Author Archives: admin

Michael Monroe, Horns And Halos. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Recording an album is only really as hard or as difficult as the artist wants it to be. There is of course the pain of opening the soul up so far that it allows others who have no connection to the musician, in the act of revealing one’s life, no matter how sincere the writing or score is, what is demanding and tiring. It can also be a blessing, a cathartic episode in which the musician just shows to the awaiting audience that what they know is at the end of the day, not all they know. Some will struggle to keep the fine line of privacy and public awareness separate, others embrace it. Michael Monroe, the man who certainly made Hanoi Rocks is one such individual who opens his heart and his latest album, Horns and Halos, is an absolute belter.

Michael Monroe, Horns And Halos. Album Review. full post

(407 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

The Playhouse Studio To Host Isaac Bashevis Singer’s A Day Of Pleasure.

The world première tour of A Day of Pleasure, a new play adapted by The Useful Donkey Theatre Company based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s award-winning book, will debut at the Playhouse Studio. Performed by Everyman founding company member Stuart Richman it will run from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th September.

“Only the dreamers, who dream while awake, call back the shadows of the past and braid from unspun threads, unspun nets.” – Isaac Bashevis Singer

The evening before he travels to Stockholm to collect the Nobel Prize for Literature, Isaac Bashevis Singer – a passionate, brilliant storyteller – recalls a fascinating childhood full of mystery, torment and adventure.

The Playhouse Studio To Host Isaac Bashevis Singer’s A Day Of Pleasure. full post

(393 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Newton Faulkner To Release New Album On August 26th And Perform At The Liverpool o2 Academy In 2014.

Double number 1, multi-platinum selling, Brit nominated, acoustic guitar virtuoso Newton Faulkner is set to release his new album Studio Zoo through RCA on August 26th. The single Losing Ground will follow on September 9th, and a U.K. headline tour, which includes a visit to the o2 Academy on February 16^th, is to follow in 2014, kicking off in Dublin on February 6th

Newton made history while producing the album as he live-streamed the entire recording process 24/7 for 5 weeks from his home studio. Fans could log in online to follow every detail of the ups, downs, dramas and laughs including guest appearances from Ted Dwane (Mumford & Sons) and X Factor’s Janet Devlin.

Newton Faulkner To Release New Album On August 26th And Perform At The Liverpool o2 Academy In 2014. full post

(374 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Blancmange To Perform At Eric’s This November.

The Factory Club and Eric’s have announced the first in a series of shows together. Early-’80s British synth pop electronic masters Blancmange being the first to play Eric’s on Wednesday 13 November.

Alan Wise, legendary promoter and Tony Wilson’s former business partner is bringing the Factory Club to Eric’s on Mathew Street, in Liverpool.

Blancmange To Perform At Eric’s This November. full post

(348 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

The Bad Shepherds, Mud, Blood And Beer. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are cover versions and then there are real humdingers, songs that have been given such a new lease of life that they buzz with a new purpose that thrills the musical soul. Many musicians and boy bands can recreate the sound of a much loved anthem, the pop classic, the standard bearer of a generation who knew the song inside out and adored it but somehow it gets rehashed by the latest so called boy band and the song somehow loses its power. Then there are The Bad Shepherds and the incredible folk twist they bring to music which illuminates that power and gives it a new meaning.

The Bad Shepherds, Mud, Blood And Beer. Album Review. full post

(463 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

The White Queen, Television Review. B.B.C. Television.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Rebecca Ferguson, Max Irons, James Frain, Aneurin Barnard, Faye Marsey, Amanda Hale, Janet McTeer, Rupert Graves, Caroline Goodall, David Oakes, Eleanor Tomlinson, Juliet Aubrey, Sonny Ashbourne, Pixie Davies, Veerle Baetens, Joey Batey, Michael Marcus, Tom McKay, Francis Tomelty, Michael Maloney, Ben Lamb, Shaun Dooley, Hugh Mitchell, Robert Pugh, Arthur Darvill.

As television blockbuster’s go, The White Queen has followed on the satisfying trend set by The Tudors to bring sections of history back to life and into the public consciousness.

The White Queen, Television Review. B.B.C. Television. full post

(486 words, estimated 1:57 mins reading time)

Lovelace, Film Review. FACT Cinema, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Robert Patrick, Juno Temple, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Wes Bentley, Eric Roberts, Chris Noth, Bobby Cannavale, Debi Mazer, Cory Hardrict, Chloe Sevigny.

Lovelace, Film Review. FACT Cinema, Liverpool. full post

(543 words, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

Kick Ass 2, Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * *

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey, Clark Duke, Olga Kurkulina, Lindy Booth, John Leguizamo, Iain Glen, Morris Chestnut, Garrett M. Brown, Claudia Lee, Augustus Prew, Donald Faison, Danial Kaluuya, Tom Wu, Andy Nyman, Steven Mackintosh, Monica Dolan, Benedict Wong.

Sequels are almost inevitable, especially when the first film outing was seen as something new and exciting to grab the attention of those pleasantly surprised by what they see on the big screen. Sometimes though it may be better to leave the story where it ended, with the credits rolling and the audience giving plaudits. The news that Star Wars is to have yet another follow-on and with no conclusion in sight is one such film franchise, the other unfortunately is perhaps Kick-Ass 2.

Kick Ass 2, Film Review. full post

(544 words, estimated 2:11 mins reading time)

Caves, One. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

If you can listen to the Caves’ new E.P., One, and not feel the pulse, the sensation of something that grips the attention and the raw emotion that is stamped throughout the three tracks, then there is no hope for you. The pothole that you poked your head over and scanned the musical horizon briefly may just be too comfortable for you too ever leave.

Caves, One. E.P. Review. full post

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

Arrow Highway, Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Listening to music in the comfort of your own home is an enjoyable way to take in the thoughts and words of an artist, the soothe reassurance of what is familiar surrounding new music is tangible and concrete. Some albums though need the experience of being heard whilst you are out in the open, away from the confines of four walls and being urged to take the imagination by the hand and showing it a different way of life, an image to hang the music onto. This way of looking at music works wonderfully well especially when it is a pure and defined set of instrumentals as Mike Chylinski’s new project Arrow Highway.

Arrow Highway, Album Review. full post

(380 words, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)