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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.

Friday, November 25, 2016

James & The Giant Peach @ Northern Stage - November 24.

(Review by Lance/Photo courtesy of Topher McGrillis)
The Metro system had ground to a halt, the buses were emulating sardine cans and taxis were in great demand and yet, thanks to a rather large peach, I was transported, not just to Northern Stage, or even Manhattan, but, for 2 hours, back to a time when I was maybe 8 to 11 years old.
David Wood's adaption of the Roald Dahl children's classic was so well done that it became ageless. Indeed, at times it seemed as though the parents were enjoying it as much, if not more so than their offspring.
The adventures of the reluctant hero James and his insect friends as they crossed the Atlantic in a giant peach were beautifully choreographed. The hoofing (dancing) and the songs, composed by Jeremy Bradfield, were very much in the pre-war Hollywood/Broadway musical tradition and it was, literally a non-stop (apart from the interval} whirl.

In the title role, Stan Hodgson, dressed in short pants as children did in those days, played the part to perfection; the orphan, bullied by his cruel, demanding aunts, who find's escape courtesy of some magical beans - Cinderella meets Jack and the Beanstalk?
An absolute hoot!
And, of course, the music,  All very jazzy played by actors who could play rather than musicians who could act. They did it well with Clare Darcy as Miss Spider blowing some 'hot' trumpet and occasional trombone. Tim Dalling, as Grasshopper, played piano and accordion and had my favourite line - "I'm not a pest, I'm a musician". Lana Walker blew alto and took the part of Miss Ladybird. The story, the music, the dancing and the amazing effects all interacted to make this a memorable evening. In Roald Dahl's hundredth anniversary year I think it is safe to say his granddaughter's husband will most certainly have approved.
The show runs until December 31 but don't wait until then - you may want to see it again, and again, and again.
Lance.

1 comment :

Emma Fisk (on F/b) said...

Already got our tickets....can't wait! The kids will be over the moon to find out Tim Dalling is in the show!

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