Monthly Archives: August 2012

John Wesley, Gig Review. Brutopia. Crescent Street, Montreal.

John Wesley at Brutopia. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 13th 2011.

For those straying off the beaten track whilst attending the Marillion convention in Montreal would have been thrilled to see John Wesley performing at The Brutopia pub in Crescent Street. For his army of fans in Britain, the chances of catching Wes, as he is affectionately known, are rare, for those who had travelled from all over North America to catch the convention it was a case of less is more.

John Wesley, Gig Review. Brutopia. Crescent Street, Montreal. full post

(396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Joe Bonamassa, Dust Bowl. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 13th 2011.

Almost a year to the day since he released Black Rock and fewer than nine months since Black Country Communion’s debut album, Joe Bonamassa has once more turned out an album of pure quality that will appeal to the Blues Rock fan but also to the wide reaching music lover everywhere.

Dust Bowl has all the qualities that you would associate with one of the most laid back guys in Blues, he may be a man of very few words but his fingers do more than just talk for him, they simply ooze conversation without so much pausing for breath. From the opening track of Slow Train, Joe takes the listener on a slow bound journey calling at all stops including inspiration, joy and appreciation.

Joe Bonamassa, Dust Bowl. Album Review. full post

(372 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Kate Nash, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 5th 2011.

It’s been quite a while since Kate Nash played in Liverpool but on the strength of her audience that attended her show at the Stanley Theatre at the University of Liverpool, it may have only been last month since she parked her guitar and trademark keyboard on the stage, such was the excitement generated by the young songwriter.

Arriving on stage in a pastiche of one of her song titles Mariella, all dressed in black and looking mysterious and with two Mickey Mouse ears on for good measure, she produced a set of stunning quality and with just the right amount of social commentary thrown in to keep the crowd happy.

Kate Nash, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(379 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

The Undertones, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 16th 2011.

The year 1979 may be remembered for many things, Pink Floyd’s eponymous album The Wall was released, Britain struggled to get going again after the winter of discontent and the political aftermath that followed and in Derry, Northern Ireland a group of lads released one of the finest debut albums ever recorded.

The Undertones have been quite rightly lauded by the likes of radio legend John Peel who famously loved Teenage Kicks so much that it made him cry and many bands and critics have praised the Undertones for their Punk/Rock feel and grasp of the eloquent use of the English language.

The Undertones, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(418 words, 1 image, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Bob Catley rocks the crowd at the University of Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 17th 2011.

Magnum can arguably be called one of the finest bands to come out of the Midlands area, with a string of bestselling albums to their name and with a fan base that other rock groups would be proud to call their own, the band are on a second wave of popularity that has seen them deliver five well written and musically superior albums since they reformed after their split in 1994.

Magnum, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(420 words, 1 image, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Hugh Cornwell at the Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 17th 2011.

There will always be fans and critics alike who hark back to the days when Hugh Cornwell was the lead vocalist with the punk band and great British export The Stranglers, however, what these fans and critics always seem to miss is the prodigious amount of work that Hugh has done in the 21 years since he left the band and without sounding condescending to the man, how damn good that solo stuff is and how laid back his nights on stage are.

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

(426 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Tell Me On A Sunday, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire Theatre.

Cast: Claire Sweeney.

Tell me on A Sunday is one of the most endearing and likeable musicals created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, whether it’s the addition of Don Black’s superbly written and well observed lyrics or the fact that almost everyone can resonate and identify with the girl on stage as she finds herself thrust into a life far from home, in a strange city, strange country with nothing but her sense of humour and the thought of meeting that one person who they can share their life with.

Tell Me On A Sunday, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire Theatre. full post

(435 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Rush, Moving Pictures. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 23rd 2011.

There are some anniversaries that deserve a little something extra, a chance to really set the town alight, go the whole hog and show that special someone how much you care and love them. For fans of the Canadian super group Rush, that’s exactly what’s happened for them in the form of the seminal piece of work Moving Pictures.

Rush, Moving Pictures. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review. full post

(446 words, 1 image, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

 

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 22nd 2011.

If pushed for an answer, where would you say that Britpop started? Some will stand and yell Oasis till they are blue in the face; others will cite the works of Blur and the talent that is in no doubt in the shape of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxen, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. If pushed a little harder there are those that would even declare that without Pulp, the other two wouldn’t matter and for certain Jarvis Cocker has his moments; however to anybody in Liverpool you only have one answer that has to be The Real People.

The Real People, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(477 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 30th 2011.

Ian McNabb is one of those Liverpool musicians that demands the affection of Liverpool audiences, from his days as one of three men to give the Liverpool Rock movement a timely boost in the form of the Icicle Works to his solo output which has thrilled his legions of fans and given Ian the status of one of Liverpool’s favourite sons.

The Icicle Works, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(419 words, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)