Total Pageviews

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

Thursday, June 04, 2020

Album Review: The Fat Babies - Uptown

The Fat Babies: Andy Schumm (cornet, alto sax, clarinet); John Otto (alto sax, clarinet); Jonathan Doyle (tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet); Dave Bock (trombone); Paul Asaro (piano, vocals); Johnny Donatowicz (banjo, guitar); Beau Sample (string bass); Alex Hall (drums, percussion)

Today's Chicago jazz scene offers something for everyone, from early twentieth century ragtime to New Orleans to the Windy City's 'hot' bands through to swing outfits, modern jazz combos and beyond to the avant-garde. Pre the Covid-19 lockdown, musicians maintained residencies across town and were regularly in and out of the recording studios. 


The Fat Babies first came to the attention of Chicago's jazz fans in 2011 when they established a residency at the wonderfully named Beth and Willie's Honky Tonk BBQ playing hot dance charts. Listeners and dancers flocked to the joint and in no time at all the Fat Babies were in demand across America. 

The band's latest album, titled Uptown (the band's fourth CD on the legendary Delmark Records' label), is an all-star, eight piece ensemble. Most of the transcriptions and arrangements are by Andy Schumm (cornet, alto sax, clarinet) and of the CD's thirteen tracks, two were written by Schumm (the title track and That Gal of Mine) and one, titled Sweet is the Night, by Jonathan Doyle (tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet). Other tracks include familiar numbers by Bennie Moten and the song writing team of Andy Razaf and Clarence Williams.

The Fat Babies are, to a man, ace soloists but it is the precision ensemble playing that is the main attraction. The horns, including Dave Bock on trombone, share the solos supported by a tight rhythm section comprising Johnny Donatowicz (banjo, guitar), Beau Sample (string bass), Alex Hall on drums and percussion, and Paul Asaro singing in addition to playing some stomping honky tonk piano. 
Russell 

Uptown by the Fat Babies is available on Delmark Records (cat. no. DE 258).              

No comments :

Blog Archive