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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The English Language
There have been some posts on an IEE/IET chat line about American attitudes to English. I don't think we can be too high and mighty about language when there is such wide disparity within this small island. I find it easier to receive phone calls from continental Europeans speaking the simple but effective 'international' English than I do from Brits with strong Scottish or Geordie accents. Once, when travelling to Newcastle I had a long conversation with a woman who I thought had lost her keys. It transpired that she had lost her case !
Americans, Australians and New Zealanders are easy by comparison, although at an international standards meeting an American delegate confused everybody by announcing he was 'tabling' his proposal, meaning 'shelving' it.
Labels: Grumpy
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Megs Etherington - tribute to Ruby Braff
On Monday night at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking, we saw 'Ruddy Brash', a tribute to Ruby Braff. The musicians were Megs Etherington (cornet, vocals)
Nils Solberg (guitar, vocals), Jim Chambers (alto sax and clarinet) and Peter Morgan (string bass). This was the second week in succession that we have seen/heard Nils and Peter; they are always a delight, playing, singing and humming. Megs is a fine player on his Conn Victor and also has a good singing voice. We particularly enjoyed:
Megs' vocal 'She's Funny That Way', to which we danced;
Nils' vocal 'Deed I Do';
'Mood Indigo', two couples dancing;
'Old Man River';
'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' with Megs and Nils doing a vocal duet.
It was unfortunate that I was again persuaded by Selina to leave early !
Labels: Jazz
Monday, October 29, 2007
Baiba and Lauma Skride at the Wigmore Hall
On Sunday morning we went to London's
Wigmore Hall to see a performance by
Baiba Skride (violin) and
Lauma Skride (piano). They played three wonderful pieces; Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, Ravel's Violin Sonata and, best of all, Ravel's Tzigane.
Labels: Concerts
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Gatsby Jazz Band with Roy Stokes
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 replaced by Roy Stokes on trombone. Roy and Mary had never previously been to this venue, although Mary seemed to know qite a few of the punters.
It is traditional for Selina to perch on a bar stool at this venue but after 20 minutes we took advantage of the late arrival of most of the audience and grabbed two chairs next to the band. The first jazz fan to arrive after us immediately requested Tiger Rag, which the band played. Between 21:00 and 21:30 they began rolling in, including Derek from Oban, whose wife is now quite convinced that he prefers it down here.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mark Aston & Anne O'Dell at Ripley
On Friday evening we went to Ripley Cricket Club to see the Malcolm Cliff trio, comprising Malcolm (keyboard), Steve Riddle (excellent on string bass) and Al Merritt (drums) with guests Mark Aston (tenor sax, curly soprano) and Anne O'Dell (keyboard, vocals). The picture shows the base band, with Al partly hidden behind Mark and Selina's head in the foreground. I was given the job of recording the evening on Mark's MP3 machine. This gig is 20:30 to 23:30 so, after a full day's work, we did well to survive to the very end; it really was that good.
Picking favourites is difficult as Mark makes everything sound good but let's go for
'If I had You', 'Over the Rainbow', 'Jeepers Creepers', 'All the things You Are' and, best of all 'Misty'. Anne O'Dell played keyboard for 6 of the numbers and sang (in her fine Blossom Dearie style) 'If I Were a Bell', 'On Green Dolphin Street' and 'Satin Doll'.
Incidentally, the Chicken Casserole and Sussex Bitter were both delicious.
Labels: Jazz
Friday, October 26, 2007
Blogger vs competitors
There is now a thread on the IEE (IET) consultant's chat line regarding the best weblog host. I find it hard to believe that anything can beat Blogger; and it's free !
Every week I am amazed at the number of strangers who contact me by e-mail and in pubs / jazz clubs, saying 'saw your blog' or words to that effect. As a result I have put people in touch with one another after as long as 60 years. Would this have happened if I had not opted for the Google-Blogger combination ? Might be so but might not, so why risk it.
Labels: Computing
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Suzuki Swift
Yesterday our Suzuki Ignis Sport was in for its 54000 mile service so Town & Country Cars (Ripley) lent us a new Suzuki Swift. It was comfortable and drove well but had the usual snag for us; a deep lip down into the laggage compartment. This would make loading and unloading one of our medium or large 3 phase converters almost impossible without help. Selina found it rather roly-poly in sharp bends and roundabouts so we would need the Sport !
Labels: Cars
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Careless driving
As it needed fuel, we decided to use the VW Golf wind turbine test vehicle to collect some DIN rail from a local trading estate. I drove in from one end and out at the other, forgetting that there was a height barrier at that end. Result, scaffold pole bent to 45 degrees, which I left our staff to fix. Hearing a noise outside, I looked out of the window to see the car nosed up against hay bales with a JCB pushing the pole from behind with its hydraulic ram. I wish I had taken a photograph !
