John Shand Posts

July 13, 2025 / Album Reviews

Zenith (Lamplight) 8/10 Some people hate pigeons, but in flight a flock can mesmerise with their abrupt turns, take-offs and landings, without ever banging wings. How clumsy we seem, by comparison. Well, not all. Saxophonists Sandy Evans and Andrew Robson, bassist Brett Hirst and drummer Hamish Stuart can curl and…

July 9, 2025 / Concert Reviews

Foundry 616, June 27 8/10 So it’s goodnight to Foundry 616, the lovechild of a man whose passion has been presenting jazz in Sydney for over 40 years, Peter Rechniewski. People get Orders of Australia for doing much less. But this was a hell of a penultimate gig, featuring the…

July 7, 2025 / Theatre Reviews

Hayes Theatre, June 26 6,5/10 Stephen Sondheim’s songs are too rarely lifted from their shows to stand alone, whether on records or in cabarets. They’re variously perceived as being too context-specific, too cerebral or insufficiently melodic. Being Alive is another reminder of how nonsensical this is. Letting his songs bump…