Eastern Straynotes

In With the New

2011-11-28T11:15:00.001Z

I'm beginning to think that Eastern Straynotes have had more bass players than Spinal Tap had drummers. But it is to be hoped that the excellent Cesar Camba is a long-term appointment. Cesar (pronounced 'Thessar') took over from Cairo-bound Paul in September and has quickly made an impact. And having seen him wading in the chilly River Yare during a photo shoot last month I don't think he's the type to get cold feet.

Farewell to Paul and retro wedding

2011-08-28T15:24:00.000+01:00

This month we said goodbye to Paul Fitzgerald, our regular bass player for the last two years. Of all the places to emigrate to he's chosen Cairo. We wish him well.

Paul's replacement will be unveiled in a future post. Meanwhile, we are fortunate to have the incomparable Dave Pullin standing in on a temporary basis.

Yesterday we were in the deep south of Suffolk. The wedding speeches finished well over an hour behind schedule, giving Andy a chance to check out the featured automobile.

"Yes, the unmistakable smell of a Morris Minor!"

Straynotes on the ball

2011-05-06T10:17:00.000+01:00

Last night we found ourselves at the ground of Norwich City FC, newly promoted to the Premier League. We began our set with the pitch clearly visible behind us. But by the time muggins here remembered his camera the sun had gone down. So here we are instead, posing at the third floor entrance to the Jarrold stand at the end of the night. The light isn't reflected glory, it's our own. One shouldn't blow one's own trumpet, especially if one doesn't even play trumpet, but we really were rather good.

And the occasion? A rather grand looking meal for folk engaged in pharmaceutical research at the University of East Anglia. Of course a function of this nature requires live jazz.

The Bandstand

2011-05-06T10:05:00.000+01:00

As a child, almost before I knew what a musical instrument was, I fancied playing in a bandstand. I hadn't realised how cold my hands would get as the sun sank below the treeline. However, it was warm enough two weekends ago (I've had trouble keeping up with the pace of events!) to mark our first gig at Kelling Heath Holiday Park by playing in its bandstand. Surprisingly for April it remained warm all evening and the fingerless gloves were not required. Here's hoping it's as balmy when we return in a fortnight.

Here Andy and Paul are tuning up, just in case you're wondering.

Out on the Town, part two

2011-04-14T13:22:00.000+01:00

Once a year, for the past year or two anyway, we have arranged a gig at Norwich Arts Centre as a showcase for the band. In the past we have invited other musicians including local heroes Cakes and Ale. This time we were joined by songwriter Alan Southgate and cabaret performer Lucy Enskat in her 'The Gypsy' persona. To add colour to the band, Paul brought along three batik shirts from his extensive collection of clothes and the whole evening passed off rather well, though I say so myself.

Alan Southgate has to be one of the most inventive songwriters around at the moment but, like many of the great artists I have met in my live, appears completely unaware of the fact. This makes watching him perform all the more rare and special.

Lucy's gypsy act has become far more assured since I first saw it when she and the Straynotes shared the bill at a burlesque night last year. She really inhabits the role and knows how to work an audience to comic, but never unkind, effect.

And of course Eastern Straynotes are rather good at this performance thing themselves.

Out on the Town, part one

2011-04-08T22:06:00.000+01:00

It's not often the Straynotes play in public but recently we managed to do so three times in six days.

I wish I had a photo of us playing at the ShopArt! Live event, organised by Norwich Arts Centre in a disused estate agents' premises on King Street. We played behind a pane of glass each, on the other side of which was our audience. Highly conceptual, and making a big enough impression on guitarist Andy Kirkham to cause him to change the band's name. Fortunately The Manikins reverted to Eastern Straynotes as we cycled home.

Also on the bill was the legendary Bruce Lacey, pictured with a robot he built in the 1960s. The camera angle was poor so you may have to take my word for it. And there's Andy maintaining a safe distance behind.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-17T06:11:00.000Z

One of the most romantic meals I ever had featured, along with my loved one, a genial old duffer filling the restaurant with the warm sound of a jazz piano. Last Monday, St Valentine's Day,the lucky couples at Quayside Plaza were treated to a menu which included venison, monkfish and, for the vegetarians, stuffed Mediterranean vegetables. Angelo, Magda and their team really know how to prepare and present food. They are also masters of the sympathetic ambiance.

But what of music? It is the food of love, as everyone knows. Well instead of a piano the diners had the soft strings of a jazz guitar and the dulcet tones of a clarinet. I Can't Give You Anything But Love, My Favourite Things, Cheek to Cheek...

