One of the truly unique voices in Jazz belonged to Rahsaan Roland Kirk. His mastery at playing multiple horns at once and his breath control were legendary, almost bordering on the mythic.

But he was the real deal and no one has come along, before or since, to take his place.

Here is a concert, recorded by Polish Radio on October 14, 1967, featuring Rahsaan Roland Kirk playing at Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw.

Here's the track listing and the players:

01 Creole Love Call
02 The Inflated Tear
03 three for the Festival
04 Blues for C&T
05 My Ship
06 Lovellevelliloqui
07 Intro / Cousin Mary /
08 Things Ain't What They Used To Be
09 Fly By Night
10 You Did It, You Did It / Ow!

Rahsaan Roland Kirk - flute, tenor sax, stritch, manzello, clarinet, vocals etc...
Ron Burton - piano
Steve Novosel - bass
Jimmy Hopps - drums

There's a few more Rahsaan Roland Kirk concerts sitting in the wings so stick around.

In the meantime, enjoy.

Comparatively speaking, this second full week of July was a little calmer than previous weeks. Maybe the scorching heat wave on the east coast, maybe the distractions from the World Cup (or at least Larissa) or maybe just the calm before the storm (there is that Sarkozy scandal brewing in Paris). In any event, the world still had its share of dramas and no doubt there will be more, as there always are.

(Everyone, it seems put in their two cents for the Polish elections)

Recovering from the shock the tragedy in April, which took the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and most of the Polish government, elections were held this past week. The winner was Bronislaw Komorowski, defeating the bid of Jaroslaw Kaczynski (twin brother of the late President) to take over the top spot. Polski Radio's Overseas Service offered a breakdown of the election returns - July 5th.

(first China, now Turkey . .will the wonders ever cease?)

The latest Government versus Internet fracas is taking the form of a squabble between Turkey and Google. Hot from their skirmish with China, Google are now dealing with a rather cantankerous Turkish Parliament who feels that Google, who have been available to Internet users in Turkey, should set up shop in Turkey and pay Turkish taxes. BBC Radio 4's Today Program ran a report on the latest rundown on July 5th.

(oh . . .the Euro again!)

It seems this 8 year old experiment in monetary stability isn't destined to last much longer. As was pointed out in this episode of the BBC World Service's Analysis Program from July 5th, the fallout from the current financial crisis has put quite a dent on the stability of the Euro. Despite proclamations to the contrary, it wouldn't surprise me at all if mattresses are stuffed all over Europe with Pounds, Lire and Francs - just in case.

(Denial on de Nile)

When Mahmoud Taha Swellem told his employers masked gunmen came aboard the bus he was driving in a Cairo neighborhood and started shooting, killing 6 and wounding at least 12, they believed him and quietly said nothing to anyone for the next seven hours. It was only when police started wondering what all the body bags were doing did the story begin to unwind and Mahmoud was accused of mass killing in the deaths of six construction company workers. As the BBC Africa Service' Africa Today program explained on July 6th, part of the denial came as a result of the shock over the unusual nature of the crime.

(In lieu of the Lovefest . . . )

This week also saw the return of Bibi Netanyahu to the White House and a considerably warmer reception with President Obama than just weeks before. What all this means can be taking a million different ways, and Israel National Radio's Tamar Yonah wasted no time speculating. This broadcast from July 8th features a lengthy and very interesting interview with American Journalist Edwin Black on just what might be in the cards in the coming weeks. You can grimace, shrug your shoulders or place bets - it's up for grabs like that.

(Larissa Riquelme - singlehandedly responsible for the massive rise in interest in football among teenage boys)

And finally, with the final of the World Cup set for Sunday, Spain is now poised to pull off a first. Whether it happens or not is purely up for speculation. The real winner is the game itself, having made millions of new converts to a challenging and rewarding sport that's been around for a long time, but just coming of age here in the States. With Larissa Riquelme around, the sport may never be the same again. Here is a wrap up of the Spanish win from Thursday Juuly 8th by BBC Five Live's World Cup Daily.

And then there's next week . . .

(the slow task of picking up the pieces)

On this day, July 8, 1945 Europe was two months into peace. Although there was still a war going on in the Pacific, Europe was slowly starting the process of putting the pieces back together from a continent ravaged by war since 1939. As part of a weekly broadcast to American listeners, the BBC World Service ran a program called London Column dealing with events surrounding European recovery, the slow adjustment to life without war and how it was taking shape.

Sometimes putting the pieces of a puzzle back are more fascinating than the puzzle itself, and Post War Europe was in the midst of sweeping change, sixty-five years ago today.

The world was a busy place this week and at last report, it hasn't stopped.

(Elections in Sudan - at least they could listen to music)

From the BBC Africa Service, reports on the elections in Sudan and the growing oppression in Somalia on the parts of Muslim extremists. This week imposing a ban on all music played over the radio.

