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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.

Monday, June 10, 2013

CD Review: Metamorphic – Coalescence

Laura Cole (piano, arranger), Kerry Andrews (vocals), Chris Williams (alto sax), John Martin (tenor/soprano sax), Paul Sandy (double bass), Tom Greenhalgh (drums, percussion)
(Review by Les)
 Until now, I'd never come across Metamorphic, who describe themselves as “a contemporary song-based jazz/folk sextet”.  They've been around awhile.  Coalescence is their second album, and is “a collection of largely song-based emotional journeys…some of which is inspired by dreams”.
Whilst their self-penned description didn't do much for my levels of enthusiasm or anticipation, having now heard the album, it sums them up quite well.
Once I put the CD in the player, any prejudices I might have been harbouring following the press blurb were immediately blown away.
The pieces are a little quirky, maybe a little arty in places, and the vocals vary between narration of a story and singing a song, but it all comes together really well.  It’s nicely recorded; there’s “space” between each instrument.  The pieces are beautifully metered.  The playing’s first class, flitting between straightforward melodies and rhythms to outright improvisation in a heartbeat, almost seamlessly, and there’s a seam of “folksiness” running throughout.  Everyone appears to be playing for the benefit of the piece.  Before you know it you find yourself at the end of the album.  It’s very engaging and thought provoking, and it’s one of those that you should really sit down to listen to, but you're led through a myriad of stories and musical journeys.
Whilst the album’s largely made up of original material there are one or two familiar themes buried within – Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing and Radiohead’s Reckoner for example.  You have to be listening very intently to dig them out mind.
Metamorphic’s very much Laura Cole’s band, her vehicle for expression.  She’s had her share of problems over the years and Coalescence comes across as her way of channelling her experiences in a positive way.
The more I listen to this, the more I like it.  I can imagine Metamorphic to be a captivating live act.  Darlington Jazz Club has had the foresight to book them to play at The Forum Music Centre, Borough Rd, Darlington on June 16.  The gig’s a “double header” with the British based Norwegian vocal trio Røyst. Tickets would seem to be a bargain at £5, and more details can be obtained  by phoning on 01325 363135 or at www.facebook.com/darlingtonjazzclub.
Give them a try.  They're original and refreshing, and I can see them being an “interesting listen” to quite a broad spectrum of people, me very much included.
Coalescence is released on the June 17 on F-IRE Presents.
Les.


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