Isomatic UK Weblog

This evening we saw the Po' Boys at the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The quartet comprised Colin Kingwell (trombone), John Lawes (clarinet), Peter Brooks (bass) and Ian Parry (banjo). These are four great jazz musicians; two of whom we know well (John and Ian), one we know more socially than musically (Colin) and one (Peter) who is new to us. An indication of how good they are is that the last number was upon us before we realised. Musically, our favourite numbers were:
'When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful' and 'It's a Sin To Tell a Lie' with fine vocals from John, plus 'Because of You', a slow sweet instrumental.
Amusing numbers were:
Ian's comic version of 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles' and John's vocal 'Gosport Nancy'.
The answer to the band's question "Who wrote Big Butter and Egg Man?" is Percy Venable. John thought it might be Lil Hardin but announced over the microphone that I was looking doubtful.
Our table was shared by Axel, who agrees with me that all nationalists are dangerous, Rustom, who is too polite to say such things, and Brian who has trouble with both car and television, both of which he was proud to get for almost nothing. Tony joined us from the seat immediately behind me, just back from narrow-boating, AKA living in a corridor.
Felicity arrived to invite everyone to Gordon's memorial service and to food, fizz and jazz at the Cricks afterwards. I told her that Gordon had always seemed so young to me, to which she replied that he was 70 but she had kept him young at heart !

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston Upon Thames, for the monthly performance by the Gatsby Jazz Band (as pictured). There were deps. on clarinet and trombone plus a change of instrument for Alan Jenkins. In place of his usual trumpet he played a short cornet, bought for 40 pounds and sounding good.
It is traditional for Selina to perch on a bar stool at this venue but she preferred to lounge against it as shown in the second picture. The camera did not do justice to the fish-net stockings !

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band is resident. The one dep. was Mike Pointon (slide trombone, vocals, pictured). Our favourites were:
Mike's vocals 'Blue Turning Grey' and 'Am I Blue';
Brian's vocal 'Everybody Loves My Baby';
and best of all, Alan Dandy's feature on keyboard, 'Rose Of Washington Square'.
Guest John Goddard (trombone) took Mike's place on 'Tishomingo Blues' and 'Buddy's Habit'.

Labels: Jazz

On Monday evening we saw the Pell Mell Eight at the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Mike Adlam (trombone), Mike Nicholls (trumpet) Pete Walker (tenor sax), Peter Dee (baritone and alto saxes), 'Chalky' White (keyboard), Geoff Rideout (guitar), John Kirby (bass) and Al Merritt (drums). This is an accomplished band but the West Coast jazz style from the '50s and '60s is not really to our taste. Some of the numbers seemed to have no melody and others, like 'Tishomingo Blues' were played too fast. Our favourite number was 'Perdido' which fits the style well. Our table was shared by Axel, back from his cabin in California.
Al Merritt anounced the sad news that Gordon of 'Gordon and Felicity' had died while on holiday in Crete.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised John Shepherd (trumpet), Bernie Holden (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet; pictured), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'If I Could Be With You An Hour Tonight;
'Basin Street Blues', Selina requiring me to draw a map of New Orleans showing Basin Street, then asking about burial details in the above-ground tombs there;
'Fly Me to the Moon' in latin style at Mike Bennett's request;
'A Kiss to Build a Dream On', with John singing in Louis Armstrong style;
Alan's solo 'Snowy Morning Blues';
Bernie's feature 'One Note Samba', one of our favourites.
Guests were:
Roland (tenor sax) with Roy Stokes and Peter Tallent (trombones) playing 'Undecided', 'Sugar' and 'If I Had You'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we saw the film The Edge Of Love at the Guildford Odeon. We rate it 6/10 on the basis that the story line is very weak. Acting and cinematography are fine; I was particularly impressed by Sienna Miller because one would never have thought she is from New York, USA.

Labels: Film

I have always been against misogynists, having argued strongly that women should be given the opportunity to undertake any job and rejoicing in the appointment of female airline pilots, etc.
Experiences this week are driving me towards the woman-hating camp.

When I tell a woman that an ex-wife who denies an ex-husband access to his child is evil, I expect some measure of agreement. Instead I get irrelevant arguments that men are evil in different ways.

When I say that the laws on maternity leave are making it too risky for small businesses (i.e. the vast majority) to employ women of child-bearing age except through agencies, I expect some sympathy for that view. I do not get it.

Must I conclude that women in general (and this does not include Selina) believe that they can inflict extreme cruelty just because they are vindictive or ruin a business just because they are selfish ?

