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/ORCHESTRAL
MY LIFE IS A SYMPHONY
KATE CEBERANO
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ABC Music
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, July 29, 2023
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The Americans celebrate their legendary female vocalists extravagantly with the symphony orchestra: think Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell. In Australia Kate Ceberano, 56, is one artist with the credentials and singing prowess able to bring off such a prestigious elevation. As a jazz singer, Ceberano is always superb. Her 2009 album Bittersweet with US trumpeter Mark Isham is a masterpiece, her 2019 album Tryst with Australian pianist Paul Grabowsky is exquisite and, as a successful pop singer, she has an extraordinary track record of achievement of which I’m only dimly aware. My Life Is A Symphony with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents ten of her compositions written over many years with a bevy of collaborators. They underline her impressive musical oeuvre, with intimate lyrics that provide glimpses into her private life. The symphonic world is risky however, and I note that Roscoe James Irwin’s powerful orchestral arrangements occasionally overwhelm Ceberano’s beautiful vocal sound. Still, this minor aberration is unlikely to spoil things for her loyal fans.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
EVERYWHERE I GO MY BODY GOES WITH ME
HEKKA
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Independent
Four-and-a-half stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, August 12, 2023
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I was there at the performance in 2019 when keyboardist Novak Manojlovic was awarded the Freedman Jazz Fellowship. Obviously a major talent, and head and shoulders above other candidates, it was apparent also that he was an enigma, with influences on his playing not readily identifiable. Manojlovic, Jacques Emery (bass) and Tully Ryan (drums), his colleagues on the night, have now rounded out the picture with this brilliant album, a follow-up to their 2018 debut EP Wrecker. Turning their back on the traditional conventions of the acoustic jazz piano trio, Hekka has convincingly moved the dial towards electronics. With Emery on the electric bass, rather than the double, and with Manojlovic’s judicious use of synthesiser sounds, they have made electronics appealing, indeed fashionable, once again. A strong rock aesthetic informs this music – the declared influences at play include an alternative British rock subgenre called shoegaze – as well as other esoteric influences which could be mentioned here. The result is a fascinating, innovative album which has enormous appeal.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
ALIVE AT LOFT
SHANNON BARNETT QUARTET
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Klaeng Records
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, August 19, 2023
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Based in Germany, Australian trombonist Shannon Barnett has been, since April 2019, Professor for Jazz Trombone at Cologne’s Conservatory for Music and Dance. Her local quartet, formed in 2015, primarily plays her original compositions. It includes Stefan Karl Schmid (tenor saxophone), David Helm (bass) and Fabian Arends (drums). For this live recording Barnett accepted an invitation to play favourite standards. This enabled her to reframe six compositions that have special meaning for her. The result is a wonderful album of contemporary modern jazz, played with sure-footed professionalism. As an improvisor on trombone Barnett has a lovely mellow tone, highly melodic lines, and an infectious sense of freedom in her playing. On hearing this album a friend said, “She’s one hell of a bone player”. A memorable highlight is the Fran Landesman classic Ballad Of The Sad Young Men, which features guest guitarist Ella Zirina, and is beautifully sung by Barnett. This suggests that, like Nicki Parrott, a lucrative career as a vocalist is open to her.
Eric Myers