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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 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

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

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.

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.

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.

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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