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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 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

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

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.

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.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Claudia Morris talks to Bebop Spoken Here about her new show and CD.

(Claudia's replies in bold type.)
BSH: Hi Claudia nice to hear from you again. I loved Twelve O’clock Tales it was so fresh and I still play it which is something I don’t do with too many review CDs.
I'm glad you still play it, that makes me happy!
BSH: You have a background of theatre and singing and now you are combining the two. Tell me about this new project – Secret Love. About Doris Day I guess. My very first schoolboy crush!
I think she had that effect on a lot of boys and men!
BSH: True! Tell me how this project came about.
A few years ago I discovered Doris's voice when a pianist I worked with thought there were similarities vocally between Doris and me. I started listening to her and fell in love with her wonderful voice, I have never tired of it. I then felt compelled to read her biography (which I found fascinating) and watch her movies. I knew I wanted  to tell her colourful  life story and sing her songs. Last year I was also asked by actress Tracy Ann Oberman to sing a Doris Day part in her play for BBC Radio 4. She was so thrilled by my singing of Doris - this was the catalyst I needed to start the project.
BSH: Where did you start? 
I hooked up with writer and director Phil Willmott and asked him to write a play where I would sing Doris's songs and have some actors to play the key men in her life. I wanted to portray her real life story as something in between a musical and a tribute. Also I didn't want to impersonate her, but to be myself. I sought out the wonderful Malcolm Edmonstone as musical director - I knew his work and felt confident that he could capture that wonderful era while making it my own. So you will get a taste of Doris's voice occasionally, but plenty of surprises as well! I feel very lucky to be able to work with such talented musicians and such a great director.
BSH:  I'd like to share a video link with our readers.
Here's a link.
BSH: You must have researched this very deeply. Did you contact the lady herself?
As I said, I read the wonderful biography written by Hotchner in Doris's words.

Lots of movies and 100's of her recordings! I've contacted her management to get permission that's all. I will send her my album 'Secret Love' and hope she likes it....         
BSH: I understand she is quite reclusive these days?
I think at 90 that would be understandable don't you? But actually she's very busy, she dedicated the last twenty years to caring for sick and abandoned animals. Her public life was a life time ago to her, she does shun the spotlight unless absolutely necessary as far as I know.
BSH: Songs, films, Doris was at the top in both genres. Do you place more emphasis on one or the other or do you concentrate on the, lets face it, abusive relationships she had?
The songs play a key role in the play linking to her important relationships, including the abusive ones.
BSH: Did she actually have “A Secret Love”?
You will have to ask the lady herself!
BSH: Her image was always of “The girl next door” is that how it is or do we have to wait for the show to find out?
Her image was so far from the truth, it's sad to think she represented wholesome family values but found it hard to find them in her own life.. all will be revealed in the show!
BSH: What size band will there be in the show?
Piano, double bass and drums the perfect combination and fine musicians!
BSH: You’re taking the show around the country – the nearest we get to it on Tyneside is Consett in County Durham – remind me of the date.
We are touring around the UK, 21 dates in total, starting at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on 25th September and culminating at the Royal Spa Theatre, Leamington on 29th November - Consett Empire Theatre is on Saturday 13th November. Hope to see you there!!
BSH: Thank you Claudia. Perhaps, if I manage to get there I'll come away with a new (ex) schoolboy crush!
Ha Ha.
BSH: Further details on the show and the album can be found on Claudia Morris’ Website 
Lance.

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