On Wednesday evening we went to
The Cricketers, Yately for the first time to see the Excel Jazzmen (pictured), having been invited by its leader Tony Karavis (cornet). Two of the band were well known to us; Terry Twiss (banjo, vocals) and Ian Parry (drums) who both play in the Apex Jazz Band. The other musicians are Ken Clayton (trombone), Bernie Murtha (clarinet, alto sax) and Mike Broad (bass). The Excel band is a good example of a standard trad. jazz line-up but with Alto sax replacing clarinet on some numbers. We did miss Terry's guitar on the slower numbers as he only plays banjo here. However, there was nothing we disliked and several numbes we particularly enjoyed:
Old Rockin' Chair; Terry's vocal, to which we danced
Storyville Blues; requested by a regular
Tie me to your Apron Strings Again; another of Terry's vocals
Tin Roof Blues; the right tempo and good cornet work by Tony
The Old Spinning Wheel; Terry again on the human voice.
Conclusions; we like the slow numbers and we like to hear Terry sing !
As a pub, we rather liked this Cricketers, particulary the Rosemount Shiraz by the glass. In 2 weeks time we will try the food and write a few words about the pub here and for beerintheevening.com
As for the regulars; there was a touch of 'you can't sit here, we are saving the seats for our friends' as at the Preston Cross and Chipstead jazz club which we now boycott. Contrast this with our attitude at the Cricketers in Horsell; we invite anybody that looks in doubt as to where to sit to join us, first come first seated. We meet new people that way who often surprise us, e.g. Brian ! If our regular companions find the seats taken then they accept this with grace.
Labels: drinking, Jazz
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