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, December 30, 2007
UGH band with Peter Godfrey & Audrey Stokes
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up, as pictured, comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Phil Brown (trombone), Peter Godfrey (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were 'I've Found a New Baby', 'Bernies Tune' and, best of all 'Stardust', to which we danced.
Guests were:
Audrey Stokes (vocals, pictured), who sang 'I Thought About You' and 'Don't get Around Much Any More';
David Clancy (drums) for 'Robin's Nest' and then with Fred Shaw, Roy Stokes and Trevor Dockerill for 'I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me';
David was replaced by Mike Knipe for 'I want a Little Girl'.
Alan Brock returned with Peter Clancy, Peter Tallent and Trevor, playing 'Exactly Like You' and 'Black and Blue', to which we danced.
The last guest was Peter Miles (vocals) who managed 'I Get a Kick Out of You' before handing out music that Peter Godfrey declared to be Crap. It was supposed to be 'Gingi' by the great Brazilian composer Jobim but it did not work.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Christmas Present; play at the Mill Studio
This evening we saw 'The Christmas Present' at the Mill Studio in Guidford. We had never been to this theatre before but were attracted to the play because it was so clearly declared unuitable for children. We are sick of having every entertainment avenue monopolised by families during every school holiday, Christmas being the worst. The play was great, aimed at adults, i.e. the majority of potential theatre-goers. Plot summary: lonely guy telephones an agency for a prostitute to spend Christmas in a hotel with him. She is very different from the woman of his fantasies !
Labels: Theatre
Friday, December 28, 2007
Touring Scotland
Apart from eating (excessively), drinking (sherry, wine and port) and sleeping (12 hours at one stretch) we continued to pass the time during the long Christmas week by booking a second touring holiday, this time in Scotland. Our itinerary is Ullswater, Loch Lomond (west), Mallaig, Balmacara, Loch Ness, Rannoch Moor, Loch Lomond (east) and Cheshire. The picture shows the trip down memory lane on our route;
The Balmacara Hotel.
I celebrated my 17th birthday in the bar of this hotel, where the locals insisted on proving there is nothing wrong with Scottish hospitality. I was staying at the youth hostel on the hill above and the warden considered my drunken rendering of 'The Road To The Isles' an insult to Scotland. Therefore I was given the worst job available the following morning as a punishment.
Labels: Travel
Thursday, December 27, 2007
David Garrett with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
This evening we went to
The Barbican concert hall for a performance by
The London Phiharmonic Orchestra. The programme comprised Rossini's 'William Tell Overture', Tchaikovsky's 'Swan lake Suite', the 'Mendelssohn Violin Concerto' and Dvorak's 'Symphony No. 9 - From the New World'. All good music, i.e. "Nothing you can't hum there" to quote Victoria Wood. The violin soloist was
Labels: Concerts
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Holiday in Portugal
We kept ourselves sane during the last two incredibly boring days of Christmas and Boxing Day by booking a touring holiday in Portugal for 2008. Our itinerary is Lisbon, Porto, Belmonte, Evora, Monchique (in the Algarve) and back to Lisbon. The picture shows one of the hotels on our route;
Castelo de Santa Caterina in Porto.
Labels: Travel
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Henry Trezise at the Europa
On Christmas Eve we went to the
Europa in East Molesey where
Henry Trezise was singing and playing keyboard. He is a very versatile performer, covering a wide range of styles, but it was the '60s numbers that the audience all wanted. Our request for the two best Beatles songs ever were quickly played. They were
If I fell and
And I Love Her. Click on the links for the lyrics.
Labels: Pop Music
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Selina's long lost cousin
This afternoon we met Selina's long lost cousin Joe and his wife Robyn for the first time. They have flown over from Melbourne, Australia, where Joe was taken when he was 7 years old. Six cousins/siblings and their six spouses had a very substantial meal at the White House Restaurant in Hendon, followed by more snacks and cakes than we could eat at cousin Michael's house nearby.
