Post by jec on Nov 11, 2007 14:58:11 GMT 10
Hi Folks, just a short note following my first visit to Wang'. I had a sensational time & went close to overdosing on the music. I still have a smile on my face from all the great music I heard. Coming from Sydney the festival gave me a great opportunity to catch up with some of the Melbourne acts I hear about but haven't seen live. I'm no music reviewer & don't play an instruement but love jazz & improvised music & buy a heap of CD's & downloads, most of them Australian. Please therefore read my observations on this basis as a punter not some virtuoso or critic. I saw Dave Holland's first gig on Friday night. Obviously an excellant band who played very tightly as you would expect. The first few rows of the town hall were filled with local musicians. I enjoyed the set but must admit I'm noy really a huge fan of his most recent works & I probably enjoyed some other sets I saw more than this. I caught Allan Brownes show on the Saturday ,morning. I have a few of his CDs but have never seen him live. Fantastic set, great music & most importantly I bought the CD. Great playing & the suites allowed a wide & interesting variety of music. Followed this up with Barney McAll & kurt Rosenwinkel again fantastic music & a few great solos from Shannon Barnett the trombone player. I herad some criticisms of Rosenwinkels playing from the night before but I thought he had a fairly original sound which I enjoyed. Again bought the CD but bought the blood wrong one. Still good though. Saw Sean Waylands gig in St Patricks. I have a few of his CDs but hadn't seen him live. A fairly unique sound I thought & the excellant James Muller on guitar. Next saw the Julien Wilson trio. I saw this band at their first gig in Sydney some years back & have always enjoyed their music. Must say though that their gig Saturday arvo lacked something & they didn't quite click as in the past. Next up saw the Jazzgroove Mothership. You gotta love a big band & this one has plenty of energy. I thought their set on Sunday night however with Florian Ross was far better with a better, groovier set of songs. Next saw Showa44's second set. Sensational. Freaked out the elderly & the cows especially their last song which they played after the announcer tried to cut them off early. She won't be doing that again. Finished up the night with the Alcohotlicks. Have seen these guys before. What a great way to end the night. 2 loud guitars & a drummer with some atitude. Bought the CD an EP for $20 with no title. I call it "Ripped Off by the Alcohotlicks" although it really is very good. Sunday morning couldn't get in to hear Gerard Masters trio, fullhouse. Waited around & saw Nils Wogram. I really wanted to enjoy this music. It had most things that I liked. But like John McBeath it left me a bit cold & although they were good players it lacked that certain something. Saw Triosk's 1st set. I've seen these guys a fair bit & have all their music. They create wonderful soundscapes around which they develope ideas & go off on musical tangets. Just close the eyes & be taken away. Again however scared the grey & the cows. Especially the piano player who has some sort of demented, hardcore look happening. I intended to see Elana Stone & Gest8 but collapsed into the hollywood cafe instead. Anyway thats about it for my first Wang'. Fantastic. Have already booked my accomodation for next year. Their's a great vibe that surrounds the weekend. The other interesting thing for me was the dominant ages of the crowds, lots & lots of grey hair & also lots & lots of groovy young things all enjoying the same music. Well done to the organisers. See you next year.
I loved Twang this year too. 