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Jack Wood: Movie Magic. Great Songs from the Movies
by Richard J Salvucci
Someone could be forgiven for thinking that everyone loves music from the movies. After all: Jule Styne; Leslie Bricusse; Johnny Mandel; Sammy Fain; Harry Warren; Richard Rodgers ; Henry Mancini; Johnny Mercer; Antonio Carlos Jobim; Michel Legrand; Bernice Petkere; and Isham Jones is hardly a list of minor talents, but all are represented on Movie Magic. Is it the music itself, the associated film or both that are compelling? Perhaps an emotional connection to a moment, a time, a person ...
Continue ReadingJames Sherlock: The Verb Not The Noun
by Ian Patterson
James Sherlock's eighth album as leader sees the Melbourne-based guitarist return to the trio format for the first time since Domestic Arts (Jazzhead, 2010). Where that album was predominantly standards-weighted--a gorgeous version of The Strangler's “Golden Brown" apart--this one, Sherlock's first with bassist Sam Anning and drummer Danny Fischer, showcases his songwriting chops as much as his stellar guitar playing. All originals, the eight compositions encompass swing and blues alongside Sherlock's more contemporary frameworks. The results are uniformly satisfying.
Continue ReadingJames Sherlock Trio: Domestic Arts
by Ian Patterson
Domestic Arts caps a busy 2010 for Melbourne guitarist James Sherlock, following the release, earlier in the year, of the impressive Solo (Pinnacles Music, 2010). That recording highlighted not only Sherlock's notable chops but also his songwriting skills, with more than half the compositions self-penned works of striking originality and nuance. This time out Sherlock leads a trio through a vibrant set of mostly standards, with two of the seven tracks composed by the leader. “Domestic Arts ...
Continue ReadingJames Sherlock: Solo
by Ian Patterson
The title of Australian jazz guitarist James Sherlock's Solo is deceptively simple, because these eleven selections reveal a guitarist and arranger of uncommon sensitivity and advanced technique. Sherlock, perhaps aware of the challenge of concentrating on a single instrument, offers up only 35 minutes of music. However, the performance is absolutely captivating, and only whets the appetite for more. The four covers are interesting, revealing something of Sherlock's openness to all music, ranging as they do from the American show ...
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