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.

LINDA CABLE: A SUPERB, FEARLESS PERFORMANCE

by Eric Myers

The Australian, August 29, 1984

The Melbourne singer Linda Cable opened her three-night season at The Basement on Monday with a well-prepared and utterly professional performance. Her program was an interesting mixture of jazz-associated standards, (When Sonny Gets Blue, Stolen Moments, A Night in Tunisia, Black Coffee, Moon Dance), and contemporary pop tunes (Eleanor Rigby, Don't Be Blue, Blackbird, Imagine). She also gave a run to some obscure tunes, such as Chinese Cafe, and Drunk in San Francisco. What brought all this disparate material together was the extraordinary artistry of Miss Cable. Her versions of these tunes were always fearless, and no matter which musical idiom she attempted, she hardly put a foot wrong all evening…

JOHN HAMMOND: WIZARDRY OF A GREAT BLACK-BLUES EXPONENT

by Eric Myers

The Australian, September 19, 1984

American blues singer John Hammond provided on Monday night a brilliant recreation of early African American blues styles. It was authentic and absolutely fascinating. Hammond is truly a one-man band. He sounded more like a quartet than an individual musician. His pumping left-foot provided an infectious pulse not unlike a bass drum, while his guitar playing was a judicious mixture of improvised lines and pumping rhythms. Also, he often used a bottle-neck on the little finger of his left hand, to produce some high, biting lines. On top of this impressive rhythmic substructure was Hammond's harmonica — the most wailing and soulful we have heard here, with the possible exception of Sonny Terry — and his convincing, blues-drenched voice…

MOSE ALLISON: A GREAT ORIGINAL IN MUSIC

by Eric Myers

The Australian, October 10, 1984

American singer-pianist Mose Allison opened his Australian tour on Monday night with a vintage performance. It confirmed the fact that he is a great original in contemporary music. Hearing him live working with Australians Chris Qua (double bass) and Alan Turnbull (drums), one realised there are a number of levels on which to appreciate him. In the first instance there are the lyrics of his own songs. Allison confirmed, as we always knew, that he’s a great story-teller, and at times a trenchant social critic…