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.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Brian White and his 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. The numbers of particular note were:
'Chloe', with a bungled start due to one musician misinforming another as to the first note;
A beautiful version of 'Lonesome Road' with great solos from Clarinet, cornet, trombone and keyboard;
George Gershwin's 'The Man I Love', played as a fine solo feature by Alan Dandy (keyboard), joined at the end by Rex Bennett on drums (both pictured).
Labels: Jazz
Monday, May 05, 2008
Redwing at the Cricks
This evening, unusually, we went direct from home to
The Cricketers in Horsell Birch. The band was the Redwing, comprising Kevin Scott (leader, banjo, vocals), Bernard Stutt (clarinet), Roy Stokes (trombone, vocal), Roger Sills (Sousaphone) and John Hall (drums). This is a real trad band with a large dose of humour. All the numbers were from the New Orleans period, e.g. 'Flatfoot', 'Gatemouth', etc. or from the Dixieland era, e.g. 'At The Jazz Band Ball', 'Davenport Blues', etc.
We danced to several numbers, including 'Riverside Blues' and 'Careless Love'.
Our favourite vocal was Roy Stokes' 'All of Me' and our favourite instrumental was Bernard's feature 'In The Upper Garden', which was totally new to us.
Funniest moment was when, during 'Big Butter and Egg Man' Kevin sang 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Aldi, if you Think Old England's Done'. He obviously reads this weblog. Kevin asked Mary Stokes to take this picture of us.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, May 04, 2008
UGH 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), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'Black and Blue' and 'If I Could Be With You An Hour Tonight (to which we danced);
Alan Dandy's feature 'In My Solitude'.
Guests were:
Fred Shaw (cornet) with Roy Stokes and Peter Clancy (trombones) playing 'Strutting With Some Barbecue' and 'Old Rocking Chair';
Roland and Trevor (tenor saxes) with Peter Tallent (trombone), playing 'Bye Bye Blackbird' and 'If I Had you'.
Colin Lewry played keyboard in the breaks.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, May 03, 2008
In Bruges at the Guildford Odeon
This evening at Guildford's Odeon cinema we saw the so-called black comedy
In Bruges. It is well-known that the subject is two hit-men in hiding but there is much more to it than that. Selina thought there was too much violence for it to be a comedy. The picture shows Colin Farrell with the beautiful Clémence Poésy. Ralph Fiennes was brilliant as the hit-mens' evil boss.
Labels: Film
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Files of the Inquisition
Unusually this week we have watched television 3 nights in succession; the programme, on the UK TV History channel, was called 'Files of the Inquisition'. It is amazing to think that this abomination continued from 1233 to 1834. Even more amazing is that modern catholics show no shame or remorse. I realise that they were brainwashed as children but, in later life, do they never consider that they might belong to an evil institution ?
Labels: Television
Monday, April 28, 2008
Excel Jazzmen at the Cricks
This evening, as usual, we broke our journey home from Park Farm to eat, drink and enjoy jazz at
The Cricketers in Horsell Birch. The band was the Excel Jazzmen, comprising Tony Karavis (leader, cornet, vocals), Bernie Murtha (clarinet, alto sax, vocals), Colin Kingwell (trombone), Terry Twiss (banjo, vocals), Mike Broad (bass) and Ian Parry (drums). This is a straight trad band, its best features being the vocals by Bernie and Terry.
Bernie sang 'Short Dress Gal', Selina's signature tune;
We danced to Terry's vocals 'Hesitating Blues', 'It's No Secret' and 'Crying In The Rain'.
Our favourite instrumental numbers were 'Perdido Street Blues' and the now familiar Humph tribute 'Bad Penny Blues', not so good without keyboard.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, April 27, 2008
UGH with Ivor Elliott and Les Dyos
This evening we went to
The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. This time it was a sextet comprising Alan Brock (trumpet), Ivor Elliott (Tenor Sax), Leslie Dyos (trombone), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Ivor and Les are pictured. Our favourite numbers with the full band were 'Out of Nowhere', 'New Orleans' and, the now expected tribute to the late Humph, 'Bad Penny Blues'.
Ivor's features were 'You've changed', 'Blue and Sentimental' and, duetting with Alan Dandy, 'In My Solitude'. We told Ivor how we always hope he will be at the Europa; he has a style once described by Ken Ames as "honking, stonking, real man's jazz".
