Monthly Archives: August 2012

Judy Collins, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool.

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

Judy Collins is one of the great survivors of Folk music. Eclectic in her musical tastes and vision, she continues to thrill audiences with renditions of her own work and those of who she adores.

For the University of Liverpool to play host to one of the all-time greats of music can be seen as a particular pleasure and for the audience who sat patiently it was one of those rare nights where you allowed the artist to do whatever they wanted, talk about whatever they fancied and play whatever tunes they could muster. For Judy Collins comes across as one of those wonderful women who wants to impart knowledge of her life and who looks genuinely pleased to see people hanging on her every word.

Judy Collins, Gig Review. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool. full post

(325 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

If The Shoe Fits, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 10th 2011.

Cast: Donna Lesley Price, Richie Grice, Jodie Nesbitt, Angela Waller, Su Burke, Trevor Fleming, James Williams-Watts, Al T Kossy.

In amongst the high profile theatre productions going on in Liverpool over the next couple of months, one piece of genuine theatre may have passed the everyday theatre goer by, which is, with all things considered, a shame. For in Boom Boom Baby Productions of If the Shoe Fits, audiences were left reeling with laughter as the company thrilled everyone with their irreverent look at Liverpool life through the eyes of a group of people who work in a high class shoe shop.

If The Shoe Fits, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(340 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 11th 2011.

For their legendary fans, The Bay City Rollers were a phenomenon without equal, their unique tartan look and boyish appeal made them every teenage girl’s favourite band and scenes of them at gigs have long stayed in the memory of those either lucky enough to get tickets to their concerts or to the multitude that waited long after the final note just to see them and revel for a moment in their passion and glory.

Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(398 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Paul Simon, So Beautiful Or So What. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 14th 2011.

For the last two months American audiences have been able to appraise Paul Simon’s new album So Beautiful or So What and give it a huge ringing endorsement that has seen it climb as high as number four in the fabled Billboard Charts. British audiences however have had to wait till the middle of June before being able to hear what the fuss was about, however, this once it was worth the long and agonising wait.

Paul Simon, So Beautiful Or So What. Album Review. full post

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

Paul McCartney, McCartney II. Re-Release. Album Review.

Following on the back of the Wings re-issue Band on the Run; one of the latest Paul McCartney albums to get the 21st century treatment is the former Beatle and Wings favourite McCartney II.

Although audiences had come to identify the former Beatles man as the source of inspiration behind Wings during the 70’s, it is as a solo artist that Paul began his comeback charge in the new decade. Slightly understated in its approach there is a gem on every piece of music that’s laid down for older fans of the Beatles and an exciting vibrancy for newer fans to grasp which made Paul a star all over again.

Paul McCartney, McCartney II. Re-Release. Album Review. full post

(438 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Nils Lofgren, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 14th 2011

It takes a man who obviously can hold his own in the company of Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen who can command an audience at the Philharmonic with the bare minimum of instruments and supporting musicians and yet still make that crowd feel as though they have only ever seen one truly amazing gig in their life.

Nils Lofgren is one such man that has the undoubted ability to make an audience sit still and carefully listen to what he has to say whilst all the time making them feel special and appreciated as fans.

Nils Lofgren, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(387 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Elastic Bridge, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Picture courtesy from tabardweb.co.uk

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

Cast: Eddie Fortune, Rosie MacPherson, John James Tomlinson.

One of the final plays of the current season on offer by the Unity Theatre is the hard hitting and emotional drama, Elastic Bridge. Unusually for a play, as the audience took their seats to enjoy the show, one of the actors was already on stage pacing the small set in a scene of absolute desperation etched all over his face. This unique beginning drew the audience in straight from the start and provided a new take on how to stage a performance.

Elastic Bridge, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(295 words, 1 image, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Brick up the Mersey Tunnels, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 18th 2011.

Cast: Roy Brandon, Eithne Browne, Carl Chase, Suzanne Collins, Davy Edge, Adam Keast, Andrew Schofield, Francis Tucker.

For the fifth time in as many years Brick up the Mersey Tunnels arrived at the Royal Court Theatre to a great fanfare and armed to the teeth with well loved gags and up to date topics that would make any other show seethe with jealousy.

Not for nothing has Brick Up…become a firm favourite with audiences throughout Liverpool and beyond with fans of the hit show coming back time and time again to witness the range of comedic talent that runs through the heart and soul of the show.

Brick up the Mersey Tunnels, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(405 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Whitesnake, Gig Review. Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

David Coverdale. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 18th 2011.

It’s not for nothing that David Coverdale and Whitesnake are continually lauded as one of the fine rock acts of all time, both for their recording history but also for the minimalist but truly jaw dropping live sets. What other bands of the genre make up for in their set by using special effect after quirky special effect, Whitesnake just get down to business and entertains and drags kicking and screaming every bit of energy from every crowd that comes to their shows.

Whitesnake, Gig Review. Wolverhampton Civic Hall. full post

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

Black Country Communion, 2, Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. June 18th 2011.

It’s not many bands that can bring out two exceptional albums within the space a few short months, however Black Country Communion are not just any band.

Made up of one of the great guitarists of British Rock in the shape of Glenn Hughes, the much lauded and technically superb Joe Bonamassa, the son of the one of the legends of Rock, Jason Bonham and the appointed, by none other than Alice Cooper, Caligula of keyboards Derek Sherinian, Black Country Communion start album 2 the way they left off on the first offering, heavy, loaded with stand out tracks and just enough humility that will endear them forever to the public who buy the album.

Black Country Communion, 2, Album Review. full post

(342 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)