Labels: Eating out, Family
Saturday, December 22, 2007
St Trinians at the Guildford Odeon
This evening we went to see
St Trinians at Guildford's Odeon cinema. This film received the complete range of marks (1 to 10) from the amateur reviewers at IMDB.com so you will need to make up your own minds. Our view is that this humour is rather dated but Tamsin Egerton looks great in stockings.
Labels: Film
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Blue Moon special Christmas evening
On Wednesday evening we went to the Blue Moon 'Christmas Special' at the packed
Watermans Arms, Hersham. The base band (pictured) comprised Mike Scroxton (trumpet, vocals), Paul Goodin (trombone), Alan Matravers (alto sax), John Bryant (banjo), Pete Nevard (banjo, vocals) and Aileen May (string bass). They were dressed festively, Aileen particularly fetching in her fairy outfit. The numbers from them we particularly liked were Alan's feature 'Far Away Blues' and the Pete Nevard vocal 'I Ain't Gonna Give You None of my Jelly Roll'.
Roger Dobbin joined the band for the second half on washboard, cymbal, etc.
The first group of guests were Mark Goodin (clarinet) and Peter Clancy (trombone) playing 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie' (vocal by Pete Nevard' and 'Tishomingo Blues'. John Parsons (clarinet) replaced Mark and Dave Griffiths (banjo) replaced Pete for 'Carry me Back to Old Virginny'. Peter Tallent replaced Peter Clancy for 'Margie' with vocal by Kevin Scott.
Tony Nutt (cornet) replaced Mike Scroxton with Robbie on Clarinet and Winnie on bass for 'Basin Street Blues' and, with Jed Kearse replacing Peter Tallent on trombone, 'My Blue Heaven' (Pete Nevard vocal).
Best of all was the combined talent of Colin Dobson (trumpet) and the excellent John Lawes (clarinet) playing/singing 'I Wanna Little Girl' and 'Some Day You'll Be Sorry'. As they left the stage, we realised it could only go downhill after that so we left.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Silk Street Hot Six at the Cricks; Peter Rudeforth
On Monday night we saw the Silk Street Hot Six at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Johnny Spall (clarinet), Peter Rudeforth (cornet, vocals), Chris Lowe (trombone, vocals), John Morphew (sousaphone), Simon Picton (banjo) and Dominic Cole (drums).
Peter Rudeforth is one of our two favourite cornet players, with an open swinging style in this band, although he can also play cool muted trumpet as on our CD 'Cool Vibes'. Every number this band played was good so picking favourites is a real problem. Let's go for:
'Careless Love' and 'Tin Roof Blues' because we danced to them;
'One of these Days' and 'Sunny Side of the Street' becuse they are just great tunes;
Johnny's feature 'Exactly Like You';
'Just a Closer Walk With Thee', for its slow start and fast finish.
Once again we had a good crowd at our table; Axel (still in the UK for the second week), Alan 'Mr Sherry' Roper (with even more jazz news) and Brian (in the foreground of the picture, who gave us a Christmas card).
Labels: Jazz
Monday, December 17, 2007
Mark Aston & David Clancy at the Europa with UGH
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House (UGH) Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Mark Aston (tenor sax, trombone, pictured), Roger Limb (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and David Clancy (drums, pictured for the first time on this blog). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'Deed I Do', with Mark on Trombone;
'When You're Smiling'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (pocket trumpet) and Phil Brown playing 'Struttin' with Some Barbecue' and 'Blue Turning Grey', to which we danced;
Peter Miles with Mark and Roger, singing 'My Funny Valentine' and 'You Don't Know What Love Is'. Towards the end of this session, power was lost to Peter's microphone, leading to accusations of sabotage.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Aldi is not wanted here
German discount supermarket chain Aldi is planning a store and 14 flats on the 'Green Man' site in Guildford, where we live, that has been a public house since the 16th Century and possibly before. For many months the old pub has been boarded up in an unsightly fashion, presumably to wear down local resistance. Let me tell you Aldi Germans and your British quislings that this action will only make us more determined to oppose you. You are not wanted here !
