Isomatic UK Weblog

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Frixo, Dorset via country lanes, Wimborne 

Before setting out for Dorset today we checked on the traffic using Frixo. We decided, for the second time in 8 days, to use country lanes for as much as possible of the journey. On the way down we encountered some problems:
1) Road closed with no advance warning
2) The alternative route took us to a deep ford but the Suzuki managed it.
For the return journey the only problems were two bad accidents with ambulances involved. Despite all this, avoiding traffic is still worthwhile and the countryside was beautiful.
Our final stop of the day was at Wimborne Minster (pictured), an attractive market town that boasts, among other things, Dolloways, a promising hardware store. I suspect we will need this when we first move down to the area.

Labels: Travel

posted by Peter  # 19:48

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Mamas and The papas 

After the chat at the George & Dragon on Tuesday about Mama Cass Eliot singing Dream a Little Dream of Me, it was an amazing coincidence that BBC4 dedicated an hour this evening to The Mamas and The Papas, one of the great groups of the sixties. Only two of them survive but past interviews with all four were shown. Note that Cass is on the right of the picture, thus not showing what a big girl she was.

Labels: Pop Music

posted by Peter  # 22:27

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Magna Jazz Band with Graham Barton 

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to see The Magna jazz band with Graham Barton (pictured) deputising very adequately for Alan Dandy on keyboard.
Favourite numbers were:
Georgia Grind, sung in this link by Lil and Louis Armstrong;;
Savoy Blues composed by Kid Ory;
Graham's feature Rosetta , composed by Earl Hines.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:28

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Peace Party 

We have received a European Parliamentary Election flyer from The Peace Party. This is obviously a well-meaning, compassionate, Europhile, left-wing organisation so it pains me to criticise; however, it must be done.

The fundamental platform is pacifism, involving zero military expenditure. I must disagree very strongly from the perspective of recent history.
1) The failure of Britain and France to stop the Nazis re-occupying the Rhineland when they were militarily still weak, undoubtedly resulted in World War 2, with 45000 deaths.
2) Margaret Thatcher's lack of early resolve to eject the Argentines from South Georgia and announce the presence of a nuclear submarine in the area led to the Falklands war.
3) NATO's hesitance in Bosnia caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Bosnians.
4) The West's hesitance in striking at the Taliban led to the 11 September terrorism attacks and the continuing Taliban strength.

The moral is clear; hit the buggers hard and early. Do not wait for them to grow in strength. NATO was obliged to do this in Kosovo after the Bosnian disaster to avoid losing all credibility. The result was relatively few casualties and a level of peace that is still holding.

We need to maintain our military strength to deter primitive tribal savages from attacking us. In Iran and Pakistan they could even gain control of nuclear weapons.
Sorry Peace Party, much as I like you, you are seriously misguided.

Labels: Grumpy

posted by Peter  # 20:58

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

John Barnes Quartet with Alan Berry and Trevor Tomkins 

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet and vocal), Alan Berry (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Trevor Tomkins (drums, pictured). It is hard to pick out specific numbers; they were all good. We will just briefly mention:
Dream a Little Dream of Me usually credited to Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt with lyrics by Gus Kahn and most famously recorded by the Mamas and The Papas as in the YouTube link;
Where or When from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical Babes In Arms, first performed by Ray Heatherton and Mitzi Green and then famously by the Benny Goodman Trio as in the YouTube link;
Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine from the musical Show Boat with music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and based on a novel by Edna Ferber.
Guests John Shepherd and John Lang played three numbers, including 'Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans' written by Eddie DeLange and Louis Alter and first heard in the movie 'New Orleans' in 1947, where it was performed by Louis Armstrong and sung by Billie Holiday. This is not to be confused with the very different Hoagy Carmichael number 'New Orleans' (John Shepherd please note).

