One hectic weekend in September 2023, cameraman and graphic design wizard Mark Case and I went on a field trip from Belfast to Yorkshire – to gather three interviews potentially for excerpting in Barry Devlin’s proposed BBC NI documentary ‘Legends of Harper’, about my activities in vintage music chronicling and suchlike. Those interviews were with rock legend Andy Powell, folk legend Martin Carthy and British jazz archivist and not-for-profit ‘Jazz In Britain’ label mogul John Thurlow. I was keen to make it clear in Barry’s doc that whatever rummaging around I do in old music, I’m far from alone in that – a decent handful of others do sterling work, among them John Thurlow.
In the event, only a glimpse of the trip made it into Barry’s documentary (a soundcheck jam with Andy Powell). I felt that the interview with John – about his interest in British jazz becoming a passion project to retrieve and archive broadcasts and audience recordings of great and overlooked artists from the 60s and 70s and to release many of these for the benefit of posterity, the artists/estates involved and the listening delight of thousands – was so insightful that it deserved to be seen in full.
Mark Case has very kindly edited the interview into three parts, trimming out only a few irrelevant tangents (from me) and adding in images of album covers, photos and vintage press cuttings here and there – from myself and also courtesy of John and fellow vintage music label mogul and archivist Richard Morton Jack. We hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Excellent interview, and thanks for posting. Jazz in Britain is a superb label, with all its album releases and books worth purchasing. When are the next two instalments going to be put up?
In a recent post elsewhere here on Afterword you wrote that you were involved in a project but that you couldn’t give details. I was referring to that. In Part Two of the John Thurlow interview (below) you speak about a Fairport Convention project you were involved in. It doesn’t look like that has come out yet, so maybe that was it.
Ah, okay. I can’t recall what it was that I wasn’t talking about! It might have been a couple of things. I’m involved with an 11CD+DVD Fairport Convention 1982-90 live+BBC set (being manufactured currently); a Horslips at the BBC set (5CD+DVD) – being mastered etc currently; a 20CD Martin Carthy at the BBC (also still pre-manufacturing). I was working towards a substantial Mahavishnu live 1971-73 set but alas the planets have drifted out of alignment – at least for now. There is also a significant Rory Gallagher project about which I can probably say no more. Plus a small but terrific Duffy Power project. I’m helping a couple of book projects from fellow authors too – more as an when…
Fantastic Colin! What a splendid chap he is – I’ve also invested in a few of their releases, and never been disappointed. Every time one of their emails drops into my inbox, my wallet shudders. Looking forward to Part 2!
Jazz In Britain is a fantastic label/resource. A have a few of their releases/books.
If only I was a rich man..
Looking forward to the next 2 parts of this interview.
The Labyrinth book looks fantastic, but it’s currently way out of my price range.
Push the boat out if you can @Mike_H, I thought that too, but bit the bullet. It’s a ruddy family heirloom. It’s a monster tome that is completely gorgeous. When I open my copy I need to remind myself that I won’t live long enough to hear everything discussed and that therefore there’s no point trying to acquire it all. Well, most of it. Except for some things. I mean, why believe what you read when you can listen to it for yourself?
Part Two was even better than the first. Great stuff. Excellent news to hear that a Kathy Stobart/Harry Beckett album is planned. Interesting too to hear of the Jon Hiseman connection; a lot of good quality stuff has come via that route, including the Barbara Thompson boxset on Repertoire. Long may all these archive releases continue and thanks to all involved (including you, Colin).
PS. Does Part Three deal with the split between Jazz in Britain and British Progressive Jazz?
Another good one. That Splinters package is still available at JiB at only £10 (plus postage) which, to my mind, is one of the bargains of the century (so far). The band’s music is not particularly easy listening but its historical significance is huge and the Spillett essay is excellent. What a line-up. The Complete Fingers three-CD set just put up for sale on the site looks great too.
I also enjoyed your ruminations on the future of vinyl and CD albums and the Australian wildlife-esque nature of light entertainment in the 1960s. All in all, a great interview.
PS For those who want more Splinters, the recent Talking the Groove book and CD package, detailing Chris Searle’s writings in the Morning Star, includes a 23-minute track from Splinters (minus Phil Seamen, who had died by the time the BBC session was recorded).
Friday (today, May 3rd) is the last Bandcamp Friday until September and I’ve just heard that Jazz In Britain are offering 30% off all physical and digital products in their catalogue. The offer is all through the weekend until Midnight on Sunday 5th. The price reduction also applies to the few CD and vinyl items that are already on sale at a discount, so some real bargains are to be had!
Colin H says
The text that refused to post:
One hectic weekend in September 2023, cameraman and graphic design wizard Mark Case and I went on a field trip from Belfast to Yorkshire – to gather three interviews potentially for excerpting in Barry Devlin’s proposed BBC NI documentary ‘Legends of Harper’, about my activities in vintage music chronicling and suchlike. Those interviews were with rock legend Andy Powell, folk legend Martin Carthy and British jazz archivist and not-for-profit ‘Jazz In Britain’ label mogul John Thurlow. I was keen to make it clear in Barry’s doc that whatever rummaging around I do in old music, I’m far from alone in that – a decent handful of others do sterling work, among them John Thurlow.
