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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.

Thursday, February 09, 2012

CD Review: Greg Spero – ‘Acoustic’ blujazz 2011

Chicago pianist Greg Spero’s new recording has moved, in musical terms, a long way from his 2010 recording, Radio over Miles – an electro-homage to his early influences from Radiohead and Miles Davis.
However, this trio album still has the distinctive melodic phrasing and dark harmonic twists of its predecessor.
There’s a long line of great pianists to compare Spero to, but the late Esbjorn Svensson seems the most obvious choice on listening to his output to date. And this despite his worship of fellow Chicagoan Herbie Hancock and a confession to being unaware of EST’s music …….until now that is!
Acoustic sees Greg joined by long time collaborator Makaya McCraven on drums and Matt Ulery on bass in what is a thoughtful, imaginative and wonderfully melodic recording.
All tracks are Spero compositions with the exception of Miles Davis’ Blue in Green.
It’s hard to pick a stand out track as they are all in the top drawer.
The opener Hills bounces along merrily and is instantly memorable. However, it’s the aptly named Flow that begins to demonstrate the extraordinary talent that Spero is, as phrases and runs flow effortlessly from his hands.
Letting it Go is a slow reflective piece with McCraven’s delicate cymbal work and Matt Uley’s full bass tone helping to create a beautiful soundscape which allows ample space for all three instruments to flourish.
Universe however, with its strong and dramatic intro, seems inspired by the creation of our world, the gentle emergence of new life, and the turmoil that our existence can sometimes become. If that’s what was intended, then this trio have certainly pulled it off. If there is to be a top track on this album – this is it.
It’s going to be a long time before this CD drifts into my CD racks from its current, top of the player, position.
It certainly is a truly remarkable recording!
David Gosling.
PS: Late News Flash: As well as Zeffirelli's on April 7,  Spero is lined up to play a Splinter @ The Bridge gig the following evening, April 8. This will be with Adrian Tilbrook on drums and Andy Champion on bass.

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