Wine flowed, eyes danced and the band played on.

A varied run-up

2011-01-04T15:26:00.000Z

The busy run-up to Christmas provided the Straynotes to demonstrate their versatility. Among our December gigs were a sedate arty-party in the always impressive Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts, a cosy pub on the north Norfolk coast, and a pre-Christmas blow-out for foodies in a restaurant in Great Yarmouth.

Regular readers will know that we always enjoy playing at the Sainsbury Centre so were especially pleased to be asked to play for the Friends' annual Christmas party. This was very much a chat and catch-up event so our role was provide the oil that lubricates the flow of words. The trick is to get a few feet tapping without seeing anyone cup their ears in order to hear. By that measure I think we did pretty well. The favourable comments we received at the end of the evening were the icing on the Christmas cake.

The Stiffkey Red Lion is a pub that has moved with the times, embracing the fashions for beer gardens and food (for which it has a deserved reputation) without losing its identity as a village pub. It has maintained the layout it had when it began life (as the Black Lion) in 1836, comprising a series variously sized rooms. We played in the bar by a large log fire. Very cosy on what was a particularly cold night, but it meant constantly retuning as the heat affected the instruments. Had Andy dropped his guitar at any point it would have been engulfed. We were certainly on fire musically with an attentive audience of locals and weekenders, none of whom were averse to dancing between the tables. Andy duetting with Paul's thumping double bass on 'Undecided' was an especially exhilarating moment; everyone in the bar was wearing the look of wonder.

Plenty of people decided to have their office Christmas meal at the Quayside Plaza Restaurant in Great Yarmouth. I have blogged before about the interesting curios displayed there from antique Indian door frames to enormous oils in Latin American styles. The restaurant operates as a cafe-bar and shop during the day, specialising in fine coffee mixed with third world art and accessories. This resulted in some bizarre takes on the festive season. When I wound our extension lead behind a display of foot-high carved wooden Christmas gnomes I really should have thought to take a quick snap. If they have them again next year (and I can't imagine they were flying out of the door) I will rectify this omission.

Happy New Year from Eastern Straynotes!

The Shop Doorway

2010-11-24T16:43:00.000Z

It's not often the Straynotes play in shop doorways. Rarely, if at all, will they do so in November and certainly not for a three hour stint. But this is a rather unusual doorway. The picture doesn't do it justice but Quayside Plaza is a restaurant with a Victorian-style shop front at the back. And behind the shop front is a shop full of curios from the four corners of the world.

Like restaurants everywhere, space is at a premium and Quayside Plaza is no exception. The doorway is too small for a table but just large enough for a small band. It's a good thing that Angelo doesn't feed us until we've finished playing; there isn't space for a band and two meals.

Angelo doesn't know why there is a shop at the back of his restaurant, at least not a Victorian shop. I did ask a local historian about it and he said he would take a look. Next time I see him I will ask him how he got on. Meanwhile I have tunes to practise.

Hallowe'en

2010-11-09T10:06:00.000Z

The Straynotes have a busy schedule in the run-up to Christmas and have begun trawling their back catalogue for festive favourites. This, of course, is with a view to working a few seasonal numbers, or at least a suitable quote, into the December repertoire.Looking at the material prompted a discussion about whether or not pubs were 'havens from Christmas' - Christmas-free zones, if you like. I suppose 'each case on its merits' is the way to proceed and if the landlord is wearing a red nose and an antlered alice band then it probably means it's cool to Yule.

The last-festival-but-one, Hallowe'en, saw the duo version of the band playing in the brasserie at Dunston Hall. Somehow it just isn't the same without Paul and his bass. Even Andy's new friends (pictured) couldn't cheer him up. They're all called Ian, strangely enough. Hello, Ian!

(Hello Ian - Hallowe'en? Oh, never mind. Perhaps I'll find a better joke in a cracker.)

The Anniversary

2010-10-24T11:38:00.000+01:00

It never ceases to surprise me how often people come up to the band and say, fervently, 'You're playing my kind of music!' The surprising bit is not that they like what the band plays, but the fact that they range in age from twenty-somethings to the over-eighties. (The under twenties just dance and smile.) Earlier in the year, at a function at the Norfolk Showground, we gave away a card to an enthusiastic music-lover. A week or two later he contacted us to ask if we would play at his Golden Wedding Anniversary party.

