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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.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

CD Review: Present Day The Original Unit

Stefan Walcott  (piano & keyboards), Neil Newton (double bass & electric bass) & David Carnegie (drums) 
(Review by Russell).
A jazz trio from Barbados. I can’t claim familiarity with the jazz scene on the island of Barbados but I do know the work of drummer David Carnegie. A few years ago on City Road in Newcastle, Dave Weisser’s Take it to the Bridge session was in full swing at the now demolished Egypt Cottage public house when in walked David Carnegie. He sat in. After a couple of bars I looked across the room to Weisser…a smile, a nod. Another great musician had announced his arrival on Tyneside (I guess this sort of occasion makes it all worth while for Weisser). Gig goers came to know David as a gentle, humble man who made a considerable impact on the music scene during his time in England
Circumstances decreed that he return to his homeland of Barbados

DC has been busy. One project has been the recording of a new CD. 
Present Day is a ten track recording by the Original Unit (described in the liner notes as a ‘Barbadian jazz trio’). All three musicians have contributed tunes to the CD; two from pianist Stefan Walcott, one from bassist Neil Newton and four from Carnegie. The mid-tempo opener – Sunshine Roxy – comes from the pen of Walcott and is described as a ‘calypso jazz work’ with excellent piano from the composer, a warm tone from Neil Newton on double bass and Carnegie typically contributes subtle light and shade. Present Day (Carnegie) was inspired by the composer meeting and hearing Gwilym Simcock in the UK (David – the brilliant Simcock performs at the Sage in October!). Post Modern Revisionist Soul (Carnegie acknowledges the somewhat pretentious title!) is, to quote the composer a ‘(much loved) neo-soul jam’. 
Repeated listenings have made this a much loved track for this reviewer. Taken at walking pace, Walcott develops the melody, electric bass and drums get into the laid-back groove bringing to mind the best of the Jazz Crusaders. Voice in My Head (comp.E.Yearwood), one of two tunes not written by the trio, is most lyrical, as are other tracks, suggesting words could well be written for some pieces. The other non-original piece is Monk’s Well You Needn’t (most recently heard live by this reviewer at Weisser’s night at the Chillingham with drummer Paul Wight swinging it mightily) featuring superb playing from all three musicians – effortless swing from Walcott, spot-on double bass playing from Newton and Carnegie’s work recalls his many great performances in the north east of England. Is there a reference to Tito Puente in there? A hint of Oye Como Va perhaps. Walcott’s Kensington New Road is intended to sonically portray the Muslim Asian community in Bridgetown. In the future the composer hopes to incorporate the tune into a Bridgetown Suite to celebrate the ancient city. The pianist’s playing is certainly most impassioned on this track. Newton’s Sounds Like a Love Song to Me sounds like a classic jazz ballad according to the composer. It is exactly that. Carnegie’s Post Modern Revisionist Soul (Reimagined) features dazzling piano, a great bass line and crisp percussion throughout. Bassist Newton’s Untied closes the set with Walcott’s piano drawing on twentieth century classical music; tentative, explorative sketches underpinned by the distant pulse of Newton’s electric bass.
 Present Day was recorded at Canefield Studio, Barbados on February 23, 2012. The Original Unit on tour in the UK sounds good to me. Let’s hope it happens. 
Check out www.originalunit.com (ready soon).
Russell                           

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