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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

17586 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 860 of them this year alone and, so far, 5 this month (Dec. 2).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Mon 09: Trio Grand @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: James Birkett Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 10: Customs House Big Band @ All Saints Church Hall, Cleadon. 7:30pm. £6.00. The CHBB’s annual Xmas concert featuring Ruth Lambert. A BYOB gig!

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Cath Stephens’ improvisation workshop @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 4:30-6:00pm. Collaborative group focusing on vocal improvisations.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Second Wednesday in the month.
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £27.00. (inc. three -course meal).
Thu 12: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:00-6:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 12: Stuart Turner @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 12: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesborough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet); Ron Smith (bass).

Fri 13: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Bellavana @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Customs House Big Band @ Stocksfield Community Association. 7:00pm. Featuring Ruth Lambert.
Fri 13: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 13: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. First night of two.
Fri 13: Ransom Van @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 13: Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 9:00pm. £10.00.

Sat 14: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:15pm. Free but ticketed.
Sat 14: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm.
Sat 14: Red Kites Jazz @ Staiths Café, Autumn Dr., Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14 Lapwing Jazz Trio @ Three Sheets to the Wind, Alnwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. Second night of two.
Sat 14: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 15: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 12 noon. £8.50. Xmas party feat. Musicians Unlimited + Customs House Big Band. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 2:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Mitch Laddie Band @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb blues power trio.
Sun 15: Leeway @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Sun 15: Alligator Gumbo @ 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

Thursday, February 20, 2014

CD Review: Roan Kearsey-Lawson - Presence in Mind.


Roan Kearsey-Lawson (vbs) also (marimba/dms/pno); Dorian Ford (pno); Larry Bartley (bs); Dave Trigwell (dms); Duncan Lamont (fl/ten/alt/bs.clt) + Ray Butcher (tpt/flg); Geoff Mason (tmb).
All titles composed by Roan Kearsey-Lawson.
(Review by Lance).
Although this is Kearsey-Lawson's début album it nevertheless has a maturity about it that is often missing from some albums by longer established jazz names. Of course the presence of Lamont Jr. helps but even on the tracks where the flautist/saxist is absent the quality still shines through.
The opener, Splendid Blues, is reminiscent of early MJQ back in the days when they still knew how to swing (Bags Groove etc). Bach East is simply delightful with, as the title implies, a nod to JSB - the first great improviser. Lamont's flute, the icing on the cake here. More flute delicacy with My Love For You before the two movement Concerto D'Afro which purports to be a story of the history of jazz from the roots of Africa. Quite a challenge to accomplish this in two movements. However, if you simply treat it as a piece that features hypnotic rhythms and a contrasting swing section as well as the leader's marimba and Lamont's tenor and bass clarinet it works well.
Presence brings trombonist Mason aboard adding some nice tonal variations. Mason stays on deck for Serendipity joined by Butcher on trumpet and Lamont, this time on alto. It's a lovely tune over a familiar sounding sequence that would easily lend itself to a lyricist. The short solo bursts are effective.
Empathy has RKL on piano, Lamont on flute, with bass and drums. It's well named - the Empathy is mutually displayed. On Fondness, RKL edges Trigwell off the drumstool and Lamont (alto) and Butcher (flugel) have their shining hour (actually 4 min 21 secs). Oh yes, and our man is no mug behind the kit!
Saved, a jazz waltz dedicated to RKL's stepfather again has Lamont fluting. Lullaby of Love an emotional quartet outpouring brings us to Brother's Bounce and a jolly tune that would surely have cracked a smile on the faces of Messrs Lewis, Jackson, Heath and Kay (AKA MJQ).
If I've concentrated on RKL and Lamont too much I deserve a slap on the wrist as Dorian Ford, Bartley and Trigwell all contribute to making this a record that deserves to be heard by the wider jazz public - not easy for a self-released CD.

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

Great to see someone creating MJQ sounds

Monica Anders said...

This music spins an inventive sound of jazz and a byte of fusion using a collective voice of instruments. They sing together touching each note as it follows the next groove .The Vibes and Bass with extraordinary punches of the horns breeds a new blend of eclectic music. Yes for me it is "FusicJazz" Monica Anders PR Strategist for Grammy Icon Teddy Riley & The Producer's Corner with Spud Too Tight A Celebrity Music Production & Tech Talk Show USA

Matthew said...

Well well well what a great CD!!! Got one to play at work for back ground music, but have not turned it off yet & it's been turned up now!!! What a great vides player. Buy one Now!!!

Ray B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lance said...

Album notes say Ray Butcher on trumpet and flugel.

Ray B said...

You can find out more about my music on www.raybutcher.co.uk

Lance said...

Check out Ray Butcher on the above link.

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