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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, August 15, 2012

CD Review: The Fred Hersch Trio - Alive at the Village Vanguard.

Fred Hersch (piano), John Hebert (bass) and Eric McPherson (dm).
(Review by David Brownlow).
A Two Disc album recorded “live” at the Village Vanguard in February 2012 by Hersch's current Trio.  
Hersch, a gifted musician, who’s already achieved much in a career that includes working with  Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Art Farmer, Joe Henderson, and Norma Winstone among others, currently divides his time between teaching, writing, touring, recitals and raising awareness in the jazz community of the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The material on the CDs is drawn from a wide spectrum of jazz - 4 pieces from the G.A.S., 6 jazz classics and 7 originals. For example, the re-harmonisations of Alec Wilder’s Moon and Sand and Hammerstein/Kern’s The Song Is You are particularly exquisite – Jarrett-esque in style. The pianist also tackles compositions by Bird, Monk, Rollins, Miles and Russ Freeman with original, fully integrated trio renditions in vigorous, creative and lyrical style. Among the originals,  Hersch pays homage to Ornette, Paul Motian and Wayne Shorter in a more “contemporary” piano trio style, which repays repeated listenings.
The leader's own playing often incorporates devices taken from his one-time classical background such as “contrary-motion” figures, simultaneous improvisations with both right and left hands, elements of “fugue development” and playing melody in the left hand with right hand accompaniments – all difficult to do!
Also, his “touch” at the keyboard is glorious – he really makes the piano “sing” reminding me of Jarrett again. In my opinion, these attributes together with his sophisticated harmonic sense, strong rhythmic playing and vast technique make Hersch a formidable player.
Bass and drum duties are handled more than competently in a style reminiscent of some of the Bill Evans trios.
The Fred Hersch Trio - Alive at the Village Vanguard is due to be released on September 11 by Palmetto Records to coincide with the Trio’s current tour of the U.S., U.K. and Europe - nearest venue to Newcastle is Leeds!
Available for pre-order here.
A thoroughly enjoyable album which for me at times invoked the Whitney Balliett comment “The Sound of Surprise”.   
Recommended.
David Brownlow.

1 comment :

Lance said...

Just had a listen to the album and I totally agree with you David, it's an absolute gem. The mellow version of "Doxy" is something else whilst the implied version of "I Fall In Love Too Easily" is positively sensuous!

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