The guests were:
John Shepherd (trumpet) and Roy Stokes (trombone) playing 'Indiana' and 'Sunny Side of the Street';
Roland (tenor sax), Peter Clancy & Peter Tallent (trombones) and Aileen May (bass), playing 'All of Me' and 'Georgia'.
Colin Lewry (keyboard) played during the breaks.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Jack o' Newbury, Binfield
This afternoon we had lunch with a Portuguese interview candidate at the
Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire. A photograph is now available, shown here, showing the pub with few cars spoiling the view. Good food and a fine range of wines by the glass. Friendly service and friendly locals. One word of warning; no food on Sunday evenings.
Labels: Eating out
Thursday, April 24, 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. All the numbers played were good but we particularly enjoyed:
'Weeping Willow Blues';
'Clarinet Marmalade';
Hoagy Carmichael's 'Judy', played as a solo feature by Alan Dandy (pictured);
and
'You Took Advantage of Me', evoking memories of when I was 19 years old and Selina, who I had just met, told me she had a pair of black stockings in her bag.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, April 21, 2008
Panama Cafe Orchestra with John Lawes
This evening we saw the Panama Cafe Orchestra at
the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. The band comprised Dave Lowe (cornet, vocals), Richard White (washboard, cymbal, vocals), Chris Lowe (trombone), John Lawes (clarinet, vocals), Chris Houslander (sousaphone) and Dave Griffiths (banjo).
The pictures show the full band and Dave Griffiths wearing his latest beauty aid, flanked by the great John Lawes and our friend Tony in the forground. Our favourite numbers were:
Hoagy Carmichael's 'New Orleans';
Bix Beiderbecke's 'Davenport Blues';
Jelly Roll Morton's 'Kansas City Stomp';
'Washboard Wiggle';
Kid Ory's 'Savoy Blues';
and, best of all, John's vocal 'Sugar', which he sang looking at Selina (my sugar) as we danced.
At our table were; Alan 'Mr Sherry' Roper (who sounds just like my mother, describing Indian and Chinese food as 'foreign muck'), Brian Hicks (planning to pay a jazz band to perform for him yet refusing to pay entrance fees to gigs) and Rustom Patel (getting ready to display his classic Rolls and Fire Engine at various shows).
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, April 20, 2008
UGH with Mark Aston and Andrew 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), Mark Aston (tenor sax, trombone), Andrew Clancy (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Eddie Kettle (drums). Our favourite numbers with these musicians were:
'You Took Advantage of Me' and 'I Want a Little Girl', to which we danced;
'September in the Rain', played too fast for dancing;
'Everybody loves My Baby';
'Whispering'.
Guests, prior to our early departure, were:
John Shepherd (trumpet) and Colin Kingwell (trombone) with Mark playing 'Exactly Like You' and 'Breeze'.
During the breaks Colin Lewry played keyboard.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Flashbacks of a Fool
This evening we saw
Flashbacks of a Fool at the Ambassadors cinema in Woking. This is an unusual film with a rather sad story. Good screenplay and excellent acting by the mainly British cast. Recommended.
Labels: Film
Aldi; not wanted here, go back to Germany
German discount supermarket chain Aldi has now had the roof tiles removed from the 'Green Man', a public house since the 16th Century and possibly before, in Burpham, Guildford, where we live. For many months the old pub has been boarded up in an unsightly fashion, presumably to wear down local resistance. Now they are pushing us further by making the building look even worse. Let me tell you again you evil Aldi Germans and your equally evil British quislings that the people of Burpham hate you !
This is a marginal political area so expect no support from local politicians.
To the staff of Aldi, I point out that you are working for an evil German Company and should be ashamed. To existing Aldi customers, I ask you to consider the alternatives for your shopping rather than provide income for such a rotten German organisation.
Labels: Grumpy
Thursday, April 17, 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. Selina is pictured wearing the 'little black dress' among some of the instruments.
We particularly enjoyed:
Brian's vocal 'Who's Sorry Now';
'Nagasaki', pity there was no vocal;
'Misty Morning', just learnt by Pete Towndrow but sounded as if he had been playing it for years;
'Perdido Street Blues'
and Alan Dandy's feature 'Memories of You', dedicated to Dick Charlesworth, who died this week. We will all remember Dick for his dry humour as much as his jazz.
