Total Pageviews

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.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Album review: Wes Montgomery - The NDR Hamburg Studio Recording Sessions

Wes Montgomery (guitar); Hans Koller (alto sax); Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott (tenor sax); Ronnie Ross (baritone sax); Martial Solal (piano); Michel Gaudry (bass); Ronnie Stephenson (drums).

Recorded live in 1968 at the NDR Studio 12, Hamburg by a fine mix of British, American and European musicians this is, to the best of my knowledge, the first time this concert has been available on record. 

Whilst Montgomery is the undisputed star of the show, the others are by no means bit players. The horns are heard to advantage in various setting with Ronnie Scott unfazed by his illustrious fellow tenor player - well he wouldn't be would he? he was used to blowing alongside Tubby Hayes! In fact, on the earlier tracks I prefer Scott - maybe Griffin was still sober! However, by track 8 the American was up to the mark.

Ronnie Ross not only underpins it all on baritone but he also provided several of the arrangements.

Martial Solal's solos reminded me just how good a pianist he was and Hans Koller's agile alto playing was another highlight.

As for Montgomery, he doesn't stretch himself unduly but does just enough to keep the audience happy which would be beyond most lesser guitarists. However, Montgomery is anything but 'a lesser guitarist' and it is significant that his best shots are fired when the horns presumably have gone to the bar!

The rhythm section of Gaudry and Sunderland born Ronnie Stephenson are the driving force behind it all and, I say without prejudice (well hardly any) that he ranks with the all-time greats of British and European jazz.

Not a great record but still a one that is well worth checking out.

Lance

The CD which is on the Jazzline Classics label comes with a blue-ray disc of the pre-concert rehearsal but, not having blue-ray facilities i can't comment.

West Coast Blues; Four on Six; Last of the wine; Here's that Rainy Day; Opening; Blue Grass; Blue Monk; The Leopard Walks; Twisted Blues; West Coast Blues (encore).

No comments :

Blog Archive