Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Charlotte Keeffe: "I don't know what I'm going to play any more than you [the audience] do." - (Jazz North East/Jazz Co-op gig June 13, 2021)

Archive quotes.

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.

Postage

13,359 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 13 years ago. 777 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (June 13).

From This Moment On

JUNE

Wed 16: Washboard Resonators @ Punchbowl Hotel, Jesmond, Newcastle (8:00pm). SOLD OUT!

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, North Tyneside (1:00pm).

Thu 17: Maine Street Jazzmen @ Sunniside Social Club, Gateshead (8:30pm).

Fri 18: Jazz Jamaica @ Sage Gateshead (8:00pm).

Sat 19: Jude Murphy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle (8:00pm).

Sun 20 Knats @ The Globe, Newcastle (8:00pm). Advance booking essential: www.jazz.coop. SOLD OUT. But livestream still available.

Mon 21: Jazz in the Afternoon @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). CANCELLED TFN.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). CANCELLED TFN.

Friday, April 19, 2019

CD Review: Gwen & Tiana - African Time

(Review by Ann Alex)

I would classify this music as soul-influenced, so perhaps it should have been reviewed by Steve T, whose long discussions with Lance about CDs and ‘vinyls’ I’ve enjoyed immensely. (I’m with you Steve, CD’s are the best invention since music itself*). This is happy party-style music, wise lyrics reflecting on life, with clapping, duets, short, snappy solos, fine playing. Right through from the start African Time, (a clever double meaning to introduce African-influenced songs), many with what I believe to be a ‘township’ feel. All the songs are original except for Yesterday.

De La Vie, in French, has a Latin beat; Happy Again has strong guitar chords between the lines of the song; Letting Go features Soweto Kinch and rap; McCartney’s Yesterday is an original version with an African beat and lively percussion. My favourite track was a folky African tune of the sort often sung well by community choirs On The Lane, ‘you’ll see the fireworks of butterflies, you’ll see them from your heart, don’t use your eyes’. The other track titles are: The Quest; Inner Kid; Keep On Going; I’ll Make It; Be Alright; Love Is The Answer. The lyrics are provided in the insert.

This is the debut album from vocalists Gwen and Tiana. Gwen is from Gabon and Togo and Tiana’s roots are in Cameroon and Madagascar. They came to France about 10 years ago to study music and they’ve sung as a duo since 2012. They have gone beyond soul music, using African culture and their own ideas to develop their music further.

The CD was released on April 12 by Ubuntu Music UBU0022. See www.gwentiana.com
Ann Alex
Gwen Thomas, Tiana Ewane (vocals); Femi Temowo (guitar); Oli Rockberger, (keys); Michael Olutuja (bass); Marijus Aleksa (drums); Junior Ali Balogun (perc) Jo Gustin (lyrics); String section by the Symbolic Orchestra; Special guests: Soweto Kinch (sax, vocals); Keyon Harrold (trumpet); Sona Jobarteh (vocals, kora); Gregoire Maret (harmonica).

 * Ms. Alex's contract is under review - Blogmaster
at

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive