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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.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

PARIS-SUR-TYNE @ The Lit & Phil January 24 (Afternoon Session)

(Review by Ken Drew/photos to follow)
In Love With –  Théo Ceccaldi (Violin); Valentin Ceccaldi (Cello; Sylvain Darrifourcq (Drums).
Straight in with a repetitive driving rhythm from Valentin leading to multiple crescendos interspersed with freestyle playing.  With very thoughtful and explosive passages – and such dynamic interplay!!  There were long spans of repetitive but intriguing rhythms, like a well-tempered whirring clock unwinding, always precise and developing with a slowly increasing intensity. At various points sounds were almost frozen in time – certainly they were hanging in the air.  It was like listening to music concrète performed live, and many sections wouldn’t be out of place as a film soundtrack.   
Constantly supported by percussion which was mostly but not entirely the sole domain of the drums with Sylvain augmenting his drum kit with an assortment of devices including bells, kitchen timer, and a zither which itself had various tonal attachments.  A rather sudden and brief ending closed the piece, but nicely brought together by the band. The audience were captivated by the intense playing – giving the trio a standing ovation at the end!!!!  
Liaisons Dangerouse -  Xavier Camarasa (piano); Andy Champion (Bass); Guillaume Aknine (Guitar); Corey Mwamba (Vibes).  
Taking a few minutes to establish each player’s credentials with solos exploring new ground, but with constant attention and backing from the other players.  There was much percussive output from each player - Xavier playing inside the piano (with felt mallets) and outside (the keys), and guitar adding atmosphere with processed guitar sounds and extensive use of bottleneck (used normally, percussively and scrapingly).  Andy demonstrated his improve versatility with the double bass (playing, plucking and bowing including the use of a felt mallet at one point) with Corey more subtle than voluminous in his thoughtful playing of the vibes (including the use of a bungee in place of mallets although it didn’t seem to stretch the notes!) thus fitting in well with the overall meandering soundscape. This was all about sonority and interplay, although background rhythms were often in evidence too.
Théo Ceccaldi  Trio - Théo Ceccaldi (Violin);  Guillaume Aknine (Guitar); Valentin Ceccaldi (Cello)
An unusual mix of instruments to say the least but like the previous set it was all about the band listening and developing (through improvisation) the overall sound.  Rhythms came and went – each member seemingly in charge as they took up the lead.  Valentin gave his all from quiet passages to manic bowing, and Théo was on fire too at various points throughout. Guillaume came to the fore at the end with an almost traditional use of the electric guitar – ably supported by Théo and Valentin, producing an overall complex sound with a strong rock-like rhythm.   What a journey this piece was.  Théo the maestro on violin!!! 
Garibaldi Plop   - Roberto Negro (Piano) representing the Italian component; Valentin Ceccaldi (Cello); Sylvain Darrifourcq (Drums).
Starting with a very gentle piano introduction by Roberto there was very thoughtful playing employing some interesting techniques and devices on the piano – including several well placed runs through all the keys, and with added effects including an attachment to the piano soundboard making tones like a musical saw !!    Overall Sylvain brought a varied and interesting mix of percussive and rhythmic support.  Generally the drums responded in kind to the other instruments, although occasionally they overpowered the piano but were well matched in supporting the cello in some nice interplay between the two.
Overall this was an exhilarating afternoon of (modern) jazz brought about by the high standard and energy of the players, and the mixing of the 8 musicians across the 4 sets.    To be fair I saw two people leave this session early – presumably they were expecting a somewhat ‘safer’ kind of jazz rather than modern improv incorporating thoughtful, inventive and often edgy performances which we were treated to.  And what a treat it was – such superb musicianship!!  The audience (60+ in numbers) were well rewarded for their attendance and their attentiveness.  The heartfelt thanks from the musicians confirmed it to be quite a special event for everyone involved.  A veritable success!!!
Ken.

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