Blogcritics Author: David Millington

Euro 2008: Spain Take One Step Nearer

David Millington — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:33:40 EDT

The Spanish triumph in display of creative football and book a place against Germany for the Euro 2008 final.
Spain booked their place in Sunday’s Euro 2008 final with an impressive performance in Vienna Thursday evening. A categorical 3-0 victory over Russia left no doubt of the validity of their pre-tournament status as one of the favourites, just behind Germany in fact who they now meet in the last match. On the night they were dominant and...

Lahm Steals from Under Turkish Noses

David Millington — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:09:10 EDT

Turkey just miss out on an historic victory
It was so nearly the outcome many hoped for. A Turkish team, weakened by injury and suspension took on the mighty Germans in the first of the Euro 2008 semi-finals. They almost pulled off a magnificent result. Germany do suffer from the perception that though a footballing nation of the highest pedigree they lack the romance and elegance of say the...

Safin Overpowers An Under-Strength Djokovic

David Millington — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:03:42 EDT

Djokovic exits Wimbledon in Second Round Shock.
N Djokovic (Ser) 3 v M Safin (Rus) 4-6 6-7 2-6Every tournament produces its shock result, but the manner in which Novak Djokovic folded at Wimbledon Wednesday afternoon was surprising, to say the least. In talking the match up, the BBC commentators Tuesday evening had pondered what would happen if Marat Safin turned in a good performance,...

Wimbledon 2008: Rafa Puts in Some Shooting Practice

David Millington — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:46:25 EDT

Rafael Nadal sets his sights on the Wimbledon title and the World Number One spot.
If one thing demonstrated the awesome form of world number 2 Rafael Nadal Tuesday afternoon, it was a 7-0 tiebreaker to decide the third set and a match tally of seventeen straight aces. True, he was up against a player ranked 122. Yet on a surface not considered his favourite, he powered his way past the German Andreas Beck with no obvious...

Andy Murray Gets Sized-Up By John McEnroe

David Millington — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:44:52 EDT

The former Wimbledon champion questions the hometown favorite's chances in this year's tournament.
Writing on the BBC website, John McEnroe, three times winner of Wimbledon, thinks Britain’s Andy Murray will have to "dig a bit deeper" if he is to make any real impact in this year’s tournament. McEnroe’s main concern is Murray’s level of fitness, his continuing injury problems, and simple bad luck. Everyone this...

Wimbledon 2008: Federer Fires With Grace In First Round

David Millington — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:16:03 EDT

Roger Federer opens his Wimbledon defence with an easy win.
There is always something special about the first day's play at Wimbledon. The green of the grass, the sing of tennis balls hitting the rackets, the drone of commercial jets approaching Heathrow as they pass over SW19. There is something ageless about its demeanour, a great event in the annual sporting calendar. International to be sure, yet...

Music Review: John Abercrombie - Open Land

David Millington — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:46:27 EST

Music that leaves a deep impression. An old friend to return to again and again.
Every now and then there comes a release you purchase without giving a second thought. John Abercrombie has long had my respect. His lyrical style and, it would seem, propensity for exploring music not popularity have perhaps deprived him of the celebrity status of a Pat Metheny or John Scofield. He is, nevertheless, an excellent and innovative...

Music Review: Paul Motian - Bill Evans: Tribute to the Great Post-Bop Pianist

David Millington — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:28:15 EST

A worthy tribute to a great musician, and a fitting example of four great musicians playing music that is unforgettable and inspiring.
Paul Motian has been a constant and essential feature of the American jazz scene for many years. From his early days as drummer with the Bill Evans Trio through to the mid period of his career, as one third of the Paul Motian Trio he has constantly shown touch and perception in his choice of material and playing partners. This album, Bill Evans:...

Music Review: Nils Petter Molvaer - ER

David Millington — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:14:01 EST

Truly music worth exploring
It has been called Scandi jazz, nu-jazz or simply not-jazz. How you wish to define it is your choice. Whatever description you settle on, one thing certain is it is music worth exploring. A music that challenges the boundaries between genres and has shown itself open to a younger generation’s experiments in Electronica and Dance. Perhaps one...

Music Review: Kenny Wheeler - It Takes Two

David Millington — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 07:49:07 EDT

It Takes Two shows Kenny Wheeler at 77 is still an important force and influence in contemporary jazz.
It Takes Two by Kenny Wheeler has been on general issue now for over a year. It was released in June 2006 by CamJazz, the Italian label launched in 2000. Kenny Wheeler is such an understated and subtle artist, his music is not something the discerning listener jumps carelessly into. His playing has a way of sneaking up on you, of winding its way...