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Bebop Spoken There

Kelly Sill: "Just because everyone is playing through the changes in the same time doesn't mean they're actually playing together" - (JazzTimes March/April 2023).

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!"

Postage

15260 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 279 of them this year alone and, so far, 92 this month (March 29).

From This Moment On ...

April

Sun 02: Smokin' Spitfires @ The Cluny. 12:45pm.
Sun 02: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.

Mon 03: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tue 04: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 04: Jam session @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. House trio: Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums).

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Thursday Night Prayer Meeting @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Donations. Feat. John Pope, Marie Shreer, John Garner.
Thu 06: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibtion Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig.
Thu 06: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Note earlier start time.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 07: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Fri 07: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Traveller's Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 07: Finntet + Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion @ Bobik's, Punch Bowl, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.
Fri 07: TBA @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig. Blind Pig Blues Club.

Sat 08: Me Lost Me + Ceitidh Mac + Heather Ferrier @ Bobik's, Punch Bowl, Newcastle. 7:30pm. JNE.
Sat 08: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington Covered Market, Darlington DL1 5PN. 6:00pm. New venue, live jazz!
Sat 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00. RESCHEDULED from last week (Sat 01).
Sat 08: Robbie Reay @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Acoustic blues. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Mr Tighe's, Bebside, Northumberland. 8:30pm.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Double Knockout @ The Bridge!

Legohead: (right) Lloyd Wright (gtr), David Francis (dms), Jon Proud (bs).
HCW: (left) Edd Carr (gtr), John Hirst (dms), Christos Worsley (bs).
The first Sunday evening jazz gig at the Bridge went off with a bang despite some early teething problems with amps, speakers, lights etc. which meant that the advertised 7:30 pm start seemed to be 'light years' away when John Hirst unleashed HCW's opener on the crowded room (yes the room was crowded!)
I didn't mind the delay as I was in the congenial company of Budvivar's Fiona and Chilli regular Norman Redhead - who is slowly but surely making a visual comeback.
I liked HCW when I first heard them at the Side Café, enjoyed them even more at last week's Jazzathon and today they appeared to be even tighter again.
John Hirst is an imaginative drummer; his approach is at times almost melodic and he has no shortage of technique.
Edd Carr sometimes strays further into the rock end of the jazz/rock genre than some people might prefer but I find he balances the equation very effectively.
On bass, Christos Worsley, laid back and relaxed, gets a really good sound and helps to make the balance just right.
One thing I like about Christos, apart from his playing is the fact that I usually have some chat with his dad (or is it his granda - maybe even his great grandf... sorry only joking) Johhny Worth aka Worsley aka Les Vandyke has had a long career in showbiz as singer/songwriter and is always entertaining company.
I digress. HCW did good.
David Francis I knew from Alter Ego, Jon Proud and Lloyd Wright I didn't know.
I know now.
Lloyd Wright is quite an incredible player. He is up there with them for technique and ideas. He also writes interesting tunes.
The outstanding moment for me, and for Roly too I guess was an original called "Getaway Driver". If ever an instrumental lived up to its title this was it. Dazzling runs in and around every inch of the fretboard of the Strat, sudden brief rests, explosive starts - this was a souped-up Pontiac burning up the Freeway.
It brought to my mind that legendary Alvin Lee solo at Woodstock but Roly, more guitar savvy than me, equated it to Brecker's Mike Stern. Whatever it was one helluva blast.
David on drums handled the sometimes awkward breaks superbly and soloed well. Jon Proud played good bass with a touch of humour in his Jingle Bell's quote. Everybody's quoting it this season.
Great night and so pleased to see such a good turnout.
Lance.

1 comment :

David Francis said...

Many thanks for the kind words Lance. We weren't sure if the Jazz police would make some kind of citizen's arrest (!) but thankfully most people seemed to enjoy the evening. VERY encouraging audience numbers. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. I know I can't wait til next week's gig!

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