SLAMCD2114 Lol Coxhill – Coxhill ’85

Previously unreleased recording of a classic Lol Coxhill solo gig, which sees Lol playing soprano and sopranino saxophones. This album has preserved his informal dialogue during the concert – an important element of any Lol performance.

“Lol Coxhill was a unique entertainer, and this is a unique performance from a musician whose music truly knew no stylistic boundaries. There was no such thing as a typical Coxhill gig. Anything could happen at any time, and frequently did.

Although primarily regarded as a free improvisor, Lol never really fitted in with the improvised music scene. If indeed he drew from this particular musical well, he also drew from many other sources and would introduce these into an improvisation at any point that he felt was appropriate, moving in an instant from fierce abstraction to a remembered melody or song.

The music here was recorded informally, in June 1985, at Gibbs Jazz Club, Cardiff where Lol was booked for two nights. Throughout the concert Lol was perched upon a stool, looking relaxed and ready to play. If some of the audience were not quite sure what to expect, Lol won them over at first with his ability as natural raconteur and then with his music. In the programme Lol also plays some delightful solos on sopranino saxophone, something he did far too infrequently.” – Nick Lea

Lol Coxhill: soprano and sopranino saxophone

“Lol unbears his heart and brain in a succession of supremely inventive and rhapsodic improvisations, interspersed with genial and witty monologues. Within the swirling storm of his improvised notes, you suddenly recognise snatches of the beauty of familiar melodies, whether it is Over the Rainbow, Stranger on the Shore, Charlie Parker’s Confirmation, Jimmy Van Heuson’s I Thought About You, or back to New Orleans beginnings with Just a Closer Walk with Thee…shows his fusion of an astonishing power of improvisation and love of melody.” – Chris Searle, Morning Star

“Lol Coxhill still casts a towering shadow on the UK’s music scene – not just the jazz and free improvisation spheres, but the mainstream and indie rock ones as well…”I Thought About You” manages to strike a nice balance between pensive meandering and gutsy exploration of this well-known standard. Coxhill has a fluid approach and coaxes a big soulful, rhapsodic tone from his horn and drives the chestnut with gregarious swing…”Still For Bunk” is gorgeous balladry with small touches of existential ache and regret.” – Mark Keresman, The New York City Jazz Record

“Unconfirmed, is just over 12 minutes of free and sublime playing. Coxhill swoops and soars, adds intricate and evolving phrases which follow the scales and changes are introduced with almost every breath. Covering the entire range of the soprano sax, Coxhill shows not only the diversity of this instrument but just what it can do in the hands of a virtuoso…I Thought About You’ is given the Coxhill treatment resulting in a delicious exploration of every variation of the theme imaginable and probably some unimaginable.” – ★★★★ 1/2 Sammy Stein, The Free Jazz Collective

“Lol Coxhill was noted as an immensely versatile player and a decidedly talented improvisor with a sense of humour. Both of these characteristics are immediately obvious from the opening echoes of this album from 1985. The positive ambience of the club and its audience is heard here and revealed again in the musician’s responses to the environment…his playing is a breath of fresh air and it is so good to have another opportunity to hear this recovered from the past. It’s excellent.” – Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views

“Mr. Coxhill starts things off with a short spoken word introduction which is rather funny and somewhat revealing his charming self-effacing sense of humour. When he does start playing, we hear his unique style: playing those curlicue notes in a most enchanting way. Unlike many free improvisers who like to push the limits on their respective instruments, Mr. Coxhill sounds like he comes from a more festive, almost vaudeville-like tradition at times. His playing is often melodic with unexpected twists and turns going on. “I Thought About You” is a delight, sad yet so lovely…This is some 70 minutes long, containing two complete sets and does a fine job of showing Lol Coxhill at his best.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

Recorded live at Gibbs Club, Cardiff on 29th June 1985
Recording and photo by Nick Lea
Mastered by Tim Turan
Artwork Andy Isham
Produced by George Haslam

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