Labels: Grumpy

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Chez Chesterman (pictured) replaced Pete Towndrow on Cornet, the remainder of the band being standard. Highlights for sheer pleasure were:
'Lonesome blues', with Chez singing;
'Perdido Street Blues';
'Boodle Am Shake' sung not by the 3 tenors but by the 3 fivers;
and Alan Dandy's fine solo 'Snowy morning Blues' by James P Johnston. Nobody knew the answer to the question "what does the P stand for ?" The answer is Price.

Labels: Jazz

This 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), Chris Houslander (sousaphone) and John Watson (banjo).
The picture shows the full band with the menu in the foreground less evident than usual. Our favourite numbers were:
'South', which I can never remember until it starts;
'Crazy Over You', written by John Watson;
A rather spirited version of 'Tin Roof Blues';
'At The Jazz Band Ball';
Bix Beiderbeckes 'Davenport Blues';
and 'Candy Lips', which led me to make comments of a sexual nature to my candy-lipped Selina.
At our table were; Alan 'Mr Sherry' Roper (who likes a good carvery), Rustom Patel (showing us pictures of his lovely 38 year-old daughter), Tony (buying Selina drinks again) and the slender Shirley, who I was able to chat to while Selina and Tony were engrossed in conversation.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it was a quintet comprising John Shepherd (trumpet), Leslie Dyos (trombone), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). John, Andrew and Les are pictured. Our favourite numbers were
'Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans' ;
'It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing';
'A Kiss To Build A Dream On;
and 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schön'.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to Guildfords Odeon cinema to see the film Priceless. This is a rom-com / chick-flick with a good story line and good acting. Selina liked it very much. I would have liked the sex scenes to have been more explicit. Audrey Tautou looked good but Selina has better knees.

Labels: Film

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for Brian White's Magna jazz band, with the standard line-up back together, including Pete Towndrow (pictured). All the numbers played were good but we particularly enjoyed:
'Shimmy-Sha-Wabble', which I remember listening to as a teenager;
'Buddy's Habit' from the King Oliver days, reminding me of the hard-core trad fan at school who carved on the underside of his desk lid 'When King Oliver died all jazz died with him';
'Weeping Willow Blues', originally sung by Bessie Smith but we have the Ottilie Patterson version;
Alan Dandy's feature 'Indian Summer', first solo then joined by Rex Bennett on drums;
and, best of all, Pete Towndrow's feature 'The Bugler's Lament', playing the Cornet like a bugle, i.e. without using the valves. This was the number we heard him playing at the Epsom Jazz Club some years ago, resulting in us trying the Berrylands and now going there every week.

Labels: Jazz

On Monday evening 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. Picking a favourite number from so many favourites is impossible but we particularly enjoyed;
'Pick Yourself Up, Start All Over Again' (by Jerome Kern, from Swing Time);
'Sweet Georgia Brown';
'Swing 42' by Django Reinhardt;
'I've Got Rhythm';
and, best of all, 'A Kiss To Build a Dream On'.
Axel is still out of the country so he missed a surprise visit from Dawn, blond hair down and wearing a low-cut top.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton to see and hear Brian White's Magna Jazz Band. Special guest was Ken Reece, pictured playing one of his three Conn Victor cornets, with Richard Lyons and Rex Bennett in the background. Our favourites were:
'The World is Waiting For The Sunrise' without a banjo available as is traditional;
'New Orleans' with a bowed bass solo by Richard Lyons;
'Savoy Blues', featuring an unusual bluesy keyboard solo from Alan Dandy;
'Alice Blue Gown' with Ken playing the verse alone at the beginning;
Alan's requested feature 'Sleepy Time Down South'.

Labels: Jazz

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, vocal), Dave Cox (tenor sax, clarinet, pictured), Caroline (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
'Autumn Leaves';
'S'wonderful';
and best of all
Daves's feature 'Blue Bossa'.
During the break Colin Lewry played keyboard.
The first group of guests were John Shepherd (trumpet), Phil Brown (trombone) and Aileen May (bass) playing 'Rosetta' and 'Strike Up the Band'.
The second group of guests were Roland (tenor sax) and Peter Tallent (trombone), playing 'Georgia on my Mind' and 'Bye Bye Blackbird'.

Labels: Jazz

This morning Brian, who we meet at the Cricks, took us to the The Musical Museum at Brentford. It was fascinating to be taken round by a volunteer who explained everything. It would have been hopeless without him.

Labels: Travel