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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

Fri 20: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 20: Baghdaddies @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Smokin’ Spitfires @ Platform 1, East Bedlington Community Centre. 7:00pm.
Fri 20: Pete Tanton’s Christmas @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 20: Alligator Gumbo @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Abbie Finn’s Finntet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 20: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

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.

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

Monday, December 09, 2019

CD Review: Paul Edis & Friends - On Christmas Day

(Review by Russell)

On Christmas Day as gifts are unwrapped, champagne sipped and sprouts prepared it would be a splendid idea to listen to On Christmas Day. The new album by Paul Edis and a stocking full of talented friends is a seasonal delight but shouldn't be consigned to the 'once a year' section of your CD collection, on the contrary, pianist, composer and arranger Edis' album isn't just for Christmas, it's for any and every day of the year!

The majority of the album's thirteen tracks are bona fide classic numbers, two are of more recent pop chart vintage and there is an original penned by bandleader Edis with lyrics by Kate Edis. The eleven-strong ensemble does Edis proud; flawless performances from all ranging from established names Jo Harrop, Matt Anderson, Graham Hardy, Jason Holcomb, Emma Fisk, Edis' regular trio partners Andy Champion and Russ Morgan to rising stars Faye Thompson, Megan Robinson and Francis Tulip.  


Recorded over two days in August, Edis' masterful arrangements bring out the best in the ensemble. From the opening Let it Snow (S. Cahn/J. Styne) with its New Orleans' shuffle feel (solos from Matt Anderson, soprano sax and Andy Champion, bass) to a sublime Paul Edis-Jo Harrop duo rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (R. Blane/H. Martin) to The Christmas Song (M. Tormé/R. Wells) to the closing number, Frank Loesser's What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?On Christmas Day is a sparkling offering decked in holly, tinsel and musical angels. 

Santa Baby (J. Javits/P. Springer) is pure Basie and pure Edis in its arrangement with Jo Harrop's reading of Philip Stringer's lyrics arguably as good as any since Eartha Kitt. Edis' Merry Christmas on Christmas Day features the composer's vocals supported by a sensitive, supportive ensemble cast. The final track, some sixty minutes in, is a fine ensemble piece - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - a real late night, indeed, end of year affair. 

On Christmas Day by Paul Edis & Friends is an album that should be in the collection of every jazz fan. Come to think of it, anyone who appreciates the craft of arranging, writing and performing should acquire a copy, it's that good!

The album was recorded, engineered and mastered by the redoubtable Adam Sinclair. It was produced by Paul Edis and Adam Sinclair. On Christmas Day on the Edis Music label is available from: www.pauledis.co.uk and at gigs. The good news is, just in time for Christmas, you have no fewer than four opportunities to hear Paul Edis and  Friends in concert reprising last year's sell out show A Jazzy Christmas (and buy a copy of the CD!) at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Dec 15, 2:00pm), Ushaw College (Dec 20, 7:30pm) and two performances at Sage Gateshead (Dec 21, 2:00pm & 8:00pm). 
Russell    

Paul Edis (MD, piano, vocals); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Megan Robinson (flute, piccolo); Francis Tulip (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)        

1 comment :

Hugh said...

Listened to this On Christmas Day, as instructed. Excellent accompaniment to th festivities.

Congratulations to Paul Edis and Friends on an excellent album.

And continuing festive greetings to all on BSH. All the best for good vision in 2020!

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