The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

Baker's Dozen

Air Force 13: Ginger Baker's Favourite Albums
David Stubbs , November 26th, 2012 07:26

Ginger Baker's Jazz Confusion are playing London's Jazz Cafe this week and are one of the first acts to be announced for next year's Field Day; in advance, the legendary drummer picks out his top 13 LPs

John_coltrane_1353923771_resize_460x400

John Coltrane - Live! At The Village Vanguard
Featuring Elvin Jones on drums. I saw Jones play with John Coltrane during this period and he was absolutely at the top of his game. Coltrane brought out the best in him and he brought out the best in John Coltrane. That's what happened. Jimi Hendrix described Mitch Mitchell as his "Elvin Jones”? Well, I was never impressed with Mitch Mitchell. He was okay, but he wasn't anything fantastic. Did we get along? Quite well. But Jimi carried his band. He carried it – it had nothing much to do with the others at all. It was very unfortunate he died when he did as we were looking to get something on – we'd become very good friends. I was looking for him the day he died. All caught by the silly reaction of that chick. She was so disgusted when he vomited that instead of helping him, wiping his face or whatever, she ran out of the bed in disgust. That story about the ambulance people not helping properly – it's rubbish, he was already dead for four hours when they got there.