Evening Standard - Music

Banjo and gags, Steve Martin is a man with two talents

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:09:55 GMT

Steve Martin's relationship with his banjo, like Woody Allens with his clarinet, is not an indulgent hobby but a lifelong love affair.

Lilting and tender show from Gurrumul

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:22:27 GMT

The most extraordinary thing about the Australian Aboriginal megastar Gurrumul is his voice.

Duke Bluebeard's Castle is plain sinister

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:31:53 GMT

ENOs coupling of Bartóks Duke Bluebeards Castle and Stravinskys Rite of Spring is unconventional but inspired.

Sound check: Rocking with Laughter

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:43:17 GMT

Flight of the Conchords are part of a trend that proves it's possible to make a comedy song you can listen to more than once.

CDs of the week: Robbie Williams has a cracking comeback album

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:03:33 GMT

When Robbie Williams's pleasing, pleading voice is coupled with a background orchestra on Superblind he has something he's never previously come close to: gravitas.

Fun and theatrics with Röyksopp

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:16 GMT

Torbjørn Brundtland took to the stage in his dressing gown as Norwegian boys Röyksopp came to Shepherd's Bush Empire to party

Renée Fleming should sprinkle some stardust

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:54:16 GMT

Not content to rest on her laurels, the American soprano Renée Fleming has been investigating unfamiliar repertoire in recent years.

More Bon Jovi classics? We're livin' on a prayer

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:51:54 GMT

It was the hits from their hair-metal heyday that provided the highlights of Bon Jovi's intimate BBC Radio Theatre gig.

Leona Lewis's too small gig sets small stage for big star

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:23:00 GMT

Leona Lewis needs to hurry up and take that stadium-sized voice on tour to the venues it deserves.

When Arne found time to declare rule, Italia

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:34:44 GMT

Known primarily as the composer of the alternative national anthem, Rule, Britannia, Thomas Arne also deserves to be remembered for his opera Artaxerxes.

Fleetwood Mac stick to what they do best

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:03:34 GMT

Fleetwood Mac headed out to play everyone's favourite songs with no ulterior motive.

Gigs of the week

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:46:36 GMT

Fleetwood Mac play Wembley Arena and king of rap Jay-Z is set to take over Alexandra Palace.

Sound check: Meet Ellie the MySpace stalker

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:16:18 GMT

Ellie Goulding got to work with the best producers by hunting them down on the internet now her extraordinary sound is proving popular.

Virtuoso performance from France's (English) national hero

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:16:18 GMT

No one likes a show off. Except maybe the French. Charlie Winston was drowned in screams as he took to the stage in a packed Islington Academy.

CDs of the week

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:16:18 GMT

The hairstyles are less voluminous than of yore but in every other respect Bon Jovi are the dependable package.

Guide to the London Jazz Festival

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:06:29 GMT

The London Jazz Festival swings into town next month - it's time to learn to love the J-word. Richard Godwin takes you from A to Z

Diana Krall is one cool mother

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:12:56 GMT

Having taken a sabbatical and given birth to twin boys, the beauteous Diana Krall is back on the road.

Alexandra Burke: Since X Factor, it takes me an hour to go round the corner for a pint of milk

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:02:14 GMT

Success may have limited her lifestyle but Alexandra Burke, suddenly No1 in the charts, is proud to have overcome so much on her rise to fame

José Feliciano can still light a fire

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:27:22 GMT

Not even a broken string could halt the momentum of chunky Puerto Rican dazzler José Feliciano in the crisp white shirt and black wraparound shades.

Barely a pause for breath as Morrissey charms in brief gig

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:27:22 GMT

Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy ride, chuckled Morrissey at the start of his Royal Albert Hall show.

Frank Turner: from punk rocker to self-taught troubadour

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:25:52 GMT

Frank Turner's gone from Etonian punk rocker 'despised' at school to bohemian hobo, hitting the road after a family betrayal.

Original punch restored in Porgy and Bess

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:08:15 GMT

The resonances shift and Porgy and Bess once again packs the punch that Gershwin intended.

Turn of the Screw with a sinister twist

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:06:20 GMT

Charles Mackerras conjures a dark, sinister quality that perfectly complements the oppressive visual picture in Turn of the Screw.

Ronnie's celebrates with Jack Bruce

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:32:01 GMT

Singer-composer Jack Bruce has more right to play Ronnie Scott's than most British chart-toppers.

Green Day are having the time of their lives

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:59:18 GMT

Celebrating their 21st year together as a band this month, California punk trio Green Day ought to know a thing or two about working an audience.