Surely this year can't have been that bad! I thought it the best year ever (but, of course, I'm biased).
Sadly, very few of our regulars have found time to send us their faves whether it be gigs, CDs, venues, books or egg sandwiches.
So, I'm making a last appeal for you to send me your memorable (musical) moments of the past 12 months. Your support is essential to justify the time spent keeping you up to date on jazz happenings.
Lance.
PS: If you're unable to negotiate the blog's comment system then email me at lanceliddle@gmail.com
For the past sixteen years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world. WINNER of the Jazz Media Category in the 2018 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Contact lanceliddle@gmail.com
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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!
Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.
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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!
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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
17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).
From This Moment On ...
December
Sat 21: Lindsay Hannon Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £15.00. ‘Swinging with Christmas Songs’.
Sat 21: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 21: Jackson’s Wharf Xmas Party @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 7:00pm. Free. Featuring the New ’58 Jazz Collective.
Sat 21: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.
Sun 22: Hot Club du Nord @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £15.00. + bf. Xmas party. SOLD OUT!
Sun 22: Red Kites Jazz @ Gibside Chapel, nr. Rowlands Gill. 1:00pm. Admission charge applies.
Sun 22: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 22: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Revolutionaires @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb rhythm & blues outfit.
Sun 22: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger & Mark Robertson @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Line-up TBC.
Sun 22: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music (musicians TBC).
Sun 22: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Zerox, Sandhill, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors).
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 23: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 4:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Mon 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!
Thu 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free. TBC.
Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.
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
Tuesday, January 01, 2019
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January
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- Best of January
- CD Review: Jacob Zimmerman & His Pals - More of That
- Wigan Early Bird about to fly!
- Preview JazzMain @ The Globe Jazz Bar
- Tony Irving & Massimo Magee @ The Globe - Jan 28
- Jazz in Jesmond and Japan
- CD Review: Ran Blake & Claire Ritter - Eclipse Orange
- JAZZ NORTH’S JAZZ CAMP FOR GIRLS PROVIDES A SPACE ...
- Musicians Unlimited @ The Park Inn, Hartlepool - J...
- Tigran Hamasyan and The Voices of Hope @ Sage Gate...
- Musings...
- CD Review: The Ebony Hillbillies - 5 Miles From Town
- RIP Michel Legrand
- Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms - January 25
- CD Review: Duncan Eagles - Citizen.
- Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival 2019 - Breaki...
- CD Review: Ran Blake & Jeanne Lee - The Newest Sou...
- CD Review: Joe Lovano – Trio Tapestry
- CD Review: Yonathan Avishai Trio – Joys and Solit...
- Zoë Gilby and the Noel Dennis Quartet – Aurora @ T...
- Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Jan. 22
- House of the Black Gardenia (second house) @ Prohi...
- CD Review: Tommaso Starace - Harmony Less Quartet...
- Sounds from The Underground in The Victoria Tunnel...
- Overture to a jam session
- The House of the Black Gardenia @ the New Prohibit...
- Adrian Cox: Profoundly Blue @ The Watchtower Galle...
- Early Bird Band @ Lit & Phil - Jan. 19
- Lament for Lamont - Soul Legend Cancels
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Hand to Mouth @ Bishop Auckland Tow...
- Mark Williams & Joel Byrne-McCullough @ The Globe ...
- Big Band Library available
- CD Review: Howard McCrary - Moments Like This.
- A Blizzard of Notes
- River City Ride Again - as a quartet!
- CD Review: Quinsin Nachoff’s Flux - Path of Totality.
- CD Review: Chris Ingham Quartet - Stan
- Hey, wanna buy a guitar?
- CD Review: Jack Kilby & the Front Line - Love is a...
- Snake Davis @ Charts - January 13
- CD Review: Justin Morell - Concerto for Guitar and...
- CD Review: Betty Bryant - Project 88
- Preview: Quilliam Bros in La La Land
- Birthday Party @ Cullercoats Crescent Club with th...
- CD Review: Theon Cross - FYAH
- Matt MacKellar Band @ the Black Swan - Jan. 10
- CD Review: Ernie Watts Quartet - Home Light
- Jeremy McMurray with the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ D...
- CD Review: Beverley Church Hogan - Can't Get Out o...
- Jam Session @ the Black Swan - January 8.
- CD Review: Alan Pasqua - Soliloquy
- CD: Wandering Monster
- A Gala Performance, a Darlington Opus
- CD Review: Blue Standard - A Good Thing
- RIP Urbie Green
- CD Review: The 14 Jazz Orchestra - The Future Ain'...
- Jazz Course Update - Jazz Coop
- King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers - Jan. 4
- CD Review: Ingrid Jensen & Steve Treseler - Invisi...
- CD Review: Florian Weber – Lucent Nights
- Veronica Swift Sings ...
- 100 Years of Jazz Piano from the James Pearson Trio
- CD Review: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - Pete...
