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.
Allan Leake
THE STORYVILLE ALL-STARS: A SYDNEY VIEW
by Eric Myers
Encore magazine, September, 1980 edition
Whenever a leading Melbourne jazz group plays in Sydney, it invariably becomes something of a strained occasion. This may be explained by the traditional rivalry between the two towns, with the visiting band naturally anxious to show the Sydneysiders that Melbourne jazz is a force to be reckoned with. My impression is that Melbourne bands playing here are usually self-consciously competitive, and only such a competitive spirit could explain the Storyville All-Stars' decision to bill themselves as the "Jazz Giants of Australia"...
Phil Treloar
MARK SIMMONDS & PHIL TRELOAR: INTENSE MUSIC CHALLENGES
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, August 29, 1980
The present round of farewell concerts for the Australian Art Ensemble means that Sydney is being treated to something of an orgy of so-called free jazz. On Monday night at The Basement, Mark Simmonds (tenor saxophone) and Phil Treloar (drums) and their guests, Mark Isaacs (piano), Mike Bukovsky (trumpet) and Jack Thorncraft (bass) attracted a considerable audience for their program, which consisted mainly of highly original compositions by the two leaders of the group…
Bob Bertles
RECORD REVIEWS
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, September 1, 1980
Bob Bertles Moontrane (Battyman Records BAT2070)
The release of this album of Australian modern jazz is an event to be applauded, even if the LP has some minor flaws. Bob Bertles's group Moontrane includes the leader on tenor and soprano saxophones, Mike Bukovsky (trumpet and flugelhorn), Dave Panichi (trombone and bass trumpet), Paul McNamara (piano), Darcy Wright (bass) and Alan Turnbull (drums). The tapes for this disc were recorded onto a two-track machine and balanced live. There was therefore little opportunity to finely balance the sound later, as is now the practice with modern recording techniques...