Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Album review: Bill Evans - Morning Glory

Bill Evans (piano); Eddie Gomez (bass); Marty Morrell (drums) 

It seems as though this is the piano season - or so it would seem! Following on from the six disc set by Lennie Tristano, the wonderful Stan Tracey Trio's 1959 album, the Mingus/Hampton Hawes' Trio album and the live doubler from Cecil Taylor I now have four live CDs by Bill Evans that were recorded in Buenos Aires in 1973 and 1979 - talk about an embarrassment of riches!

This is the earlier concert recorded at the Teatro Gran Rex on June 24, 1973 and, despite the social unrest in the city - Peron and all that - there is a warmth inside the hall from both the pianist and the audience that transcends what is happening in the streets outside.

I won't use the cliche and say that this is Evans at his best - wasn't he always? - instead I'll just say that, this is Evans at his best!  If you don't agree just listen to the thunderous applause after each number!

He has that langruous approach that, even on an uptempo number still manages to come across as laid back.

Apart from Evans, Eddie Gomez's solos, both plucked and arco, reveal a player perfectly suited to the leader's approach. Marty Morrell adds drive and solos with confidence, neither of them over-awed by their illustrious forebears with the trio - Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. 

Both concerts (1979 review to follow) are scheduled for release as limited edition two-LP record store day releases on April 23. CD and digital downloads will be available a week later on April 30.

Normally I wouldn't post a review so far in advance but, the PR people at Resonance Records say "for immediate release" and DownBeat list them so who am I to argue? 

Amazing that, as April approaches, we have four contenders for Album of the Year - and they're all piano led! Lance

Re: Person I Knew; Emily; Who Can I Turn to?; The Two Lonely People; What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life?; My Romance.

Morning Glory; Up With the Lark; T.T.T (Twelve Tone Tune); Esta Tarde Villover; Beautiful Love; Waltz For Debby; My Foolish Heart.

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