Shelly Manne @ The Blackhawk.

Yesterday, as is my oft-time wont, I wandered lonely as a cloud in to South Shields' Market Place. After perusing the stalls I drifted out on a cloud clutching a piece of circular vinyl inside a square, cardboard envelope that had a design of some artistic merit on the front. It also had the words inscribed - "SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN AT THE BLACK HAWK 1".

You've guessed it - it was a long playing record recorded in 1959 at the Black Hawk in San Francisco and featuring Shelly Manne (dms), Monty Budwig (bs), Victor Feldman (pno), Joe Gordon (tpt) and Richie Kamuca (ten).

A gem! And at only a quid, a bargain into the bargain.

Homeward bound, I took my seat on the Metro and perused the sleeve notes. As I read my jaw dropped and joy was replaced with sadness.

The reason for this change of mood? This was volume 1 and there were 3 other volumes which I didn't have - I'm a stickler for completeness.

The sadness increased when I played the disc. I wallowed in Joe Gordon's trumpet sound; so rich, so full and, even today, so modern. Richie Kamuca - a little bit of Lester Young and a whole lot of Richie. We've posted on Richie before and he is at his best here. Vic Feldman, great piano, Budwig sound and Shelly as good as they ever had on the West Coast.

Then it finished and I was left to dream and wish that I had the other 3 volumes. Would you believe but that, in my dreams, that new recruit to the angelic choir, Chris Connor, whispered in my ear?

"Try Spotify" she said.

You know what? All four volumes are on good old Spotty plus a volume 5!

Thank you Chris.

Lance.

PS: Okay, so maybe I'm romancing a little. I'll come clean and admit that Chris Connor didn't talk to me in my dreams.

PPS: It was Anita O' Day.