NEIL ARDLEY, IAN CARR, STAN TRACEY - dble lp WILL POWER

	£		131
	$		173

WILL POWER : compositions of NEIL ARDLEY, IAN CARR, MIKE GIBBS and STAN TRACEY recorded Live at Southwark Cathedral on April 27th 1974 and issued on a double LP – ARGO ZDA 164/5

Artist:          Neil Ardley, Ian Carr, Mike Gibbs, Stan Tracey

Title:            Will Power

Label / Catalogue Number:   Argo ZDA 164/5 Double LP

Condition:     Excellent, virtually new

Sleeve:  Virtually as new; the lamination on front in excellent condition. Clean; straight edges all round, no splits. One very slight storage crease lower right. My camera reflected the light when I photographed the cover - the orb of light isn't there in reality!

Vinyl:   Excellent, pristine and virtually new. No marks on labels or spindle marks.

Personnel:  Includes: Kenny Wheeler - trumpet, flugelhorn; Tony Coe - tenor sax, reeds; Gordon Beck, John Taylor, Stan Tracey - keyboards; Paul Buckmaster - amplified cello; Ron Matthewson bass; Tony Levin, Trevor Tomkins - percussion; Norma Winstone, Pepi Lemer - voices 

Tracks: 

Side One:  Sonnet, composed Mike Gibbs

Side Two:  Shall I coimpare thee; Charade for Bard - both composed by Neil Ardley

Side Three:  Alas Sweet Lady - composed by Stan TraceySiude Four: Will's Birthday Suite - composed by Ian Carr

Recorded:  April 27th 1974, Southwark Cathedral, London

Sleeve notes:  Detailed notes and personnel.

This album is one of the rarest and most important British jazz albums from the early 1970s.  It built on the recently developed high quality individualistically sounding British Modern Jazz scene which had made it clear that British musicians were taking a path as exciting as their American counterparts, but with a very different “stamp” to it. Copies of this double lp are seldom seen for sale, especially in this virtually new condition.

The music is wonderfully lyrical, totally original and unique in it’s sound – it is one of the most enjoyable jazz performances of the period, and I am sorry to say that it is rarely matched in today’s jazz world. This double lp is the original stereo issue, now greatly sought after by collectors. 

Will Power was specially commissioned for performance at the 1974 Shakespeare tercentenary celebrations at a concert at Southwark Cathedral (close to the site of the Globe Theatre). The music came from four top jazz bandleaders and composers, Neil Ardley, Mike Gibbs, Stan Tracey and Ian Carr – all, with the possible exception of Ian Carr, writers with considerable experience of composing for larger jazz orchestras as well as small-group work. In fact, this group was of mid-size, twelve musicians in total.

The laminated cover is in virtually as new condition, with no damage or tears.(There is a slight storage crease on the top right of the front cover, and bottom right of the rear cover).  The labels in red with silver writing, numbers Argo ZDA.164 and ZDA.165: there are no spindle marks. The Matrix numbers are ZRG4125 and 4126 on lp1, ZRG4127 and 4128 on lp2.

The playing surface looks to be as new, certainly in excellent condition, although the album has not been played for many years as I do not have any equipment of my own other than a cd player.  Like all my jazz collection, the album was acquired new. It has been carefully stored over the years has always been played very carefully. That siad, because I was lucky enough to have had a large record collection, it did not get many plays.  Some tracks  have been played on BBC turntables (see below) so the album is obviously in very good condition.  I am not a record dealer so am not qualified to go into the grading details.  Visually, the playing surface looks fine with no noticeable scratches or bumps. Any slight surface noise would only be likely to be audible in the quietest sections. Most of the tracks have only been played two or three times in total.  I am sure you will be very pleased with how this record plays – the surface looks clean and new. I have sold most of my collection now and have been told, in every case so far, that the vinyl should be described as excellent in every way.

The musicians in this band, and this lp, have special

meaning for me, so it is with considerable regret that I have decided to sell it along with the rest of my treasured lp collection (I have no means of playing my lps any more).  I presented Ian Carr (with Don Rendell) whilst in the jazz club at Leicester University, After university I was lucky enough to get my own jazz programme on Britain’s first local radio station where I was involved in presenting the Mike Gibbs Orchestra and we recorded a half hour set from Norma Winstone at the County Arms, Blaby on October 21st 1974 which we broadcast on December 9th 1974. This LP was played at least once on BBC Radio Leicester’s weekly “Jazz Corner”.

The Musicians Union limited the amount of airtime available to the programme and this was a permanent headache in an hour long broadcast. However, records could be played outside the time allocation if the music was “illustrative”, for example if there was a forthcoming concert by a group, or a studio guest was illustrating his career. It was in this way that I was able to use “Will Power” on my programme.

BBC Radio Leicester was the first local radio station in the United Kingdom. It was launched on November 8th 1967 as the first of a group of eight experimental FM only local radio stations: the experiment worked, and many more local radio stations soon followed.

The “Jazz Corner” programme was launched in the summer of 1968. The first programme was called “Jazz Quarter” because it last for 15 minutes, but this was extended to 20 minutes by the second programme.  Subsequently, it was soon broadcasting for an hour each time, sometimes even longer.  The programme continued for about 10 years, playing a mixture of jazz and blues, with an emphasis on contemporary jazz. More recently, the only jazz programme on BBC local radio in the East Midlands is syndicated around many stations, and has an emphasis on mainstream, swing and trad jazz – so there is no longer an opportunity to hear contemporary and avant garde jazz regularly on radio in the area.

The record will be packed very carefully to ensure it travels well in the post, and sent out by first class post in Britain free of charge, or by airmail if going to Europe for £5-00 and America/Japan/rest of the world for £7-50.  Insurance can be discussed at the time of purchase if required.

Recent copies of this album have sold on ebay for upwards of £140 so here is an opportuynity to pick up a real rarity.

As I am selling my jazz lp collection you might like to have a look at my other items.  In particular, I am currently offering the equally rare "Jazz Praises" limited issue lp from the Michael Garrick Sextet, with a rarely offered bonus synopsis. I am not dealer, purely a private jazz enthusiast who has loved jazz for the last 45 years.  

Good luck with your bidding!

p.s. You might enjoy listening to the live streaming from New Orleans jazz and blues non-commercial radio station (i.e. no adverts, genuine presenters, 24 hours a day) on www.wwoz.org