A fortnight ago the big day arrived and the band set up in a chilly marquee in the blue heart of west Norfolk. That's Andy in the picture, giving guest bassist Dave Pullin (right) and myself a master class in putting together the PA.

The tent soon warmed up as guests moved, sometimes in spite of themselves, to the infectious sound of Eastern Straynotes. It was an audience that knew the genre well, making the compliments we received all the more welcome. However, I think that must really must mark the end of the summer season. My fingerless gloves are at the ready but I make no secret of hoping that the nation's marquees have been retired until next spring.

Every so often someone takes the trouble to write to us after an event and this was one such occasion. Identifying marks have been removed but if you double-click on the letter it should open up big enough to read.

Urban Straynotes

2010-10-03T20:03:00.000+01:00

On Saturday, Eastern Straynotes took part in the Magdalen Street Celebration in Norwich, organised by the Transition Norwich. In case you don't know, the Transition movement explores ways of coping with a post-carbon world: lots of discussion, education and experimentation. The reason there is someone on a bicycle at the front of the stage is because the PA was powered by pedalling. No mains power required, even to charge the battery. And the sound system was perfectly adequate.

The singer/guitarist in the final picture is Tom Foxe and it was he who devised, built and provided the PA. So it looks like amplified music will survive after the oil runs out. At least for a while. And while we waited for the end of life as we know it we partied on the October sunshine beneath the Magadelen Street flyover.

Despite the sun, the hand-warmers came out and I have a hunch that this was probably our last outdoor gig of 2010.

Back from our hols

2010-09-08T21:03:00.000+01:00

First off, a trip to Great Yarmouth for Andy and me to play for diners at Angelo's 'Quayside Plaza' restaurant. It was our first time there and we were struck by all the artwork and 'ethnic' goods on display both in the restaurant and in a shop behind. Musically it was as if we hadn't had the long lay-off at all. We were tight and slick, helped in no small part by a responsive and enthusiastic crowd. Angelo chooses his patrons wisely.

On Sunday it was lunchtime jazz at The Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Here were were joined by Paul on double bass, making us a feel like real band again. We certainly enjoyed ourselves and, judging by all the applause and foot-tapping amongst the coffee-drinking art lovers visiting this exceptional gallery, our audience enjoyed it too.

You may wonder why I mention the audience response but in restaurants diners are often concentrating on their food and conversation. Many are seated with their backs to the band or in alcoves where we may as well be a CD for all they know. And visitors to the Sainsbury Centre are often awed by the building and are unsure whether or not expressions of appreciation are appropriate. But an audience takes its cue from the performers and our enthusiasm on each occasion was infectious.

The summer break

2010-08-01T13:56:00.000+01:00

A pared down line-up played at Earsham Street Café's foody night in Bungay, Suffolk yesterday. It was the last gig before a short summer break in which Andy will be doing some solo playing and Jonathan takes a puppet show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

We played a mixture of laid back jazz for eating and some hotter jazz and klezmer for between courses. The latter went down very well. We finished the set with a summery rendition of 'Stardust'.

Stainsby Folk Festival

2010-07-29T15:47:00.000+01:00

You may wonder what a jazz/klezmer outfit like Eastern Straynote is doing playing at a folk festival. And as the rain came down on my drive from Norwich to north Derbyshire I was wondering the same. The last time I came to Stainsby was with The Crimson Muses back in 2007. It had been a very wet spring and early summer and had been raining solidly for 48 hours prior to my arrival. The whole place was a quagmire and pitching a tent was an impossibility. Fortunately all my children had found other places to be so my partner and I put the back seats down and slept in the back of the car. Calf deep mud didn't quite spoil the weekend, mostly because it actually stopped raining, but it was a close thing.

It had been dry for weeks leading up to Stainsby Festival this year but a couple of rainy days was enough to bring on the mud. Slippery but not deep enough to steal your boots. The Straynotes played on Friday evening and lifted any qualing spirits in the way they know best. Our own spirits had been lifted by seeing Gary Rudd's band, The Lost Padres, playing on the main stage immediately prior to our appearance in 'The Space'.

I had to leave early the next morning to catch up with work back home but took a couple of snaps before I went. It is a small but strange event, somewhere between a beer festival and a hippy reunion. Andy thinks this may reflect the proximity of the beautiful countryside to the M1 which can be seen cutting through the valley. The two food vans in the other pic would tend to back this up: the classic greasy spoon next to the authentic (food cooked by a real Tibetan) ethnic eatery. Neither could provide me with a cup of tea so early in the day, however.

