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.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Apex Jazz Band at the Cricks
This evening 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), Bert Shipp (bass guitar, vocals) and Ian Parry (drums). The numbers we particularly enjoyed were:
'I've Found a New Baby' with great trombone from Clive;
Terry's vocals with guitar, 'Someday Sweetheart' and 'Breeze';
Bert's vocal 'Making Whoopee';
Clive's feature 'Keeping Out of Mischief Now'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, March 30, 2008
UGH with Mike Pointon
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised John Shepherd (trumpet), Mike Pointon (trombone, vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
'Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans', to which we danced;
'Deed I Do';
'Somebody Love's Me' with vocal by Mike Pointon;
and, best of all, Alan's feature 'I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans'.
During the break Colin Lewry played keyboard.
Labels: Jazz
From Russia exhibition at the Royal Academy
This morning we went to the 'From Russia' exhibition at the Royal Academy. There were some great portraits and some impressionism but we did not appreciate the post-impressionist and modern stuff that was rather dominant.
Labels: Art
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Gatsby Jazz Band at the Wych Elm
This 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 with Bob Dwyer (trombone) arriving late as usual. We note that he is always early when leading his own band.
It is traditional for Selina to perch on a bar stool at this venue but comfort ruled from the start so we joined Peter Winn's friend David and another Peter at a table with chairs.
Labels: Jazz
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Magna Jazz Band at the Berrylands
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for
Brian White's Magna jazz band, with the standard line-up back together.
We particularly enjoyed:
'Wabash blues', 'Far Away Blues', 'A Kiss to Build a Dream On' and Alan Dandy's feature 'A Ghost Of a Chance' but best of all was his duet with Pete Towndrow on 'Bad Penny Blues' as pictured.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Bob Dwyer's Hot Six at the Cricks
On Monday night we saw Bob Dwyer's Hot Six at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. This was the hot seven minus drums, comprising Bob Dwyer (trombone, vocals), Bill Edmonds (trumpet), John Bain (clarinet, alto sax, bass sax), Hugh Crozier (keyboard), Peter Clancy (string bass and Sousaphone) and Nick Singer (banjo, vocals). The enjoyed every number but those we liked best were:
'Potato Head Blues';
'Melancholy Blues' and 'Snag It' both with vocal by Nick;
'West End Blues';
and best of all, our favourite Jelly Roll Morton composition 'Sidewalk Blues' with Bill making a good job of the George Mitchell part.
The other photographs show:
Axel with Dawn, our favourite member of the Cricks staff;
Us dancing and close up, photography by George Eatwell.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter at Southbourne
We spent the Easter weekend at
The Commodore in Southbourne. Friday and Saturday were lovely sunny days with a bitterly cold wind then Sunday was dominated by rain. On friday evening we saw the Ron Davidge jazz band at the Cottonwood Hotel and on Saturday evening we danced to the music of keyboard player Brian Cox (pictured).
On Sunday we drove west to escape the rain and reached Lyme Regis in sunshine as pictured. The sun did not last as the warning clouds indicate.
Labels: Travel
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Magna Jazz Band with Les Dyos
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. On this occasion guest trombonist was Leslie Dyos (pictured). Our favourite numbers were:
'Am I Blue' with vocal by Pete Towndrow;
'Putting On The Ritz' with Brian White (clarinet) duetting with Rex Bennett (drums);
Pete Towndrow's speciality 'The Bugler's Lament' without using the valves on his cornet;
Alan Dandy's keyboard feature 'Grandpa Spells'.
Marian and Leon joined us for the evening and seemed to enjoy it enormously.
Labels: Jazz
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Panama Cafe Orchestra with Graham Collicott
On Monday evening we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet, vocals), Richard White (clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax, vocals), Chris Lowe (trombone, vocals), Graham Collicott (drums, pictured), Chris Houslander (sousaphone) and Dave Griffiths (banjo).
Our favourites were:
'Savoy Blues';
'Mississippi Mud';
'Cloudy' and 'Tea For Two', to both of which we danced;
and best of all 'Shimmy-Sha-Wabble'.
Axel telephoned to say he would not make it but we still had a good crowd at our table:
Alan 'Mr Sherry' Roper with all the latest jazz news;
Tony from the Berrylands, who was very quick to pick up on my financial sublety;
George Eatwell, eating well as always;
George's son Philip who kissed Selina and said she was gorgeous !
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Urban Gin House Band with Mark Aston & Roger Limb
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet, vocals), Mark Aston (alto sax, clarinet, pictured), Roger Limb (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'Someday Sweetheart' and 'I Can't Get Started', to which we danced and, best of all, Mark's feature 'Wave' from the Bossa Nova era.
Guests were:
Fred Shaw (cornet), Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Aileen May (string bass) playing 'Beale Street Blues' and 'Sugar';
'Peter Clancy' (trombone) and Roland (tenor sax) playing 'undecided' and 'Careless Love'.