Bear in mind that this is a marginal political area and both the local Conservatives (one of them pictured here) and the Lib Dems will be fighting you to avoid losing votes.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, December 14, 2007
West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband
I am still receiving no e-mail via the isomatic.biz mail server at West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband. If anyone wishes to e-mail me regarding Isomatic business or any private matter, please use:
peter.burton6@ntlworld.com
Labels: Internet
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Brian White's Magna Jazz Band
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for
Brian White's Magna jazz band, with the standard line-up back together.
Our favourites from the excellent list of numbers were:
'Mean to Me', with references from to Selina's unflattering sketch of me in a bad mood at work earlier that day;
'Pleading for the Blues';
Brian's vocal 'Ain't Gonna Give You None of my Jelly Roll';
'Bei Mir Bist Du Schön', with a great clarinet and drum duet (see picture of Rex Bennett in action with Brian's clarinet and beer glass in the foreground;
The trombone and keyboard feature 'I'm Through With Love'.
It was so cold outside that Selina wore long skirt and long boots instead of her usual mini-skirt. This led to some disappointment from her fans.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Couriers again
We had representatives from two courier companies in today to listen to our complaints about rising costs and poor online booking systems. We received the typical large company answers; summarised as 'we will report back but we can't change the system'. Should we conclude from this that we should not use large companies as suppliers of goods and services ? I have already turned away large company customers who try to impose their terms and conditions and refuse to accept ours.
Labels: Grumpy
Tuesday, December 11, 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), Richard White (washboard, cymbal etc.), Chris Lowe (trombone), John Lawes (clarinet, most of the vocals), Chris Houslander (sousaphone) and Dave Griffiths (banjo).
It was good to hear John Lawes' fine clarinet and voice again after a long gap. Our favourite numbers all included vocals by John:
'Basin Street Blues' to which we danced;
'Got the Heebie-Jeebies';
'Tin Roof Blues' with great wa-wa cornet from Dave Lowe and a fine banjo solo from Dave Griffiths;
'I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate'
'Along the Road to Gungadai', which really is in NSW Australia.
We had a good crowd at our table; Axel (back from 2 months at his cabin in California), Alan 'Mr Sherry' Roper (with all the latest jazz news) and Don (sometime dance partner to 'Mary' and saviour of Selina's scarf at the Watermans Arms).
Labels: Jazz
Monday, December 10, 2007
Urban Gin House Band with Clive Burton
On Sunday evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. The quintet comprised Alan Brock (trumpet and vocals) Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass), Mike Knipe (drums) and special guest Clive Burton (trombone, pictured). The second picture shows Selina being photographed unexpectedly.
Our favourite numbers with the base band were:
'New Orleans', to which we danced;
Clive's feature 'Watch What Happens';
'Willow Weep for Me' a regular great from Alan Brock and Alan Dandy;
A variant on the great Bossa Nova genre 'Blue Bossa';
Alan Dandy's feature 'Almost Like Being in Love'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard during the breaks.
Guest groupings from the audience were:
1) Fred Shaw (cornet), Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Aileen May (string bass), playing 'Creole Love Call' and 'Strutting With Some Barbecue'.
2) Peter Talent (trombone) and Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax), playing 'All of Me' and 'If I Had You'.
3) Phil Brown duetting with Clive on 'Lover Come Back to Me' and 'Teach me Tonight'.
Clive announced that my reward for guessing the title of 'Lover..' was a week with the drummer. There is a touch of 'Deja View' about this.
Pat from the Berrylands sat with us and chatted. It is amazing how well she is known outside the narrow circle in which we normally see her.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Hitman; Olga Kurylenko
On Saturday evening we went to see
Hitman at the Guildford Odeon. This film was unbelievable, unfathomable and uninteresting. The only reason to see it is to view Olga Kurylenko. Heterosexual women should avoid the film and read no further.
Anyone who has met my wife Selina will know that legs are my thing; Olga's are superb. She wears very short skirts / dresses / underwear throughout the film but the best moment is the long lingering view of her, front and back, wearing nothing but very skimpy knickers.