The car's the star

2010-07-13T07:27:00.001+01:00

Apparently if you manage to hang on to your old banger until it's twenty years old it becomes a 'classic'. I suppose that's a banger with character. Last weekend the band played two events - a wedding and a drinks party - and each featured a car. These were vintage vehicles, meaning more class than a classic, and both would turn heads wherever they went.

The first was a 1928 Chevrolet National Tourer and arrived at the venue, a rather lovely country house complete with outdoor pool and tennis courts, carrying the bride and groom. I like to think the car's makers would have approved of the 1920s jazz Eastern Straynotes were cranking out as the car drove in on the gravel drive.

The second car was a Rolls Royce of similar age which arrived, as an 'objet' - the only car not to be parked out of sight of the party, just as we were about to begin our first set of the evening. By the time I took the photograph night was drawing in and my 21st century pocket point-and-shoot probably needed a more experienced pair of hands. But you get the picture.

A quick peep at the interiors of both cars left me thinking that, for anything more than a short run, a train journey would afford more comfort. Some things never change.

Congratulations!

2010-07-06T07:57:00.000+01:00

To all those successful graduates at Norwich University College of the Arts. A week ago today Eastern Straynotes were playing for the champagne receptions in Blackfriars Hall. So many graduates require a morning and an afternoon ceremony in neighbouring St Andrew's Hall and on each occasion we provided the music afterwards.

It's a lovely gig, and a repeat booking which is affirming for us - we must be doing something right. Everyone is very happy, proud relatives and relieved students. We play acoustically, as required by the 'brief'. When the hall is empty, or an audience quietly attentive, this is a joy as the room is both warm and bright. Full of exuberant folk celebrating success, Blackfriars presents more of a challenge: vocals and clarinet in particular appear to vanish into space. The trick is not to shout or overblow but to listen more carefully as even if one can't hear oneself, the audience, at least within a certain radius, can hear perfectly well.

Sunny Afternoon

2010-07-02T08:13:00.000+01:00

A sunny afternoon in June and a trip to Denham, near historic Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. We set up prior to an outdoor humanist wedding ceremony. Then, grateful for the shade it provided, played sunny summer sounds beneath a spreading copper beech. I didn't make it into the picture but left my clarinet in the frame to give a sense of scale.

The site was owned by an old couple who kept horse drawn carriages. The carriages were all away at a show, temporarily replaced with the tents of guests from far-flung parts. I don't know how long the property had been in the same family but the couple must have been in their eighties and had inherited the place from the male half's father. They have a wedding party every week in the summer, feeding them in a large barn. The property, not pictured, dates back to the 17th century but I suspect the kitsch statue (no judgement intended) is a little more recent.

People said such lovely things about our music that I wanted to say 'Can I have that in writing?' So, inspired, I have sprinkled the pages of our clunky old website with some of the accolades people have troubled to commit to paper in the past.

Weddings and the like

2010-06-30T08:09:00.000+01:00

Just before I went off for a week to celebrate the summer solstice in glorious sunshine and nature's abundance the Straynotes drove down the road to a village just outside Stowmarket in Suffolk to perform for pre-lunch drinks. The daughter's wedding had coincided with the parents' wedding anniversary so the marquee, a grand affair with many rooms and 'windows' was pressed into service again.

When we arrived the carpet in the porch was being replaced and as this was where we were to play we had a few moments to peruse the grounds and use the facilities. These included the swankiest mobile toilets I have yet seen; they had carpets on the floors, prints on the walls and various sprays and bottled soaps by the faux-Victorian wash basins. It was the kind of loo where I have to go back and check the picture on the door. While I was in there I was treated to a little of Elgar's 'Nimrod'. Paul and Andy both heard Beethoven piano works emanating from from the 'in-house' sound system.

The hand-warmers came out for the sound check but by the time the guests arrived the day had warmed up sufficiently for the gloves to come off and for the diners to drink cocktails on the lawn. It really did go down very well and one elderly guest, obviously enjoying the band told me how this was 'real music' and you could keep all that pop music, thank you very much. Perhaps he had forgotten that this was the pop music he had grown up with, still sounding fresh today.

The Country Wedding

2010-06-06T15:56:00.000+01:00

Last night Eastern Straynotes, found themselves playing for a wedding deep in rural Norfolk. We had a wonderful evening. Either we were very good or the guests were very game but we had them dancing from the first number right through to the end of the final set. I will never think of 'Petite Fleur' in the same way again: we performed it as a very upbeat and rousing tango.

