Peter Burton's daily log, covering Peter's personal interests, e.g. jazz, travel and general grumpiness plus (occasionally) the business of Isomatic and its associate companies.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Gatsby Jazz Band at the Wych Elm
On Saturday evening we went to
The Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston Upon Thames, for the monthly performance by the Gatsby Jazz Band. It featured the standard personnel except that Bob Dwyer was substituted due to being in Cyprus and Dave Wilson (washboard) on holiday with no substitute. Our favourite numbers were 'Saratoga Swing' and Alan Jenkin's vocals 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' and 'So Do I'.
It is traditional for Selina to perch on a bar stool at this venue but after 20 minutes comfort ruled and we joined Peter Winn and his friend David at a table with chairs. David and I agreed that a great advantage of the Wych Elm is the availability of Fuller's Chiswick Ale on draught. Selina tried it but does not like it; good as it limits the amount of mine she will drink.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Pete Towndrow & Clive Burton at Ripley
On Friday evening we went to Ripley Cricket Club to see the Malcolm Cliff trio, comprising Malcolm (keyboard), Ian Scott-Taylor (excellent on string bass) and Al Merritt (drums) with guests Pete Towndrow (flugelhorn, cornet) and Clive Burton (trombone). Pete described this as mainstream jazz rather than the dixieland style he plays when Brian White is in charge of the Magna Jazz Band. We like both !
When requests were sought I proposed anything from the Bossa Nova era, loved by Pete and us. Clive also approved so they played 'Desafinado'. The next request was for the equally beautiful 'Skylark'. Other highlights were 'Autumn Leaves', Clive's feature 'I'm Glad There is You' in honour of Alma Cogan and Pete's feature 'Little Jazz'.
We asked Pete what he thought about contemporary jazz and, unsolicited, he volunteered that he does not like to hear musicians cramming too many notes into each bar.
We found a modern jazz gig organiser in the audience but his comments seemed based on lack of knowledge of the real jazz scene, e.g. he thinks that Chris Barber still plays trad jazz. He described the musicians we see regularly as not like the real professionals he hires. Perhaps we should avoid such expensive gigs for fear of disappointment.
Labels: Jazz
Friday, September 28, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with 3 deps
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
The Magna jazz band performs every week, this time with three changes from the normal line-up; Dave Hewett (trombone), John Elmer (clarinet, alto sax) and Terry Lewis (string bass). The picture shows the full band, although I could not squeeze all of Alan Dandy in without losing more of Dave's trombone. Selina is in the foreground.
Once again, every number was good but our favourites were:
'I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans' with just Dave and Alan;
'Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', played as a jazz waltz;
'Up a Lazy River' with a fine vocal from John;
Alan's solo 'In My Solitude';
'Over The Rainbow' played beautifully, particularly John's alto part.
In the interval we talked to Dave and Sylvia Hewett about the stick I receive by e-mail from modern jazz musicians. We all agreed that cramming the maximum number of notes into each bar is unappealing to the listener. I suspect that those who claim to enjoy it are suffering from a case of 'The King's Clothes'. No doubt this will result in more stick !
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Blue Moon Jazz Band at the Watermans Arms
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band (first picture) comprised Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). The numbers from them we particularly liked were the Pete Nevard vocals; 'Some of These Days' and 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie' plus the Tony Pile vocal 'Royal Telephone'. The first group of guests (second picture) were John Shepherd (trumpet), Mark Goodin (clarinet), Peter Clancy (trombone) and Tony Pile (banjo) playing 'Bugle Boy March' and 'Georgia On My Mind'. John Shepherd was then joined (third picture) by John Parsons (clarinet) and John Lang (trombone) for 'South' and 'Indiana'. The finale, with all musicians playing together, was better than we have come to expect. I think this was due to John Parsons taking a dominant role rather than it being a complete free-for-all.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tell No One (Ne Le Dis A Personne) again
On Tuesday evening we went to see, for the second time, the French film
Tell No One. Great plot in true Hitchcock style with twists and turns that previously kept me awake at night going over them in my mind. We needed to see it again to clear up a few points. Just two points are still a mystery so perhaps the film was cut.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Apex Jazz Band at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw the Apex Jazz Band at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Tony Nutt (cornet), Peter Minett (soprano and alto sax), Clive Burton (trombone), Terry Twiss (guitar, banjo, vocals), the versatile Ian Parry (string bass) and Dave Beale on drums. As usual we particulary enjoyed the numbers where Terry sang and played guitar, e.g.
'Ain't Misbehaving';
'Am I Blue', to which we danced;
and Peter's feature 'When Shadows Fall' AKA 'Home'.
