ERIC MYERS REVIEWS 1980-87
Eric Myers was the Sydney Morning Herald’s inaugural jazz critic, his first review appearing on February 2, 1980. This folder contains reviews and articles written by Myers up to his resignation in 1982. Text published in the newspaper is reproduced here, with the addition of photographs which may or may not have appeared in the newspaper. In 1983 Myers moved to The Australian, where he was that paper’s jazz critic, until he resigned towards the end of 1987. His reviews for that newspaper appear also in this folder. Articles which appeared in other publications are included here, if they serve to document the performances of Australian jazz musicians. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of reviews or articles in this folder.
Pat Metheny
PAT METHENY GROUP: TECHNOLOGY TO THE FORE
by Eric Myers
The Australian, October 16, 1985
This concert was a rare opportunity to hear the man who may well be the foremost guitarist in the world today. Pat Metheny showed not only prodigious technical control of the guitar; we take that for granted. He also confirmed that he has made sensible use of galloping technology to create music that really is beyond the normal categories….
Delilah
JAZZ STARS BLOW UP A STORM
by Eric Myers
The Australian, October 25, 1985
This concert, which was far more successful than many people expected, had an excellently paced program with virtually no dead spots, and featured some of the strongest and most crowd-pleasing of Sydney's jazz stars. It was also held together skilfully by the compere Phil Halderman who gave some background information on the Sydney jazz venues of the past where many of the featured musicians first played. He also conducted some entertaining interviews with many of them…
Vince Jones
VINCE JONES SHOWS REAL CLASS AT THE BASEMENT
by Eric Myers
The Australian, October 30, 1985
Performances in Sydney by Melbourne singer Vince Jones have in the past been affected by nerves and tentative playing. But this show was terrific. It showed that Jones has paid his dues and taken his art to a real level of excellence. Many Sydney fans can now understand more clearly why Jones is so popular in Melbourne. His octet has a lot going for it. No matter what sort of music is attempted, it is underpinned by one of the most accomplished rhythm sections in Australian jazz: Gary Costello (double bass) and Allan Browne (drums). In the ballads they played impressionistically, leaving the music open; in the swinging tunes they provided a surging time-feel which propelled Jones along magnificently…