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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.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ The Black Swan - Feb 21

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals, whistling); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Giles Strong (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

A return visit by Daniel John Martin guarantees a Hot Club-plus occasion with the emphasis very much on the 'plus' element. To describe DJM as a virtuoso performer is like calling Lionel Messi a half-decent footballer. It is all but impossible to convey to those who've yet to hear the Paris-based violinist at a gig just how good he is. This Black Swan engagement, the second of five in the north east, attracted a number of new faces - little did they know what a treat lay in store!

The Anniversary Song (aka Waves of the Danube) opened the show, and it was a 'show' in the best sense of the word. The virtuosity almost casual, DJM clearly enjoys working with Swing Manouche. Mick Shoulder's outfit, now with a settled line-up, ensured that it was up to the mark with all bringing their A-game to the party. She hates California opined DJM, and so we got it - The Lady is a Tramp, that is - every bit as nonchalantly as Bobby Darin or any Rat Pack associate. Rhythm king Giles Strong occasionally stepped up to take a solo -  construction, technique, the whole package - none more so than on Tenderly.  

Bandleader Mick Shoulder literally shed blood. Four dropped picks during the evening failed to stop him in his tracks as he played on with bloodied fingers - a case of suffering for one's art! From time to time DJM sat on a high stool content to let Swing Manouche do its/their thing. Bassist Paul Grainger was on top form throughout taking a couple of solos along the way including a sterling effort on Oriental Shuffle. The first set concluded with I Wish You Love

DJM's vocals are extraordinary. A 'light bulb' moment occurred during the second set as Swing Manouche's guest from Paris sang with such authority one could have been forgiven for thinking 'Ian Shaw'. Yes, that's who he reminds one of! Cue There Will Never be Another You. 

In introducing Mick Shoulder's Cigano Bolero DJM stated that it was a wonderful tune - high praise indeed! And, having heard the number on several occasions, it can be said that it is canny good. Lady be Good produced more fireworks, an audience request for Autumn Leaves heard DJM in full voice, pizzicato strings and voice topped-off by a sublime solo from Giles Strong. And that was it, except DJM wandered into the audience to share a song with a redhead from the local scene by way of Eastern Europe with Messrs Shoulder, Strong and Grainger following in his wake. Were we in Rue de la Huchette? We could have been but this was the Black Swan, Rue de la Westgate Road!

It had been a wonderful evening of top class jazz. You have three further opportunities to catch up with Daniel John Martin - tonight (Friday) Swing Manouche will be at the Rabbit Hole, Durham (diners only), tomorrow evening in Hexham (The Vault) and on Sunday afternoon at Claypath Deli, Durham.
Russell

1 comment :

Unknown said...

Dear Russel.
Thank you for your kind words.
Apparently you were the man sitting in front right next to me!
Thank you also for sharing your interest in jazz music so that others may eventually decide to go out one night and discover what drives our passion for this music. Unsure times may lay ahead of us but as long as there are people like you to help others discover a new love for art whatever form it may take... there's some hope!
Salut l'ami et à bientôt.
DJM

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