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Bebop Spoken There

Kelly Sill: "Just because everyone is playing through the changes in the same time doesn't mean they're actually playing together" - (JazzTimes March/April 2023).

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!"

Postage

15260 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 279 of them this year alone and, so far, 92 this month (March 29).

From This Moment On ...

April

Sun 02: Smokin' Spitfires @ The Cluny. 12:45pm.
Sun 02: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.

Mon 03: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tue 04: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 04: Jam session @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. House trio: Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums).

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Thursday Night Prayer Meeting @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Donations. Feat. John Pope, Marie Shreer, John Garner.
Thu 06: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibtion Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig.
Thu 06: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Note earlier start time.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 07: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm.
Fri 07: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Traveller's Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 07: Finntet + Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion @ Bobik's, Punch Bowl, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.
Fri 07: TBA @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig. Blind Pig Blues Club.

Sat 08: Me Lost Me + Ceitidh Mac + Heather Ferrier @ Bobik's, Punch Bowl, Newcastle. 7:30pm. JNE.
Sat 08: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington Covered Market, Darlington DL1 5PN. 6:00pm. New venue, live jazz!
Sat 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00. RESCHEDULED from last week (Sat 01).
Sat 08: Robbie Reay @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Acoustic blues. A 'Jar on the Bar' gig.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Mr Tighe's, Bebside, Northumberland. 8:30pm.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Sunday Night @ the Award-Winning Globe: Alter Ego - July 18

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Dave Hignett (trumpet, flugel); Keith Robinson (alto/soprano sax); Niall Armstrong (tenor sax, flute); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Tony Abel (bass guitar); Dave Johnson (drums).



Q: What's the difference between a live gig and a livestream?

A: The former is usually too short and the latter is usually too long!

To elaborate. On a live gig you're enjoying it in the, socially distanced, convivial company of like-minded enthusiasts. Come the interval, drinks are ordered, observations are made about the gig, even a chance to chat with the performers or, maybe, strike up a new acquaintance before the band return for an even better set - few bands show all their cards in the opening deal.

Contrast that with sitting at home watching/listening on PC, smartphone or whatever - it's not the same.

The 606 streams the first set live and leaves the second set for those who've actually turned up.

Having said that, tonight's session was everything I've come to expect from the band and, true to form, the game was duly lifted in the second set.

I didn't catch the opening title - I'd taken up Keith's suggestion to make a cup of tea and, as it had been a long time since I'd performed such a task, I eventually gave up and settled for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  

Suffice to say that when I returned they'd hit the ground running and the tight arrangements were just that little bit looser and all the better for it.

(Collage by Ken Drew)
Replacing keyboards with guitar in the form of Paul Donnelly was/is a masterstroke. His solos challenge the horns to put up. They did and, although there were fewer stratospheric flights from Dave than is his norm, on the penultimate number he did unleash a solo that maybe rattled a few glasses! Niall and Keith both blew their sox off, Niall, apart from some sound tenor playing also provided much of the material whilst Keith's alto and occasional soprano was never less than lyrical.

Tony Abel, bassist, composer, is one of those guys who pop up infrequently but, when he does, you know you're in the presence of a self-effacing star.

Early days to pass judgement on drummer Johnson but, he held his own with these seasoned sessioneers which is a massive plus for him.

A great band that is even greater when they stretch the elastic... Lance

PS: Re my opening question, both The Globe and the band got it just right tonight.

Little Mama; Red Blues; Zip It; Quasimodo; Mustard Mash; Dog Leap Bounce; Bacon Sandwich;  Wheel Within a Wheel; How Low the Sun; Llangranog Blues; Undertone; Not Moanin'; Diva; Football Blues ...

1 comment :

Keith Robinson (on F/b) said...

Thanks for your support Lance. Your reviews are always interesting and valued

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