Of course it may have had something to do with our special guest star, Colin Brady, who came along to play drums. A rare gap in the Lee Vasey Band's calender meant he was free for the evening. With versatile use of a small kit he added colour, depth and extra texture to our unique mix of swing, klezmer and the like. I hope it isn't too long before we can play together again.

We also had Paul back on double bass, having missed the last two gigs, and it was clear how much we have gelled as a band since he joined us in November. I am already looking forward to our next gig.

One of the most satisfying aspects of being in Eastern Straynotes is playing music that appeals to so many people of all ages. It reminds the older folk of their youth while the younger crowd recognise a music that was, after all, originally written for the young.

Perhaps the greatest accolade of the evening was being asked if we would travel to north London to play klezmer for a fortieth birthday party next year. And that was a serious enquiry made before the champagne toast!

The Norfolk Showground

2010-06-05T09:42:00.000+01:00

Yesterday saw the band playing for guests of Norfolk LINk at the Norfolk Showground. It was a perfect day and the grounds were looking ready for the Royal Norfolk Show at the end of this month.

It was good to welcome back Dave Pullin on double bass, Paul being unavailable. Dave's memory of our arrangements is to be commended, as is his ability to intuit what was going on in the new material with only a hastily scribbled chart to guide him.

The venue was essentially a brick and steel barn with no carpet to dampen the reflections. This doesn't make for a great acoustic but many people took the trouble to listen and commented favourably. Some even danced. Against the odds we had succeeded in being quiet enough to be a background to conversation yet loud enough to be appreciated for our music.

The Great Yarmouth Beer Festival

2010-05-31T10:06:00.000+01:00

Last night we helped out an old friend of Andy by playing for the Yarmouth Beer Festival. The venue was in the Priory Centre, so named because it is housed in a former priory founded less than fifty years after the Norman Conquest by Herbert de Losinga, Bishop of Norwich. While this made for a great atmosphere, the stone walls and very high ceiling made for a lousy sound. Sensibly, Andy turned off the reverb on the PA half way through the first number. The naturally occurring 'hall reverb' that companies like Yamaha and Lexicon have spent years perfecting was something we just had to live with.

As befitted a beer festival we played a lively mix of klezmer and up-tempo jazz with the occasional slow number (eg Pennies From Heaven) thrown in to give the dancers a rest and calm a crowd that was out for a good time.

Paul being away, we were joined by the much travelled Gary Rudd who has recently returned from India. He was en route from Lincolnshire to Suffolk so this fitted in very well. And again, we had the benefit of Hugh's accordion and trumpet.

We were well looked after. On arrival we were presented with a half pint glass each and a tokens to exchange for the wide range of beers and ciders exhibited. Both sides of the long hall were lined with barrels behind long bars. Having work to do I gravitated towards the weaker end of the spectrum but I made an exception for Loxely Ale, still not too strong at 4.2%, which I chose in honour of Robin Hood. I know that sounds daft but, when faced with such a vast array of possibilities (there were ninety beers and a few ciders to choose from), doing the first thing that comes into one's head often saves time.

Last night I thought Andy had drawn the short straw by electing to drive but this morning I'm not so sure. The whole point of a beer festival is to taste lots of different drinks and, in the absence of a spittoon, it is considered polite to swallow. I can only be thankful that there was too little time after the gig to indulge my curiosity further.

The Summer Season Begins

2010-05-23T09:46:00.001+01:00

Glorious weather for May with temperatures set to reach 26 in the shade in Norwich. The summer season has kicked off with Rose's charity plant sale on Friday evening followed by our first outdoor wedding of the year last night.

Every year my friend Rose has a charity plant and book sale and, having a garden worthy of the name for the first time in over twenty years, I took a keener interest in the array of seedlings than usual and Paul was quick off the mark with the purchase of a tray of pepper plants. But we were really there for the music and played up on the balcony overlooking the garden. Two sets; a mix of jazz and klezmer. Hugh's accordion lends atmosphere and fire to the latter while his trumpet is a fine addition to the jazz.

Last night we played a wedding with the towers of Wymondham Abbey behind us. A beautiful garden behind a house on the High Street, more origami than I've seen for a long time, wonderful food and even a hog roast for those of a carnivorous inclination.