(China - a disaster made worse by inaccessibility)

By Mid-week, reports of the earthquake near the Tibetan border grew more grim by the minute. First reported hundreds dead, then 600 dead and, at last count over 800 dead. Rescue work is being hampered by the altitude and thin air but miracles are still happening. Also, from this Global News Report from April 14th, updates on the aftermath of the tragedy in Poland, news on land reform in Zimbabwe and the upcoming British elections.

(Helena Guergis and Rahid Jaffer - gives a whole new spin on the phrase "hot chicks with douchebags")

From the CBC World News At Six on April 15th, the continuing scandal and resignation of Canadian MP and Cabinet member Helena Guergis and allegations of "improprieties" on behalf of her husband, former MP Rahim Jaffer. Nice to know we aren't the only ones who get mired in sex and drug scandals. Also reports of torture of Afghan prisoners by troops in 2006 as reported by a member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

(The first time the UK held televised debates . . what hath God wrought?)

From the BBC Politics site on April 16th, a capsule version of the previous nights first-ever live televised Debate between candidates for Prime Minister. Now it's the UK's chance to drown in spin, pundits and polls. Various news outlets are reporting the Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg won hands down. Let the beauty contest begin.

(The vice-President in Israel reacting to the sound of wingnuts exploding)

If you ever thought the shrill shriek of wingnut radio was the exclusive property of the U.S., that we somehow were the only country on the planet bombarded by noise and extremism, I'm here to tell you it just ain't so. Big relief, right? Well, in Israel they have this prevalent radio network called Israel National Radio and, even by their own admission are probably one of the most hard-line right wing propaganda outlets in the middle-east. In comparison, Fox seems almost moderate by comparison. Take for example an excerpt from this April 16th broadcast of A Light Unto The Nation which features interviews with Daniel Pipes and Dr. Mike Cohen. They despise Joe Biden and pretty much hate Obama. Sounds familiar, no? They don't however, say anything about being "fair and balanced" - that's a relief.

And so went the world this week, continuing its inevitable spin. We survived so far.

Update: We're slowly chipping away at the emergency, even though we haven't gotten very past the 1/3 mark. There's still a long ways to go and not much time left. My grateful thanks to those of you who have donated over night. Your help is appreciated beyond my words to convey it. If we had a few more like you, we'd be out of the woods and we could get back to normal. Unfortunately, when you have the loss of your website facing you, the loss of the archive that this website completely relies on for its daily posts facing you, it's hard to think of anything beyond raising enough money to keep disaster at bay. So won't you please consider making a donation in order to keep Newstalgia alive? Any amount is desperately needed, no matter how paltry you may think it is - every penny and every dollar goes in to chip away at the emergency. And every penny and every dollar helps. We can make this happen, but I need your help.

This day in 1941 was staring at the 600th since that ominous overture to Poland in 1939. And in that time, Europe was engulfed in a series of invasions, surrenders and daily desperation.

From London came word that German bombing raids over Britain the previous night were mostly confined to the Southeast and Northeast of England, but casualties were reported to be small. It was also the second successive night London went without a raid alarm.

The RAF retaliated with attacks on targets throughout occupied Europe.

The Free French Island of Tahiti declared itself on the side of DeGaulle.

There were unconfirmed yet persistent reports that Athens had fallen to the Germans and that Greece was in danger of being a lost Allied cause.

From Berlin came news that the previous nights address by Charles Lindbergh of the America First Committee at Madison Square Garden in New York drew praise in the German press, fueling speculation that maybe America would not get involved in the War after all.

Hitler concluded talks with Hungarian leaders in the wake of preparing German plans for the occupied Balkan region. Japanese Foreign Minister Matsuoka returned to Tokyo, armed with assurances and a renewed alliance with Berlin. Rumors that Germany was planning a move to Spain and Portugal were shrugged off as British propaganda, despite credible reports that some 2,500 German operatives posing as "tourists" were roaming the streets of Madrid.

It was also learned that German brewers were considering the idea of "light beer" to go with calls from the government to curb alcohol use, even though they hadn't even entered the experimental stage yet. And shortages were turning into rationing of cigarettes and cigars, in the wake of government calls to ban tobacco, which was deemed not such a good thing from a morale point of view.

And back in the U.S. - Secretary of State Cordell Hull called for renewed support of Britain in their fight against the axis and to support Lend-Lease.

All on this day in April, 1941 as reported by NBC and it's News Of The World.

Over to the 2010 Off Festival in Katowice Poland this week for a performance by The Flaming Lips from August 8th.

If you know this band, you know what you're in for. If you don't . . .well . . .hit the "play" button and turn it up.

Good times.

(Within minutes almost the entire Polish government was wiped out)

Breaking news this morning - As reported by BBC World Service:

President Lech Kaczynski and scores of other senior Polish figures have been killed in a plane crash in Russia.