Labels: Film
Saturday, December 08, 2007
The 40 Year Old Virgin
On Friday evening we stayed in and watched television again ! Two nights in one week must be a record for recent times. We watched our own video recording of
The 40 Year Old Virgin from a previous evening's TV programmes. We laughed a lot at the crude humour in this comedy. The first picture shows the scene where the hero's workmates persuade him to have his chest waxed. Each time the Chinese woman rips the hairs from his chest he hurls a stream of abuse at her. The look on her face is a joy to behold. The second picture is a main character played by Catherine Keener. I spent most of the film wondering where I had seen her before. The answers are:
1) very recently in 'Into the Wild'
2) a while back in a Seinfeld episode called 'The Letter', which we must now watch again.
Labels: Film
Friday, December 07, 2007
West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband
Do any of its other customers know what is happening at West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband. I am receiving no e-mail via that route, nobody is answering the telephone and there is no response to an e-mail sent via another ISP. I cannot log on to e-mol webmail either.
Labels: Grumpy
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Magna Jazz Band with Terry Lewis
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for
Brian White's Magna jazz band, with the standard line-up except that Terry Lewis (pictured) deputised on string bass.
Our favourites from the excellent list were:
'Hesitating Blues', with great 'wa-wa' cornet from Pete Towndrow;
My request 'Button Up Your Overcoat', which, as a teenager, I recorded on reel-to-reel tape (Mick Mulligan's version);
Another punter's request 'A Foggy Day', which Brian claimed he had never played before;
Sidney Bechet's 'Le Marchand de Poisson';
'Love Me or Leave Me', with a fine Clarinet solo from Brian;
and best of all the two individual musician feature numbers:
Pete Towndrow's beautiful rendering of 'You Made Me Love You'
and
Alan Dandy's superb keyboard solo, 'Mr Jelly Lord'.
Labels: Jazz
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Water Power
I have now added a web page for
Water Power. It points to the
Ampair Web Site. The pictures here show an underwater generator and a towed generator.
Labels: Water power
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Phil Brown Swingtet with Peter Godfrey
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), Ken Ames (guitar), Guest Peter Godfrey (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and David Clancy (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
'If I Had You', to which we danced and Ken Ames' excellent vocal 'Up a Lazy River', rsulting in the picture.
We shared our table with George Eatwell and his son Philip, who seemed very surprised that this weblog exists. Good news is that our Danish friend Axel will be back from California this week; he 'phoned to gloat about the good weather there. The sad news is that Dawn, our regular waitress at the Cricks is leaving this week.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, December 03, 2007
Urban Gin House with Roger Limb & 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), Roger Limb (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'If I Had You', to which we danced;
'Tin Roof Blues', with Alan Brock vocal;
'At The Jazz Band Ball'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (pocket trumpet) playing 'I Cover The Waterfront' and 'Cheek to Cheek';
Peter Clancy and Roy Stokes (trombones) playing 'Some of These Days' and 'Tishomingo Blues', then, with Mike Byrne and Aileen May (bass) but without Alan, 'The World is Waiting for the Sunrise'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.
Best of all was Roger's feature, requested by Mary Stokes, 'Misty'.
We were surprised to see Thursday regular Pat at the Europa, having never seen her anywhere but the Berrylands, obviously known by everyone. It transpires that she lives nearby.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Schindler's List
After our day out in Dorset / Hampshire we decided to stay in on Saturday evening, so looked through our VHS cassettes of old films. We watched Schindler's List, one of the great films of all time. However many times we see it, we never fail to be gripped by it.
Labels: Film
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Southbourne, Wick, Barton-on-Sea
Today we took a day trip to Dorset, driving through Burley in the New Forest and Christchurch to Southbourne, where we lunched at
The Commodore again. This time we both had steak and ale pie, which was the real thing; shortcrust pastry, made in the large and cut into slices. We sat at the next table from three Christians who were talking about their work in Malawi and Palestine. I wanted to ask them about the origins of the 'missionary position' but I was too inhibited.
After lunch we went for a walk by the River Stour from Wick to Tuckton bridge. The photograph is looking across the river from Wick to Christchurch Priory. We then drove to Barton-on-Sea where we had coffee at
The Pebble Beach bar and restaurant; recommended to all who like modern establishments.
Labels: Travel
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