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:43

Monday, May 25, 2009

No more DSL parts 

We decided that we were exceeding our resources by trying to cover too many products and markets so we must stop marketing all goods that do not sell well. So today I have removed all web pages related to DSL and (hopefully) all links to them. We will now concentrate on:

Wind and Water Power
Single to 3 phase converters
Welding transformers
Other transformers, cores and coil winding

Labels: Internet

posted by Peter  # 13:32

Sunday, May 24, 2009

UGH with John Shepherd, Terry Ede and Andrew Clancy 

This evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House Band. The line-up comprised John Shepherd (trumpet), Terry Ede (tenor sax, clarinet, flute), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). The picture shows the full band with Andrew leading and Selina in the foreground. Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
I Can't Give You Anything But love composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields;
Here's That Rainy Day, music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, played in Bossa Nova style as is the YouTube link featuring Wes Montgomery.
Guests were:
Aileen May (string bass) on 'For All We Know' and 'Strike Up The Band';
Roland (tenor sax) duetting with Terry on 'Satin Doll' and 'Girl From Ipanema';
Peter Clancy (trombone) for 'September In The Rain' and 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me';
Roy Stokes and Jed Kearse (trombones) for 'Running Wild' and (with Jed singing) 'Ja Da'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard during the two breaks; the first solo and the second with Aileen. As tomorrow is a bank holiday we were able to stay until the end.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:45

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Hengistbury Head 

In all the 40 years we have been visiting Dorset we had never climbed Hengistbury Head until today. The two pictures from the top prove we finally did it. There are fine views in all directions but across Christchurch harbour and out at sea towards the Isle of Wight are undoubtedly the best.
It was very humid at the coast today, making the climb a struggle for Selina. On a cool day it would be easy.

Labels: Travel

posted by Peter  # 17:49

Friday, May 22, 2009

Surrey County Council Elections 

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Brian White's Magna Jazz Band at the Berrylands 

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to see The Magna jazz band with the standard line-up. The picture shows the full band from the archive, with Selina in the foreground.
Favourite numbers were:
Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble composed by Spencer Williams in 1917;
Trombone feature Stars Fell on Alabama composed by Frank Perkins with lyrics by Mitchell Parish and published in 1934;
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (note the Ziggy Elman trumpet part near the end), composed by Sholom_Secunda with lyrics by Jacob Jacobs for a Yiddish musical, I Would if I Could (in Yiddish, Men Ken Lebn Nor Men Lost Nisht, "you could live, but they won't let you") in 1932;
Alan Dandy's feature Blues in the Night composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the 1941 film of the same name.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:40

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

John Barnes Quartet at the G & D with Jim Trimmer 

This evening we went to the George & Dragon (pictured) in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet and vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Don Cook (drums). It is hard to pick out specific numbers; they were all good. We will just briefly mention:
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes written by Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for their 1933 operetta Roberta and performed by Irene Dunne for the 1935 film adaptation, starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Randolph Scott;
My Secret Love written in 1953 by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and first performed in the film Calamity Jane by Doris Day;
Alan Dandy's solo features:
A Harold Arlen medley of which I recognised 'Paper Moon', 'I've Got The World on a String', 'Blues In The Night', 'Stormy Weather' and 'Over The Rainbow' but got the titles wrong for the first three by trying to extract titles from lyrics in my head;
Ain't gonna give nobody none of my jelly roll by Clarence Williams with lyrics by Spencer Williams.
Guests John Shepherd and John Lang played four numbers, one of which, 'Deed I Do', included a wonderful jazzy vocal by Jim Trimmer.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:27

Sunday, May 17, 2009

UGH with Derek Paravicini 

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), Bernie Holden (alto sax, clarinet), Mike Bennet (string bass), Mike Knipe (drums) and special guest Derek Paravicini (keyboard, pictured). Derek is blind and has severe mental problems, yet is a brilliant natural musician. He will be appearing at the following venues next month:
Wednesday 3 June St Georges Bristol
Monday 8 June South Bank Centre
Sunday 14 June Christ Church, Nailsworth 0117 9730505.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:36

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Wurlitzer concert at The Musical Museum 