Labels: Wind power
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Apex jazz band with Mike Byrne
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), Mike Byrne (trombone), Terry Twiss (guitar, banjo, vocals), Bert Shipp (bass guitar) and Ian Parry (drums). Due to tiredness we only stayed for the first half, during which we particularly enjoyed:
'Beale Street Blues' to which we danced;
Bert's vocal 'Tishomingo Blues';
Terry's vocal and guitar for 'When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful';
Bert's vocal with Terry on guitar for 'Pennies From Heaven'.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, October 22, 2007
Urban Gin House with Leslie Dyos
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up, as pictured with Selina in foreground, comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Leslie Dyos (trombone), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'Rosetta', 'Sugar' and 'I Can't Get Started'. Mike Benett asked if they could play 'My Funny Valentine', a number we do not usually like because it doesn't swing. Alan Brock said he was unsure of it but when on to play it in a way that we rather liked. Alan Dandy also played it well but he knew it !
Guests were:
John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), playing 'I Cover the Waterfront' and 'Sunny Side of the Street';
Fred Shaw (cornet and vocal) with Aileen May (string bass) playing/singing 'I Can't Give You Anything but Love' and 'My Monday Date'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Stardust at the cinema
On Saturday evening we saw
Stardust at Guidford's Odeon cinema. Fantasy is not my favourite film genre but this was good of its kind, with many great actors. Selina liked it !
Labels: Film
Friday, October 19, 2007
Brian White's Magna jazz band with Graham Barton
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band is resident. There was just one dep.; Graham Barton (keyboard, pictured) a fine pianist who, surprisingly, did not give us a feature number. Our favourites were:
'Original Dixieland One-Step' from the Nick La Rocca / Larry Shields jazz factory;
'Tin Roof Blues'arranged and re-named by Walter Melrose and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings although it is based on 'Rusty Nail Blues' an early jazz riff used by legendary New Orleans cornetist Buddy Petit (Trombonist George Brunis is also sometimes credited as composer);
'Making Whoopee' with Pete Towndrow quoting from 'Tip Toe Through the Tulips' and 'Glory of Love'.
Fats Waller's 'What did I do to be so Black and Blue', named by Brian 'the Absent-Minded Masochist' with great cornet from Pete.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Kings Head Rudgwick
Having been thoroughly lost in the dark Sussex Countryside yesterday, we found ourselves in Rudgwick so ate and drank at the
Kings Head. The Sussex bitter went down a treat and the home-made lasagne was excellent. Recommended, particularly if you like Italian food.
Labels: Eating out
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Mike Piggott / Nils Solberg trio at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw the
Mike Piggott /
Nils Solberg trio with our favourite bass player, Peter Morgan, at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. Once again this group provided fine swinging jazz with every number enjoyable and superbly played. Any gig involving these musicians results in rescheduling the venues for that week but here they were playing on our doorstep. Picking a favourite number from so many favourites is impossible but we particularly enjoyed 'Somebody Loves Me', 'I'll Never Be The Same' and 'If I had You'. It was unfortunate that I was persuaded by Selina to leave early !
Labels: Jazz
Monday, October 15, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Geoff Rideout
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The band comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Mike Byrne (trombone), Geoff Rideout (7-string guitar, pictured), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). We were fascinated by the 7 string guitar so Geoff demonstrated how the extra bass string is used. He is certainly a master of the instrument. Our favourite number was 'I'm Confessin', to which we tried to dance but Selina had a painful hand. Because of this we left at the first interval; just as well because she was sick as soon as we returned.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Mr Brooks at the Ambassadors cinema
On Saturday evening we saw the film
Mr Brooks at the Ambassadors cinema in Woking. This was a different approach to the serial killer genre that was worth watching for that reason alone. Kevin Costner and Demi Moore have limited acting skills but their parts suited them, particularly Moore with her 'wooden' role for a wooden actress. Not the greatest film of the year but by no means the worst.
Labels: Film
Friday, October 12, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Chez Chesterman, John Lee, Les Dyos & Keith Brown
On Thursday evening, together with Selina's cousin Marian and her husband Leon, we went to the
Berrylands Hotel to see the
Magna jazz band. There were two regulars, Alan Dandy (keyboard) and Richard Lyons (string bass), plus four deps; Chez Chesterman (Cornet, first picture), John Lee (tenor sax, clarinet, 2nd picture), Les Dyos (trombone, 3rd picture) and Keith Brown (drums). Highlights for sheer pleasure were Chez's great vocals; 'LouisianIA', 'Snag it', 'A kiss to Build a Dream on' and 'Goin' Down the Road'. Our favourite instrumental numbers were 'Apex Blues' (Chez calls it Wibbly-Wobbly-Woo), John Lee's feature 'Apple Honey' (lovely tenor sax and keyboard) and Les Dyos' feature 'Just Friends'.
Leon was reluctant to sit in the front row but I think he changed his mind when we sat him in front of John Lee, who he really loved ! Marian won the raffle again.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Panama Cafe Orchestra with Richard White
On Monday night we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet), Richard White (clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax), Chris Lowe (drums), A N Other from Sevenoaks (sousaphone) and Dave Griffiths (banjo).
