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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 23: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 4:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Mon 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Friday, July 08, 2022

Pete Gilligan & Friends @ the Prohibition Bar - July 7

(© Russell)
Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Tom Atkinson (drums) + guests.

It had been a long time since I'd heard Pete and, judging by tonight's performance, too long!

Stopping off at the Prohibition Bar en route to his current base in Laos he played some of the best jazz piano heard at that venue since, well er since he played there when it was the old Jazz Café or 'The Caff' as it was affectionately known. Fans and fellow musicians turned out for what was a truly tremendous evening.

From the opening chorus of I Thought About You we knew we were hearing something special. Peterson, Garner, Bud Powell - particularly Bud Powell - his fingers tripped the light fantastic with a dexterity usually only associated with the above greats. Mesmerised!

Grainger and Atkinson provided support keeping pace even anticipating the convivial pianist's twists and turns.

(© Lance)
The guests added to the atmosphere with Harry Keeble blowing tenor on Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, Impressions and, later, Cheesecake.

David 'Showtime' Gray paid tribute to the warm weather with his fetching attire and acknowledged the political news of the day with Autumn Leaves or should it have been Leaves in Autumn? Abbie Finn was on drums and they had a blast on Anthropology which incurred some agile slide-work.

Paul Gowland took centre stage and blew some wild alto on Take Five followed by that good old jammer How High the Moon.

Interval time, a chance to refuel, then more music.

Alice Grace was joined by Kris Finney on drums and John Rowland on tenor. She chose that silliest of songs Nature Boy and somehow, in the moment, it didn't sound silly. Stronger material in the form of A Weaver of Dreams inspired her to a scat chorus that stood up alongside many of the horn solos.

Minnie Fraser has been off the scene for some time but she returned with Michael Mather on drums for a brilliant Fascinating Rhythm (complete with verse). Less fascinating was Midnight Sun which I don't think quite worked.

Magda Ruta did Lullaby of BirdlandJulija Jacenaite was heard to advantage on There Will Never be Another You and everyone who was still standing took it out on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.

It had been an evening to remember not least because of the main man - Pete Gilligan. Take a virtual bow - Lance

PS: Not forgetting Paul Grainger who marshalled the troops so efficiently and Tom Atkinson whose drumming was quite revealing to those unfamiliar with his playing.

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