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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, September 05, 2009

Further Thoughts on Chris Connor

I make no apologies for once again mentioning Chris Connor, not least because of the number of friends who say to me "Never heard of her". Then again, Chris never made any impact on the charts or had a very high profile outside of the cognescenti yet those I know who have only just discovered her all remark on the quality of her singing. Quality was what epitomised Chris Connor and, sadly, quality doesn't always mean popular success.
Also, in the Kenton hierarchy, she followed Anita O' Day and June Christy - two very hard acts to follow! Yet to my ears she lost nothing by comparision.
On the one occasion when I heard her live - at the 1983 North Sea Jazz Festival, accompanied by a trio, she was brilliant. The following year, at the same festival, June Christy, fronting a west coast line-up of Shorty, Perkins, Coop, Shank and the rest of the gang, was but a shadow of her former self. Even as late as the 1990s Chris was still performing close to her peak.
Looking at the program for that 1983 festival at Den Haag I note the line-up is given as CC (vcl), her longtime partner Lorraine Muscarelle (vcl), Russell Kassoff (pno), Richard Sarpola (bs), Anthony Tedesco (dms). I cannot recall there being another vocalist and, for some reason I didn't photograph her or the rhythm section - only Chris. Perhaps I only had eyes for Chris!
Listening to her Gershwin Almanac on Spotify - I was absolutely knocked out by "For You, For Me, For Evermore." They don't come any better than that and they didn't come any better than Chris.
Lance.

11 comments :

Liz said...

Somehow or other I cannot get the free version of Spotify, so maybe you could send a link of Chris singing that number please Lance. I remember Mel Tormé singing it & haven't listened to it for years. What an amazingly deep voice she had, it seemed to get lower as she grew older...certainly a fine artist. I just wish I had appreciated her years ago but somehow she escaped me.
Liz

Lance said...

I'll try...

Liz said...

Lovely version, thank you so much, what control, and a superb guitar accompaniment.
Liz

Lance said...

The guitarist is one of Roly's faves - Barry Galbraith.

Liz said...

Well that's a measure of Roly's impeccable taste
Liz

Shepherdlass said...

I'm in total agreement about Chris Connor's wonderful singing style, and my favourite album of hers was an Atlantic called "A Jazz Date With Chris Connor", with British pianist Ralph Sharon (before he joined Tony Bennett) and Oscar Pettiford on bass. In fact Oscar gets a name-check on "Everything I've Got (Belongs To You") when Chris sings, "Ive got the only disc where Oscar flubs a note . . .". Great stuff, total class. Dave The Rave (Take It To The Bridge)

01 September 2009 14:22

Jason P said...

I have been a Chris Connor fan for 9 years. I collect her music and memorabilia and have some live performances not available commercially. Am seeking any photos of Chris with the Jerry Wald and Claude THornhill bands. I especially enjoy Chris on Pennies From Heaven w/Jerry Wald and Jeepers Creepers w/Stan Kenton. Am saddened by her passing, but she will ALWAYS live on in our hearts with her music.

04 September 2009 22:11

Jim said...

Chris recorded for Bethlehem records after leaving Kenton in the early 1950's. Her versions of Gone with the Wind, The thrill is gone and What is there to say are still among my favourites.

debra said...

I'm gradually working my way through the Jazz CD section at the Lit & Phil, & on your recommendation have borrowed the Gershwin almanac. She does have a lovely voice. In contrast, the 'Cool Christy' album, I find rather bland.

Lance said...

She did melancholy as well - boy did she do melancholy. Check out "Ballads of the Sad Cafe".

Alan Rudd said...

There is a fine Chris Connor CD in Gateshead Library, "As Time Goes By", which does not seem to be on spotify. Recorded in 1991 Chris is accompanied by the Hank Jones Trio, with the excellent George Mraz on Bass, singing some nice standards.

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