[Dixielandjazz] Ken Gallacher, Ralph Sutton, Caceres family

[ROBERT R. CALDER]

Marek's Caceres reference reminded me of the late, much loved and too soon lamented Ken Gallacher (who wrote about football and about the music this site is all about). One evening long ago Ken went some way off his road home one Sunday night, so I could attend a couple of sets by Ralph Sutton and get back to my own domicile thereafter.

We stopped off early to leave Ralph at his hotel. 
Ken's reminiscences were remarkable, ranging from the extent to which Archie Semple and some Scottish colleagues saved the peace of mind of various Scots visiting London, who had witnessed the for them least happy of all football matches with England. I had just been reflecting on painful current circumstances and Ken made expansive comments concerning the hugely beneficial therapeutic qualities of Ralph. 


He told me that he had just acquired the Caceres brothers recording, and that prior to the afternoon and later evening gigs Ralph had spent a couple of days at Ken's house.  Ken had brought out the Caceres recording, as I recall Ernie had died not all that long before. Ralph wanted to hear it. Ken put it on, and Ralph said nothing. He sat listening and tears were streaming down his face. 


Good men.

Robert R. Calder