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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 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

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.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

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.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Followed By Thirteen @ The Jazz Café – September 27

André Canniere (trumpet); Esben Tjalve (piano); Henrik Jensen (bass); Antonio Fusco (drums)
(Review by/photo courtesy of – Ken Drew.) 
Opening with Bonza,  Canniere provides a gentle introduction before passing to Tjalve to develop on piano then Fusco on  drums with Jensen providing solid support throughout.  A confident opener for the band giving a flavour of and raising expectations of what was to follow. The Dutch Daneman began with a powerful trumpet lead before bursting into life courtesy of Jensen, Tjalve and Fusco’s driving rhythm. Even at this early point in the concert, the quartet demonstrated a tight interplay and support during the solo sections. The bass was ever present, keeping up with Fusco on drums with his very enthusiastic, yet accurate, playing. With some very intricate rhythms and powerful and exciting drum solo sections, overall the quartet produced a fine cohesive sound.
Jensen informs us this is the last gig of their current tour.  No wonder they were so tight as a band - we’re benefiting from all those recent ‘rehearsals’ on their tour, and greatly appreciated by the Newcastle audience.  Then an extended tune, again with good solos all round. Lively and quite complex in places but overall giving a good groove, engaging the audience every step of the way.   Finally in the first set, a quiet and slow intro from Jensen before passing to Cannniere who produces a slightly haunting tone, fleetingly reminiscent of the soulful sound of Chet Baker’s My Funny Valentine (to my ears anyway!). This turns out to be another extended piece ending with the trumpet and bass, underpinned by gently purring drums gradually diminishing into the background. 

Ricardo’s Room reflections of a time Jensen visited Italy. A slightly restrained groove encouraging some intricate cross-rhythms from Fusco – and the switches between sublime piano delicacy and full-band vibrancy were great to witness.   This then followed by another fast-paced piece with many intricate moments of rapidly changing rhythms – the quartet again holding it all together extremely well. And well received too!  A change of pace with Y’on ready? a gentle and sweet tune again with perfectly co-ordinated playing across the band led by Jensen throughout.  London Berlin took the tempo back up moving between hectic activity and somewhat calmer moments, maybe a portrayal of Jensen's experience of the two cities. The hectic elements gradually took precedence as all four players up the pace, Fusco seeming urging Tjalve's piano solo forwards. Landmarks had good and interesting solos from Fusco yet again. I noted the brief use of a plastic tube from his mouth to control the pitch of a specific drum – used sparingly but very effectively.  Finally, The Post Office a very lively piece and a good place to end – on a high!

Overall, very strong playing from all four, but the drums took my attention again and again by the intricacy and subtlety (or sometimes not) of the changes in rhythm aligning perfectly with the style and mood of each piece. But the overall standout was the band itself. What a great quartet with lively sound, always tight but allowing plenty of individual freedom too, playing to a select few who were richly rewarded for their attendance. Followed By Thirteen’s appeal is surely down to Henrik Jensen’s skill as writer, instrumentalist and leader coupled with the undoubted skills of his band members, resulting in an excellent concert from a superb international  quartet.
For this concert they played many tracks from their new album “Blackwater” and a couple from their first  “Qualia” – both worth checking out.
Ken Drew

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