Originally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2011.

Once Ian Prowse gets going there is very little that anyone can do to stop him, he has proved it time and time again with his band Amsterdam and before this as member of the now legendary Liverpool band Pele. In 1992, Pele released their debut album Fireworks. A generation has come and gone without hearing this album in full and it was fitting that Ian and Amsterdam gave one of the performances of their career.

By combining the force of the Pele album with the energy and vigour of Amsterdam, a Liverpool Academy audience were treated to the sight of Ian rolling back the years with his cousin Johnny Barlow and the fantastic Anna Jenkins and the rest of this truly genuine band unleash a different take on Pele’s songs, there would be no lament for times that have been and gone from the audience as they were treated spectacularly to tracks such as Monkey Scream, Fair Blows, the excellent Kings Ransom and a stunning version of the apt Megalomania.

Much must be made of David Mastrocola, who played the evening with panache, style and in a lot of pain as he had turned up nursing a broken hand. It is testament to the people around him that Ian chooses his fellow band members so carefully that not even injury will stop them playing.

The chemistry between Ian and his cousin Johnny has become more and more electric as the years have progressed and it’s true to Ian’s nature and his love of the band as a whole that he let Johnny play one of his own songs from last year’s solo album The Fosse Way after the band had finished their main set.

The band were soon back on stage to take the expectant and hungry crowd through a quick burst of tracks from Amsterdam’s repertoire including the sensational Does This Train stop on Merseyside?, which in the current political climate takes on even more resonance and the fan favourite and bitter sweet Arm in Arm before descending into the always eagerly awaited London Calling, this tribute to the legendary band The Clash never fails to miss thrilling an audience to its very core roots.

Another stomping night of Amsterdam music and one that dealt with the twist that was on offer perfectly.

Ian D. Hall