KESWICK FESTIVAL
Once again the Keswick Festival was a huge success. Of course, some people found things to moan
about - the best story I heard came from someone who went to see the Keith Nichols' Collegians
"The Music Of Bix Beiderbecke" and later complained at the office, demanding his money back,
because Bix hadn't appeared!! They explained that Bix wasn't there because he was dead, "Oh
no! I hadn't realised, when did this happen?" said the complainer "About sixty years
ago" replied the ever-patient office staff. I find that one hard to believe, but I'm assured
it's true.
Once again I thought the organisation and day to day running of the Festival was superb, and my thanks go to the various members of staff from Theatre by the Lake who were acting as venue managers and gave me a helping hand with my recording gear. I recorded fewer bands than usual; it is just too much to try and record three bands in a day. So I'm afraid the Keswick Compilation is now a thing of the past - my apologies to the small number of you who look forward to it each year.
It's far too soon to say which, if any, of the bands I recorded will want to release CDs from their sessions - I still haven't had time even to listen to most of the recordings.
ROYAL MAIL - OH DEAR!
Yet again they've increased most of the prices and not told anyone. In April the newspapers carried a tiny paragraph saying "the cost of a second class stamp is now 21p," but no mention of increasing all the other second class rates and all the overseas airmail rates. Why can't they take an advert in the press and let us know what they're up to?
Meanwhile of course the service continues to deteriorate. We now don't receive our post until nearly lunchtime so I have little chance of sending your CDs by return post.
It helps me keep a check on what is happening if you will always date your order forms; and please put your phone number on the order. I'll only phone if I have a problem with your order but sometimes it's very useful to be able to phone and sort it out.
LOOKING AHEAD
I have recently recorded Red Beans 'n' Rice, The Memphis Seven, The Unity Stompers and The Harmony Hounds, so hopefully there will be new CDs by these bands soon. Later this Summer I am booked to record The John Maddocks Jazzmen, Tierra Buena Jazz Band, The Vo De O Do Orchestra, The Great Northern Jazz Band and The Old Fashioned Love Band - busy busy!