However, our favourite number of the evening was Clive's feature 'Stardust', which Peter told us was written by Hoagy Carmichael in 20 minutes !
We sat near to Clive's wife Jan with whom we had a lively discussion about two members of Clive's band, Century Jazz. We had not realised that saxophonist Simon was deputising for the regular player on the one occasion we saw the band. We now need to give them a second chance. We would love to hear pianist Zane again.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, September 24, 2007
Urban Gin House with John Shepherd and Leslie Dyos
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it comprised John Shepherd (trumpet, pictured), special guest Leslie Dyos (trombone), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Highlights with the base band were:
'Can't We Be Friends', to which we danced;
'Satin Doll', fine keyboard playing by Alan;
'Stomping At The Savoy', played by Alan supported by the two Mikes;
'Just Friends', Leslie's feature.
Colin Lewry played keyboard during the breaks.
Guests from the floor were:
Roy Stokes, playing 'Some Day You'll Be Sorry' and 'Careless Love';
Peter Clancy and his brother (trombones) with Andrew Clancy on keyboard, playing 'Sweet Sue' and 'Mood Indigo'.
Following a cold evening last week with the outside door open, Selina wore her winter tights (pictured).
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Knocked Up at Guildford's cinema
On Saturday evening we saw
Knocked Up at Guildford's Odeon Cinema. This is a slightly-better-than-average comedy, particularly funny for us as one of the characters is reminiscent of someone we know. Aspects of behaviour that are very serious in real life can be amusing on screen.
Labels: Film
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Back to Bournemouth
Today we returned to the Bournemouth area, combining the collection of the coats we left behind on Thursday with collecting parts from two of our suppliers nearby. We lunched at
The Commodore in Southbourne. This was a nostalgia trip, reminding us of the times we stayed in Southbourne with a small child, when the Commodore seemed unsuitable. Now it is just our sort of place; ham egg and chips washed down with Ringwood Bitter. Delicious.
Labels: Travel
Friday, September 21, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Terry Lewis
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week, this time with the Terry Lewis (pictured) deputising for Richard Lyons.
Once again, every number was good but our favourites were:
'Shimmy-Sha-Wabble';
'Out of Nnowhere';
'I Can't Sleep' with great trombone and clarinet initially then Pete Towndrow joining in masterfully once he had picked up the tune in his mind;
'Chimes Blues' repeated from last week to improve on the fine ensemble work;
and best of all
Alan Dandy's solo feature 'I Cried For You'.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, September 20, 2007
EMC Seminar at AFC Bournemouth
Today we attended an EMC seminar at the conference facilities of Bournemouth Football Club. It was presented by EMC Projects, part of TRAC Global, and Wurth Elektronik, who manufacture components for EMC filtering. The presentations were very interesting but the room was very cold so during the lunch break I increased the temperature setting from 19 degrees C to 23 degrees C. We were quite warm by the time we left and forgot our coats !
Labels: Travel
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Panama Cafe Orchestra with John Lawes
On Monday night we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet), John Lawes (clarinet, vocals), Chris Lowe (trombone), Chris Houslander (sousaphone), Dave Griffiths (banjo) and Mike Gibbins (drums). The picture shows John Lawes with Dave Griffiths behind him. We brought David Hardman (of IEE consultants chat line fame) with us and he was most impressed with John, both as clarinettist and vocalist. Our favourite numbers were
John's vocals: 'Melancholy Blues', 'Got the Heebie-Jeebies', 'Sugar', 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' and 'Nobody's Sweetheart Now'. We brought the words of the last song for him, which he acknowledged publicly and still failed to use.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, September 17, 2007
Urban Gin House band with Dick Charlesworth
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it was a quintet comprising Alan Brock (trumpet), special guest Dick Charlesworth (clarinet, tenor sax, pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Highlights with the base band were:
'Georgia on my Mind', to which we danced;
'Buddy Bolden's Blues', fine vocal by Alan.
Colin Lewry (keyboard) played during the breaks.
The guests from the audience came in three groups:
1) John Shepherd (pocket trumpet) playing 'Sherry' and 'New Orleans' (Dick's vocal).
2) Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax) and Peter Clancy (trombone) playing 'Autumn Leaves' and 'The World is Waiting for the Sunrise', music (Toronto 1918) by the concert pianist Ernest Seitz, who had conceived the refrain when he was 12. Embarrassed about writing popular music, Seitz used the pseudonym Raymond Roberts when the song was first published in 1919. Milion seller for Les Paul and Mary Ford.
3) Peter Clancy was then replaced on trombone by Peter Tallent playing 'Exactly Like You' and 'Black and Blue', words by Andy Razaf and Music by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks, Copyright ©1929.
