John Shand Posts

February 4, 2018 / Album Reviews - Archive

LOW DOWN JIMMY (http://www.dustyravens.com/) 8.5/10 Listening to this I could taste the dust caking in my mouth and feel my tongue swelling. I squinted at the merciless sun, reached for my water. Empty. My horse was on its last legs – the front ones had given out miles back. I…

February 2, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

City Recital Hall, January 20 7/10 It was advertised as a “unique” double bill. I think “weird” is the word. What should have been the main – arguably the only – event came on first and only played for 40 minutes. That was the Iraqi duo of Rahim AlHaj (oud)…

January 31, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, January 16 9/10 It flares up like a sudden tongue of flame as when a fire catches in the dark. Were it light rather than sound you’d shield your eyes from its glare, and if suffering is the human condition, Amy Sacko’s singing is the soundtrack. Hers…