This evening Brian Hicks, Selina and I went to a concert at the Musical Museum in Brentford. This featured the recently restored Mighty Wurlitzer (console pictured), played by experts from the Cinema Organ Society. Our intention had been to have dinner in the pub across the road but this proved impossible due to the time of day. Instead we ate in Cafe Rouge near Kew Bridge.
The concert started with Simon Gledhill playing:
'It's Delightful, It's Delicious, It's D'lovely';
'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' by Jerome Kern';
'Rotten Row' by Angela Morley;
A medley from 'Guys and Dolls' by Frank Lessor.
Then David Shepherd played some Joseph Seal arrangements for organ:
'Wurlitzer Fanfare March';
'Romantic Princess', original composition by Donald Philips;
'These Foolish Things', original composition by David Strachey;
'Playboy';
A 'down memory lane' selection, starting with 'In Love For The Very First time';
Ending with 'Goodnight Melody'.
After the interval, the Wurlitzer was set to automatic, playing a piano roll of 'Pale Lou, An Indian Love Song'.
Dave Lowe then played:
'Something's Gotta Give';
'Moving South' by Richard Johnson;
'Little Brazilian Soldier';
'Skylark' by Hoagy Carmichael;
'El Adobe' ?
Finishing with a 1932 medley.
This was followed by Richard Hills playing:
'ABC March' by Richard Fort;
'Horse Box' by Vic Hammett;
A selection from Ivor Novello's 'The Dancing Years'.
We were then treated to two duets from Richard on Piano and Simon on Wurlitzer:
'On a Spring Note' by Sidney Torch;
'Legend of The Glass Mountain' by Nino Rota.

Labels: Concerts

posted by Peter  # 23:36

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Magna Jazz Band with Chez Chesterman 

This evening we met Marion and Leon at 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. Highlight for sheer pleasure was, once again, the Chez vocal:
Pallet on the Floor, traditional with words varying with the performer (Mississippi John Hurt on the link).
We also enjoyed Brian White's feature, his own composition
Gently Does It;
and
Alan Dandy's fine keyboard solo feature Stomping at the Savoy by Edgar Sampson in 1934. Note that Chick Webb and Benny Goodman both played it but did not, contrary to popular belief, compose it.
While we awaited the arrival of Marion and Leon, Chez showed us the CV of the woman he had 'interviewed' that afternoon. Her picture showed she has a pretty face and her comments about herself indicated she would be good company with a fine sense of humour. Just one turn-off; she is a lawyer !

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:29

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mark Aston Quartet at the George & Dragon 

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the Mark Aston quartet, comprising Mark Aston (tenor sax, alto sax, pictured), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durell (string bass) and Don Cook (drums). Mark was a worthy replacement for the usual John Barnes, who was getting some sleep prior to filming tomorrow.
The numbers we enjoyed most were:
'Mopping and Bopping', composed by Fats Waller and arranged by Mark some time ago (for this information I thank Graham 'Bugleboy' Leavey who played the number with his father and Mark);
My Little Suede Shoes, composed by Charlie Parker in 1926;
Alan Dandy's solo feature Old Man River by Jerome Kern.
Sitters-in were John Shepherd (trumpet), John Lang (trombone) and Geoff Cole (trombone) on:
'Deed I Do', 'Muskrat Ramble', 'Someday Yoou'll Be Sorry' and 'Ring Dem Bells'.
Brian Hicks must have enjoyed it the previous week. He came on his own this time.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:39

Sunday, May 10, 2009

UGH with Les Dyos 

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), Les Dyos (trombone, pictured), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennet (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
'I've Got It Bad And it Ain't Good' by Duke Ellington;
Sweet Lorraine, composed by Cliff Burwell with lyrics by Mitchell Parish, published in 1928;
'Meditation' by Jules Massenet, from Thais, played in latin style;
Alan Dandy's features with bass and drums:
'Nice Work if You Can Get it';
'My Romance'
and with Les:
'All The Things You Are';
'You're So Nice To Come Home To'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (trumpet) and Aileen May (string bass);
Fred Shaw (cornet).
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 22:02

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Guildford's North Street Market 

Now that Guildford has no Butcher or Baker in its town centre, the North Street market has become an essential part of our weekly shopping experience. We go there at around 08:15 on a Saturday morning and buy :

A tasty sliced rye and carraway loaf that, uniquely, has enough slices to last the week;
Meat, the best buy being 50p chicken legs that have lots of meat on them;
The sausages are good too;
Fruit such as melon, strawberries, pineapple and bananas, all of which are expensive in the supermarkets.

