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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.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Album Review: Larry Mindel – Love In Troubled Times

Larry Mindel (voice); Liam Stevens (piano); JJ Stillwell (bass); Callum Smith (drums); Ben Treacher (sax); Geoffrey Richardson (strings, woodwind); Rebecca Phillips, Francesca Raimondi (backing singers)

This is Larry Mindel's second album, nine original songs recorded in 2020 under the restraints of lockdown, covering themes of love, loss and longing, with lyrics which evoke a sense of various landscapes of the countryside, Suffolk, Australia, the Hebrides.


Mr Mindel began his musical life in the folk clubs of south east England and also the jazz venues of Soho. After a break he took up music again in 2004, sharing the songs he'd written with friends and performing regularly in England, Europe and the Antipodes. This CD was recorded using mainly acoustic instruments.


'Stars In the sky tonight

Float past the quiet moon

Your footsteps forever in the grass

Where the wild orchids bloom'


These lyrics are from the last track, Be Careful How You Go, which was written when visiting his mother in hospital on the day before she died. There is an accompanying video of family memories which is very moving and the song title is inspired by some of the words his mother used to say. This is by far the best track of an album, about which I have to say I had mixed feelings.


Although the music claims to have folk and jazz influences, I could hear very few traditional folk elements, unless you count storytelling lyrics as 'folk', but that applies to many types of music. The most jazz-like track was Brave, with lively, low, pounding chords on piano, underpinning the voice, then a skilled sax solo, followed by piano and drums together, very tasty jazz. 


The other seven tracks were closer to what I'd say was middle of the road, very pleasant music, but not necessarily what jazz or folk listeners want. The ideas behind the songs are interesting. Lowland Love concerns the mysterious disappearance of a student, and is enhanced by music from the strings. Take A Rest At My Door has a gospel tune and backing singers.


Lemon, about a trip away, is made interesting by a sax solo; In The Undergrowth is a bit more jazz-like, with a short bass and piano duo and a B3 sound, presumably from a keyboard. Deep Water concerns a love affair; Time To Fall tells of an older couple falling in love and I Love Paris In July speaks for itself.


The album is available now digitally. See www.larrymindel.com


Lowland Love; Take A Rest At My Door; Lemon; Deep Water; In The Undergrowth; I Love Paris In July; Time To Fall; Brave; Be Careful How You Go.
 


Ann Alex


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