The reason for exploring the origins of two numbers results from disagreements expressed by musicians and audience. I hope you're satisfied you rascals you !
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Saxophone plus with Gerard McChrystal
On Saturday evening we went to London's Wigmore Hall to see a saxophone special featuring
Gerard McChrystal, supported by Mary Dullea & Tom Blach (pianos), the Smith String Quartet and Craig Ogden (guitar). Unfortunately for us, the programme included several world and UK premieres; otherwise known as modern or contemporary music, i.e. not to our taste. We only liked the pieces by dead composers. What does this say about us; old-fashioned, musically naieve, perhaps, but we need both melody and rhythm before we consider a piece to be music. This applies to popular music (rap has no melody), jazz (contemporary jazz loses the melody after a few bars) and serious music (modern pieces having neither melody nor rhythm).
Labels: Concerts
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Husum Wind Fair
Next week Ampair will be exhibiting at the
Husum Wind Fair. I quote from its web site:
SMALL TOWN - BIG TRADE FAIR
When the Messe HUSUMwind opens its doors on September 18th 2007, tens of thousands of visitors and exhibitors will come to the town on the North Sea right in the North of Germany – and for a few days their number will exceed that of the local population. But hospitable as they are; the people on the coast will hardly let this disturb their proverbial calm.
The town has sharpened its profile through consistent development since the beginning of the HUSUMwind at the end of the Eighties. An up-to-date exhibition hall has been built that meets modern standards, and the necessary infrastructure.
Labels: Wind power
Friday, September 14, 2007
Magna Jazz Band at the Berrylands
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week, this time with the standard line-up. As I was paying the entrance fee, I heard a male voice calling out "Selina" ! Derek from Oban was back.
Every number was good but our favourites were:
'Chimes Blues' for fine ensemble work;
and best of all
Pete Towndrow @ Alan Dandy (pictured) with no other support playing Bix Beiderbecke's 'Davenport Blues'. Someone from the audience called out "beautiful" and so say all of us.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Little Children; Film at Cranleigh Arts Centre
On Wednesday evening we went to
Cranleigh Arts Centre to see the film
Little Children. The quality of the videotape used by the centre was very poor but the film was excellent. The story was original and the acting was worthy of the awards it won and more. I despair of the UK film-going public that fill the cinemas for 'blockbusters' but relegate a film like this to just one week in mainstream cinema before it is relegated to art houses.
Labels: Film
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Golders Green
We spent half of Tuesday working at a customer's premises in Golders Green. We had not been there for decades but it seems unchanged; kosher restaurants, kosher food shops and lots of synagogues. The traffic was worse than ever but this might be just because of major roadworks.
Labels: Travel
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Chris Lowe Quintet at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw the Chris Lowe Quintet at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. This time the band comprised Chris Lowe (slide trombone), Mark Nightingale (slide and valve trombones), Jim Hart (vibes), Larry Bartley (string bass) and Nick Smalley (drums). We were looking forward to this gig because we have never seen vibes played live, although we have the excellent 'Cool Vibes' CD featuring John Elmer.
Unfortunately, although the musicians were highly skilled, the music was rather too modern for us. At least the theme was stated at the beginning and end of every number so we recognised everything played. However, the improvisations wandered too far from the spirit of each piece and the rhythms were difficult, particularly when we made two attempts at dancing. We just about succeeded with Chris's feature 'In a Sentimental Mood'. Perhaps we are just musically naieve !
Labels: Jazz
Monday, September 10, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Mike Byrne
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Mike Byrne (trombone, pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'Don't mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing', with vocal by Alan, 'Button Up Your Overcoat' and 'Saratoga Swing'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd and Phil Brown playing 'Ja Da' and 'Black and Blue', to which we danced.
Peter Clancy (trombone), Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax) and Aileen May (string bass) playing 'Royal Garden Blues' and our favourite number of the evening 'Georgia On My Mind'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Atonement
On Saturday evening we saw the much-heralded film
Atonement. Brilliant cinematography and acting combined with a clever plot. Well worth seeing. To say any more about the plot would give too much away.
Labels: Film
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Film 'If Only' on ITV3
On Friday evening we did something unusual; stayed at home and watched a film on television. It was a British romantic comedy called
If Only, AKA 'The Man With Rain in His Shoes'. This is a light-weight film that we rather enjoyed. Victor gets the chance to go back in time to stop the failure of his relationship with Sylvia, who he still loves. We were amazed to see Penelope Cruz appear as a barmaid, with me shouting "forget Sylvia", this is the one for you !
