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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 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

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.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

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.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

CD Review: Troy Roberts - Days Like These

Troy Roberts (tenor sax); Joey DeFrancesco (organ x 3); Emmet Cohen (organ x 5); Jeff 'Tain' Watts (drums).
(Review by Lance).

The Aussie tenorman's 11th album, the 4th to grace these pages, and it's another belter! How could it not be with these guys? Roberts is undoubtedly suited to the organ trio set-up and B3 superman DeFrancesco spurs him on with that big fat sound he conjures from the beast and, on the tracks where Cohen is at the keyboards, Emmet does likewise.

On the up numbers such as Sly Old Dog Roberts goes for the jugular taking the tenor to the limit - soaring off the edge of the world - can a saxophone get rabies? Fortunately, just before the man in the white coat arrives, sly old dog that he is, Roberts takes it down to a mellow ending.

By contrast, Jack the Sipper is a cool bossa.

The last time I heard Little Man You've Had a Busy Day I think it was sung by Al Bowlly although it seems as though Clapton recorded it in 2016. It's a lovely tune displaying Robert's sensuous tone and he does it justice.

The Wizard of Ozroop, probably a reference to a town in the Outback, is another one that gives Roberts' fingers and embouchure a workout. The section where he and Watts go for broke had me applauding as if I was there! When Roberts steps down, Watts continues his onslaught behind Cohen before all three indulge in some fours.

The opener, My Girl is Just Enough Woman For Me, often featured in a Stanley Turrentine setlist and Roberts, DeFrancesco and Tain take it along at a nice easy pace. The tenorman making his virtuosity known early on.

Kern's Why Was I Born? is balladic perfection from both Roberts and Joey D with Watts, for once, suitably restrained (don't get me wrong, JTW is a man for all seasons) and I don't visualise the Kern estate taking action as they once did against Maynard Ferguson for his rendition of All the Things You Ain't!

Trams is smart - literally. The bassline like the title is played backwards! Troy is seemingly fond of compositional games. It swings.

The Waltz of Parting Days is suitably melancholic although if it is in waltz time it's not immediately apparent. It's still very listenable as is the whole album.

Of the 8 tracks Roberts composed 6. Not many tenor players around who can retain the lyricism of yesterday whilst heading for tomorrow - Troy Roberts is one such player.
Lance
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