FAMILIAR FACES AND SURPRISE GUESTS

REVIEWS FOR STONNINGTON JAZZ 2014: The Syncopators: 30th Anniversary Concert, Malvern Town Hall, Saturday 24 May, 8pm Paul Williamson’s Hammond Jazz Party, Chapel Off Chapel, Saturday 24 May, 10.40pm (second set) This has to be the first of two “Twitter-style” reviews, or how to sum up two sets in very few words indeed. Truth is, time has marched on and we are now in the … Continue reading FAMILIAR FACES AND SURPRISE GUESTS

Half Seas Over — Jeff Lang

CD cover to come (ABC/Warner) JEFF Lang performing live (he’s touring now) will move most with his lyrics — poetic and at times bleak or acerbic — and impress with his skill on guitars, whether acoustic, lap steel, bottleneck, electric, dobro, Glissentar (11-string fretless) or Chumbush (12-string Turkish). Lang’s 12th solo album comprises eight original tracks, one written with Suzannah Espie and one with Alison … Continue reading Half Seas Over — Jeff Lang

Devil in the Woodpile — Collard Greens & Gravy

(Black Market Music) A WONDERFULLY spooky Noah Lewis song gave this long-awaited fourth Collards album its title and it suits the mood. Not that it’s all dark music, but, as Jeff Lang writes, these are “grown men with something real to say” and they do play serious blues. Ian Collard (vocals, harmonica, guitar), James Bridges (guitar, fiddle) and Anthony “Shorty” Shortte (drums and chicken feet) … Continue reading Devil in the Woodpile — Collard Greens & Gravy