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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - April 18

(© R. Veitch)
Ruth Lambert (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + David Gray (trombone)

Easter Monday. Would the public holiday entice a few more gig-goers to venture out or would it have the opposite effect? In truth, the numbers were about the same as of late, perhaps one or two of the regulars didn't show, however, their absence was compensated for by the welcome presence of some new faces. Ruth Lambert is no stranger to Blaydon Jazz Club and this evening our GASbook singer par excellence arrived with her now settled line-up featuring pianist Alan Law, bassist Paul Grainger and drummer Tim Johnston. Later in the evening one of Tyneside's A-listers would join the quartet to help close out the second set. 

Someone once said something along the lines of: Ella could swing the phone book. The very same observation could be applied to Ruth Lambert. From the opening bars of You and the Night and the Music, Ruth couldn't do anything other than swing it. Skylark and Black Coffee have long since been in our vocalist's repertoire; contrasting tunes, poles apart emotionally and stylistically, both magical in the hands, rather, vocal chords, of this evening's star guest. To close a superb first set, Ruth asked what we wanted to hear - a 'misery' number or something a little more upbeat? Misery cried one of Blaydon Jazz Club's loyal supporters. So, 'misery' won out, Angel Eyes taking us up to the break. 

(© R. Veitch)
Second set, Alan Law's deft, light-of-touch piano playing brought in No Moon at All, Tim Johnston wisely using brushes on a round of fours. But Beautiful silenced the room, as Ruth gave a masterclass in the art of intimate, up close jazz singing. At its conclusion, Ruth said the song (written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke) came from one of the Road to...movies. Your correspondent, nor others, was able to name the film. Morning-after-the-night-before research revealed/reminded us: it was sung by Bing Crosby in The Road to Rio.

(© R. Veitch)
David Gray was in the house, having a night out. Ruth suggested Showtime join the quartet on a few numbers. Living near by, DG made a sharp exit to pick up his 'bone. Minutes later Ruth suggested a blues in A. Our vocalist has an affinity with the great Bonnie Raitt (and the blues), so, we got Love Me Like a Man. Superb, and, no mistake, Showtime stepped up to the plate! Ruth turned to Alan Law, saying: Follow that! Pianist Law met the challenge head on bringing in Caravan. The now quintet went with it, out into the desert and safely back again, drummer Johnston rattling the pans in time-honoured fashion. We were fast approaching the end of the evening, Ruth swinging How High the Moon as only she can, 'boneman Gray quoting Ornithology (Showtime knows his stuff!). Running slightly over time, the fabulous Ruth Lambert - and band - went out on Secret Love

Next month at the Black Bull, it's Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche. Highly recommended, it's an eight o'clock start on Monday 16th. See you there. Russell                  

No comments :

Blog Archive