John Shand Posts

May 29, 2019 / Album Reviews - Archive

The Gloaming 3 (Real Word/Planet) 9.5/10 The Gloaming is surely the only band rooted in Irish traditional music that would dare to begin an album with prepared piano. When Iarla O Lionaird joins – with an instantly haunting melody sung in Gaelic – you have an encapsulation of why this…

May 28, 2019 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Sydney Town Hall, May 11 6.5/10 It’s been fascinating to follow. Some 22 years ago Kurt Elling burst on to the international jazz scene as an already extraordinarily distinctive singer and improviser. Initially he was too eager to shower us with all the options at his disposal: his range, array…

May 25, 2019 / Album Reviews - Archive

ON THE CORNER LIVE! (Ear Up) 8.5/10 The impetus was Sly and the Family Stone’s In Time from the 1973 album Fresh, crowned by Andy Newmark’s drumming. Miles Davis walked into the rehearsal room, played it to his band over and over, and told them that this was how he…