John Shand Posts

July 22, 2015 / Album Reviews - Archive

Solo (ABC) You sense a depth here from the opening notes. Paul Grabowsky has never recorded a solo piano album before and you hear the resolve to make the opportunity count. His harmonic extrapolations on the delicate Angel are so rich and surprising it is like turning the pages of…

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…