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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.

Saturday, April 08, 2023

Album review: Scott Hamilton Quartet - At Pizza Express Live

Scott Hamilton (tenor sax); John Pearce (piano); Dave Green (bass); Steve Brown (drums).

I've heard Scott Hamilton several times over the years at such diverse places as The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, Darlington in, I  think, Co. Durham although you're never quite sure down there, and at Pizza Express, most definitely on Dean St., in Soho which is where this fine live album was recorded last year and forms the first release of the company's new record label (PX Records).

Hamilton has played Dean St. many times and although it is over ten years since I heard him at that charismatic venue the magic remains. On that occasion the line-up was the same as it is here (why change a winning team?) and serves as an updated cherished memory of a memorable night. I'd loved to have been at this one too but, wotcha know? Now I am!

Like Lester Young, this tenor player knows the value of making every note, every phrase count, without attempting to break the speed limit. Each solo is a work of art. 

The same also applies to Dave Green, surely the most melodic of bass players - nobody makes an excuse to leave the room when he solos. 

On piano, John Pearce is not just the perfect accompanist but a fine soloist in his own right. Add Steve Brown to the mix and you have surely the greatest mainstream quartet on the current scene albeit, because of other commitments, not sighted as frequently as I would like.

The seven extended tracks offer variety. The Breeze and I, Poinciana and The Girl From Ipanema fall into a nice, easy Latin groove. On Ipanema he matches Getz's version not least because Astrud Gilberto doesn't sing.

Black Velvet, an Illinois Jacquet composition that, after someone had added words, became Don't Cha Go Away Mad, had me thinking back to the first time I heard Scott which was at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the early 1980s where he was pitted against Jacquet, Budd Johnson and Arnett Cobb - formidable competition - I think his relative youth won the day (Cobb was on crutches!) Maybe that was where he picked up this tune. 

Blue 'n' Boogie is a blues tailor-made for stretching out on and all four do just that.

The ballad Pure Imagination is quite lush even though it's a tune that has never done much for me - I was an adult before Willie Wonka was born - still this is as good a version as I've heard so far.

The Summer Wind is another strange choice. I was never that fond of it when Frank was raking in the shekels from it however, it works well here thanks to the participants who used it to round off the first set.

The first set! Will Pizza release the second set? I hope so. Lance

Available April 14 on PXRCD1001 see HERE

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