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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, December 16, 2020

Book review: Peter Jones: This is Bop - Jon Hendricks and the Art of Vocal Jazz

As an accomplished jazz singer himself, I can think of few people better qualified  than Peter Jones to write this well-researched biography of the legendary Jon Hendricks. 

The research via magazine articles, interviews with Hendricks' family, friends and fellow musicians, with sources all indexed, has set a bar so high that it would be nigh impossible for any future biographers to surpass or even to come close.

Further proof, if indeed proof were needed of the author's credentials, can be found in his previous book This is Hip - The Life of Mark Murphy. In many ways the two books complement each other due to Jones' meticulous approach and the fact that the two singers' paths frequently crossed. I can't imagine anyone reading This is Hip not wanting to read This is Bop - and vice versa.

Needless to say the background to the groundbreaking Lambert, Hendricks, Ross - arguably the greatest jazz vocal group ever - is given plenty space as is his relationship to the other two members, Dave Lambert and Annie Ross (later Yolande Bavan). The group survived circa 10 years which may seem a lot until you realise that Jon Hendricks' own career lasted over 70 years!

The background to the records and concerts is detailed and, amazing. Given the complexity of the lyrics on top of the already complex solos they were based on, Hendricks' cavalier approach, particularly to newcomers coming in as last minute deps and expecting them to carry it off with little or no rehearsal is quite amazing!

The discography is comprehensive and already has me writing notes to Santa!

Not that this is a mere listing of concerts and recordings, but equally an insight into the man himself. That, like so many great artists, he had his flaws aren't overlooked or covered up, Jones lays them bare - the drug abuse, the putting his name to other composer's works etc. - but he does it without sensationalism.

I was fortunate in hearing LHR with the Basie Band at Newcastle City Hall but I deeply regret that I didn't take up the opportunity to catch Jon Hendricks at Ronnie's during the 2010 London Jazz Festival. I thought to myself - he's 89 he'll be past it. I rather think I was wrong!

To sum up This is Bop - This is Top!

If you don't think it will fit into your Christmas stocking them buy a bigger stocking!

Lance.

Peter Jones: This is Bop - Jon Hendricks and the Art of Vocal Jazz. Equinox Publishing. ISBN-13 9781178179874. (Hardback). 272 pages, 30 photos.


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