John Shand Posts

July 21, 2015 / Album Reviews - Archive

Made in Chicago (ECM) When jazz migrated north from New Orleans in the 1920s it slept on Chicago’s sofa before lobbing in New York, and the Windy City has remained a major jazz centre ever since. The 1960s were especially fertile: pianist Muhal Richard Abrahams’ ground-breaking Experimental Band led to…

July 12, 2015 / Concert Reviews - Archive

The Baroque Room, July 4 Putting Napoleon, the Rainbow Warrior bombing and arrogant waiters to one side, the French have been better for the rest of the world than just about anyone else. Champagne, Moliere, Monet, Debussy, Malle, Burgundy, baguettes and brie alone would put them in hot contention, but…

July 11, 2015 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Concert Hall, July 2 This was an aural version of one of those chocolate assortments catering to all tastes. The paradox was that in the process taste was often discarded like a wrapper, and Chris Botti served up soft-centred goo more often than anything of substance. In fact he would…