We played two sets with some cameos from the guests in between. These included a set from the Pancakes - deadpan humour wrapped up in skiffle form. Very funny but sublimely understated - quintessentially English. There was also a lad of about 12 playing some rather fine jazz piano. And Henry, a former band-mate of Andy and Hugh and one of the guests at the wedding, sat in on drums for our second set. His unusual kit includes biscuit tins and an upturned sink and he plays the whole thing with soft-headed beaters. It gave the sound a real lift (I should say now that we don't let just anyone sit in) as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the dancers.

Jurnets last Friday

2010-05-17T16:19:00.000+01:00

So the current finally made a gig together as a four-piece. Andy and me joined by Paul Fitzgerald on double bass and Hugh Stanners on the accordion. The picture is actually of the band before us (apart, that is, from Paul's back). Somehow I forgot to pass the camera to anyone before we went on. We played a short klezmer set, almost all new stuff, which was a little hairy at times. But it went down very well.

Jurnets, if not the oldest venue in the city of Norwich, is certainly situated in one of the oldest buildings and the crypt, in which the bar/club is to be found, dates back to the 1140s. A very special place to play. Incidentally, 11.40pm was the time we went on. And there was still a good crowd in spite of the great John Cale playing elsewhere in town that night.

Just popped out to Sainsbury's

2010-04-13T18:53:00.000+01:00

So Andy and I went to the Sainsbury Centre again on Easter Sunday. It was all very pleasant and there was even a mosh-pit of under fives dancing along with the freedom of movement that only the very young achieve. Self-image and worries about stylistic integrity all lie in the future for these guys.

And we had a few friends from Dance Camp East along to say hello which was very gratifying. And tea and cake too.

Straynotes still at large.

2010-04-02T18:33:00.000+01:00

You'd be forgiven for thinking nothing has happened since the last post. In fact we had a play with Hugh Stanners which went very well. We rehearsed again tonight, as a four piece, with gigs at Olives (30th of April) and Wensum Lodge (14th May) in mind. These are followed by a klezmer wedding later in May. The rehearsal went better than I could have hoped. We already sound very good, if I say so myself, and things can only get better

In the meantime Andy and I have been strutting it as a duo at Dunston Hall, a large hotel just south of Norwich. It used to be the country pile of someone very wealthy but I'm afraid I have no idea who that was. i'll take a picture next time we're there in the daylight (at the end of May) and you'll see it in all its splendour. This picture shows a rather mellow Andy half way through his first, and only, glass of white wine and just before we started the third hour-long set of the evening.

On Sunday we'll be down to a duo again at the Sainsbury Centre. Paul is elsewhere for that one but Andy and I will be filling the place with music between 1pm and 3pm.

Further grindings from The Rumour Mill

2010-03-09T16:17:00.000Z

A reliable source close to the Straynotes camp has told this blog that Hugh Stanners, that shadowy figure from the Norwich klezmer underworld, is to meet the band this evening at a secret location for a 'let's see how it goes' jam session.

Hugh, accordionist extraordinaire, made an impromptu appearance with Eastern Straynotes at Cafe Marzano last November where the band rocked the Forum in a display that had fire engines in attendance. If this evening's session goes well the Norfolk Fire Service could be putting in some overtime this summer.

No Strings Cabaret

2010-03-03T08:51:00.000Z

So the three of us turned up at Norwich Puppet Theatre shortly after 5pm for a sound check and then disappeared to a South Indian restaurant on nearby Magdalene Street for a take-away. Back at the venue we disappeared back stage to meet some of the stars of the burlesque scene. We did some waiting in the wings, hearing but not seeing performances, before we trooped onto the stage to strut our stuff. Paul averted the traditional snow-storm but bringing along a file to put all his music in. Andy and I relied on memory and a practised art of blagging when that failed.

Our five klezmer numbers went down very well and it was lovely to see one or two people get up and dance. I like to think there would have been more but the steepness of the rake and closeness of the rows of seats must have made it difficult. The last time I played at the Puppet Theatre was for a showing of Pinocchio almost a year ago. I didn't need to worry about playing to the audience as all the attention was on Gepetto, alias puppeteer Steve Tiplady, and Pinocchio himself. The clarinet tends to make one look downwards and on Friday I discovered I couldn't see beyond the first two rows without adopting a very strange playing position, something I should have tried (and abandoned) in the sound check.

We played in the Kasbah Bar (there was an eastern theme to the evening) during the interval and again had the folk moving to our klezmer/Balkan groove. An exotic, mute beauty was serving wine with her wrist chained to her ankle and her clientele were as cool as midnight in the Arabian desert. Low tables sprinkled with sweetmeats, filmy drapes and a scattering of cushions completed the picture.

