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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!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

17641 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 915 of them this year alone and, so far, 60 this month (Dec. 26).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00. CANCELLED!
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.
Tue 31: Jan Spencelayh Quartet @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 5:00-9:00pm. A NYE ‘Dinner-Dance’ event. £42.99. Featuring special guest Mick Donnelly.
Tue 31: Jack Logan @ The Robin Hood Inn, East Wallhouses NE18 0LL. Tel: 01434 672549. 7:00pm. £59.95. ‘New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner’. Rat Pack etc.

January 2025

Wed 01: Revolutionaires @ The Old Barrel (Flatties), Boldon Colliery. 3:30pm. Free. Excellent rhythm & blues.

Thu 02: ???

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

Sat 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £5.00. Xmas party (rescheduled from early December).

Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

CD Review: Eddie Toal - Always in my Heart.


Eddie Toal (vcl); Bruce Adams (tpt/flug); Brian Dee (pno); Jim Mullen (gtr); Simon Thorpe (bs); Bobby Worth (dms).
(Review by Lance).
After reading the album notes I realised it would be impossible to listen to this dispassionately and I doubt if you could either. Has my judgement been clouded? I'd like to think not but I know I'd have to be pretty hard hearted for it not to have been.
Eddie Toal is a fine singer well known on the Glasgow jazz scene. Dedicated to his late wife Irene the voice brings to mind artists such as Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman even Bobby Darin and, if occasionally he approaches the limits of his range, that only adds to the emotional content.  
16 songs, 15 of them classics and one that should be! An original by Toal You're The One For Me. Play it to your "knowledgeable" friends and ask them to guess the composer/lyricist. Berlin/Porter/ Rodgers and Hart will probably be their opening gambits until they hit on lines such as "You don't have to be in Mensa with the extra wise; Own a dozen dresses that were Princess Di's; Buy a saxophone and learn to harmonise to be the one for me"!
To add to the emotional pressure, in the notes the singer adds his own comments about the songs and how they related to Irene and himself.
Needless to say the band ensure the accompaniment is as first class as the vocal is with Adams excelling both muted and on open horn, Jim Mullen soloing brilliantly, Brian Dee as sympathetic in support as any pianist around with Thorpe and Worth keeping the ship steady.
So, misty eyed or not, what can I say but to buy it. You'll not only be helping a good cause you will also be getting a rather special album.
One to file alongside In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning - after playing it 100 times!.
Lance.

3 comments :

Liz said...

well Lance as you know this is my favourite number. Eddie sings it so beautifully to his late wife, who was obviously a very special lady, the love just shines through in his voice. Thank you for sharing

Patti D. said...

I've just watched this beautiful tribute from Eddie to his wife, Irene - it's wonderful. Thank you Mr Bebop Spoken Here - I'll def. see the guy is singing anywhere in Glasgow while I'm there.

Liz said...

me too!

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