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Bebop Spoken There

Billy Boy Arnold: “As long as you don't think old you're good.” - DownBeat, December, 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!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Postage

16051 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 1058 of them this year alone and, so far, 12 this month (Dec. 6).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 11: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 11: Interim Final Recitals @ Newcastle University. Details TBC.

Tue 12: Stu Collingwood Organ Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £10.00.

Wed 13: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 13: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 13: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 13: Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Wed 13: Giles Strong Quartet @ Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Hot Fingers @ The Lubetkin Theatre, Peterlee. 7:00pm. £10.00.
Thu 14: After Hours Student Jazz Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. . Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 14: Niffi Osiyemi Trio @ Harbour View, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Mo Scott ‘Little Mo’s Festive Appearance’ @ The Schooner, Gateshead. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Tees Hot Club w. Kevin Eland, Josh Bentham, Garry Hadfield, Adrian Beadnell @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 15: Paul Edis @ Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 15: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 15: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: Paul Skerritt @ Black Horse Inn, Crook. From 7:00pm.
Fri 15: Paul Edis: A Jazzy Christmas @ St Cuhtbert's Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00. SOLD OUT! Waiting list open.
Fri 15: Zoë Gilby Trio @ Seventeen Nineteen, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. £12.00. POSTPONED!
Fri 15: Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. First night of two. SOLD OUT!
Fri 15: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 15: Baghdaddies @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00.; £10.00.

Sat 16: Paul Edis: A Jazzy Christmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 2:00pm. A Jazzy Christmas + Jambone.
Sat 16: Porritt & Barrett & Friends Xmas Special @ Cullercoats Watch House. 7:00pm. £4.00.
Sat 16: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 16: Red Kites Jazz Band @ The Staithes Café, Gateshead. 7:00pm--9:00pm.
Sat 16: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Ellingham Village Hall, Chathill. 7:30pm. £12.00., £8.00.
Sat 16: Paul Edis: A Jazzy Christmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Sat 16: Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Second night of two.

Sun 17: Red Kites Jazz Band @ Gibside Chapel, nr. Rowlands Gill. 1:00-2:30pm.
Sun 17: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm.
Sun 17: Revolutionaires @ Tyne Bar, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Rock ‘n’ roll excellence!
Sun 17: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Alehouse, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 17: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Multi-bill inc. David Gray’s Flextet + jam session.
Sun 17: Paul Edis: A Jazzy Christmas @ Queen's Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm. £17.00., £15.00.
Sun 17: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Amble Parish Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00., £6.00.
Sun 17: Snake Davis Trio @ St John’s Hall, Snods Edge, Shotley Bridge DH8 9TJ. 7:30pm. £15.00. from 07766 037893.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone March 26

(Review by Kath J.)
On the last Thursday of the month, you can be pretty certain to find me at the open rehearsal of The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, and although some may think I am biased, due to my best beloved playing 1st Tenor, I endeavour for  my reviews to be honest and accurate.
This evening’s lack of singers allowed the SSBB to show off what a contemporary and varied instrumental pad they have and it’s superb to hear the variety of arrangements.  As usual the place was packed out with an attentive audience, some of whom had come up from downstairs when they heard the music start, and so by the time Paul Bream, Chair of Jazz Northeast  arrived towards the end of the first set, there wasn’t a seat to be had.
The Band set away with Catch As Catch Can and the first of several “blisteringly hot” solos from Paul Gowland, now before you think this is the bias coming out, you will note the quotation marks, and indeed that was a quote from another Saxophonist, Mr Steve Summers, who being such a gent was very complimentary of his colleague and indeed is an expert in these matters, as you will see from my own comments later in the review.  Next up was I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and the saxophone section were really on a roll.  Have you Met Miss Jones saw solos from the band leader Mr Michael Lamb and from the mellow tenor of Jamie Toms.  The next tune was described as, ‘a bit of an experiment’ by Michael Lamb and to my mind the experiment was a resounding success, with a solo from Paul Gowland it was  Sonny Rollins’ Bag’s Groove
Do Nothing  ‘til You Hear From Me saw Stevie Summers take up the baton of the ‘blisteringly hot’ sax solo and then came another experiment in the form of  Lance’s all-time favourite, Summertime, and wow can Michael Lamb blow that horn… superlative solo!  Nutville exhibited two more of this talented gathering, featuring Graham Bell and Guy Swinton in addition to solos from Michael Lamb and Paul Gowland.    I really loved the rarely-played North Shore Evening with beautifully executed piano sections from Graham Bell and a delightful solo by Paul Gowland.  Next we found ourselves in a Caravan, and stupendous solos from Bradley Johnson, Pete Tanton and dare I say it again… Paul Gowland.  The first set came to a close with Mercy Mercy  Mercy including solo highlights from Steve Summers, Graham Bell and Bradley Johnson.
Half time gave us the opportunity to buy the brand new CD from Bradley Johnson and James Birkett – Together; and yes I did add this one to my collection. In addition, it gave Paul and I something new to listen to on the way home… excellent addition to our Jazz CD collection!
Set two saw the band’s leader on top form again in Ole Man River and one of those more contemporary numbers, Song for AEG featured Jamie Toms again.  A swap of instrument for Steve Summers who picked up his Soprano Sax to solo in Us. Sax Alley came next with soprano sax Steve and tenors Paul and Jamie; this is another favourite of mine… just love those Saxes.  The more contemporary current tunes certainly caught the appreciation of Mr Bream and later he said that for him the number Mr Dudley, which saw a further change of instrument for the versatile Steve Summers on Clarinet and  Pete Tanton on Trumpet, was the business, and for him, this number, along with Song for AEG were the highlight of the performance.   Penultimately we saw Keith Robinson play a spectacular solo during Ya Snooze Ya Lose, and as this was a Big Band it was fitting that with the help of solos from Steve Summers and Pete Tanton, we were left, In The Mood.
Kath.

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