John Shand Posts

December 13, 2017 / Album Reviews - Archive

STANDARDS (Decca) 6.5/10 The list keeps growing: Rod Stewart, Bryan Ferry, Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox and Bob Dylan are among the many pop stars to have a shot at singing jazz standards – with varying levels of success or embarrassment. Now it’s Seal’s turn, and the…

December 10, 2017 / Album Reviews - Archive

FAR FROM OVER (ECM) 8/10 There’s no destination for Vijay Iyer, just the journey, with each album a stop-off distinct from its predecessor. The pianist has recently shared a duo with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, led his regular trio and combined a string quartet with electronics in what was more…

December 9, 2017 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Belvoir, December 6 7/10 Were Barbara and the Camp Dogs a real band I’d be in the crush to hear them. Not since Hedwig and the Angry Inch has a rock musical been so close to a gig. The songs are strong, too, and would completely dominate this show were…