MAJOR SURGERY - Rare Live Performance 1978
The Last Music Company LMCD223
Don Weller - saxophones; Jimmy Roche - guitar; Pete Jacobsen - keyboards; Bruce Collcutt - bass; Tony Marsh - drums
Don Weller is a legend. For years, like twin pillars, Weller and Wellins supported UK jazz. Their names were similar but their playing totally different. Wellins, softer more lyrical; Weller playing hard with great vitality. On this album he is somewhat subdued. He composed most of the tunes but his self-effacing quality means that he does not commandeer the solo spots, leaving plenty of space for guitarist Jimmy Roche. One aspect of Weller’s work that this album illustrates is his composing. Five of the seven tracks are Weller’s. There is a real range from the quirky to the impressionistic opening of ‘Shrimp Boats’ with a lattice of electronics underpinning Weller at his atmospheric best.
Pete Jacobsen was only an occasional member of Major Surgery. He spent most of his life as a sideman so a track where he is given space is rare. His one track on the album ‘A Touch of the PJs’ is the best track. Jacobsen is little remembered now and, in comparison with lesser talents, he recorded little. Try searching for the work of this wonderful pianist. The one track is a pleasure. He plays solo and it is music of rare beauty, lyricism, thoughtful, imaginative: utterly Jacobsen.
‘Old, Useless and White’ is engaging especially for its stop start structure. Drummer Tony Marsh is suitably restrained and not too confined by the genre. The recording is surprisingly good. Mills who produced the cassette that contained this music gives you the impression in his notes that it could be poor. It isn’t. All-in-all, the album is tuneful but it is Weller under wraps, just one aspect of the great tenorist’s work. The track ‘Fred Bear The Threadbare Bear’ is one of the lengthier outings for Weller.
Record boss Malcolm Mills who produced this album from long lost cassettes. reminisced about nights in the Dog and Bull, Croydon. ‘By popular demand, the guv’nor – Norman – regularly allows the miniscule space next to the stinking Gents toilet to be given up one night a week to Major Surgery. Squashed at the back with the open window behind him is Tony Marsh with his crazy assortment of old drums and cymbals. Sitting next to him on his right is bass player Bruce Collcutt with guitarist Jimmy Roche standing on his left. In front of them all is the barrel- chested, bearded, Tenor Titan, Don Weller and they are collectively raising the roof with their trademark racket. There is not an inch of space. Ale is swilled, fags are smoked and the jug is passed round for the guys. It’s very, very special and we’re all diggin’ it like mad...’
This album will remind many of the long-lost Major Surgery and its impact on their listening lives.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
The Last Music Company LMCD223
Don Weller - saxophones; Jimmy Roche - guitar; Pete Jacobsen - keyboards; Bruce Collcutt - bass; Tony Marsh - drums
Don Weller is a legend. For years, like twin pillars, Weller and Wellins supported UK jazz. Their names were similar but their playing totally different. Wellins, softer more lyrical; Weller playing hard with great vitality. On this album he is somewhat subdued. He composed most of the tunes but his self-effacing quality means that he does not commandeer the solo spots, leaving plenty of space for guitarist Jimmy Roche. One aspect of Weller’s work that this album illustrates is his composing. Five of the seven tracks are Weller’s. There is a real range from the quirky to the impressionistic opening of ‘Shrimp Boats’ with a lattice of electronics underpinning Weller at his atmospheric best.
Pete Jacobsen was only an occasional member of Major Surgery. He spent most of his life as a sideman so a track where he is given space is rare. His one track on the album ‘A Touch of the PJs’ is the best track. Jacobsen is little remembered now and, in comparison with lesser talents, he recorded little. Try searching for the work of this wonderful pianist. The one track is a pleasure. He plays solo and it is music of rare beauty, lyricism, thoughtful, imaginative: utterly Jacobsen.
‘Old, Useless and White’ is engaging especially for its stop start structure. Drummer Tony Marsh is suitably restrained and not too confined by the genre. The recording is surprisingly good. Mills who produced the cassette that contained this music gives you the impression in his notes that it could be poor. It isn’t. All-in-all, the album is tuneful but it is Weller under wraps, just one aspect of the great tenorist’s work. The track ‘Fred Bear The Threadbare Bear’ is one of the lengthier outings for Weller.
Record boss Malcolm Mills who produced this album from long lost cassettes. reminisced about nights in the Dog and Bull, Croydon. ‘By popular demand, the guv’nor – Norman – regularly allows the miniscule space next to the stinking Gents toilet to be given up one night a week to Major Surgery. Squashed at the back with the open window behind him is Tony Marsh with his crazy assortment of old drums and cymbals. Sitting next to him on his right is bass player Bruce Collcutt with guitarist Jimmy Roche standing on his left. In front of them all is the barrel- chested, bearded, Tenor Titan, Don Weller and they are collectively raising the roof with their trademark racket. There is not an inch of space. Ale is swilled, fags are smoked and the jug is passed round for the guys. It’s very, very special and we’re all diggin’ it like mad...’
This album will remind many of the long-lost Major Surgery and its impact on their listening lives.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