Labels: Jazz
Monday, April 14, 2008
Geoff Cole's Red Hot Five at the Cricks
This evening at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch we saw Geoff Cole's Red Hot Five, comprising Geoff Cole (trombone), Tony Pyke (Alto Sax, Clarinet), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Gerry Ingram (string bass) and Colin Miller (drums). Geoff is probably the best trombonist around, with a lovely tone and an encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz.
We particularly enjoyed 'I'll Never Be The Same', 'Lover Come Back To Me', 'Little Girl' and 'Where Are You'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, April 13, 2008
UGH with Caroline
This 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, clarinet), Caroline (keyboard, pictured), Mike Bennett (bass) and Eddie Kettle (drums). Caroline did not know most of the numbers but coped well with the chords in front of her. Our favourite numbers were:
'Bernie's Tune';
'CCC Blues';
Bernie's feature 'All The Things You Are';
'The Preacher'.
During the break Colin Lewry played keyboard.
The first group of guests were John Shepherd (pocket trumpet), Martin Davison (clarinet), Roy Stokes (trombone) and Pat Starr (vocals) playing/singing 'S'wonderful' and 'Exactly Like You' then playing (without Pat) 'There'l never be Another you'.
The second group of guests were Roland and Trevor Dockerill (tenor saxes) with Peter Tallent (trombone), playing 'Georgia on my Mind' and 'Undecided'.
After that we left due to tiredness.
Labels: Jazz
Juho Pohjonen at the Wigmore Hall
This morning we went to the
Wigmore Hall to see the Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen perform:
Haydn Fantasia in C HXVII:4;
Mozart Fantasia in C minor K. 475;
Couperin Ordre No. 27 from Book IV of Pièces de Clavecin;
and
Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin.
All the pieces were enjoyable, albeit difficult to remember.
Labels: Concerts
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Rolling Stones; Shine a Light
This evening we saw the Rolling Stones concert film
Shine a Light at Guildford's Odeon cinema. Unsurprisingly it was VERY loud and the Stones are as old as us, probably older in the case of Charlie Watts. Keith Jagger and Keith Richards just look older because of their ravaged faces. Nevertheless, they are amazingly slim and fit.
Guests were Jack White (OK), Buddy Guy (fine voice) and Christina Aguilera (just shouting). Overall the film is not worth the entrance fee.
Labels: Film
Monday, April 07, 2008
Phil Brown Swingtet at the Cricks
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), Ken Ames (guitar), Andrew Clancy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and David Clancy (drums).
We particularly enjoyed 'Satin Doll', 'Blue and Sentimental' and 'Milneburg Joys'.
Labels: Jazz
Sunday, April 06, 2008
UGH with Dave Allison
This 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 Allison (baritone sax, clarinet, vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
'Drop Me Off in Harlem', to which we danced;
Alan Brock's vocal 'All of Me';
Alan Dandy's feature 'Blame It On My Youth'.
During the break Colin Lewry played keyboard.
Guests were John Shepherd and Colin Kingwell, playing 'I Want a Little Girl' with vocal by Dave Allison and 'Down In Honky-Tonk Town'.
After that we left due to tiredness.
For once we were not the only dancers; a young couple not only danced but bought the band a round of drinks.
Labels: Jazz
Saturday, April 05, 2008
27 Dresses at the Ambassadors Cinema
This evening we saw the chick-flick
27 Dresses at the Ambassadors Cinema in Woking. It was billed as a rom-com, which I suppose is accurate. OK for its genre.
Labels: Film
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Magna Jazz Band with Keith Brown
This evening we went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where
Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. Keith Brown (pictured, singing) replaced Rex Bennett on drums.
Our favourite numbers were:
'Pallet on the Floor', Pete Towndrow (cornet) picking it up from listening to the others then playing it perfectly;
'The Old Rugged Cross', the first jazz clarinet number I ever recorded on tape;
Keith's vocal 'Nobody Knows You';
Alan Dandy's fine solo keyboard feature 'Blame It On My Youth' followed by 'I'm Getting Sentimental Over You';
'Saratoga Swing'.
Derek from Oban was back, now working locally.
Labels: Jazz
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
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