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brian36170.bsky.social
British living in Indre, France with my wife and best friend, (that's one person, just to be clear). Music - especially jazz - obsessive. 🇪🇺🇬🇧🇨🇵🎸🍷
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#JazzSky #DukeEllington #JazzMusic Johnny Hodges was such an integral part of the Ellington sound. Altoist Owen Broder pays heartfelt tribute on these two enjoyable records.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

#80sMusic #RockMusic #ChrisRea Chris Rea has an admirable body of work but these three albums released consecutively in the mid-1980s are exceptional.

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #JazzMusic #BarryManilow Recorded in a single take, this LP was undoubtedly more important to Mr Manilow than to his regular audience. Duets with Sarah Vaughan and Mel Tormé plus Gerry Mulligan, Billy Mays, Shelly Manne and Mundell Lowe. A superb late night CD.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #JazzMusic #Jazz Two more favourites from the Naxos label. I've posted before on my admiration for Jackie Allen and pianist Bill Cunliffe was a regular on this label. Both are excellent albums.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #NowPlaying #Jazz I was a great fan of the Naxos budget jazz label years ago and bought many excellent CDs by renowned sidemen seizing the opportunity to front their own albums. This is typical - solid performances, straight down the middle. An excellent jazz record by any measure.

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #FrenchMusic #Jazz #NowPlaying #France Zaz is a brilliant French singer, songwriter and performer. This album celebrates the capital and its joie-de-vivre with real jazz chops. A life-affirming gem my favourite chanteuse française.

submitted 24 days ago • 2 comments

#JazzBigBand #JazzSky #Jazz Every big band leader conjures up their own sound from essentially the same range of instruments. Maria Schneider is one of the most distinctive and this is a bravura album full of originality and full-on swing.

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

#SundayJazz #NowPlaying #JazzSky #Jazz These two Paris Concert albums, although very late in his career, show yet again Bill Evans' unparalleled sensitivity. However, on the uptempo numbers, along with Marc Johnson and Joe Labarbera, he was still firing on all cylinders.

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

#NowPlaying #JazzSky #JazzMusic #CharlieHaden A fine tribute to the great bassist and composer from some European admirers. A terrific jazz record in its own right.

submitted 39 days ago • 1 comment

#JazzSky #BigBandJazz #PatMetheny This is a delightful CD by Bob Curnow. Sophisticated arrangements of the Metheny/Mays canon with superb players like Bobby Shew in the band. Recommended.

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

#70sMusic #NowSpinning #Music After Paul Kossoff's death in 1976 Back Street Crawler shortened their name and, with Geoff Whitehorn as new lead guitar, produced this superb album.

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #JazzMusic #Jazz Michael Brecker was phenomenal no matter on whose records he played. This one is a favourite, lush orchestrations by Claus Ogerman plus the mighty Steve Gadd, Marcus Miller and Buzz Feiten. An almost classical feel to the whole piece.

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #NowPlaying I've posted this one before to a tsunami of indifference but it really is a great jazz record! The Penguin Guide to Jazz said, "Some of these pieces are as close to perfection as any duet record can get". Warren Vaché and Bill Charlap on top form.

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

#JazzSky #Jazz #StephaneGrappelli I have many Grappelli records but this remains a favourite. The British pianist Alan Clare was the perfect accompanist on these duets. In particular, every second of "The Nearness Of You" is utter perfection from both men. A glorious album.

submitted 51 days ago • 0 comments

#70sMusic #NowPlaying Did anyone else have this LP? I bought on release in '73 and have always enjoyed its unshowy, well written and expertly performed songs. Not earthshaking, just a competently executed and enjoyable record.

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments