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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.

Monday, March 05, 2012

CD Review: Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio

Robert Glasper (Pno/Rhodes), Casey Benjamin (Sax/Fl/Vocoder), Derrick Hodge (Bs), Chris Dave (Dms) + Special Guests.
After seeing him live with his trio at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival in 2008, I wanted to head back to the shed and practice even harder to get to those level of chops and flexibility to adapt to any time. Nevertheless, I'm getting there!
Robert Glasper releases his definable energy time after time. This record is an opportunity to show the 'young' uns' that jazz is still hip, cool and modern. My first impression was that this is a pop record; collaborations with different vocalists and rappers with their own unique sound and message. Hip Hop is core to Glasper's life since attending the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music (New York City) and subsequently becoming close friends with singer Bilal.
This record was pleasurable from start to finish. It never lost it's subtlety or groove. BLACK RADIO is about love, happiness and hope, not gangs and guns. Opening with an atmospheric 6/8 groove and sound effects reflecting the title of the album; consequently, giving one the impression they are listening to the radio. "All you need is your ears and your soul". I think this means 'sit back, relax and enjoy the show'. Glasper plays in the bacground, echoing Ahmad Jamal and Sam Rivers.
Strict hip hop beats dominate the album; tightly knit by Chris Daves - one of the most versatile and reputable musicians out there today. Derrick Hodge does a great job of giving the drums the kick it needs to make the beats perfect, and holding Glasper's stack of notes. The standout song for me was "Afro Blue", featuring Erykah Badu on vocals. Her distinctive voice sounds gentle but in no way is it fragile. I admired the flute closing Badu's sentences during the verse and Glasper's fills did not spoil Erykah delicacy, but in many ways supporting it. Another standout was Casey Benjamin's sax solo at the end of "Cherish The Day". It provided a contrast to the simple, diatonic melody of the song; double timing and chromatism. Finally, Glasper's rain of quintuplets during the chorus of "It's Gonna Be Alright" was heart fluttering!
Harley Johnson. 

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