Eric Myers Jazz

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.

JOHN McLAUGHLIN, AL DI MEOLA & PACO DE LUCIA: UPLIFTING PERFORMANCE BY ACOUSTIC MASTERS

by Eric Myers

The Australian, November 21, 1983

This concert in Sydney, the first of an Australian tour by three virtuosos of the acoustic guitar, could well have been an anti-climactic fizzer. If the performance had ended at the interval, many people may have gone home thinking John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Paco De Lucia were merely the fastest guitar players we have seen in this country for some years. The first half was a powerful assault on the senses, with the three players seemingly intent on taking themselves to the outer limits of technical virtuosity… During the second half the players blossomed to reveal distinctly individual approaches to the acoustic guitar, effectively removing earlier doubts; their dialogue became increasingly fertile and exciting as the concert opened out…

VINCE JONES: A MIXED NIGHT AT THE BASEMENT

by Eric Myers

The Australian, December 21, 1983

Melbourne singer Vince Jones and his septet had a mixed night at The Basement on Monday. Certainly Jones confirmed his growing reputation as one of Australia's most original jazz singers, with his individual style now well-honed. Since his last performances in Sydney six months ago, he is singing and playing (on flugelhorn and trumpet) with more assurance. He also has modified the somewhat pretentious gravity with which he approached much of his work, and has added a good deal of irony and humor in his presentation…

BRUCE CALE ORCHESTRA WHIPS UP EXPERIMENTAL STORM

by Eric Myers

The Australian, January 2, 1984

There are few composers in Australian jazz who present their original music fearlessly without pandering to the public's middle-brow tastes. One of them is Bruce Cale whose music is usually regarded as esoteric — difficult for the experienced jazz buff and incomprehensible to the uninitiated. Yet the interested scrutiny and finally warm reception which greeted his music on Wednesday at The Basement suggests the public is not so uninterested in unusual, exploratory music as is normally supposed…