- Preview: Matt MacKellar Band - Jan 10
- False Alarm!
- Hear Me Talkin To Ya!
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16 comments :
I didn't get to that many concerts this year but two memorable ones were Graeme Wilson's Quartet (the CD launch) and the CD too is very enjoyable. Great playing underpinned by his unique compositions.
Also, it was great to hear Lewis Watson with Mick Shoulder's Quintet.
Early in the year, I got a used copy of the book 'Cole Porter' a biog. by Charles Schwartz. What an amazing life he had. Family wealth and earnings from his prolific compositions meant that money was no object in enjoying life to the full and he really did. Sadly his accident (he fell from a horse and it rolled on his legs) blighted his life so a very sad aspect. What an amazing person though and when you look at the list of his compositions, an amazing output (of both music and ingenious lyrics).
If I dare mention this I just got a wee present in my Christmas stocking - Buddy Holly with the Royal Philharmonic. It's a sensitive undertaking, reworking old material in this way but what a magnificent and respectful job they've done on it. I think Buddy would have been overwhelmed. And some lovely sax playing (West Coast tenor) on True Love Ways. Apparently, the original saxophonist was Sam 'the man' Taylor. OK the CD isn't jazz but I don't know, his singing still, to me, has an emotional and tender quality that I find very touching. Maybe it's second (or third?) childhood? Anyway this CD is on, in the car, all the time just now!!
I forgot to mention the latest John Scofield album, which is well worth it, especially for guitarists and guitar enthusiasts.
I don't particularly feel I've heard so many Jazz albums this year with my first love - chronologically and qualitatively - back centre stage after a few years in the back seat. The Great John Lias' two volumes Spinning Around: a History of the Soul LP are essential for any 'Real Soul' enthusiasts, even if it's loaded with info about chart positions (and a lack thereof) which, to mind, is as irrelevant in Soul as it is in Jazz.
FTQ on Sunday, with all four protagonists on fire, at least in the second set, has to go with my already top dozen, and since I'm not prepared to take out Tryptich or have an unlucky thirteen, I need to make it up to twenty.
Christian Scott Big Band at Cheltenham springs to mind, as does the Sun Ra Arkestra at GIJF. There were several ever so slightly disappointing Soul gigs by Maceo Parker, George Clinton, Leroy Hutson and Angie Stone (which made gig of the year in Blues and Soul mag).
The Muffin Men were less Jazz than the Zappatistas or RNCM, but Jazz is never far away with Frank. And then of course there were the two Yes bands - just kidding.
All from YouTube - I don't get out much except on the Colnago [racing bike].
1. Joey DeFrancesco Trio, One Hundred Ways live. 12 minutes of unbelievable build/ technique etc.
2. Roberto Fonseca, Family, live at Maria 2016, great band, great tune.
3. Clarencefield Wheeler and the Enforcers, Right On. Fantastic organ bass and a huge sound for a quintet + backing vox.
4. James Brown, Tenga Tango. Maceo! Maceo! (Pretty sure it's Maceo Parker on sax.)
5. Tower of Power, On the Soul Side of Town. Saw them at Cheltenham Jazz fest, fantastic. Went in car, not on Colnago!
Coffee Shop of the Year:
Nero Caffe, King Street, South Shields
Awarded for consistently good background music such as lots of Frank and Ella and quality jazz I can’t even identify.
The rock tracks played are also appealing (to me) eg prog rock.
Community Jazz Event of the Year:
A Jazzy Christmas
The Sage, Paul Edis and Friends, a lovely start to the festive week, with local people.
Festival of The Year:
(It is probably Ushaw Jazz Festival, but not for me as I can’t get there on public transport.)
No, it’s the Durham Festival, organised by The Empty Shop in the summer, especially seeing the Francis Tulip Quartet and the Julija Jacenaite Trio.
And so easy to book up for and you get a walking tour of the city by going to the various venues.
Gig of The Year:
Julija Jacenaite Trio (with Steve Glendinning and Paul Grainger) on 10th June at the Globe
I said it all in the review
CD of the Year:
Simone Kopmajer; Spotlight on Jazz
The latest one that I reviewed which had original songs which were the real thing.
Songs of The Year:
I must be honest, the songs which stand out for me are both rock songs. Probably to do with memories and emotions as well as song quality.
One Day Like This by Elbow
Thrilling music and superb lyrics ‘Throw those curtains wide, one day like this a year will see me right’
Creep by Radiohead
A song which lets you into another person’s viewpoint. Also done by Post Modern Jukebox, but too dramatically.
Ann, I'm sure between us we can arrange your logistic problems for Ushaw. You'd love it.
Yea, I need that one too Hugh. It never ends.
Biggest disappointment was missing Tommy Smith (now OBE) doing Trane at Ambleside; the biggest casualty of my smashed elbow.
