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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 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

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.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

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.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday Evening.

Mike Gordon reckoned 549 and counting weekend passes had been sold for this, the ninth Scarborough Jazz Festival held in the newly refurbished Spa Complex. The centre of the hall now had theatre seating flanked by cabaret style tables. Personally, I preferred it when it was all tables but, logistically, I suppose this way more concertgoers can be accommodated and there were few - if any - empty seats. Likewise the old, long, bar has gone to be replaced by a smaller, more impersonal bar in the foyer/reception area. However, we can't stand in the way of progress!
The Hadouk Trio. Didier Malherbe (duduk, flutes, ocarian, soprano); Loy Ehrlich (hajou, gumbass, keyboards); Prabhu Eduoard (tabla).
The Festival commenced with an unusual French trio playing equally unusual instruments. They produced strange, ethereal sounds - moody and atmospheric - gradually building to a climax. All players par excellence - the tabla player taking it beyond excellence! This was interesting, possibly unique and certainly different.
Liz Fletcher sings 'Liz' and a tribute to Alan Plater. Liz Fletcher (vcl); Alan Barnes (alt/ten/clt); Gareth Williams (pno); Geoff Gascoyne (bs); Steve Brown (dms).
Sandwiched in between the French Bread was some English Mustard in the form of Liz Fletcher. We were now back on more familiar, easier accessible, territory. Liz who, after some of her own songs, was joined on stage by Festival compere and reedsman extraordinaire (which doesn't mean 'extra ordinary') Alan Barnes, was in good voice. Willow Weep For Me sang Liz whilst, behind her Barnesy and the trio blew Things Ain't What They Used to be! It worked.
The rest of the set was, in the main, devoted to the lyrics of Alan Plater and what lyrics! A superb session with good vocals and a driving rhythm section (when you look at the names could it be any other?) and, of course, the inimitable Mr Barnes cooking on clarinet, alto and tenor.
Orchestre National de Jazz. 'Shut Up And Dance'. The second French band of the evening brought the  first day to a close with an explosive performance of pieces written by New York drummer/composer John Hellenbeck. This was powerful stuff - Mingus meets Wagner in the City of Glass. Orchestrated dissonance, animals running wild was how someone sitting next to me described it. She also said that French is the language of romance I'd like to know more about her lovelife if this was her idea of romance!
Each of the ten young players were given a feature and all were magniifique.

It was compelling, it was mindblowing at times mournful, at times jolly like a back street French cabaret. All the soloists were impressiive but particularly outstanding was Eve Risser who delivered the most amazing piano solo. Percussive chords, virtuoso runs, Eve attacked the keyboard with a vengeance her shape as angular as the lines she was playing - a delight to see and hear.
And so ended day one. Mike Gordon must be pleased and deservedly so.
Lance.

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