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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

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.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

CD Review: Fred Hersch - Solo

Fred Hersch (pno).
(Review by Dave Brownlow).
An album of solo piano recorded live at Windham Civic Centre Concert Hall in New York to kick-off a year-long celebration of his 60th birthday with appearances, projects and this CD - Fred Hersch’s tenth solo recording proof that he’s now more than capable of working without the “safety-net” of a rhythm section or other players. 
In the history of jazz, it could be argued, that very few pianists could really play solo successfully and satisfyingly. Tatum, Peterson, Jarrett – those with a formidable technique. Hersch, also, belongs in that stellar group; he’s a master-musician with a style uniquely his own incorporating a wonderful harmonic sense, swing, humour, touch at the keyboard, emotion and lyrical improvisations. The album comprises a set of pieces that are typical Hersch – Kern, Tizol, Monk, Jobim and Joni Mitchell plus a couple of Hersch originals.
The recital begins with a medley of Jobim’s Olha Maria and O Grande Amor. Both are beautifully re-harmonised with “surprises” that blend in with the original rich chords. If Claude Debussy were alive today, this would be the way he'd play these songs!
Caravan offers complete contrast. Juan Tizol’s song has had many exotic interpretations, none more so than this one. Fred picks out melody notes from all over the keyboard, completely unconventionally, but to these ears, just right. Juan and Duke would smile at this performance!  Pastorale, the first of the Hersch originals is a beautifully constructed, lilting tribute to Robert Schumann. He makes the piano “sing” – reminiscent of some of Keith Jarrett’s extraordinary adventures in harmony and keyboard mastery.
Whirl is the second original and we’re soon in a vortex of flowing improvisation where Fred loses himself in a headlong display of melody, counter-melody and bravura technique.
The Song Is You opens with a reflective, out-of-tempo, intro which gradually morphs into the well-known song beloved of many jazzers because of its ‘interesting’ chord sequence. Fred’s version gently flows through the modulations with great imagination and sensitivity. Monk’s In Walked Bud is played at a lively tempo with vigour and humour; at times Fred plays with hands seven octaves apart – quite a feat! Homage indeed to Thelonious and Bud from one of today’s gifted artistes. Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now closes the CD almost with reverence and delicacy yet with strength. I think that Fred chooses his standards carefully and must know the words of the songs – as Pres did – because of the depth of feeling he puts in to the performances.
Dave B.
Fred Hersch SOLO (Palmetto 180) will be available from September 4  from Palmetto   Definitely one of my albums of the year!

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