During the breaks Colin Lewry played keyboard.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Vantage Point
This evening we saw the film
Vantage Point at the Guildford Odeon. Much action was packed into just 90 minutes, with the same sequence repeated 6 times from different 'Vantage Points'. Even though it had a 12A certificate, Selina found it too violent.
Labels: Film
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Brian White's Magna jazz band at the Berrylands
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for
Brian White's Magna jazz band, with the standard line-up back together. The picture shows Brian singing to the usual mixture of barracking and standing ovation.
Our favourites from the excellent list of numbers were:
'Little Girl' with Alan Dandy switching his keyboard from piano mode to vibes mode half way through;
'Up a Lazy River' with Pete Towndrow using the plunger mute to good effect;
'Weeping Willow Blues, not to be confused with 'Willow Weep For Me';
Alan Dandy's sophisticated keyboard version of 'What'll I Do';
'Autumn Leaves';
and finishing with Pete's request for 'Clarinet Marmalade'.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, March 10, 2008
Chris Lowe quartet at the Cricks
This evening we went to
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking to see a quartet comprising Chris Lowe (trombone), Alan Barnes (alto Sax, clarinet), Richard White (bass saxophone) and Martin Wheatley (acoustic guitar, vocal). These are four great jazz musicians, of which Alan is by far the best-known, having played all the jazz styles with many bands. Chris is well-known to readers of this weblog for his performances on either trombone or drums with the Panama Cafe orchestra. Richard White handles the apparently cumbersome bass saxophone as if it is a much faster-responding instrument, using it for a solo section in every number. Martin amazed the audience with what he can produce from a small acoustic guitar. A good performance; pity that there was not a very large crowd, particularly at the end. Our favourites were:
'If I Had You';
'Limehouse Blues';
'All God's Children Got Rhythm';
'Polka Dots and Moonbeams';
and best of all, Martin's vocal (great jazz voice) 'My Buddy'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Urban Gin House with Bernie Holden
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Bernie Holden (alto sax, clarinet, pictured), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Eddie Kettle (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'You've Changed';
'Bernie's Tune';
Bernie's feature 'Wave', played in latin style;
and Alan Dandy's solo feature 'My Romance'.
Guests were:
Fred Shaw (cornet) and Roy Stokes (trombone) with 'My Monday Date' and 'Up a Lazy River';
Roland (tenor sax) with Roy, playing 'Undecided' and 'Careless Love'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, March 08, 2008
The Other Boleyn Girl
This evening we saw
The Other Boleyn Girl at the Guildford Odeon. This was a well-made film with good acting performances (especially Natalie Portman) so worth seeing on the basis of an enjoyable evening out. History buffs might not like the artistic licence taken with the known facts. Also some aspects were not explained.
Labels: Film
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Seized clutch
On starting Boost Energy's old VW Golf test vehicle for the first time in 6 months (with a second battery) we discovered that the almost-new clutch had seized. Attempts to free it by pushing the car in gear failed miserably. I then jacked up one wheel, started it in gear and, with clutch depressed, heel-and-toed accelerator and brake until the clutch became free.
Moral; do not leave a car unused over winter.
Labels: Cars
Monday, March 03, 2008
Phil Brown Swingtet with three Clancys
This 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, Alto Sax, Clarinet), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (back on keyboard, pictured), Peter Clancy (string bass, pictured with Ken) and David Clancy (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
Harry (Sweets) Edison's 'Centrepiece';
'My Funny Valentine', a number we never liked until recently;
Stan Greig's 'Front Seat Driver';
'Moten Swing';
'Chimes Blues', mixing the King Oliver and Chris Barber versions;
'Pennies From Heaven', with just the rhythm section;
and, best of all, 'Going Up The River' featuring Phil and Ken.
We shared our table with Axel, George, Brian and Shirley; Gillan sitting just behind me. Axel caused great amusement with his theory that sexual fantasy is better than the real thing. I want both !
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Urban Gin House Band with Phil Brown, Terry Lewis & Roger Limb
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Phil Brown (trombone, pictured), Roger Limb (keyboard), Terry Lewis (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'Careless Love', to which we danced;
'Ain't Misbehavin';
And 'Perdido', much being made of its English translation 'Lost'.
Guests were:
Fred Shaw (cornet), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Trevor Dockerill (tenor sax) playing 'Smooth One' and 'Rosetta';
Peter Clancy (trombone):
first with Phil Brown playing 'Bye Bye Blackbird';
then with Trevor and Roland (tenor saxes) playing 'Tin Roof Blues' and 'Undecided'.
During the first break we had a fascinating discussion with Roger about Bossa Nova origins and composers. We must nag more to request these great numbers !
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, March 01, 2008
The Bank Job
This evening we went to the Ambassadors Cinema in Woking to see
The Bank Job. Based on a true story, supressed at the time, this was a gripping variant of an old theme. Good writing by the famous team of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and fine acting from the all-British cast. We recommend this film.
N.B. Why are the Oscars awarded to crap American films when there are such good ones coming from Britain, China, France and Germany. Is it another case of 'The World Series' when supposedly international awards are just for the USA.
Labels: Film, Grumpy
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