Polish and Russian officials said no-one survived after the plane apparently hit trees as it approached Smolensk airport in thick fog.

Russian media reports said the pilots ignored advice from air traffic control to divert to another airport.

Poland's army chief, central bank governor, MPs and leading historians were among more than 80 passengers.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the crash was the most tragic event of the country's post-World War II history.

The Polish delegation was flying in from Warsaw to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during WWII.

(Stunned Silence)

And news of the tragedy as it was heard over Polski Radio 1 (in Polish) earlier this morning.

A day full of strikes and strife.

April 9th 1947 began on an optimistic note as far as the striking Telephone Operators was concerned. A settlement was pending, but it still didn't mean a return to work, not for at least another 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Coal Miners were gearing up and Mine owners were blaming John L. Lewis for the trouble, saying he would not allow miners back to work until all mines in the country passed safety checks.

In London, the Big Four Conference was being sped up with regards to settling the border question between Poland and Germany, with the Polish frontier under revision. Also in London was former vice-President Henry Wallace, on his way to a number of conferences. He held a press conference where he called for an American move to the Soviet Union as a way of avoiding World War 3. He also advocated a complete revision in Foreign Policy and a curb on Imperialist intentions on the parts of both the West and the Soviet Union.

In Greece, the Army was preparing a sweep of rebel positions. Some 160,000 troops were involved.

David Lilienthal was confirmed as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, ending an 11 week debate over the appointment.

President Truman was taking a wait-and-see approach with the Republican Majority 80th Congress.

Services for Henry Ford were slated for the following day (April 10th). And Frank Sinatra had a date in Court in Los Angeles over an alleged fist fight between him and an over-zealous reporter.

And that's how this day rolled - that, and a lot more via two broadcasts for this April 9th, 1947. The first from the NBC News Roundup and the second from NBC News Of The World Night Edition.

Not a terribly upbeat day, this February 15th in 1942. Seventy years ago the news was anything but optimistic for Allied forces fighting around the globe.

From Radio Tokyo came rumors the British forces in Singapore were asking the Japanese for an armistice, but no word of confirmation from London. Meanwhile, The Japanese were launching an offensive in Sumatra aimed at taking the oil fields in Palembang, which were the largest in the Far East and the main source for fueling Allied ships in the Pacific. The Dutch were readying destruction of the fields.

In Britain, further fears of a pending invasion were fueled by reports of the sighting of German warships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the English Channel. Speculation had it the ships, largely unopposed, could provide cover for an invasion force as a sizable German fleet was now in the North Atlantic. For our part, it also fueled speculation that the Germans could conceivably stage a "prestige raid" of the East Coast of the U.S. since our navies were stretched way too thin to be effective. As one government official put it we were "fighting a two ocean war with a one ocean navy".

The only good news to be had came from the Eastern Front where Russian forces were pushing the Germans back to the old Polish border and had re-taken four towns in the process. German casualties were reported as heavy during this offensive.

All this had an alarming effect on Congress, who sent out calls for stepped up War production and an investigation as to why Synthetic Rubber production hadn't been increased before Pearl Harbor when just this scenario was considered. In the interim, a demand for the immediate conservation of rubber was issued as supplies were quickly drying up. And an investigation into the causes for the suspicious fire that destroyed the French Liner Normandie in New York was issued and a request the investigation not be handled by the Navy Department.

Labor was adding to the picture as some 600 workers at the nations biggest Aluminum production facility in Detroit went on strike over a demand for Sunday double-time pay.

All in all, a pretty dismal day (for a Sunday no less), this February 15, 1942 as reported by NBC Radio on their Weekend Roundup.

As was the case with most every report during the World War 2 years, news on battles, campaigns and the War Effort took predominance in radio newscasts of the time.

This day in January in 1944 the news was about the Italian campaign and the slow, mud-ridden push towards Rome. The main source of concern was in the Monte Casino area, where German troops were securely entrenched around the historic Monastery and the fighting was relentless.

Other news was on the diplomatic front. First came a report that The Soviet Union was refusing the recognize the Polish government in exile, based on reports that the exiled government was perpetuating Nazi propaganda that Soviet troops had committed atrocities against Polish civilians in 1940. An investigation and press confirmation revealed the atrocities were committed instead by German troops and the alleged massacre took place a year later in 1941. The Polish government in exile refused to back down and the freeze continued.

Also came news that the government of Argentina decided to join the allies and sever diplomatic ties to Germany.

And news on the home front was less than flattering with reports of an investigation on the Black Market and War Profiteering going on throughout the country revealed the practice was widespread and all but out in the open, with meat and stockings being the biggest sellers. Gotta look good at any price, I suppose.

And that's how it all went down, this January 26, 1944 via NBC News.