Bootleg Bin: Jazz Butcher – Bob & Anne’s Wedding Reception
Simply unbelievable. Pat Fish (aka the Jazz Butcher) and his partner in musical crime Max Eider were somehow convinced to play a September 19, 1997 wedding reception. They did so with aplomb (any dues-paying musician can testify that wedding reception crowds aren’t the most, um, “receptive”) and put on a superb show full of wit, humor and wonderful playing. And someone (of course) made a fine recording of the show. This is a full band (complete with bass and drums), and kazoos fill in for trombones and such as needed. If you’re at all a fan of the Jazz Butcher, this recording is Not To Be Missed. If you’re not among the converted, become so and check back. Enough said. By the way, they’re not jazz, and they don’t butcher the music. They’re clever English poppers, sort of a Robyn Hitchcock with a sense of humor instead of just plain weirdness.
More info (including photos) here.
Difficulty to Locate: 9 out of 10
General Listenability: 7 out of 10
Follow “the_musoscribe” on 
Twitter and get notified
when new features, reviews and essays are published.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.