Lol Coxhill - Coxhill '85 (Live) (2021)

Previously unreleased recording of a classic Lol Coxhill solo gig, which sees Lol playing soprano and sopranino saxophones. This CD has preserved his informal dialogue during the concert - an important element of any Lol performance.

"Lol Coxhill was a unique entertainer, and this is a unique performance from a musician whose music truly knew no stylistic boundaries. There was no such thing as a typical Coxhill gig. Anything could happen at any time, and frequently did. Although primarily regarded as a free improvisor, Lol never really fitted in with the improvised music scene. If indeed he drew from this particular musical well, he also drew from many other sources and would introduce these into an improvisation at any point that he felt was appropriate, moving in an instant from fierce abstraction to a remembered melody or song.

The music here was recorded informally, in June 1985, at Gibbs Jazz Club, Cardiff where Lol was booked for two nights. Throughout the concert Lol was perched upon a stool, looking relaxed and ready to play. If some of the audience were not quite sure what to expect, Lol won them over at first with his ability as natural raconteur and then with his music. In the programme Lol also plays some delightful solos on sopranino saxophone, something he did far too infrequently." - Nick Lea