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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.

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Vinyl Review: Mark Murphy - A Beautiful Friendship - Remembering Shirley Horn.

Mark Murphy – vocal; Alex Minasian – piano; Curtis Lundy – double bass; Steve Williams – drums; Till Bronner – trumpet.
(Review by Debra M.)
Originally the idea of George Mesterhazy,  Shirley Horn’s pianist , this project  was  dedicated to them both following his sudden death at the age of 59.  The result is a vinyl EP, engineered, produced and designed as a 1950s or ‘60s  jazz album.  The sleeve includes extensive background information, from the instruments used, to the equipment that cut the vinyl.  This obsessional attention to detail is reflected in the quality of every aspect of the recording. 
The quartet are immediately up and swinging  in  ‘A Beautiful Friendship’ , with solos all round, including  a relaxed scat by Murphy. The remaining tracks are ballads, and like Horn, Murphy is not afraid to take things really slowly. In ‘But Beautiful’, William’s subtle brushwork & Minasian’s sparse piano bring the vocal to the fore, giving  space to each considered phrase. The trumpeter Till Brunner plays a tender solo, and also features on, possibly the most outstanding track, ‘Get Out of Town’.  Beginning with a single rap, Williams develops a solo and, with piano, sets a scene  reminiscent of a showdown.  Murphy’s rich, textured voice almost narrates the lyric ,  alternating  to great effect with swinging  sections. His immaculate phrasing and delivery are augmented by the dramatic  percussion  provided by Williams, who was Horn’s drummer for many years. The final track, her trademark ‘Here’s To Life’, has added poignancy, sung by a vocal legend still performing in his 80s. As one of her contemporaries, and with a diverse vocal jazz career spanning decades, Mark Murphy is ideally placed to integrate the spirit and style of Horn’s singing  with his own.  This is an outstanding tribute, capturing the essence of Shirley Horn, and an absolute master class of vocal and piano trio.
Debra M.

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