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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.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Gerry Richardson Trio @ The Gala Theatre, Durham - March 9

Gerry Richardson (organ); Rod Sinclair (guitar) & Paul Smith (drums)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair). 
Sold out. If it’s the Gala’s monthly Friday lunchtime jazz concert take it as read, it’s sold out.* This month’s concert featured Hammond organ master Gerry Richardson. These days the Newcastle-based organist rarely, if ever, takes the big beast on the road. Now, for ease of transportation, his instrument of choice is a Crumar Mojo; lighter, smaller and portable. Otherwise, the sound is much the same. Some of the Gala Theatre’s regular patrons were hearing the Gerry Richardson Trio for the first time – what would they make of it all?
At one point during the one hour set Richardson joked that he would usually be getting out of bed around now. A smokin’ Hammond blues-drenched session is more commonly associated with the late night jazz club gig. In the Gala’s sun-drenched studio theatre high above the Wear the trio hit the ground running with Lou Donaldson’s Alligator Boogaloo. It was noted that some of the Gerry Richardson fan club had made it to Durham, the giveaway being, albeit from a sedentary position, their desire to get down to the rare grooves hitting the floor. Bandleader Richardson’s vocal style owes something to Mose Allison and it was the American’s Everybody Cryin’ Mercy which found resonance with the present day: Everybody’s crying mercy when they don’t know the meaning of the word.
 
The Gala’s printed programme listed twelve numbers to be performed during the one hour set. It soon became clear that a couple of tunes would need to be jettisoned. Wes Montgomery’s Road Song, ’Spoon’s Money is Getting Cheaper (first released on a Stateside 45) and Oscar Pettiford’s Bohemia After Dark all made the cut, the solos shared between Richardson and long-time friend Rod Sinclair playing his trusty Telecaster. Two highlights of the set, one after the other, were two numbers written by Richardson; All About McGriff (inspired by Jimmy McGriff’s All About my Girl) and a proper, self-pitying saloon bar confessional Think I’ll Lay Waste to Myself Tonight. What a good idea!

Time was pressing which meant it was time for Paul Smith’s party piece. African Sunset (another from the pen of Richardson) featured Smith’s mesmerising drum patterns. At this juncture, a small group of pupils from Bishop Barrington School sitting in the front row sat up and took notice. The mini drum masterclass could well inspire one of these musicians of the future to clock up 10,000 hours in double quick time. It is said by some that it takes ten thousand hours in the woodshed to make it as a musician. Hey kids, it’s time to get cracking!

The Gerry Richardson Trio closed the set with Bobby Hebb’s Sunny. It was noted that some were singing along. The gospel according to the smokin’ Hammond (and its successors)! Job done.        
Russell 

* April’s concert (Friday 20) will be a guaranteed sell-out. Emma Fisk and James Birkett routinely sell-out gigs wherever they go. Book now on 03000 266 600 or miss out!  

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