Isomatic UK Weblog

UGH with Bernie Holden and Caroline Cooper

2008-07-20T23:05:00.002Z

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), Bernie Holden (alto sax, soprano sax, pictured), Caroline Cooper (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite number was 'Bernie's Tune', which provoked Mike Bennett to suggest it should be followed by 'Sweet Caroline' (suggestion ignored).
Guests were in three groups:
John Shepherd (trumpet) and Roy Stokes (trombone) playing 'Undecided' and 'Georgia on my Mind';
Roland (tenor sax) with Peter Tallent (trombone) playing 'Honeysuckle Rose' and 'Careless Love';
Phil Brown and Peter Clancy (trombones) playing 'Some of these Days'.
Colin Lewry contributed his usual good keyboard work during the breaks.

Magna Jazz Band with Chez Chesterman & John Stewart

2008-07-17T23:49:00.002Z

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, and John Stewart (banjo, guitar, pictured) replaced Alan Dandy. Highlights for us were:
Chez' vocals on 'Baby Brown' and 'Round The Clock Blues' AKA 'My Baby / Daddy / Mama / Rocks Me';
'Memphis Blues', reminding me of the John Wain novel 'Strike The Father Dead' featuring piano (my little black and white friends) and valve trombone (far superior to the usual slush pump);
The slide trombone feature 'Stars Fell On Alabama' proving John Wain very, very, wrong and with John Stewart playing some excellent finger-style guitar;
and 'Riverside Blues', one of the many numbers Selina brought with her in her dowry of Dutch Swing College records.

Chas McDevitt's Razzamatazz at the Cricks

2008-07-14T23:50:00.001Z

This evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw Razzamatazz, comprising Chas McDevitt (trumpet, vocals), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax, Trombone), Martin Davison (clarinet) Gerry Reid (guitar), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Andy Jones (drums, vocals). This is a great band, particulary strong on vocals with both Chas and Andy having fine jazz voices. Our favourite of these was Andy's 'What a Wonderful World'. As if this were not good enough the band was joined by singer Naomi (pictured) for 'Am I Blue', 'Big Butter & Egg Man', 'We fell Out of Love', 'Careless Love' and, best of all, her duet with Mark for 'Mean to Me'. As for purely instrumental numbers, our favourite was 'Mighty Like the Blues'.
The guests were rather numerous and came all at once (not a good idea); Phil Brown & Peter Clancy (Trombones), Trevor Dockerill (clarinet) and Nicki (drums). They played 'Mood Indigo' (well) and 'Royal Garden Blues' (making a mess of the ending). By chance, Phil Brown's wife Pat was sitting at our table. She has said before that this number has been performed badly by more bands than any other, particularly the ending.

King Jazz with Goff Dubber

2008-07-10T23:57:00.001Z

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. On this occasion Brian was joined by Goff Dubber, playing Soprano Saxophone for a King Jazz session as a tribute to the Mezz Mezzrow / Sidney Bechet quintet. The photograph shows Goff on soprano with Rex Bennet (drums) and Richard Lyons (bass) in the background. Brian White (Clarinet) and Alan Dandy (keyboard) completed the quintet. This line-up always produces great jazz, this time including the following favourites:
'The Revolutionary Blues';
'Out Of The Galleon';
'Minor Swoon',;
'Really The Blues' with Goff on Clarinet;
'Baby I'm Cutting Out' with Goff vocalising;
Brian's own composition 'Nanna Tim';
Alan's feature 'Echo of Spring' by Willie (The Lion) Smith;
'Really The Blues' with Goff on clarinet;
'Delta Mood' by Sidney Bechet;
and for a great finish
'The Blues and Jung', a corruption of 'The Blues and Freud'.
Selina repeated the success of the last King Jazz session by wining a Jack Teagarden CD in the raffle.

Phil BrownSwingtet with Johnny McAllum

2008-07-07T23:26:00.000Z

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, Clarinet), Johnny McAllum (guitar, pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass, in picture) and David Clancy (drums).
The band began with 'Lester Leaps In', which I requested last year but was not played.
We also enjoyed 'Creole Love Call', 'Bernie's Tune' and 'All The Things You Are'; the latter reminding me of Peter Sellers, supposedly singing in the bathroom. This band covers the widest range of jazz we experience, ranging from New Orleans to modern.
We shared our table with Axel (about to leave the country yet again), Brian (birthday again), Rustom (his Rolls does 12 MPG) and Tony (seems to be as irreligious as us).

