Author Archives: admin

David Essex, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Some people should know better, the rush of excitement though becomes too much and whilst not done in malice, it could see such moments of venues tolerating the rush to the front to see the sex symbols, the musical icons and the true stars of longevity, disappear into the night quicker than a reality television star’s career. No harm done of course as the interloper to David Essex’s stage was dealt with in the same off hand manner that accompanied the likes of Rugby pitch invader Erica Rowe, but it did for a moment detract from what was the power of a man to whom there never has been any doubt, his place in the annals of British music.

David Essex, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(442 words, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

John Wesley, A Way You’ll Never Be. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

It must come to us all eventually, no matter the job we fall into or the desire we pursue, at some point we must look upon the world, gaze into its eyes with passion or damnation and exclaim loudly, “This is the very best, this is mine and nothing will arguably ever beat this moment, it is my magnum opus and it is out of this world.”

John Wesley, A Way You’ll Never Be. Album Review. full post

(447 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

Arrival, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7.5/10

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Michael Stuhlbarg, Forest Whitaker, Tzi Ma.

Life boils down to communication, the willingness to talk about even the most inconsequential moments as well as the static, the shouts of indifference and the moans of love, terror and laughter; without being able to communicate in any form, without breaking the barriers that naturally occur between us in language or in our attitudes, we do not deserve to be considered reasonable, adept or functioning members of the planet.

Arrival, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

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

A Street Cat Named Bob, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanna Froggatt, Anthony Head, Beth Goddard, Darren Evans, Caroline Goodall, Ruth Sheen, Nina Wadia, Franc Ashman, Lorraine Ashbourne, Mark Behan, Daniel Fearn, Adam Riches, Nadine Marshall, John Henshaw.

It is a quirk that makes the British film industry such a magnificent beast at times, for every stunning spectacular that crowds the screen with its location, its effortless pandemonium like glee in producing stunt after stunt and the facility to host the filming of the big box office smash, that occasionally comes a film in which typifies the true spirit of film making, one that does not go down the route enjoyed by the likes of the insipid and distasteful, but is instead a story, a piece of living memory that could happen to any of us.

A Street Cat Named Bob, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T, Liverpool. full post

(516 words, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

The Bar.

The bar,

always the bar

with a silent moment

straggling behind,

failing

to keep up

with the excited and bubble in nose conversation.

I always met the most

interesting,

beautiful

and charming people

nestled in the bar fly mode;

you chiefly amongst them

dear Carole Labrum…

I raise a glass and toast your honour,

to the only person that ever drove across

two states to hear me talk

and ignore

the silence

wheezing and puffing

exhausted in the background.

 

The Bar. full post

(93 words, estimated 22 secs reading time)

David Barnicle & The Mystery Force, Human Sacrifice. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

What would you forfeit if it meant succeeding at something, to be seen as enthralling, the mysterious and the exceptional, it might be worth a lot of things but it is never worth your soul; if you don’t keep it real, then surely by the definition you have cheated yourself out of the very sacrifice, the point of the journey you have tried to attain and cherish.

David Barnicle & The Mystery Force, Human Sacrifice. E.P. Review. full post

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

Pippa Reid-Foster, Driftwood Harp. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Whilst some tales can be told without the aid of music, no music can be felt, expressed or admired without a tale being held within its heart, its core, it matters not a jot whether there are lyrics binding the music together or if indeed the work offered by the artist is an instrumental piece, a journey into the wordless activity, what matters that in the listener’s mind there is a narrative they can grasp hold of and not let go, that they can imagine flowing with gentleness, lapping at the banks deep inside the brain and then rushing to a dramatic but scintillating conclusion.

Pippa Reid-Foster, Driftwood Harp. Album Review. full post

(425 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Life’s Orchestra.

What was there before the strings,

the resonating beauty of a violin

caught in the midnight chime

of my ears and soul,

what was there before that…

 

What was there before the beat of a drum,

the sniff of palpitation of my heart

that rose and shivered

in time as the snare cut across Time,

what was there before that…

 

What was there before the electricity,

the hum and the feedback

that snarled and kissed

like an angel dressed in red, a riff blessed,

Life’s Orchestra. full post

(189 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Lost In Kiev, Nuit Noire. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The night is the harbour of the darkness, like the seismic shock before the Earthquake, the prospect of what is to come plays on the mind, it crawls down sleeping memories in which you hoped for better days and the darkness, the tangible, fearful resolution in the mind that all is lost, all is confused and alone is only the night playing tricks upon the brain. The darkness soon gives way to hope, to understanding that the music can play on, even if it is a different manner, in a way that is full of meaning and the resolution you once felt that abandonment was the only option, soon reveals that the Nuit Noire, the black night, is only a part of life.

Lost In Kiev, Nuit Noire. Album Review. full post

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

Gone Savage, Resurrection. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The statement is always, if it feels good then it cannot be considered bad, there are many things in this Universe that contradict this point of view, the warmth of a summer’s day might be the precursor to the snow caps melting just little faster, having a lay in on a cold winter’s Sunday morning might lead to a life time of sloth, the benefits of eating a tomato everyday could descend into the realms of a lonely steak being ignored. However, listening to Gone Savage’s Resurrection can only surely lead to good things, there is no chance that it can lead to anything but an even greater appreciation of the Rock restoration.

Gone Savage, Resurrection. E.P. Review. full post

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