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Bebop Spoken There

Delfeayo Marsalis: "Slide Hampton once told me that it's not always the person that is playing the highest or playing the fastest that's making the greatest impact." - (DownBeat March 2023).

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!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Tue 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 21: Jam session @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. House trio: Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums).

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller's Rest, Cockerton. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public). Note change of venue - this week only.
Wed 22: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Bar Loco, Newcasatle. From 6:30pm 'til late. Free. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra jam session. All welcome (students & non-students).
Thu 23: Kerrin Tatman + John Garner & John Pope @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 23: Sunna Gunnlaugs & Julia Hülsmann @ Sage Gateshead. 8:00pm. A two-piano gig. A Sage Gateshead-JNE promotion.
Thu 23: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano.
Thu 23: Sleep Suppressor @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00., £8.00. adv. Upstairs.
Thu 23: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Friday, March 13, 2020

CD Review: Lizzie Thomas – New Sounds From The Jazz Age

(Review by Ann Alex)

Ms Thomas studied classical piano and clarinet as a child, then went on to do a degree in vocal performance, and to study Music Education at Belmont University, Nashville. She honed her craft under the influence of Sandra Dudley before moving to New York City where she has performed at clubs, restaurants, and private parties as well as holding down a residency in Soho, New York City for 9 years. This is her fourth album.

And this album certainly does what it says on the tin. New lively interpretations of 9 jazz standards.

Fascinating Rhythm, an appropriate song to introduce the concept of jazz, starts with a swirl from piano, the rarely-sung verse, then a fast chorus, changing to sultry chords associated with strip joints (I’m told)! Our Love Is Here To Stay has the verse sung with guitar accompaniment, a steady percussion beat and a half chorus solo from firstly piano, then rippling flute. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To is introduced by the Sinatra lyrics about it being ' So so nice to wander back'.

 In the Still of the Night gives us a Latin beat and hand drumming; One Note Samba is very fast, just about fitting in all the words and a bell sound from percussion. Cheek To Cheek references vocally I'm Beginning To See The Light, and The Very Thought Of You begins with Ms Thomas singing the last few bars and is done with an Afro-Caribbean beat. This singer takes risks that other singers wouldn't dare try and she brings it off, helped of course by skilled musicians, notably on piano, flute and clarinet, but they all play their part well. 
The CD is available from www.lizziethomas.net   
Ann Alex

Lizzie Thomas (vocals); John Colianni (piano); Jay Leonhart (bass 2,3,4,6); Boots Maleson (bass 1,5,7,8,9); Russell Malone (guitar 2,3,4); Matt Chertkoff (guitar 1,5.6.7.8.9); Omar Daniels (tenor sax, flute); Felix Peikli (clarinet 1,8); Bernard Linette (drums); Doug Hendrichs (percussion).

1/ Fascinating Rhythm 2/ Our Love Is Here To Stay 3/ I Didn't Know About You 4/ You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5/ In The Still Of  The Night 6/ One Note Samba 7/ Cheek To Cheek 8/ Close Your Eyes 9/ The Very Thought Of You.

1 comment :

Unknown said...

Thank You Ann! I appreciate the listen and your kind review! Yes, I'm a risk taker when it comes to singing Jazz. But I think there has to be an element of risk when playing Jazz- That's what makes it so exciting!!

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