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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 23: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 4:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Mon 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

And Gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not at the Chilli tonight.

Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Barrie Ascroft (pno), Jim Crinson (bs), Eric Stutt (dms).
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Harley Johnson (pno), Jim Crinson (bs), Eric Stutt (dms.)
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Dave, Barrie, Eric + Willie Angus (bs), Judith (vln), Matt (gtr).
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Tonight came pdc to being my gig of the year! Harley (pic. left), undeterred by the limited exposure on Blue Peter, took his gentle aggression out on the Duke Ellington songbook giving his unique interpretaions of such Ducal classics as "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart", "Sophisticated Lady", "C Jam Blues" - with quite an incredible intro and theme - "I Got It Bad" and "Take The A Train" - I may have overlooked a couple.
This was Duke meets Monk on neutral ground with Harley stage managing the end result which was pure Harley. What got me was that by the end of the first tune my pulse rate had gone up several notches as he made the Ellington songbook his own. Not only that but the obvious enjoyment he gets from playing is infectious and transmits itself not just to the audience but to his fellow musicians.
Harley seems to bring something extra out of Eric and his game is raised. Less flambuoyant, Jim kept track of the changes beautifully although a little more volume wouldn't have gone amiss.
A great set that just floated by.
Earlier, Dave and the gang of four did Duke Pearson's "The Chant", "Good Bait", he sang "Invitation" and "God Bless The Child" and blew a mix of muted and open horn throughout.
For the jam, Judith played violin, Matt, a talented youngster, played guitar and Willie Angus did the business on fretless.
Coming after Harley's explosive "A Train", "You go to my Head was a little prolonged albeit with nice solos allround. The final Blues in F (Blues for Duane) saw Judith cut loose with a fiery chorus or two that set a high benchmark for the guys.
It was a magical night - just so much going on musically the place should have been packed. It wasn't but whoever wasn't there, and it's a long list, must surely relate to Henry V's speech on the eve of Agincourt...
...And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day." (William Shakespeare).
Lance.
PS: NEXT WEEK's NEWS - "Hot House Dragons" will be doing the guest spot next Wednesday with Take It To The Bridge. You've already heard some of them last night, as this is the project of Willie Angus, who plays guitar in this band, and Judith on violin, along with Matt, whom you also heard on guitar last night. They also bring along a double-bass player, whose name escapes me, and the ambience is sorta "Hot Club Of France" vibe.
Dave.

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