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The Hobbit, The Desolation Of Smaug. Film Review. FACT Cinema, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly,  Benedict Cumberbatch, James Nesbitt,  Sylvester McCoy,  Lee Pace, Stephen Fry, Luke Evens,  Graham McTavish, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Dean O’ Gorman, Aiden Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Mikael Persbrandt, Ryan Gage.

There is no better way to round off an outstanding year in cinema that too return to the Lonely Mountain, through a forest of spiders and a tangle with the web that Elvish Men weave and via one of the finest dialogues captured throughout the whole of the Lord of the Rings trilogies and a journey involving a reluctant thief, a Wizard and a gang of Dwarves than to immerse yourself fully into the world of The Hobbit, The Desolation of Smaug.

The Hobbit, The Desolation Of Smaug. Film Review. FACT Cinema, Liverpool. full post

(611 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

Steve Hogarth, Gig Review. St Bride’s Church, Liverpool. (2013)

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Whoever the person was that first suggested that Steve Hogarth first come to Liverpool when doing his H. Natural sets must surely have known something about how he would be received by fans of Marillion. Whether at the iconic Cavern, or as has become in recent years a sort of natural second home to him at St. Bride’s Church, the fans pack out the venue, they sit in almost breath taking awe, they good naturedly heckle when the time is right and yet all the time the beautiful voice punctures the often still air and visibly moves the audience in such a way that is barely repeated elsewhere in the world of rock.

Steve Hogarth, Gig Review. St Bride’s Church, Liverpool. (2013) full post

(611 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

Doctor Who: 1963: The Assassination Games. Audio Drama 180. Big Finish.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Simon Williams, Pamela Salem, Karen Gledhill, Hugh Ross, Oliver Cotton, Gemma Saunders, Gerald Kyd, Alisdair Simpson.

No matter where The Doctor goes in time and space, it seems there is a small part of that is drawn like a moth to wibbly wobbly ball of flame to the events circulating around the year 1963. Of course it is a natural time period to write about as well as being the birth of the television programme that would go on to be a world-wide phenomenon.

Doctor Who: 1963: The Assassination Games. Audio Drama 180. Big Finish. full post

(531 words, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

Caz ‘N’ Britney To Return To Scottie Road And The Unity In January.

After a sell-out run at unity and Epstein Theatre in 2011 and 2012, the Unity Theatre are excited to welcome back the formidable Caz ‘n’ Britney as they embark on a sublimely anarchic and utterly hilarious journey through the streets of Liverpool, prison and back home to of course, Scottie Road!

From Friday 10th to Saturday 18th January, the show which has been described as anarchic and surprising (Seen Magazine) and which Liverpool Sound and Vision gave a 5 star rating to, will see the return of the excellent Gillian Hardie and the outrageously funny Keddy Sutton as two superb comic creations Caz ‘n’ Britney, two Liverpool girls who wear their pyjamas and Ugg boots with pride and who make the most of high quality cuisine as they scoff their pasties  and who burst into song at any given moment.

Caz ‘N’ Britney To Return To Scottie Road And The Unity In January. full post

(203 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Liverpool’s Renowned Martini Lounge Burlesque And Variety Show To Wow In 2014.

Organisers of Liverpool’s renowned Martini Lounge Burlesque and Variety Show are delighted to announce a vivacious Valentine’s Day themed show as their first fabulous foray of 2014. Tickets to wine, dine and titillate your loved one would make the ideal Christmas or Valentine’s gift and are available to book now!

Taking place on 22nd February 2014, this evening of perfect peeling and tantalising tease marks a hotly anticipated return visit to the striking surroundings of St George’s Hall, perfect for the most romantic time of the year and the most pertinent venue to reflect this tradition. This awe inspiring show has created a classy and delightfully ludicrous night of entertainment.

Liverpool’s Renowned Martini Lounge Burlesque And Variety Show To Wow In 2014. full post

(384 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

The Classic Rock Show Returns To Liverpool In 2014.

After the success of their critically acclaimed 2012 U.K. tour and as a testimony to the immense popularity of classic rock music, The Classic Rock Show is back – bigger and even better and featuring the music of The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, Meat Loaf, AC/DC, Supertramp, The Who, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac & much, much more! The show will also be coming back to Liverpool on Friday 7th February 2014 at the Philharmonic Hall.

The Classic Rock Show Returns To Liverpool In 2014. full post

(241 words, estimated 58 secs reading time)

Paul Straws To Perform At Elevator in Liverpool.

Liverpool based singer-songwriter Paul Straws presents his songs, awash with mandolins, ukulele, glorious harmonies and gorgeous cello, and tells tales of love, loss and betrayal. Lauded for his ‘great songwriting’ by Tom Robinson (B.B.C. 6 Music) and championed by Dave Monks (B.B.C. Introducing), Paul has set out on his new project to much acclaim from early reviews. Casting the net as far a field as Canadian radio 99.1fm, Paul has also managed two top five entries in the Qatar Alternative Radio Top 40, including a Number 1 for The Crooked Branches Fall and now the much loved musician will be performing with his full band on Saturday 21st December at Elevator.

Paul Straws To Perform At Elevator in Liverpool. full post

(206 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Kate Rusby, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

To see an artist enjoy themselves, to witness the little escaping of glee and cheer from their mouths after every song, is perhaps one of the great thrills in life. It certainly makes for an entertaining evening and enhances the overall pleasure of a listening to a set of songs delivered with beautiful precision and cheer.

Kate Rusby, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(449 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Royal Southern Brotherhood, Live In Germany. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There are expectations that have to be met when listening to a live album. The first is that the sound recreated on a stage, possibly many hundreds of miles from wherever you are fortunate enough to actually listen to the gig, has to be able to make the imagination run riot, to revel in the flow and thrust of the guitar, to feel the sweat run down your neck in anticipation and to envisage the person infront of you in the audience nervously sweating along with you. The taste of the gig has to be captured just right, else it is lost and abandoned like an errant Victorian child left at the Poor House.

Royal Southern Brotherhood, Live In Germany. Album Review. full post

(416 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Vamos, More Songs About Circles. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Vamos describe themselves as “Ruff and ready”, judging by the powerful three chord arrangements and embracing nature of the songs on their new album, More Songs About Circles, that speak more about life in the 21st century than any Government report and media friendly social workers with a supposed good hearts could ever put into words. Vamos is just very cool and a threesome that almost anybody could hold onto without the feeling of guilt thrust upon them.

Vamos, More Songs About Circles. Album Review. full post

(368 words, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)