Comments for Ausjazz Blog

Comment on DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET — DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET by ausjazz

ausjazz — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:50:21 +0000

I agree that the star system is of limited use, but newspapers and some other media seem to require its use by reviewers. As to how many stars a particular album is given, I’d never argue with anyone who says one deserves more. I would only say that I follow a rough principle that very few albums deserve 4.5 or 5 stars out of five unless they have stood the test of time, which is usually not the case if the reviewer has had it for a week or even a month or two. So four and 3.5 stars is pretty high on this basis.
Further to that, Vicki, it is all terribly subjective and I can only go by a sense of whether an album really grabs me enough to rate four stars, or is liked enough to rate three or 3.5. This year I was moved to give Sandy Evans’ suite 4.5. The previous year I regretted not having given Mike Nock’s double album An Accumulation of Subtleties more than four, because I still love it. I did not ever review Paul Grabowsky’s Tales of Time and Space, but I would give it five stars now.

Comment on DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET — DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET by Vicki Bonet

Vicki Bonet — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:42:03 +0000

I personally loathe the star system (why is it ok for films and CDs yet not books?) but this recording deserves more than 3.5. This is a really great recording, I’m surprised it didn’t make your top ten.

Comment on Warehouse party by Single Launch at Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival- review and photos « osh10

Single Launch at Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival- review and photos « osh10 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:19:47 +0000

[...] Thank you to everyone who made the effort to come down to the Warehouse Party for the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival on April 31. The Warehouse at 22 Ovens Street Brunswick, was such a quirky, cosy place to play. For those of you who couldn’t make it down (you missed Myles Mumford’s amazing pancakes!, AusJazz were there to document it for you. Check out the review here! [...]

Comment on COLLIDER by Cognitive dissonance: Kynan Robinson finds musical ideas in the works of Cormac McCarthy | Jazz Planet

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:47:36 +0000

[...] Read a review of a February 2011 gig at Bennetts Lane, by Roger Mitchell over at AusJazz.net >>>> [...]

Comment on WHEN THE SKY CRIES RAINBOWS — SANDY EVANS by Sandy Evans – a few quick questions | Jazz Planet

Sandy Evans – a few quick questions | Jazz Planet — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:42:10 +0000

[...] oger Mitchell, over on the Ausjazz.net blog said of When The Sky Cries Rainbows: “Evans and her brilliant ensemble tell a story that is [...]

Comment on MELBOURNE GIG GUIDE by Don Jordan

Don Jordan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:28:59 +0000

Don Jordan’s Mel’Bones Trombone Quartet at Open Studio, 204 High St., Northcote on Sunday Dec. 11 from 8.30pm. With Eric Budd, Sean Smyth and Hayden Beck, Don will be presenting all sorts of tunes that will set your feet tapping. Some standard show tunes, pop songs and a few originals will open your ears to the

Comment on MELBOURNE GIG GUIDE by Don Jordan

Don Jordan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:27:55 +0000

Don Jordan’s New York Jazz Sextet at the Uptown Jazz Cafe on Friday (Dec. 2) from 8.30pm. Come and enjoy the upbeat, passionate music of the hard bop jazz masters, re-interpreted for your pleasure by Cam Earl (tpt), Chris Genoux (tnr sax), Don Jordan (trb), Rory Clark (pno), Paul Bender (bs) and Gid Marcus (dms). Join us in our re-creation of the wonderful New York jazz club atmosphere of the ‘50s and ‘60s in the entirely appropriate Uptown Jazz Cafe.

Comment on COLLIDER by Cognitive dissonance: Kynan Robinson finds musical ideas in the works of Cormac McCarthy | extempore

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:53:47 +0000

[...] Read a review of a February 2011 gig at Bennetts Lane, by Roger Mitchell over at AusJazz.net >>>> [...]

Comment on STOP PRESS: NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS 2011 by ausjazz

ausjazz — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:44:38 +0000

It is interesting that there is such diversity, but not really surprising. I need to add a couple of posts, and then I will have my full list of highlights, but that will probably not be either Graft or the Roseman AAO gig. I thought the Roseman Unit’s best was on Sunday. Graft did not work that well for me, though I appreciate it must have taken a lot of work and dedication.

Comment on STOP PRESS: NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS 2011 by John McBeath

John McBeath — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:02:42 +0000

Some great shots here (once again) Roger. Interesting comparisons between selections by three critics I know: Jessica Nicholas went for Barney McAll’s Graft as top gig this year; you went for Barre Phillips & Mike Nock; and I opted for Josh Roseman with Aust Art Orch. Just shows that diversity is in the soul of the jazz critic. When is day three going to appear?