Total Pageviews

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, March 03, 2015

CD Review: Phil Donkin – The Gate

Phil Donkin (double bass), Ben Wendel (tenor saxophone), Glenn Zaleski (piano) & Jochen Rückert (drums)
(Review by Russell)
From Sunderland to London to New York and on to Germany – bassist and composer Phil Donkin has travelled the jazz world. The Gate is Donkin’s debut release as a leader. Recorded in Brooklyn, NYC during August 2013, it is only now, some eighteen months on that the CD sees the light of day.
The Gate comprises ten tracks composed by Donkin and two arrangements (Thelonious Monk’s Introspection and Dimitri Shostakovich’s Prelude no 23 in F major). The title track is a subdued, reflective piece featuring the composer’s commanding introduction and the measured response of Ben Wendel’s tenor and Glenn Zaleski’s piano. In contrast, Macon Groove and Introspection positively fly. Drummer Jochen Rückert navigates the bop language with élan and on Birthday Samba demonstrates he can handle anything the composer-bandleader throws at him as Zaleski lays down a dazzlingly fluid solo.
Butterfingers is in safe hands with this quartet; Donkin’s walking bass line encourages Wendel to strike out and when the tenor has had its say there is Donkin (he hadn’t gone anywhere) alongside the most impressive Rückert. Submerged doesn’t let up, Zaleski’s solo finding common ground with Wendel’s tenor on a late Trane vibe. Unusually the track ends on a fade-out. Perhaps the quartet played on and on, such was the groove!
One for Johnny; the title suggests a bop-era number (horn players trading etc). It is an example of twenty first century swinging, modern jazz. Yesterday at My House is the killer cut. A furious, unrelenting pace – all four musicians burn it up. At three minutes and thirty five seconds think Little Giant or Tubbs working with the best. Hear it!  
The Gate is released on Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings’ label WR4668 on March 9th. Phil Donkin tours the UK during March starting tonight (Tuesday 3rd) at the Sound Cellar in Poole, Dorset. The official album launch gig is at the Pizza Express in Soho, London on March 10th. The Gate is a serious contender for the best album release of 2015. Recommended.
Russell
Note: Jochen Ruckert is unavailable for the UK tour. Fortunately James Maddren appears at Poole and Dempsey’s, Cardiff (March 4th) and Colin Stranahan fulfills all other dates.      

No comments :

Blog Archive