WHAT'S ON: Martin Taylor's Freternity, with Guy Barker, David Newton and singer Alison Burns, is at the Gala, Durham on Saturday 0191-332 4041.
CD REVIEWS: George Melly with Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen/Farewell Blues (Lake LACD250) What else could you call this final session by the inimitable George Melly? Having been told he had only until July to live, George announced he wanted to make one last album, and this is it.
Despite his illness it's a remarkably vigorous recording with some supportive work, particularly from Digby Fairweather on trumpet, Julian Marc Stringle on clarinet and alto sax and pianist Craig Milverton. It's interspersed with four brief and amusing readings from his autobiographies, and a nice little bonus at the very end.
Luis Russell/Saratoga Shout (Living Era CD AJA 5658) 25 recordings from 1929- 1934 by one of the most exciting bands of the period. Mainstays include Red Allen, Albert Nicholas, Charlie Holmes and JC Higginbotham, the whole thing driven along by Russell on piano, bassist Pops Foster and drummer Paul Barbarin.
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