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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.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

CD Review: Duncan Lamont Big Band featuring Kenny Wheeler - As if by Magic

 (Review by Lance).
I can’t say that I ever watched the animated television series, Mr. Benn. Although shown in the 1970s, I’d never actually heard of it until now!
However, having long been a fan of Duncan Lamont – his Young Person’s Guide to the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is a classic and I just wish I could find my copy to play it again (anyone out there got a copy?)
Lamont (senior) wrote the original music for the Mr Benn series and, going by this 2011 recording, his talents as a composer and arranger haven't diminished.

Mr Benn: the show’s signature tune has a Latin feel with solos by Wood, Shaw (Saturday night hero at The Globe), Panayi on flute and Wheeler on flugel. – he offers an interesting contrast to Shaw.
As if by Magic: A minor blues with an oriental feel and short solos by Paniyi (piccolo); Ricotti (xylophone); Langley, White and Hastings (tenor).
The Dragon’s Tale: showcases Shaw’s lyricism – to think our brief conversation on Saturday night concerned Wylam Brewery’s Red Kite Ale! Had I heard this first the conversation could have been extended (depending on how thirsty he was!)
Coming Home: A trombone feature with a nice danceable chorus by the saxes – beautifully harmonised. The ‘bones; Edwards, Wood and White bring to mind JJ & Kai with  maybe Cleveland added.
The Balloonist: In waltz time, the mood is floating. Dee launches the hot airship, Panayi’s flute takes us up there, Paul Jones (a familiar name to Wearsiders) maintains altitude (altotude?), Ricotti provides good vibes before Wheeler lands the ship as eloquently as only he could, albeit not without some turbulence from the ensemble.
Festive Band: The mood is a pre-war Palais-de Dance with Dee ‘tickling the ivories’ as only he can. Laurence shows on bass and Talbot’s tenor is as lyrical as anything on the disc – may I have the next one?
The Sea Monster: Brings Wheeler back on board. A melancholic piece that contrasts with…
Don’t Forget the Dragon: This sees trombones Edwards, White and Woods slugging it out followed by a Jones v Paniyi joust. Shaw and Langley are next to take up the cudgels and, just as the watchers are about to send for the Jazz Police to restore order, Jimmy Hastings steps into the ring calming things down with tenor playing that reminds us just how tasteful a player he is.
But, the show ain’t over yet as Salmins and Ricotti have a few Latin moments before the band gently put Mr. Benn and The Dragon to bed.
Best big band record I've heard this year.
Lance.

Kenny Wheeler (flugel); Yasmin Ahmed, Tom Rees-Roberts, Noel Langley, Martin Shaw (trumpets); Andy Wood, Alistair White, Richard Edwards, Pete North (trombones); Jimmy Hastings, Jamie Talbot, Andy Panayi, Paul Jones, Duncan Lamont Jnr.; (saxes); Brian Dee (piano); Chris Laurence(bass); Ralph Salmins (drums); Frank Ricotti; (vibes/xylophone/percussion).

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