John Shand | Music & Other Spheres Posts

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…

December 8, 2017 / Album Reviews - Archive

TANGENTS (ECM/UMA) 9/10 There’s still time, people. At 82 Gary Peacock, arguably the world’s premiere jazz bassist, is not just still getting better, he’s a hit a creative purple patch. The apparent demise of Keith Jarrett’s trio with Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, rather than dampen his enthusiasm, have proved a…