| Chris
Barber's Jazz Band in Berlin , November 25 - 27, 1968 |
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This concert in East Berlin was recorded in 1968 and issued in 1969 and
1970 on two
(East German) Amiga LPs. Later, in 1973, Black Lion/Intercord Records released a double-LP in Western Europe.
Thanks to Chris Barber, the two original Amiga LPs were sold at
concerts in the Western countries. But the Eastern and the Western
versions are not identical - a collector has to have four LPs in order
to have all the issued titles from this concert! Another detail: the
Amigas show the original line-up of the band at that concert. The Black Lion
LP sleeve contains a picture of the band with Steve Hammond on
banjo. By the way, these concert recordings are among the first "live"
recordings with John Crocker on clarinet and alto sax.
Furthermore, all LPs (and later the CDs) mention November 26th, 1968
as the recording date. A music collector from Leipzig, Rainer Caspari,
has been trying for years to find out the complete set lists for
the three concert evenings, as he thinks that the recordings are a "sampler"
made out of the three days.
While preparing this webpage, we asked Chris Barber about this
question. He believes that Amiga did
record the second and third concerts and that they used
the best recordings from each. Chris added to his answer, "Maybe they chose the
best concert of the two or even three?"). So, the correct
recording date remains a mystery ...
To listen to parts of this great concert, click here for a
short excerpt from the
concert in East Berlin (Gloryland / Jeeps Blues / New York Town
Blues / Royal Garden Blues).
Here is an overview of the released LPs at that time (you may click
on these pictures to view enlarged versions): |
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Volume One of the original (GDR) Amiga record: Amiga 8 55 198. |
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Volume Two of the original (GDR) Amiga record:
Amiga 8 55 164. |
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Front and back cover of the (western) Intercord /
Black Lion LP: 28 430-7 Z/1-2. |
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Inside of the Intercord / Black Lion LP. |
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It is again Peter Kazubski who has sent us photos, the original concert flyer,
autographs, and a copy of the East German music
journal Melodie und Rhythmus. This journal contains a short
article and a picture from the concert as well as from the welcome
party at the Lindenhotel in East Berlin. In addition we received separate pictures from the
welcome party for the Chris Barber Band: at this
reception the GDR Tower Jazz Band played. Peter Kazubski was
their banjo player and photographer! |
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Arriving at the Lindenhotel in East Berlin in November 1968, Chris
Barber and his band received a warm welcome by the Tower Jazz Band (photos
by courtesy of Peter Kazubski). |
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Pictures: Copyright © Peter Kazubsky - Berlin 2010. |
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Concert flyer (click on the image to view an enlarged version
of the four pages): |
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| Concert poster of the
event in Berlin 1968 by courtesy of Bernd Heinrich, leader of the
Tower Jazz Band, Berlin |
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There was a concert review in the East German magazine Melodie und
Rhythmus. Peter Kazubski has sent us an original of this magazine (issued
in January 1969). |
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The band was on stage for three days at the Friedrichstadt-Palast.
After the concerts they met the members of the Tower Jazz Band for
jam sessions at the Jazzclub Freundschaft (Jazzclub Friendship).
Peter Kazubski documented these jam sessions. Here are
his pictures: |
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All pictures: Copyright © Peter Kazubsky - Berlin 2010. |
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And of course, Peter collected autographs from the band members.
Note that the band picture shows Ian Wheeler but the signature is of
course of John Crocker. |
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