John Shand Posts

July 21, 2018 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Reginald Theatre, July 7 7/10 A brick makes a satisfying “clunk” as it slots into place in a wall being built. The Rolling Stone is like that wall, with British playwright Chris Urch slotting the parts of his plot together with similar precision. It is built with alternating layers of…

July 18, 2018 / Album Reviews - Archive

ORNETTE (Fat Rain/Trailblazer) 8/10 Those who heard Ornette Colemen in concert will die clutching the memory deep in their hearts. The great tide of warmth flooding from the stage exposed the old taunts that he was “untutored” or “played sharp” for the detritus they were. His revolutionary approach was meticulously…

July 15, 2018 / Features - Archive

It was news that came from nowhere. Ladysmith Black Mambazo were on tour when they heard that someone from New York wished to meet their leader, Joseph Shabalala. That someone turned out to be Paul Simon, who, to their complete amazement, wanted to work with them. At the time, after…