thanks for this incredible post Harry. I have just recently discovered Stan Tracey and I am now obsessed. the only pianist that approaches Thelonious Monk. I will check out your other posts. cheers bud.
This piece is called Parson Folds, it is one movement from Stan's 1981 work, The Crompton Suite. Samuel Crompton was the inventor of the spining-jenny, one of the earliest machines to automate the production of cloth. Parson Folds was (from memory) the colourful priest who oversaw Samuel's wedding to his wife Mary. I remember seeing this broadcast go to air, probably 1981-82. Wonderful and very distinctive solos by Weller, Themen and Surman.
Had the privilege to meet Stan Tracey here in Australia some years ago friendly nice guy and a very inventive muscician. John Surman is playing Baritone sax here look at the size of it listen to the sound as well.
Loving watching these Roy Babbington solos, the way he always kept the energy and drive of it going alone while *also* doing terrifically inventive solo, glissing, doubling up, stops. Remember being blown away by those as a young jazz fan in 1970s & 1980s. And I've been looking for one of his signature moves on video -- around 10.10 when he does a huge gliss of poss an octave maybe from a harmonic? How does he do that, pls help!
Have you worked it out in the two years since you posted your question? I asked Roy the same thing when he used to play in Cambridge fairly frequently and we'd spend the intervals talking basses (I used to play). "I don't tell my students that" he said and then told me. Simple really, play the harmonic, hold down the string, slide finger. I think that's it - I sold my bass and can't check now.
This is great. I saw Don, Art and Clark playing together only a week ago with Mornington Lockett, Critch and Andy Cleyndert making up the sextet, all playing as well as ever
What a great upload, interesting to hear John Surman playing in such a 'straight' context. Missed out on all the Punk rock gigs, never went to a rock concert, spent all my young years going to see people like the above, and Chet and Dexter and Pepper Adams. No regrets.
No, he isn’t! They are all on tenors. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen John on tenor or heard him play it. I’ve seen him in concert countless times, always on soprano and baritone. This is rare, although he does finally solo on baritone. Wonderful as ever!
thank you very much for uploading this rare recording. Do you have also the other 10 minutes with the Stan Tracey 6, that were originally broadcasted? Best regards, Johann
Harry Owen anyway, that's the info I found on the web: Recorded January 26 1983, Band On The Wall, Manchester; first broadcast on “4Up 2Down”, Channel 4 TV, February 4, 1983 Parsons Fold 14:24 Sam Loves Mary Loves Sam 9:29
reuabn Thanks for the information. It's a long time since I listened to 'The Crompton Suite' of which the two pieces form a part. I was at the premiere performance of the suite at Bolton Little Theatre in August 1979. On that occasion Tony Coe and Alan Wakeman performed instead of Don Weller and John Surman.
@@reuabn Would this have been a JCS gig? Certainly, Band on the Wall was the venue that they used for their weekly Manchester gigs in late 70's, early 80's.
John Surman’s recordings made me buy a bari 40 yrs ago. He’s got a Personal voice on bari and soprano
As good as it gets.
thanks for this incredible post Harry. I have just recently discovered Stan Tracey and I am now obsessed. the only pianist that approaches Thelonious Monk. I will check out your other posts. cheers bud.
This piece is called Parson Folds, it is one movement from Stan's 1981 work, The Crompton Suite. Samuel Crompton was the inventor of the spining-jenny, one of the earliest machines to automate the production of cloth. Parson Folds was (from memory) the colourful priest who oversaw Samuel's wedding to his wife Mary. I remember seeing this broadcast go to air, probably 1981-82. Wonderful and very distinctive solos by Weller, Themen and Surman.
From my memory, Samuel Cromptoon invented the Water Frame that built on the Spinning Jenny invented by James Hargreaves.
Had the privilege to meet Stan Tracey here in Australia some years ago friendly nice guy and a very inventive muscician. John Surman is playing Baritone sax here look at the size of it listen to the sound as well.
Loving watching these Roy Babbington solos, the way he always kept the energy and drive of it going alone while *also* doing terrifically inventive solo, glissing, doubling up, stops. Remember being blown away by those as a young jazz fan in 1970s & 1980s. And I've been looking for one of his signature moves on video -- around 10.10 when he does a huge gliss of poss an octave maybe from a harmonic? How does he do that, pls help!
Have you worked it out in the two years since you posted your question? I asked Roy the same thing when he used to play in Cambridge fairly frequently and we'd spend the intervals talking basses (I used to play). "I don't tell my students that" he said and then told me. Simple really, play the harmonic, hold down the string, slide finger. I think that's it - I sold my bass and can't check now.
Beautiful. Long live Stan
This is great. I saw Don, Art and Clark playing together only a week ago with Mornington Lockett, Critch and Andy Cleyndert making up the sextet, all playing as well as ever
What a great upload, interesting to hear John Surman playing in such a 'straight' context. Missed out on all the Punk rock gigs, never went to a rock concert, spent all my young years going to see people like the above, and Chet and Dexter and Pepper Adams. No regrets.
Surman palys tenor and baritone on the recording
Art and Roy both played with Soft Machine.
As good as it gets. I still have a cassette recording from the radio when Crompton Suite was first broadcast. Is Mule Rule anywhere?
Interesting to see John Surman doubling on tenor sax! Thanks for posting this rare stuff. Must be from the late 1970's, or early 1980's I would guess.
Around 1982/83. It was at the start of Channel 4. They had a jazz programme on Friday nights. This is from that series of programmes.
NICE!!!!
Harry Owen, Surman is playing his usual instrument, the baritone saxophone.
No, he isn’t! They are all on tenors. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen John on tenor or heard him play it. I’ve seen him in concert countless times, always on soprano and baritone. This is rare, although he does finally solo on baritone. Wonderful as ever!
I am reviewing Stans life as written by Clark
Does anyone know if this track is on an album?
Yep. Crompton Suite.
John Surman is playing tenor at first but switches to baritone for his solo.
thank you very much for uploading this rare recording. Do you have also the other
10 minutes with the Stan Tracey 6, that were originally broadcasted?
Best regards,
Johann
Hi Johann
Unfortunately I have no more from this set but I have a few other Stan Tracey videos clips still to come.
Harry Owen
anyway, that's the info I found on the web:
Recorded January 26 1983, Band On The Wall, Manchester; first broadcast on “4Up 2Down”, Channel 4 TV, February 4, 1983
Parsons Fold 14:24
Sam Loves Mary Loves Sam 9:29
reuabn Thanks for the information. It's a long time since I listened to 'The Crompton Suite' of which the two pieces form a part. I was at the premiere performance of the suite at Bolton Little Theatre in August 1979. On that occasion Tony Coe and Alan Wakeman performed instead of Don Weller and John Surman.
@@reuabn Would this have been a JCS gig? Certainly, Band on the Wall was the venue that they used for their weekly Manchester gigs in late 70's, early 80's.