In the event, only a glimpse of the trip made it into Barry’s documentary (a soundcheck jam with Andy Powell). I felt that the interview with John – about his interest in British jazz becoming a passion project to retrieve and archive broadcasts and audience recordings of great and overlooked artists from the 60s and 70s and to release many of these for the benefit of posterity, the artists/estates involved and the listening delight of thousands – was so insightful that it deserved to be seen in full.
Mark Case has very kindly edited the interview into three parts, trimming out only a few irrelevant tangents (from me) and adding in images of album covers, photos and vintage press cuttings here and there – from myself and also courtesy of John and fellow vintage music label mogul and archivist Richard Morton Jack. We hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Munster says
Excellent interview, and thanks for posting. Jazz in Britain is a superb label, with all its album releases and books worth purchasing. When are the next two instalments going to be put up?
Colin H says
Hopefully soon, Munstmeister. They are already edited. Maybe one next week and one the week after.
Munster says
Great. I will keep an eye open for it. And we have a release soon from your side, too, I believe. Any news on that?
Colin H says
From my side? You’ll have to give me a clue…
Munster says
In a recent post elsewhere here on Afterword you wrote that you were involved in a project but that you couldn’t give details. I was referring to that. In Part Two of the John Thurlow interview (below) you speak about a Fairport Convention project you were involved in. It doesn’t look like that has come out yet, so maybe that was it.
Colin H says
Ah, okay. I can’t recall what it was that I wasn’t talking about! It might have been a couple of things. I’m involved with an 11CD+DVD Fairport Convention 1982-90 live+BBC set (being manufactured currently); a Horslips at the BBC set (5CD+DVD) – being mastered etc currently; a 20CD Martin Carthy at the BBC (also still pre-manufacturing). I was working towards a substantial Mahavishnu live 1971-73 set but alas the planets have drifted out of alignment – at least for now. There is also a significant Rory Gallagher project about which I can probably say no more. Plus a small but terrific Duffy Power project. I’m helping a couple of book projects from fellow authors too – more as an when…
Vulpes Vulpes says
Fantastic Colin! What a splendid chap he is – I’ve also invested in a few of their releases, and never been disappointed. Every time one of their emails drops into my inbox, my wallet shudders. Looking forward to Part 2!
Alias says
There’s a book launch and gig this Saturday that should be of interest to fans of British jazz in the Essex / London area.
https://nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/posts/events/2024/04/labyrinth-book-launch
Colin H says
A sensational book – a beautiful artefact in itself.
Mike_H says
Jazz In Britain is a fantastic label/resource. A have a few of their releases/books.
If only I was a rich man..
Looking forward to the next 2 parts of this interview.
The Labyrinth book looks fantastic, but it’s currently way out of my price range.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Push the boat out if you can @Mike_H, I thought that too, but bit the bullet. It’s a ruddy family heirloom. It’s a monster tome that is completely gorgeous. When I open my copy I need to remind myself that I won’t live long enough to hear everything discussed and that therefore there’s no point trying to acquire it all. Well, most of it. Except for some things. I mean, why believe what you read when you can listen to it for yourself?
jazzjet says
Thanks for posting, Colin. Looking forward to the other instalments. A word too for British Progressive Jazz which also publishes some great albums.
https://britprogjazz.bandcamp.com
jazzjet says
Well, that hit my wallet! Just bought 4 items from Jazz In Britain that I didn’t have.
Colin H says
Splendid! That’s the spirit, Jazzer! 😀 Part 2 coming within the hour – faster than I expected. Though it’s taken most of today to upload.
Colin H says
By popular request… part two!
Munster says
Part Two was even better than the first. Great stuff. Excellent news to hear that a Kathy Stobart/Harry Beckett album is planned. Interesting too to hear of the Jon Hiseman connection; a lot of good quality stuff has come via that route, including the Barbara Thompson boxset on Repertoire. Long may all these archive releases continue and thanks to all involved (including you, Colin).
PS. Does Part Three deal with the split between Jazz in Britain and British Progressive Jazz?
Colin H says
No – I wasn’t really aware of it. I knew Matt Parker was involved early in JIB but BPJ has passed me by until now…
Anyway, here is part three! 🙂
Mike_H says
Excellent.
Munster says
Another good one. That Splinters package is still available at JiB at only £10 (plus postage) which, to my mind, is one of the bargains of the century (so far). The band’s music is not particularly easy listening but its historical significance is huge and the Spillett essay is excellent. What a line-up. The Complete Fingers three-CD set just put up for sale on the site looks great too.
I also enjoyed your ruminations on the future of vinyl and CD albums and the Australian wildlife-esque nature of light entertainment in the 1960s. All in all, a great interview.
PS For those who want more Splinters, the recent Talking the Groove book and CD package, detailing Chris Searle’s writings in the Morning Star, includes a 23-minute track from Splinters (minus Phil Seamen, who had died by the time the BBC session was recorded).
Colin H says
Thank you, Munstmeister!
Mike_H says
Jazz In Britain’s Bandcamp Friday Offer
Friday (today, May 3rd) is the last Bandcamp Friday until September and I’ve just heard that Jazz In Britain are offering 30% off all physical and digital products in their catalogue. The offer is all through the weekend until Midnight on Sunday 5th. The price reduction also applies to the few CD and vinyl items that are already on sale at a discount, so some real bargains are to be had!
Let us fill our boots!
Use code “May2024” at checkout.
https://jazzinbritain1.bandcamp.com/