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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

Monday, November 23, 2009

Mark Toomey Quartet @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond.

Mark Toomey (alto), Jeremy McMurray (pno), Peter Ayton (bs), Kevin O'Neill (dms).
Laid back alto playing from Mark who flew bird-like through the changes on a choice selection of standards and originals.
These included, "East of the Sun", "Autumn Leaves", "Stella By Starlight", "There Will Never Be Another You", "All The Things You Are" - complete with the now obligatory Charlie Parker intro - more Yardbird with "Parker's Mood" and finally, Sonny Rollins' soundtrack theme for the Michael Caine film "Alfie". Now before you throw-up I'm not talking about the song that Cilla used to sing but the actual film theme called "Alfie's Tune", a catchy ditty reminiscent of Rollins' "Doxy".
Talking of Rollins, there was a couple in the audience who had actually been at the great man's recent concert at the Barbican. He described it as the greatest concert ever and hopefully he will elaborate further within these pages.
Getting back to tonight, There were a few nice originals that revealed Mark to be no mean composer. The opener, "High Spirits" was one and another one, "Don't Get Me Wrong", was exceptional! As well as Mark, who played out of his skull, Jeremy too had some outstanding moments - he hit the spot on the aforementioned "DGMW" - and drew some appreciative applause when he played along with a recording of Stu Collingwood that was going out over the tannoy! Somebody ought to get these two guys together for a real live piano duet - move over Rawicz and Landauer (remember them?)
Peter Ayton gave a sound performance on bass whilst Kevin, relatively subdued because of the intimate setting, nevertheless did what was asked as well as keeping the occasional round of fours going.
Of course going to the Cherry Tree on a Monday night isn't just about music - the icing on the cake, so to speak, is the food.
Tonight I had to decide between, Cream of Leek and Potato Soup; Pickled Herring with Potato Salad and Dill; Warm Partridge, Apple and Walnut Salad; Smoked Chicken with Winter Slaw or Salad of Brie, Figs & Walnuts with Honey Mustard Dressing and that was just for starters. I went for partridge figuring we've got Bird on the stand might as well have one on the plate.
There were another 5 choices for main course but, rather than have you salivating over your pc I'll just say that I opted for Seabass with Buttered Leeks, Tarragon Crush & Mustard Butter Sauce which, like the Partridge, was absolutely delicious.
From 5 desserts I picked another winner in the Warm Spice Sponge with Plum Compote.
It's a hard life but someone's got to do it..
Lance.

1 comment :

Ron Ainsborough said...

We endorse everthing said about the Mark Toomey Quartet at the Cherry Tree.A wonderful evening of jazz and a credit to the local jazz scene.
With reference to the Sonny Rollins Concert at the Barbican (14th November 2009) which we and the family had the privilege to be there.It was the best jazz concert I have ever been to,for many reasons.
"The living embodiment of a great tradition" was Geoffrey Smith's description as he welcomed the band to the stage.
How many musicians get a standing ovation before they actually get onto the stage,and at 79 years old give a performance with such enthusiasm and most of all,the creativity, was something to be seen (and heard of course).The fullness of his tone was all there and the band he had with him was first/world class.Bob Cranshaw on bass,Clifton Anderson on trombone,Bobby Broom on Guitar,a percussionist called Victor.Y.See Yuen, and a sensational drummer called Kobie Watkins,who were all having a ball and thoroughly enjoying backing the great Sonny Rollins.Having said that, Sonny was very gratious and featured all of them throughout the concert, having the great respect for each other reciprocated, not allowing ego's to get in the way of what was great music.Some of the tunes played were 'Someday I will find you''They say that falling in love is wonderful' 'St.Thomas' and of course 'Don't stop the carnival',every tune being fully explored and no stone unturned (in improvisational terms),before Sonny would finish the tune.He played one set lasting approximately 90 minutes finishing with 'Don't stop the Carnival'and again receiving his second standing ovation of the night lasting many minutes but returned only to give a wave to the standing adulating audiance.
Following that, you felt that the audiance almost danced out of the Barbican with huge smiles on their faces with the haunting melody of 'Don't stop the Carnival'still ringing in their heads, knowing that they had all seen and witnessed one of the worlds greatest musicians still playing at a level beyond comprehension. Long may the 'Carnival' continue, and we hope Sonny Rollins continues to give the world so much pleasure listening to the sound of genius improvising tenor saxophone.(Genius?)

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