John Shand | Music & Other Spheres Posts

July 11, 2018 / Album Reviews - Archive

DISTANT EARLY WARNING (Leaf) 8.5/10 Laurence Pike has said that his “goal is to get into a space where the music makes itself”, and no musician can have higher aspirations. That he reached this zone during a single day in a recording studio to make this album can be heard…

July 8, 2018 / Album Reviews - Archive

SCANDAL (Greenleaf/Planet) 7/10 Among Australia’s many jazz exports Linda May Han Oh shapes up as the one to have most thoroughly infiltrated the New York scene’s labyrinths. Born in Malaysia and raised in Perth, Oh moved to the Big Apple in 2008, and now finds herself the bassist of choice…

July 7, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Concert Hall, June 23 7.5/10 Patti LuPone knows a stage like koalas know gum trees and pandas bamboo. It’s her natural habitat, her instincts taut and senses zinging. She owns it, commands it, nurtures it and prowls it so completely that you’d think she was born on one. Nine years…