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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.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

CD Review: Brass Jaw - Minted

Ryan Quigley (tpt); Paul Towndrow (alto); Konrad Wiszniewski (ten); Allon Beauvoisin (bar) + Michael Owers (tmb final track).
(Review by Lance)
A new album by Brass Jaw is always an event to be celebrated and this one is no exception. The four horns entwine and intermingle during the theme statements as if it was a hip fugue by Bach.  Even during the solos there is often a rich harmonic carpet being laid beneath them. When there isn't it's left to Beauvoisin to provide the underpinnings which he does nonstop - no take five for him, he's a constant and vital presence.
A strong case could be made out in favour of Quigley being, not only, the top trumpet player in the UK, but also an equally talented composer to boot. He provides three of the compositions including the brilliant Imaginary Friend, described as representing an emotional journey across the spectrum of delusion, from innocence to ignorance.
A further four pieces are contributed by Towndrow whose alto playing dazzles throughout. Propeller Beanie, based on the Bill Waterson cartoon strip Calvin and Hobbes, sees Calvin saving up tokens from a cereal packet in order to obtain a hat which he believes will allow him to fly. It doesn't, instead it breaks! The composition exposes and then combines two main themes, one angular and dissonant, the other dreamlike and consonant - it works.
Konrad Wisznieski's sole composition, Little Allegory, is inspired by a painting done by his uncle Adrian, a recognised Scottish artist. It depicts an idyllic country scene. Wisznieski's tenor is agile throughout the disc totally simpatico with the other three.
Beauvoisin, as well as non stop pumping of the baritone, has a couple of charts including the humourous Pulling a Quigley; a composition that pays tribute to the trumpet player's incredible luck which occurs so frequently that the others coined the phrase "Pulling a Quigley", although it was hours of practice rather than luck which led to the ability to blow the lip bursting cadenza at the end -  he really does have a "brass jaw"..
Three non originals - Sunny, Zawinal's Walk Tall and the Mel Tormé hit Comin' Home Baby - also  help to make this high on my CD of the year listings, but perhaps my favourite track is the final Charles Franklin Blues, Paul Towndrow's tribute to  Mingus and Aretha. For this one the quartet is augmented by trombonist Michael Owers who adds the Jimmy Knepper touch.
Minted? MINT!
Lance.
The CD: Brass Jaw - Minted is now available on Scottish jazz label Keywork Records or from the above link.

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