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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Buddy Greco Show - Gala Theatre Durham


A night of sheer delight. One and a half hours of unbroken entertainment by a man who can hold his head as high as any of his peers dead or alive and, given that he is now 82, there aren't too many in the latter category. However, unlike his most illustrious peer, the voice hasn't withered nor custom staled its infinite variety. Nor is there anything wrong with his piano playing. The bop licks of his youth may be less apparent, replaced by big band voiced riffs and delicate chordal explorations, but the jazz feel is inherent in every thing he plays - even that most inane of tunes "MacArthur Park".
Not that this was a one man show - far from it. Lezley Anders A.K.A. Mrs Greco sang a few numbers as well adding a touch of glamour and humour. The duet, "Making Whoopee," was particularly well done although "Begin the Beguine" in a minor key didn't, at least for me, quite come off.
The photo shows Buddy and Lezley signing albums. To Buddy's right is another singer - Attila - who Buddy introduced and who sang a couple of numbers in fine Sinatranic style. As an encore all three vocalised on "Our Love Is Here To Stay".
Bass and drums gave good support but unfortunately I didn't catch their names.
A most enjoyable evening that wasn't without incident before a note had been played. Sitting in front of us, a chap balanced his drink on a narrow rail in front of him and promptly knocked it into the lap of the woman, a stranger, sitting next to him.
Follow that Mr Greco I said and follow it he did indeed.
Hurry back.

4 comments :

Anonymous said...

Sounds just like my kinda show, thanks Lance for bringing it to us..
adieu!

Ken R said...

I couldn't agree more - a super show and have to add my caveat about 'Begin the Beguine' being that it was still nice to hear someone so well established try out something quite ambitious. Spot on with the highlight Lance - an already great show was really 'made' by 'Maikng Whoopee'.
From my seat I had a brilliant view - Buddy's footwork on the pedals was impeccable.
In additon to the show Buddy, Lezley and Atila were so nice to talk to afterwards. Keep a future eye or ear on Atila.

Lance said...

Thanks Ken - I hope you'll call again. We're always interested in hearing views and opinions on jazz/quality popular music.

Liz - you missed a good one; have a nice break.

Lance said...

My apologies to Buddy - he is "only" 80 - 81 next month.

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