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
BLEED
THE NECKS
____________________
Fish of Milk
Four-and-a-half stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, February 1, 2025
____________________
Australian trio The Necks has, over 38 years, developed an extraordinary cult following in many countries around the world, where its concerts are invariably sold out. For those unfamiliar with its music, its live performances essentially combine two once unfashionable idioms: minimalism and free improvisation. Its studio albums are somewhat different, constructed with much more complexity. Bleed has keyboardist Chris Abrahams on acoustic piano, a Waldorf Quantum, a Waldorf Q+, an Udo Super Six, and a Hammond C3 organ. That’s a mouthful, but it helps to explain the diverse sounds that are overdubbed, and juxtaposed throughout alongside Abrahams’ signature piano notes and phrases. Those notes are sparse and mesmerising, and often have additional resonance courtesy of electronic treatment. Lloyd Swanton plays acoustic bass and some mandolin, while Tony Buck plays drums, percussion, guitar and kalimba. This album has a somewhat eerie mood, which is perhaps closer than usual to the stillness which characterises the trio’s live performances. Bleed reminded me somewhat of the haunting music The Necks created for the great 1998 Australian film The Boys.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
PRESENT DAY
CASEY GOLDEN
____________________
Independent
Five stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, February 8, 2025
____________________
I first heard pianist Casey Golden’s music in 2017 when the excellent album Inventions arrived for review. It featured Golden in the company of his uncle, the excellent guitarist Tony Barnard. In that duo context, I found Golden’s pianism distinctive, and the many albums he’s released over the years have confirmed my original impressions. With his seventh album Present Day, Golden has now taken his music to a completely new level. The duo of Golden (piano) and Evan Mannell (drums and percussion) provides the album’s raw material, which in turn has been subject to some serious post-production. Ten of Golden’s compositions are played here, to which he has added beautiful arrangements which feature a string trio, including Benjamin Adler (violin), Alex Pringle (viola) and Paul Ghica (cello), and himself on synthesisers. It’s not only that the album’s sound is rich and full, even ravishing, but in particular Golden’s piano improvisations are truly inspiring. While Mannell’s brilliant drumming is something to savour, Present Day shows that Golden’s musicianship has palpably come of age.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
ELEMENTA
CALLUM ALLARDICE
____________________
Earshift Music
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, March 8, 2025
____________________
This album is a companion work to NZ guitarist Callum Allardice’s previous album Cinematic Light Orchestra released in March 2024. Elementa was recorded over one and a half days during the same week and features Allardice’s unadorned brilliance, this time without the distraction of a huge orchestra. Allardice has the unique ability, derived I think from rock music, to make the guitar sing. To put Allardice into context the Australian guitarist most comparable to him is probably James Muller, whose unsurpassed technical ability is universally applauded. Allardice is playing here with three musicians only: Luke Sweeting (piano), Tom Botting (bass) and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (drums) all with the brilliance necessary to give the jazz/rock fusion genre a solid work-out. Elementa certainly captures the majesty which characterises that well-trodden genre. Seven impressive Allardice compositions are played, bolstered by interesting comments revealing the composer’s inspirations. Elementa can join recent releases such as Chris Foster Trio’s In Motion and Ross McHenry’s Waves, which indicate that, despite predictions of its early demise, fusion is still alive and well.
Eric Myers