Labels: Film
Friday, September 07, 2007
Magna Jazz Band at the Berrylands
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. The line-up was back to normal and playing as well as ever.
Every number was good but our favourites were:
'A Kiss To Build a Dream On' with great cornet playing by Pete Towndrow;
Brian's vocal 'Everybody Loves My Baby';
'Satin Doll', sounding like a big band in ensemble;
'I'm Confessin', second week running but fine keyboard in place of fine guitar;
Alan Dandy's keyboard feature 'Honeysuckle Rose';
'Georgia Grind', played so well that I said the performance could only go downhill from there on.
The picture shows the full band with Selina in the foreground.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Blue Moon Band with Les Dyos
On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band comprised Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Les Dyos (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). The numbers we particularly liked in the first half were Pete Nevard vocals; 'Has Anybody Seen My Girl' and 'I'm Confessin', to which we danced. Roger Dobbin (washboard) joined the band for the second half, starting with 'Coney Island Washboard Blues'. The first guest was Tony Nutt (cornet), playing 'Beale Street Blues' then joined by John Parsons (clarinet) for 'Some Of These Days' before tiredness overcame us and we left. These 6 AM starts play havoc with our body clocks.
The pictures show the base band plus proof that we are not the only couple to show signs of affection. Our thanks to Maggie and Dave for the photographic opportunity.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Trad Party
On Tuesday evening we stayed at home and took a nostalgia trip, listening to the second of the Trad Party set of 3 CDs. This is the music of our youth, bringing back many memories. Most of the numbers on part 2 we already have in some form but part 1 contained a track we heard but never owned; Fiona Duncan singing 'Salty Dog'. What a great jazz voice !
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Phil Brown Swingtet with Pete Skivington
On Monday evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet with one change in the line-up, comprising Phil Brown (trombone, vocals), Lester Brown (trumpet, flugel horn), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax, Clarinet and curly soprano sax), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Pete Skivington (guest on bass guitar, pictured behind Ken) and David Clancy (drums). Pete Skiv and Kath sat at our table and Kath was given the full jazz interrogation by Rex until he found another woman for some of the same. Rex clearly did not know Kath as he was quite surprised at her jazz knowledge.
Highlights for us were:
'My Funny Valentine' to which we danced, with fine solos from Lester and Mark;
'Sweet Georgia Brown' Phil's vocal with Mark on Soprano;
'Old Rocking Chair' featuring Ken on vocal with just the rhythm section.
'Lester Leaps In' with good ensemble work including choruses from other numbers (I recognised Christopher Columbus);
Guest for two numbers was Daniel Bennett (keyboard), who told us he was not famous but did teach jazz piano. The two numbers he played were 'C Jam Blues' and our overall favourite 'Misty', featuring Mark on tenor and Daniel; beautifully played.
As I was settling our bill I could hear Selina being (deservedly) complimented on her legs. Has yet another admirer come out of the closet ? Fish-net hold-ups next week ?
Labels: Jazz
Monday, September 03, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Phil Brown & Eddie Kettle
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Phil Brown (trombone, pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Eddie Kettle (drums, pictured). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'I'm Beginning To See The Light', with vocal by Alan and 'Black and Blue', to which we danced.
Guests were:
Peter Clancy (trombone), playing 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Bugle Boy March';
Fred Shaw (cornet and vocal), playing 'Struttin' with Some Barbecue' and 'Lazy River' (Fred's vocal);
Roy Stokes, Peter Tallent (trombones) and Aileen May (string bass) playing 'It's a Sin to Tell a Lie' and 'Girl of My Dreams'
We left after this due to tirednees and the knowledge that Monday would require a 6:00 start.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Breach at the cinema
On Saturday evening we saw the film
Breach at Guildford's Odeon cinema. Based on the true story of the USA's greatest traitor, it shows how he was eventually caught with the help of a young FBI man who was hoping to be promoted to agent. The essence of the film was in portraying the characters of the main people involved. It did this very well except that we still failed to understand the relationship between the traitor and his wife. As they are both portrayed as devout Roman Catholics, it was inevitably difficult for us as a confirmed irreligious couple. We wondered how the RC church will take to yet another film that draws attention to Opus Dei, implying that it is an evil influence.
On Sunday morning we browsed
Chasing The Frog, which compared the film with the truth. We have a better understanding now. It might be best to see the film before going frog chasing.
Labels: Film
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Photographs of 3 phase converters
It has been noted by prospective customers that the pictures on the
3 phase converter page of this website are out of date. I will try to make them closer to reality over this weekend. The picture here shows the 2007 version of the Booster A12 and A16. We have just started to build the A8 to look like the A6, i.e. motor inside the cabinet.
Labels: Phase converters
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