I am abroad so much of the time that I miss a lot of top stuff – Ushaw Festival, for example – and many of the gigs I do attend will feature in other reviewers’ selections so here are some nominations from gigs not attended by other Bebop contributors:
Paul Edis Sextet @ Opus 4, Darlington. We don’t see enough of this sextet – a view reinforced by this excellent gig.
GIJF Day 3: Jambone with special guests Issie Barratt & James Brady. Young, local jazz musicians given centre-stage in their own community. Way to go, Sage!
Triptych – either the gig at Gosforth Civic Theatre or the similar set at The Fox in Hexham. Special mention for “Dark Ages”.
Zoe Gilby @ Crook. Special mention for “Red Right Hand” in a wonderfully eclectic set-list.
Noel Dennis – music of Miles Davis @ The Gala. Shedding light on my musical ignorance in a most enjoyable way!
Hot Club du Nord @ Crook. Gypsy jazz provides a great way into jazz for non-afficionados and Emma and the boys always deliver the goods. Marvellous!
I am such a skinflint (French friends accuse me of having a wallet made of peau de hérisson – hedgehog-skin!) that there’s not much to report on the CD front but I did buy one in 2018: Twelve Stories by Zoe Gilby. Emphatically money well spent.
At this stage in the year most of the gigs are starting to blur into each other but the three (well, technically four) that particularly stick in my mind are:
1) Peter Brotzmann/Full Blast at the Lit and Phil in October. Only three of them but they produced some volume (in a good way). I half expected the building to suffer some structural damage.
2) Skeltr at the GIJF in April and at the Durham City Jazz Festival in June. I'm sure that their planned appearance at the Jazz Cafe in February would also have been on the list if it hadn't fallen victim to the snow.
3) The Sun Ra Arkestra at GIJF. First time I've seen them live. Certainly hope to see them again.
A lot of memorable jazz right across the spectrum! And Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party must be one of the best festivals of its type (maybe THE best) anywhere in the world. And right here, on Tyneside.
CD of the Year (not in any particular order):
Gil Evans Orchestra - Hidden Treasures
Marvelous to hear the legacy of The Maestro carried forward by his sons and dedicated musicians.....
Fred Hersch Trio'97 @ The Village Vanguard
Fred's earlier trio, vigorous and full of energy making history at The Village Vanguard.
Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra - Down a Rabbit Hole
Amazing, innovative and imaginative compositions and arrangements from this lady made it a standout CD.
Bob Mintzer Big Band /New York Voices
Exciting, compelling music all the way - taking the Hi-Los up to a new level !
Gig of the Year
Two stood out for me:
Greg Abate @ the Jazz Cafe
Hard working, adventurous & always gives generous praise to his accompanists.
Kevin Holbrough @ Lit/Phil 'Afternoon in Paris'
Unassuming, talented trombonist who provided a change from "the usual" taking his inspiration from JJ Johnson and making the unwieldy instrument look easy to play!
Yea, Brotzmann was great; a helluva coup for Jazz North East. A short set rounding off a long night. Perhaps it needed to be short and would have lost it had it gone on with more of the same, or tamed it with something restrained. They came, exploded our heads and left.
Here you go - some of my favourites from 2018 - not in any particular order of preference though!
Ella and Duke Ellington. The Stockholm Concert, 1966.
Mike Davis and The New Wonders.
Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown. Lessons Lyrical.
Petra and Dennis Luxion. Because We're Night People.
Jo Harrop and Her Trio. Songs For The Late Hours.
The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of. Super Rarities and Unissued Gems of the 1920's and 1930's. On Yazoo label.
John Hallam and Jeff Barnhart. Mr Fine and Dandy.
I'll have a think about the gigs - there've been so many!
Observations from Birmingham:
Seun Kuti - Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Roller Trio - Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Phil Robson, Jed Levy, Oli Hayhurst, Clarence Penn - East Side Jazz Club, Birmingham.
Mike Williams Band - Olivers Bar, London.
Chris Potter/ Dave Holland/ Zakir Hussain - Edinburgh Jazz festival.
Jerry Bergonzi Quartet - East Side Jazz Club, Birmingham.
BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year - Festival Hall, South Bank, London.
Jean Toussant - Nottingham Theatre.
Paul Dunmall Quintet feat Hamid Drake - East Side Jazz Club, Birmingham.
Soweto Kinch - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham.
After careful consideration, I think that the Darlington Big Band on July 5. should have the title Teesside's Gig of the Year (of the ones I was involved in) with the high standard of musicians the arrangements and choice of the numbers played going down extremely well with the capacity audience it proved to be a most successful night at Dormans Jazz Club.
And here's the obvious one, that I shouldn't have left out, and certainly didn't mean to!
Pleasure Mad. Double CD of Live Recordings from the 2017 Mike Durham Classic Jazz Party.
For me it has to be the whole of the Ambleside Days Festival, the highlight gig being Johannes Berauher's Hourglass and the CD of the same name.
Santa has brought me Ant Law's new CD "Life I Know" which I have not managed to hear yet, but have great expectations!
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