UGH with Mark Aston & Andrew Clancy

2008-07-06T23:16:00.001Z

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 (tenor sax, trombone, pictured), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'Love is Just Around The Corner', 'Polka Dots & Moonbeams' and, best of all, Mark's feature 'Out of Nowhere'.
Guests were:
John Shepherd (trumpet), Peter Clancy (trombone), Trevor Dockerill (alto sax) and Aileen May (bass) playing 'Bugle Boy March' and 'A Kiss to Build a Dream On';
Fred Shaw (cornet), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Trevor Dockerill (clarinet) playing 'When You're Smiling' and 'Ain't Misbehaving'.
During the breaks Colin Lewry played keyboard.

Guilfest

2008-07-05T15:55:00.003Z

Guilfest is back ! We can hear the noise from here, 1 mile away, and it is only 17:00.
We know that we are a grumpy old couple but we have grown to hate all mass-attendance events. Surrey County Show, Guilfest, Glastonbury, Royal Ascot,...........; you name it we hate it. They disrupt the lives of all those like us who take our pleasures daily or weekly, either with a small group who share our tastes or just the two of us. What pleasure can there be in suffering in traffic jams to mingle with hordes of people in an overcrowded, and probably muddy, field.

Gordon Brown & David Cameron; are you listening ?

2008-07-04T19:24:00.002Z

One of the Peters at the Berrylands says he likes the rare political comment here so:
How about voting for the party that will

1) Help small businesses, not burden them with endless regulation
2) Help exporters, on which the country's economy depends
3) Help the oppressed car drivers, i.e. the biggest single section of the electorate
4) Stop the kamikaze cyclists, not blame drivers for killing or injuring them
5) Bring an end to faith schools and all institutions that seek to brainwash children.

Denny Ilett with the Magna Jazz Band

2008-07-03T23:37:00.003Z

This evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Deputising for Pete Towndrow on cornet was Denny Ilett (pictured), a fine musician from the Max Collie band.
We liked his interpretation of Bix Beiderbecke's 'Singing the Blues' and his great cornet solo in 'Black Cat On The Fence' but the highlight was his duet with Alan Dandy (keyboard) for 'Bad Penny Blues'. At one point Denny played with just the mouthpiece in his cupped hands, sounding like a plunger mute.
Towards the end the band played 'At a Georgia Camp Meeting', reminding me of a joke that really needs to be told rather than written.

Three women sat round the camp fire in Georgia one evening.
The first one announced "Ah cawl ma man Randy coz he wawnts me awl tha tahm".
The second one followed with "Ah cawl ma man Horny coz he's got a hard on awl naht long".
The third one followed with "Ah cawl ma man Drambuie".
"Drambuie" queried the others; "aint that some kahnd of fancy liquor ?".
"Thaz ma man !".

The Po' Boys at the Cricks

2008-06-30T23:24:00.002Z

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 !

Gatsby Jazz Band at the Wych Elm

2008-06-28T23:28:00.003Z

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 !

Magna Jazz Band with Mike Pointon

2008-06-26T23:31:00.001Z

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'.

Pell Mell 8 at the Cricks

2008-06-23T23:13:00.001Z

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.

UGH with Bernie Holden

2008-06-22T23:55:00.003Z

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.

Film: The Edge Of Love

2008-06-21T22:59:00.002Z

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.

Grumpy Old Misogynist

2008-06-20T20:43:00.001Z

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 ?

Chez Chesterman with the Magna Jazz Band

2008-06-19T23:57:00.002Z

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.

Panama Cafe Orchestra at the Cricks

2008-06-16T23:25:00.001Z

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.

UGH with John Shepherd, Les Dyos and Andrew Clancy

2008-06-15T23:49:00.001Z

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'.

Priceless at the Guildford Odeon

2008-06-14T23:18:00.003Z

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.

Pete Towndrow back with the Magna Jazz Band

2008-06-12T23:40:00.001Z

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.

Mike Piggott / Nils Solberg trio at the Cricks

2008-06-10T06:40:00.003Z

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.

Magna Jazz Band with Ken Reece

2008-06-05T23:45:00.002Z

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'.

UGH with Dave Cox and Caroline

2008-06-02T07:32:00.002Z

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'.

Musical Museum at Brentford

2008-06-01T18:06:00.002Z

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.