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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.

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

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

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: 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.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

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
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