of the performances is stellar of course, with Skidmore displaying his amazing technique and passion, which obviously are old news for any British Jazz follower, but appear herein in their full might and splendor. Thank God for the depth of Skidmore’s private archives, which made this Box Set possible, and perhaps those might be reexamined in order to find more of such treasures? Of course thanks to Mark WastellFind albums by this artist, the owner of ConfrontFind albums on this label Recordings, for making this dream come true. Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of British Jazz history, with hours upon hours of brilliant music, which sees the light of day for the first time. It presents the development of the British / European Jazz scene from the perspective of just one of its many heroes, but considering the incredible gathering of musicians who play on these tracks, it becomes way more than just a story of one man, as important as he might be thanks to his own achievements, constituting in fact a reflection of an Era.

Updated: 01/10/2024Posted: 21/06/2023

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JIMMY WITHERSPOON ~ LIVE IN LONDON 1966 RHYTHM AND BLUES 066 (Barcode: 5060331752349) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 1966 Released: 2021 This is an archival album by the American Blues singer Jimmy WitherspoonFind albums by this artist recorded during his visit in London, accompanied by top British Jazz musicians. The album presents twenty tracks, recorded during three separate sessions. The majority (thirteen) of the tracks were recorded at the legendary London pub “The Bulls Head”, with Witherspoon accompanied by the saxophonist Dick MorrisseyFind albums by this artist’s quartet with pianist Harry SouthFind albums by this artist, bassist Phil BatesFind albums by this artist and iconic drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist. On six additional tracks (two of which are instrumentals only) he is accompanied by saxophonist Peter KingFind albums by this artist and the same rhythm section as above. On one tack he is accompanied by the great Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist’s (who plays guitar) Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist with saxophonist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, pianist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry CoxFind albums by this artist. Except for three originals by Witherspoon, all the tracks are Blues / Jazz standards. The music is all a natural mixture of Blues and Jazz, clearly emphasizing the proximity between the two genres. Witherspoon obviously feels very comfortable with his British companions, being used to work with Jazz musicians back home and the Brits are familiar with the repertoire, which altogether makes the music sound completely natural and easy-going. There are no great surprises here, but the album is an excellent example of the diversity of the British Blues boom that exploded by the mid-1960s and declines almost as rapidly just half a decade later. That great movement included Blues, Jazz and early Rock musicians working shoulder to shoulder to create the British Blues, which took the American tradition of the genre a step further, adding a pinch of European aesthetics to the mixture. Overall this is a nice reminder of how the music created by visiting American Blues singers / musicians sounded when they were accompanied by British musicians, which happened quite often at the time. For Blues and British Jazz enthusiasts this is definitely an album worth pursuing.

Updated: 16/07/2021Posted: 16/07/2021

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