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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.

Monday, April 22, 2019

CD Review: Aimee Nolte - Looking For The Answers

Aimee Nolte (vocals, piano, organ, synth bass); John Clayton (bass track 7); Bruce Lett (bass 1, 2 3, 5, 10); James Yoshizawa (drums); Mike Scott (guitar 2,3,5,10); Jason Neubauer (guitar1); Doug Webb (woodwinds 1); John Reilly (woodwinds 6)
(Review by Ann Alex).

Ms Nolte, based in Los Angeles, has been successful on YouTube with over 140,000 subscribers, where she does both music and educational videos. This has led to her appearing as a guest at jazz festivals around the USA. A very modern way to become known, which I guess will become ever more usual. This, her third album, consists of 8 originals and 3 re-imagined standards. She also arranged and produced the album.

At the age of 3, we’re told, she surprised her parents by spontaneously playing Silent Night. She went on to study classical piano and gained a degree in jazz piano in 1998. Despite being the mother of four, Nolte’s voice has retained her fresh sounding youthful voice. On this CD she is joined by stellar musicians from Southern California.

Many of the tracks have a contemporary folk feel though there is also a strong jazz feel on the other tracks, so fans of both types of music will probably enjoy the album. The lyrics are seemingly straightforward yet satisfying, with repeated ‘choruses’ to act as hooks. For instance, Falling Snow begins as if it’s about a lover leaving, but then you realise that it’s a touching song about a son growing up and making his own way in the world. The beat and percussion is Latin and the lyrics are tender.

The sad love song, This One Hurts, is enhanced by changing the piano tone - putting felt between the strings and hammers, giving a warmer sound, as I imagine a piano might sound at a Victorian musical evening. Bye, Bye Blackbird is voice and bass only with well-controlled relevant scat. The other jazz standards are All Too Soon and So in Love. The second track is the title track, and the tune cleverly reflects the theme as it curves round musically as if searching. You Should’ve is a strong protest aimed at a teacher who mistreated Ms Nolte in her youth.  Other tracks are: The Loveliest Girl, Save Me One Last Time; I Gotta Get. The CD ends satisfyingly with a lovely flowing piano instrumental from Nolte, titled For a While.   

The CD is currently available both online and in stores. The label is Aimee Nolte Music. See www.aimeenolte.com
Ann Alex

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