Three cheers for the hardy stallholders who are there to serve us cheerfully, regardless of weather conditions.

Labels: Shops

posted by Peter  # 16:13

Friday, May 08, 2009

Ampair A6000 in real wind at Boost Energy 

The new Ampair A6000 wind turbine today experienced real wind at Boost Energy's Park Farm premises. Although the system has not yet been programmed for maximum power, we recorded over 6 kW fed into the grid.
Selina and I spent most of the day monitoring performance in the flat that is fed by the A6000 (top floor of house in picture). While the grid-tie inverter logged many parameters automatically, we made manual independent checks of RPM and inverter input Voltage.
It was a long hard day but seeing 6kW made it all worth while.

Labels: Wind power

posted by Peter  # 21:23

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Magna Jazz Band with Denny Ilett and Dave Hewett 

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, to see The Magna jazz band with two changes to the standard personnel; Denny Ilett (trumpet) and Dave Hewett (trombone), pictured together.
Favourite numbers came in quick succession after the interval:
A Kiss To Build A Dream On, composed by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II;
Dave's feature Mandy, Make up Your Mind composed by Arthur Johnston in 1924;
Alan Dandy's keyboard feature Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Bob Russell; it originated as a 1940 instrumental, "Concerto for Cootie", designed to highlight the playing of Ellington's lead trumpeter, Cootie Williams;
Denny Ilett's vocal feature When You And I Were Young, Maggie from a poem by Maggie Clark's fiancee George Washington Johnson, later set to music by James Butterfield.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:40

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

John Barnes Quartet at the George & Dragon 

This evening we took Brian Hicks to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet and vocals), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durelle (string bass) and Don Cook (drums).
The numbers we enjoyed most were:
Blue Skies, composed by Irving Berlin in 1926;
Savoy Blues, composed by trombonist Kid Ory;
Alan Dandy's solo feature The Entertainer by Scott Joplin.
Sitters-in were John Shepherd (trumpet), John Lang (trombone) and Geoff Cole (trombone) on:
'Ole Miss', 'Savoy Blues' and 'Ring Dem Bells'.
The picture shows the guests with John Barnes. Brian enjoyed his unexpected evening out, particularly (being an ex-drummer) his chats with Don Cook about drums and drumming.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:40

Monday, May 04, 2009

Hurtling towards the red lights 

Sunday, May 03, 2009

UGH with Dave Allison, Roger Limb and Peter Clancy 

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), Dave Allison (baritone sax, clarinet), Roger Limb (keyboard), Peter Clancy (electric bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians (guests pictured) were:
September in the Rain, composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Al Dubin;
Willow Weep For Me, composed by Ann Ronell;
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me, composed by Jimmy McHugh and Clarence Gaskill;
Roger Limb's feature Mack The Knife, played in the style of Erroll Garner.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (trumpet) and Roy Stokes (trombone) playing 'Indiana' and 'Basin Street Blues';
Ray Lindsay (tenor sax) and Aileen May (electric bass) playing 'There'll Never be Another You' and 'If I Had you';
Peter Tallent (trombone), playing 'Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone' and 'Georgia On My Mind'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter  # 23:57

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Mudeford 

En Route to West Moors today we hit heavy traffic as we entered the New Forest. We changed route immediately, driving into the forest and emerging on the Lyndhurst to Christchurch road. Therefore we changed our plan and drove to Mudeford Quay first. The picture shows the view across the narrow channel where the Avon and the Stour discharge into the sea. The other side can be reached by ferry or, presumably, by walking down from Hengistbury Head. A pleasant spot, best seen when there are few visitors.
Readers should note that Mudeford is now the home of ace jazz guitarist Ken Ames.

Labels: Travel

posted by Peter  # 17:57

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