It was a very enjoyable evening with a good mix of numbers, our favourites being: 'Canal Street Blues' to which we danced, and 'Shimmy-Sha-Wabble'. We love the sound of the baritone sax so consider ourselves lucky to experience it twice in two nights.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, October 08, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Dave Alison
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), Dave Alison (clarinet, baritone sax; pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite number with this line-up was
'Moonlight in Vermont', not often played in the pubs and clubs we frequent. Andrew did not know it so Colin Lewry passed him a book that contained the chord sequence. Mike Bennett commented that it was rather sad when the band needed the audience to supply the chords !
The guests from the audience were as follows:
Phil Brown (trombone) playing 'Robin's nest' then, with Aileen May on bass, 'When You're Smiling';
Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax), Peter Clancy (trombone) and Aileen, playing 'Careless Love' then, with Mike back on bass, 'The Preacher';
John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), with Dave Alison, played two unannounced numbers, the first being 'S'wonderful';
Roy Stokes and Peter Tallent (trombones) played 'If I had You' and 'It's a Sin to Tell a Lie'. Fred Shaw announced he would be singing but we left at 10:30 so missed it.
Incidentally, the dainty foot in the foreground of the group picture, with a mute pointing to it, is that of Peter Tallent's wife, Jan.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Film Michael Clayton
On Saturday evening we went to Guildford's Odeon cinema to see the film
Michael Clayton. It took so long to get going, with nothing but confusion for the first half-hour, that I was falling asleep. Just after Selina poked me awake, the plot began and the film was OK, but not brilliant, after that. We did enjoy the way that lawyers were shown as generally evil, the one exception being considered a madman by his law firm.
Labels: Film
Friday, October 05, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with John China & Colin Miller
On Thursday evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band is resident. There were two deps. (as pictured); John China (keyboard, vocals) who, in addition to being a fine pianist, has a great jazz voice and Colin Miller (drums), who played with the Chris Barber Band for some years. John sang three numbers; 'Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter', 'Way Down Yonder in new Orleans' and, best of all, his solo feature 'I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You', written by Ray Noble.
Other great numbers were:
'Putting on the Ritz' with a great duet section featuring Brian White (clarinet) and Colin Miller on the tom-tom;
'Blue Turning Grey' reviving memories from some of the audience of when the band played at the 'Grey Horse';
'Yellow Dog Blues' always a favourite of ours and also of Brian's - I have now mentioned it 7 times on this weblog, 5 of which followed Magna Jazz Band performances.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Jack o' Newbury, Binfield
On Tuesday evening we ate out at the Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire with a visitor. No photograph seems to be available on the web and it was rather dark to take one ourselves. Good food and a fine range of real ales. Friendly service and friendly locals. One word of warning; no food on Sunday evenings.
Labels: Eating out
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Phil Brown Swingtet at the Cricks
On Monday evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet, comprising Phil Brown (trombone), Lester Brown (trumpet, flugel horn), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax, Clarinet and curly soprano sax), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and David Clancy (drums). Unfortunately, problems with the sound system made this performance slightly weak but it was still better than most pub jazz.
We enjoyed yet another variation on 'Autumn Leaves', we believe to be based on the Miles Davis / Cannonball Adderley recording, plus the usual swingtet version of 'Water Melon Man'. Guests were as follows:
Roy Stokes and Colin Lewry for 'Rosetta' and 'Satin Doll';
Anthony Cox (trumpet) and Peter Clancy (string bass), as pictured, for 'Take the A Train' and 'That's a Plenty'.
Francis Crispet (tenor sax) for 'Bags Groove', reminding us of jazz at Chislehurst caves when we were young.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, October 01, 2007
Urban Gin House with Mark Aston
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), special guest Mark Aston (Tenor sax, alto sax, trombone), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Mark's multi-instrumental talent worked really well alongside Alan Brock's assured trumpet playing; we certainly enjoyed it. Highlight with the base band was Hoagy Carmichael's greatest composition 'Skylark'. Alan Dandy then played Hoagy's second greatest number 'Stardust' with just the two Mikes in support.
Colin Lewry played keyboard beautifully during the breaks.
Guests from the floor were:
Audrey Stokes singing 'S'wonderful' and 'Sunny side of the street' with John Shepherd on pocket trumpet;
Peter Clancy (trombone) and Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax), playing 'Royal garden blues' and, with Aileen May (string bass), 'Black & blue';
Fred Shaw, Roy Stokes, Aileen May and Mark Aston playing 'Struttin with some barbecue' and, with Mike Bennett back on bass, Fred's vocal 'I want a little girl';
Peter Miles, singing 'Rainy day is here' and 'Where are you'.
As often happens, tiredness and fear of Monday's 06:00 start caused us to leave 30 minutes before the finish.
Labels: Jazz
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