CHRISTMAS TREATS - For December we have a new CD from one of your favourite bands, and CDs by two bands new to P.E.K. Sound, one of which is the first ever double album on the P.E.K. Sound label.
PKCD-342 John Shillito's Select Six "Friday Night In New Orleans"
Here, on two CDs, is every tune from a superb live session recorded at the 2009 Keswick Festival. (2 CDs - Price £15.00)
PKCD-343 The Antique Six Jazzband "Job Lot"
The band's fourth CD for P.E.K. - and arguably their best.
PKCD-344 The Golden Eagle Jazz Band "June Night"
The first CD by this increasingly popular New Orleans-style band, recorded live in May 2009.
(Full details of these new releases are given on the "New Releases" Page)
SPECIAL OFFER
Each quarter I offer you the chance to buy the three latest releases plus any other CD from the catalogue at a reduced price.
The normal price for CDs is £11.50 each, including postage, and the special offer price is normally four CDs for £40 - just £10 each.
This quarter's offer includes the John Shillito double album (price £15.00)and the special offer price until 28th February 2010 is four CDs for £43.00.
The price includes postage anywhere in the world!
This offer is valid until 28th February 2010.
BUDE JAZZ FESTIVAL At this time of year I normally write a paragraph about the Bude Festival - who we'd seen and who I'd recorded. As you know we didn't go to Bude this year and it seemed a bit strange at the end of August to be at home instead of enjoying the Festival. In particular it was the first year since 1987 that I'd spent the Bank Holiday weekend at home. I understand the Festival was as successful as ever and it looks set to continue for many years to come.
WEBSITE PROBLEMS Several months ago (about August) my website provider started some modifications - I don't understand what - which meant it was not possible to fully update my website. Astonishingly this work is still not complete. I've had several complaints from customers or potential customers but there's nothing I can do about it. I expect quite soon to transfer my website to another 'web host' which will resolve the problem. In the meantime I apologise to those of you who have tried and failed to play soundclips of the latest releases; "normal service will be resumed soon".
MY BACKLOG Since I took the deliberate decision to restrict my output, first to four CDs per quarter and then to three, a backlog of work has built up. This has meant I have had to keep bands waiting for their CDs, as the time between the recording and release of the new CD grew and grew. It was not a situation I enjoyed. I've always prided myself on providing a speedy service, whether it be sending out customers' mail orders promptly or producing new CDs with the minimum of delay.
A lull in recording activities has helped reduce the backlog. In fact since Keswick in May I've recorded just three bands; and my next recording is not until February 2010. At present, following the three new releases in this Newsletter, I have five recordings in the production pipeline and another five bands booked (or provisionally booked) to record.
ORDERING NOTE When you complete your order form for CDs please ensure you print your name and address clearly. Occasionally, before I can send an order, I have to spend some time checking the address details because the address is not legible.
Also it helps if you provide a phone number so that I can contact you if necessary. Finally it is helpful if I know the date of your order, particularly in light of recent postal delays.
POST AND PACKING Postage prices have rocketed in the last few years. Not long ago postage for a single CD was 29p ; it's now 47p - a 60% increase! A second class packet of 3 CDs costs £1.85 to send.
I intend to hold my prices at their present level as long as possible but I will have to review the situation in April when the next round of postal price increases takes effect.
LOOKING AHEAD I am booked to record three of your favourite bands next February - The John Maddocks Jazzmen, The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band and Brian Carrick's Algiers Stompers. In addition I've had enquiries from The Wessex Jazz Band and The New Washboard Syncopators with a view to making recordings for them early next year.
The three new CDs for release in March will be by New Orleans Wiggle (Keswick 2009), Winter Sunshine (Bude 2008) and Richard Leach's 7 Stars of Jazz (October 2009).
The preliminary leaflets for the 2010 Keswick Jazz Festival are out now and the lineup of bands looks as good as ever. At first glance I can see about six bands I would like to record.
At the time of writing these notes the towns of Cockermouth, Workington and, to a lesser extent, Keswick are suffering from the aftermath of the worst flooding for decades; our thoughts are with those poor people.
On that sombre note may I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous and Jazzy New Year.
Enjoy your jazz!
