JAZZ ALBUM REVIEWS IN THE AUSTRALIAN
In September, 2017 Eric Myers commenced reviewing jazz albums in the Review supplement of The Weekend Australian. All reviews in this folder are written by Myers.
JAZZ
FROM HERE
ALEX SIEGERS
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ABC Jazz
Three-and-a-half stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, April 27, 2024
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Singer Alex Siegers, well-known in sacred, classical and pop genres has released a jazz album whose purpose can be roundly applauded. It includes all-Australian compositions, the outcome of her admiration for Tim Nikolsky’s Australian Jazz Real Book, along with her frustration that so few of the compositions listed there have been recorded. Nine tracks here are a viable selection, featuring works by some of the country’s most distinguished composers and lyricists. Many highlights include Judy Bailey’s classic Colours Of My Dream; the Col Loughnan composition Three For All, for which the late Kerrie Biddell wrote whimsical lyrics; and Sharny Russell’s tune in 7/4, Somebody’s Daughter. Siegers has an unusual, strong voice with an appealing vibrato, and an enviable range. Allied to her natural exuberance which shines through, she is well-equipped to bring off the variety of approaches needed to master the sometimes difficult compositions she has chosen. As for the backing musicians, Siegers chose well: Aaron Blakey (piano), Jacob Graham (bass) and Andrew Dickeson (drums). Their playing is immaculate throughout.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
DUALLING
austraLYSIS
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Independent
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, May 4, 2024
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Phil Slater’s trumpet improvisations are a thing of beauty, and an immensely attractive sound in Australian jazz. Same with Sandy Evans, playing tenor and soprano saxophones here with her customary flair. Such extraordinary musicians shine no matter what the context, and this album is no exception, where they are free to “dual” primarily with so-called electroacoustic sounds, which have been pre-prepared on computer by pianist/composer Roger Dean and Greg White (virtual bass and drums, and virtual strings). Those sounds could run from, say, gurgling or bubbling water, to electronic sounds one might hear on a smartphone, to Dean’s authoritative free improvisations on the grand piano. Sounds which might normally be considered non-musical are welcome, and serve the purpose of enlarging one’s appreciation of what constitutes sound. Hazel Smith (text) appears on one track. One can’t do justice to this lengthy album (76 minutes, 18 tracks) in a thumbnail review, but I certainly found Dualling the most thoughtful and convincing example of the improvised music genre I’ve heard for some time.
Eric Myers