Paul had to rush off to another gig at the end of the interval (such is the bassist's lot) and Andy, with childcare duties to perform, went with him. It was left to me to watch the second half which featured a gypsy fortune teller, some fine work with feathers and a bed of nails. I also saw my first male stripper - a comedy spiv routine - who had the good taste to stop while he was still entertaining.

I confess I forgot my camera but there were photographers present, at least one of whom looked like he was a dab hand with a lens, so I hope to track down some pictures to post.

Come to the cabaret

2010-02-06T12:13:00.000Z

Our next public outing is to Norwich Puppet Theatre for the "No Strings" burlesque evening on February 26th. Appropriately enough, the evening has an 'eastern' theme. Whether or not an 'eastern' is just a 'western', but with wire-fu Samurai warriors instead of horse-ridin' cowboys, remains to be seen. And in case you're thinking that fishnets aren't very eastern, how else do you think the Japanese catch all those blow fish?

Doors open at 7pm, show kicks off at 8pm and the bar closes at 11pm.

Wensum Lodge this Friday

2010-01-19T18:12:00.000Z

Well the rumours have turned out to be true. Sebastiana will be joining the Straynotes in Jurnets Bar this coming Friday 22nd January. We will be on at about 8.30 in order that Paul can hot foot it to the Black Horse on Earlham Rd for another gig. This will allow the rest of us to sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the bill. I'm told it includes the excellent Horses Brawl.

The Rumour Mill

2010-01-10T20:56:00.000Z

Eastern Straynotes have been booked to play a short set at Jurnet's Bar on Friday 22nd January. This much we know. But rumour has it that they are to be joined by the wonderful chanteuse and accordionist Sebastiana Mikulova (pictured) with whom they are said to be working up a few numbers especially for the occasion.

Jurnet's Bar, for those not yet in the know, is in the crypt of a 12th Century house on King Street in Norwich, now part of the Wensum Lodge adult education centre. They serve a fine, and refreshingly inexpensive, pint of Adnams along with a range of other beverages. Entry is free and there is always an eclectic mix of acoustic acts to enjoy. Music starts about 8pm as I remember.

Straynotes in New Year's Eve Triffid Scare!

2010-01-05T11:55:00.000Z

The intrepid Straynotes were, once again, at the heart of the action on New Year's Eve. Andy, calm in the face of danger, continued to play as Jonathan pied piped a rampant rubber plant away from terrified diners at the Loch Fyne restaurant on St Giles Street.

Alex the waitress was the brave photographer.

"Hey, it was nothing!"

A Culinary New Year

2009-12-28T17:54:00.000Z

There is (probably) still time to book yourself a table at the Loch Fyne restaurant in Norwich for New Year's Eve. Eastern Straynotes will be playing for the diners. There's a £50 set menu that looks particularly tasty. Although famous for their fish, vegetarians are catered for, as are meat eaters who fancy something non-aquatic.

If you make it down, do come and say hello to the musicians. We'll be playing for about three hours or so; the chances of us playing at least something you enjoy are therefore very good.

The pics from Dragon Hall

2009-12-17T15:09:00.000Z

Here are a couple of pics from our first gig with Paul. They're taken in the Dragon Hall where we were playing for Adrian Ramsay's general election campaign launch. In the great boy-band tradition there's one of us playing (just to show we were there) but really the stars were the dragons and, of course, Adrian himself (visible at the right hand edge of the picture, black suit, green tie).

The last time I was in there was to see Louis de Bernieres (he of Captain Corelli's Mandolin fame) play a gig with his wife. She was definitely the musical one but he was game, charming and, most importantly, entertaining. Andy, of course, has played everywhere at some time or another so it was no surprise to learn that he and his guitar had been there before.

There's alot of it about

2009-12-13T16:58:00.000Z

Illness,requests for christmas tunes, a foggy haze, a relative coming to stay. The Straynotes have to cope with many things. Both of us were ill for our slot at the Earsham Street cafe last Friday. It was all a foggy haze. Its amazing what a dose of Calpol, Beechams and some Ibroprofen will get you through.

Written by Andy K

Emos clash outside Straynote gig

2009-12-07T12:50:00.000Z

Scenes of young Emos fighting with swords and knives could be seen yesterday while the Straynotes played in the Sainsbury centre.

We like these kind of strange juxtapositons. Inside the Centre a calm and leisurely atmosphere pervaded as the Straynotes lulled the assembled audience and coffee and cakes with Jazz and Klezmer. Outside were teenagers dressed in black fighting. The relaxed photo belies the tensions outside. Andy.

