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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.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Giles Strong/Roly Veitch Jazz Guitar Duo & Tulip/MacKellar Quartet @ Ushaw, Durham - August 25

Roly Veitch & Giles Strong (guitars)
(Review by Lance).
A delightful vignette, tasteful and perfectly executed by two masters of their craft. George Barnes, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, George Van Eps are some of the names that spring to mind when searching for comparisions. Both Roly and Giles tick plenty of the above boxes and although Pat Metheny isn't in there, nor is Eddie Lang. Instead, it's straight down the middle swing each with their own individual approach, an approach not too far apart. Giles is possibly the more forceful player, Roly the more laid back but, having said that, the roles change from piece to piece making for a very evenly balanced set.
Apart from the heads and the solos, there were moments of fuguelike interplay as their lines crossed, twisted, turned and intertwined. The subtlety left the listeners breathless and nobody dared to drop a pin in case it led to the building being evacuated.
The applause at the end, a solid indication of the warm appreciation built up between the players, the audience and the rich musical heritage brought to life.
I'll Remember April; You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to; Alone Together; Flamingo; Body & Soul; Love For Sale; I Hear a Rhapsody; a take on an intro to Billie's Bounce; A complex and fascinating All the Things You Are (who said that tune was worn out? Not in the hands of these two); I Love You,
----- 
Francis Tulip (guitar); Joel Brown (piano/Yamaha Emulator/church organ); Andy Champion (bass); Matt MacKellar (drums).
Earlier, we had more guitar wizardry from the Tulip/MacKellar Quartet. Guitar wizardry in a more contemporary vein. I sat alongside Roly who was mega impressed and later, in their own set, Roly's co-pilot Giles also praised this band. And justifiably so. With super-sub Andy Champion on double bass, the quartet maintained the high standard that myself and other BSH pundits have raved about.
The programme was very much as before and didn't suffer from that. Practice makes perfect they say and this was perfect although by the next gig it may be even more perfect. Certainly, when the CD is released (soon) I'm sure the end product will be the most perfect (grammarians start commenting now!)
Tulip and MacKellar are rightfully recognised as superlative players, as is Joel Brown who, apart from playing piano and producing B3 sounds on his pocket keyboard was spotted, prior to the gig, playing pipe organ in the majestic surrounds of Ushaw's magnificent St. Cuthbert's Chapel. Sounded like a Bach Toccata and Fugue but probably wasn't. Joel is heading off to Africa shortly so his final appearance may well be in the less salubrious surrounds of the Jazz Café jam session on 9/11.
We wish him well.
Back to the Francis Thompson Room which, today, could have been renamed the Francis Tulip Room or come to that, any of the participating musicians. In years to come maybe there will be a blue plaque or a commemorative portrait adorning the walls.
Wouldn't be undeserved.
Lance.
More photos.

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