Bebop Spoken There

Joe Alterman: ''All I wanted to do growing up was to sound like Erroll Garner playing "Poor Butterfly." I thought that was the coolest sound I'd ever heard.'' (DownBeat November, 2026)

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

19,066 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 930 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 31) 109.

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

From This Moment On

November

Thu 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 05: Hejira - Celebrating Joni Mitchell @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Thu 05: Cut Capers @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors).
Thu 05: Northern Reaches @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations). Pete Tanton, Joe Steels, Laurence Blackadder, John Hirst.
Thu 05: Fergus McCreadie @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 06: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 1/3.
Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Jazz Night: Bridget Metcalfe @ Saltburn House Hotel. From 6:00pm. Tickets: £40.00 (inc. a two-course meal & glass of Prosecco). Tel: 01287 658977.
Fri 06: The Exu + Kraabel/Harrison/Birchall @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 8:00pm. JNE.

Sat 07: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 2/3.
Sat 07: Ewan Bleach’s Cable Street Ragtime Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington.
12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. Superb band.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Find Your Pocket: Funk & Groove. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Red Kites Jazz @ Costa Café, St James’ Retail Park, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sat 07: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 6:00pm.

Sun 08: Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel, West Allotment. 12 noon. Day 3/3.
Sun 08: Greg Abate w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 08: Kaberry Big Band @ Forest Hall Social Club. 3:00pm. £7.00 (inc. tea & cake). Charity event for the Poppy Appeal.
Sun 08: Greg Abate w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Bechet-Spanier Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00.; £5.00. Muggsy Spanier was born 125 years ago today (9 November 1901). This afternoon’s all-star quartet - from London, Lewis Taylor (cornet) & Michael McQuaid (reeds), from Paris, Félix Hunot (guitar), from London, Harry Evans (string bass) - salutes Muggsy!
Mon 09: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: Bechet-Spanier Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. Muggsy Spanier was born 125 years ago today (9 November 1901). This evening’s all-star quartet - from London, Lewis Taylor (cornet), from London, Michael McQuaid (reeds), from Paris, Félix Hunot (guitar), from London, Harry Evans (string bass) - salutes Muggsy!

Tue 10: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Becky Tuck (vocals).
Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 11: Plague Doctors Cure All + Noonward @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 8:00pm. JNE.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Angela O’Neill and the Outrageous8 A Live Musical Tribute to Peggy Lee (Outrageous8 Records)

Angela O’Neill (leader. vocals); Al Timss (vocals); Sam Morgan (M.D., tenor sax); Dennis Mitcheltree  (alto sax); Richard Walker (baritone sax, flute); Paul Litteral (trumpet, flugelhorn); Harry Smallenburg (trombone, arranger); Rocky Davis (piano, arranger); Bill Bodine (bass guitar); Tony Pia (drums)

Outrageous A Train: An instrumental to kick off the gig at LA's Velvet Martini Lounge at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City*. Solos by tenor, alto, trombone, bass. piano, drums and trumpet No need to tell you about this tune!

I'm a Woman: The material may be Peggy's but that's where the story ends and, in Angela's case begins.

Hallelujah, I Just Love Him So: The voice may be less silky than Peg's, its earthier, but she has the same power to connect with the drinkers and the diners.

I'm Beginning to See the Light: Great tune, great singer and super swingin' band.

I'm Gonna go Fishin': Peggy composed the lyric to Duke's tune from the movie soundtrack of Anatomy of a Murder. 

Mean to me: Al Timss takes over the mic for this good old good one.

All Right. Ok. You Win: Angela's back for this one. A rolling, shuffling beat with a Basie feel to it.

Fly me to the Moon: Tenor and trombone provide belt and braces to the vocal. One of those tunes that tends to have been overcooked by too many hopefuls. Neither Peggy nor Angela were/are in that category.

Why Doncha do Right?: Peggy's first big hit although I think bandleader Benny Goodman copped for the royalties. That won't happen here!

I Love Being Here With You: Al and Angela duet on this one, they hit it in perfect harmony

Fever: The closest to Peggy we get. I'd even go so far as to say the arrangement aces it for the visiting team.

Whilst I'm not going to replace my originals, this will sit comfortably alongside them without gathering dust. Lance* 

*(From the Velvet Martini Lounge's website. Sounds like my kinda place!) Step back in time and experience the glamour of old Hollywood with our new Rat Pack-inspired cocktail lounge, featuring live music, delicious food, and classic cocktails...with a twist. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of a bygone era. Whether you're looking for a romantic escape or a fun night on the town with friends, The Velvet Martini Lounge is the perfect destination.


Dress to impress and join us for an unforgettable experience. 

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