New tunes on the site

2009-12-05T08:58:00.000Z

At last, the demo tunes we recorded at Ashwood Studios can be heard at www.easternstraynotes.com. We recorded them, with Sandra on bass and Sotos at the controls, last June. Now they've been mixed, mastered and uploaded.

Sweet Sue
Perdido
Mazel Tov/Jack's Freylakh
Sirbar mitt Harbster Bletlech
Honeysuckle Rose
Papirosnn/Golden Chase
A Ganef

Enjoy! (We did.)

Off to Sainsbury's

2009-12-04T07:15:00.000Z

Eastern Straynotes are playing at the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts on the University of East Anglia campus this Sunday.

Free activities for the kids, free Sunday papers and the free music starts at one o'clock. Take a walk around the grounds then come and enjoy coffee and cake to the sound of south-west Norwich's finest jazz and klezmer trio.

Straynotes at The Forum

2009-11-27T15:56:00.000Z

Andy will provide the caption. Meanwhile here are the Straynotes at The Forum with Paul on bass and special guest Hugh Stanners on accordion. Andy may have had an inkling but his appearance took Paul and me by surprise and made the evening very special.

Even the arrival of the fire brigade couldn't dampen things: we really were on fire.

Dragon Hall

2009-11-26T13:16:00.001Z

So on Monday it was the mediaeval Dragon Hall. The first time I've played there (although the ubiquitous Andy probably has) and the first with new bass man Paul Fitzgerald. It was also the first time I've played on the same bill as a Chinese dragon dancing display. Lots of people were snapping away while my camera was stuck in my bag. I gave our card to at least four photographers who each promised me pictures of the event. So as soon as they arrive...

Meanwhile here are some pics of the Dragon Hall by day.

And then tonight we play at the Forum.

Expect the unexpected

2009-11-21T08:31:00.000Z

'Expect the unexpected' was the phrase my eleven year old brought back from school the other day. Whatever the day had really been about was overshadowed by the fact that the kids didn't have to wear their school uniforms. To me the phrase translates as 'Be prepared!'- the scouting motto. To this end Andy and I have been digging out the Christmas tunes (and jokes- Yule love this one... just kidding) in case of playing at store promotions. We haven't had that kind of gig since the credit crunch began but one never knows.

One surprise is being asked to play for Adrian Ramsay's election campaign launch at the mediaeval Dragon Hall next week. It has to be said, Adrian has a good chance of unseating the incumbent, former home secretary Charles Clarke, in the general election. Charles has certainly taken him seriously enough to demonstrate a sudden interest in local issues. If Britain is going to get its first Green Party member of parliament next May then it will probably happen in Norwich South.

This will be our first gig with Paul Fitzgerald on double bass and will make a useful warm-up (no disrespect, Adrian) for a more public performance in Marzano's at the iconic Forum in Millennium Plain on Thursday. The shops stay open late on Thursdays and, given that there are only so many shopping days left before Christmas, there should be a few people about for that show. So many of our gigs involve being musical wallpaper. I'm not complaining - we take our wallpaper very seriously, especially the musical kinds - but it's great to really perform once in a while and on Thursday night we'll be kranking out the klezmer in ways only an acoustic trio can. If you can make it down, expect the unexpected. Mazel Tov! Jonathan.

In the studio

2009-11-13T11:38:00.000Z

Yesterday Jonathan and I went back into Ashwood studios to mix 7 tunes we recorded last July. Despite my anxiety about going into the studio, something that has come through years of sound engineers telling me red is black, we had a really productive and positive time. Thanks Sotos! Sotos made light work of our head sratching, ear splitting problems and I am hoping the master copy will sound great too.

I forgot to take my camera along so I have drawn a picture for you all to look at of Sotos hard at work at the mixing desk (yes, thats what it is). As you can see I haven't paid as much attention to my drawing skills as my guitar playing.
Andy.

2009-10-31T20:47:00.000Z

Great wisdom on Jonathan's part has brought about the purchase of some cool stage lights so we can look the musical part when need be. They are better than the fire traps we had before.

This is my first go at blogging. If anyone reads this, be gentle.

Turkeys in the straw

Andy x

Making the demo

2009-10-15T11:25:00.000+01:00

We recorded a number of tracks at Ashwood Studios last June and now we're trying to decide which ones to mix. 'Swindler' is sounding good as are one or two others. We'll post them as soon as they're done.