Spin the wheel, spin the wheel, go wherever she spins

[venta]

I've always regarded The Aziz as being probably the top curry house on Cowley Road. Last night, however, they proved really disappointing.

The service was really rather bad - both overly attentive and intrusive. Also somewhat disorganised, as three separate people tried to take the an order for "drinks or poppadums?"

I ordered a sweet lassi - and when it turned up, it was horrible. I know there's a certain amount of variation in how a lassi tastes, but this was overwhelmingly flavoured with "burnt". I don't know if preparing a lassi involves heating at any stage (anyone know?), but it was the only explanation I could think of.

Overcoming my inherent Englishness, I complained to a waiter about it. He listened as he cleared dishes off the table, then left without saying anything - I assumed to sort something out. When he brought the main course, there was an unexpected side-dish: "complimentary vegetables on the house" he muttered. Whether this was related to the lassi was unclear - it was never mentioned again, and the lassi appeared on the bill. I didn't drink it. I didn't tip them, either.

My curry was nice enough. Not outstanding, and the rice wasn't that great. Think I'll be avoiding The Aziz in future.

Escaping from inferior curry houses, we headed on down to the Zodiac to see Tim Booth and The Individuals. To all you saying "Who?", Booth was the singer with James.

But don't hold that against him. He's rather a good songwriter, and a very entertaining performer in his own right. However, it did dawn on me very early in the gig that he looks extremely like Hugh (to people who go to Intrusion: yes, that Hugh). Partly it's the shaved head, the shape of the face, and being very thin. Mostly, though, it's the dancing style. Yes, really :) Right down to the ability to dance between the knees and the navel whilst keeping the rest of your body still.

But don't hold that against him either.

He introduced his band members - and indeed handed over to a couple of them to do a song without him - describing them as "The Individuals". They're all musicians in their own right, and he advertised those that were releasing albums of their own. Those on stage seemed cheerful: swapping instruments with each other for different songs, making rude remarks about each other and generally offering attention to whoever was solo-ing at the time. It's a while since I've seen such an obvious (apparent) friendly rapport on stage.

I'm not actually familiar with Booth's solo stuff (he was touring to promote a new album), so can't really offer much commentary on what was performed. So, to me it was an interesting gig, of good songs and fine individual performances. Each instrument seemed to be noteworthy in its own right - particularly some of the bass lines, and the drums - while still fitting in to make a rounded, balanced sound.

And in the whole set, he did (I think) one James song, and it was Sometimes, which I think is allowable. When an audience member yelled "Do some more James", he looked slightly quizzical and said "Do some more who ? No." Later, he went into an extended waffle about performers moving on, and that this was the music he was currently playing, and it was different to James, and next time he plays Oxford it might be different again. Which I think is eminently fair.

The gig does, however, get the award for the first attempt I've seen this millennium to get anyone to take a melodica seriously.

Comments

[nevecat.livejournal.com]

Bah, wish I'd known he was playing the Zodiac, might have tried to make the effort to get over to Oxford!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_corpse_/]

I went to the Aziz only once that I can recall. I wasn't overly impressed, but then I don't think I ever had a really good curry in Oxford.

There's a couple of places in London that I've tried that are better, but after having been spoiled by the far superior curry houses of Oop North (where it may be grim, but the beer is cheap and the takeaway good), it takes a lot to impress me.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

I've always regarded The Aziz as being probably the top curry house on Cowley Road.

Likewise or, more accurately, the one safest to take other people to (my actual favourite is the Moonlight Tandoori, but more for nostalgia related reasons). However I've been less keen to take people there since my 30th (below!).

I think I remember them as serving decent food, but I've never been terribly impressed by their service. It's often been slow and the last time I arranged a big group (my 30th) one of the two promised tables wasn't free by the time I booked it for (and we were slightly late). Whilst they were somewhat apologetic, there was rather more in terms pointing out that the previous customers hadn't left (and blaming them) and rather less (ie. none) in terms of complimentary drinks / side dishes / etc. for the poor buggers who had to wait.

[phlebas.livejournal.com]

Did he do anything from Booth and the Bad Angel? I like that album quite a lot.
Funny, I remember the Star of Asia being the best...

[venta.livejournal.com]

He did The Dance Of Bad Angels and Fall In Love With Me - both of which were written by AB/TB. I'm not familiar with the album, though, so can't be sure what else might have been performed.

(Though I know he didn't do I Believe).

[venta.livejournal.com]

He's playing in London tonight, if you get off your bum :)

http://www.ents24.com/web/event/800438/Tim_Booth.html

[phlebas.livejournal.com]

Because you know it, or because it was requested and refused?
Good songs, anyway!

[venta.livejournal.com]

Because I know it - someone put it on a compilation for me once.

I may well be bunging both Booth and The Bad Angel and Bone (his new solo album) on my albums-to-buy-when-I-have-spare-cash list, though :)

[venta.livejournal.com]

I've only rarely been to the Aziz - certainly when I was a student it seemed above my price range, though I'm not sure now whether it's much more expensive than any other - and always had reasonable service before. The Moonlight is my default choice, I think, since it was close to where I lived.

I had been very impressed by Al Mumbai (a newish one a few doors down from Bar Baby), but last time I went it wasn't so great. Maybe time to give it another chance.