Paz at the Bulls Head Barnes

Paz are a Jazz Band

The Taylor's were first introduced to Paz when we happened to book the same Simply Turkey two centre holiday in the early 1990s with Geoff Castles family. Geoff is a driving force behind Paz and has written both music and lyrics for their jazz funk fusion music

Tonight's performance was another treat. Well groomed musically if not sartorially, apart from tom tom and vocal legend Frank Holders syrup, the ease with which the group knock out their catchy and intricate tunes, songs, music is just a joy.

Frank Holder is credited with helping Cleo Laine to perfect her vocal warbling. Frank is getting on a bit now, closer to 90 than to 80 he still gives a full on performance with vigorous tom tom and bongo playing interspersed with his trademark vocal gymnastics and vocal duals with Geoff Castle a talented song writer and keyboard player. The sax NAME TO BE INSERTED tonight deserves a special mention. Nice clear sound and musical. No flugal horn on this occasion or backing singers but for all that they add when they are present they were not missed tonight. 8/10

Fela at Sadlers Wells

High tempo music, song and dance story of Fela Khuti a night club owner in Lagos, Nigeria in the 60's and 70's. Found the story a little hard to follow in places and the impact of the first numbers is difficult to sustain through out the show. 6/10.

Help for Heroes concert at North Weald Burial Park

An afternoon and evening of music organised by Julia Rolf. Unable to stay for all of it. Aldersbrook brass quintet and ten string fever particular local favourites. 5/10

Bowled Over at Aldersbrook Bowls Club

Bowled over@aldersbrook bowls. Once a month opportunity for new musical talent to share their wares. Real wealth of potential. 6/10

Further thoughts after the event. 4 memories.

1. Impressive debut for male acoustic guitar and female singing duo. Played a nice range of material including one by the young female vocalist. She had a rich whispering huskiness to her voice which worked well with the well played guitar in support.

2. A self penned set by ray davies/calm john otway solo blind male musician! Songs inspired by local places and far flung constellations. On reflection the standout performer of the evening. Interesting lyrics and musicality.
3. The headline acts impressive instrument pass the parcel. A 'scratch' band provided a nostalgic set of music and song. Talented group of adolescents
4. Stand out song was a female acoustic guitar duet. A stripped down, slow paced, understated cover of 'Anarchy in the UK' by the Sex Pistols. This was genius and if it was on You Tube had all the ingredients to go viral.
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The story so far.....

I have been writing short tweets (matthewtaylorx) and slightly longer facebook entries about the arts events I have attended over the last year. Whilst I rather enjoy the 140 character challenge I often feel the urge to write more. Hence this blog. The blog is primarily a record for me, but others might be interested also......

Here are the tweets so far:

What would HelenMirren do?@bridportartscentre. 1 woman show about a checkout asst with managerial potential who uses HM as a role model 6/10

Derren brown @ the Shaftesbury theatre. He asked the audience to say nothing about the show. Suffice to say very clever. 8/10

One man two guvners@thenational: I laughed, everyone laughed, but I like my comedy to move me. 8/10

Public viewing of forthcoming christies & sotherby impress/modern art auction. Chance to see works normally held in private collections 6/10

Takeaway@stratfordeast: some good bits & fine individual performances & songs & they packed alot in but the script had too many words 4/10

Caroline duffy - poet laureate. Her work is thoughtful, serious and fun. She is eloquent, modest and intelligent#lincolnhayday

Simon napier bell 'a life in music' band manager, song writer and producer. Very interesting. Will buy the book #lincolnhayday

Tom Bergin 'Spills and Spin' the story of bp and corporate crisis. Will not be buying it. Sorry Tom.#lincolnhayday

Chico & Rita@Lincoln film soc. Experience 7+/10 An animation about 2 black musicians & their stormy relationship in vibrant cuba & US 6/10

London Road@The Cottesloe. Interviews with those affected by the Ipswich prostitute murders set to music. Clever, moving and humorous 9+/10

club night@concert artists assoc. Variety acts of yesteryear meet for free concert performed by their own peers. Quality 5/10 intrigue 9/10

Evening of jazz, songs(including a singalong of mud mud glo..)and louise jameson doing her one woman show "pulling faces'. Great combo. 8/10

National Theatre Live @ stratford picture house. Frankenstein. Brilliant 9+/10

Candi Staton@jazz cafe Camden. Wow this lady certainly has had some hits & at 71 she & her great band gave a real musical treat tonight 9/10

Woodford singers @ north weald burial park. Promising 1st performance for this new group. More variety needed. Good dress code 6+/10

Aldersbrook Players 60th anniversary concert. A decoupage of sketches and songs with a cockney knees up to boot & comical compere. 7/10.

Funk it up @ stratford east theatre. Excellent hip hop version of Shakespeare's much ado about nothing. 7+/10.

Million dollar quartet @ noel coward theatre. I was underwhelmed. Poor narrative, ok music, very good close harmonys, dodgy sound 5/10

Miro @ Tate Modern. What a load of tut. Lots of people pretending to find it interesting. Including me. 2/10

Betty Blue Eyes @ Novello theatre. Very good. Especially the brilliant "pig in the house" number. 8/10

A flea in her ear at the old vic. Of all the farces I have seen recently this is the best. 9/10

The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht @ Greenwich Theatre. Excellent 10/10


The Rivals @ Theatre Royal Haymarket. Wordy, pacey, farce. Play includes Mrs Malaprop giving the english language a new word 9/10

National gallery - sculpture exhibition - good range of very old and very new 8/10

Pre auction viewing - christies - impressionists and modern art - 8/10

End of the Rainbow @ Trafalgar Studios. Great leading actress (Tracie Bennett). 9/10

When we were married: JB Priestley: a traditional british farce 8/10

Pulling Faces. Greenwich (heatre 6/10

Tony Benn and Shirley Williams - memoirs and diaries talk - very interesting but too short. 6/10

John Standing sings Noel Coward at Wilton Music Hall - a charming 7/10

Plan B: The Defamation of Strickland Banks: EastEnd meets retro soul with dusting of harsh rap 8/10

Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre 8/10

The Railway Children at Waterloo station 7/10 - would have been 8/10 if the real steam train had some real rather than fake steam.

Imogen heap and the docklands sinfonia an intriguing 8/10

stephen sondheims passion at the donmar a very high 8/10 (according to Mrs T)

Wanstead House murder mystery a very solid 7/10. Given it was an amdram then actually 8/10

Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain low 7/10

La Soiree on the Southbank 6/10

Another Year released yesterday 7/10

Gauguin at Tate modern 5/10

Reasons to be cheerful @ strateford East theatre royal 9/10