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The Importance Of Being Earnest, Theatre Review. The Black-E, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Geraint R Williams, Cameron Steen, George Trier, Geraldine Moloney Judge, Josephine Dalton, Lily Almond, Vicky Lodge, Nigel Goodwin.

It is all about being true to yourself, even when pretending to be someone else; if you can master that illusion then those around you will only see what you wish them to see, they will see the truth in the elaborate pretence and relish the opportunity to feel the sincere and intense emotions that it brings up; there is nothing better than understanding The Importance of Being Earnest as being part of life’s beautiful farce.

The Importance Of Being Earnest, Theatre Review. The Black-E, Liverpool. full post

(507 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Egg Shells.

Slightly broken,

I walk on

the egg shells

that surround

the subject

of you,

careful not to breathe,

think

or murmur

your name,

for you

dear egg shell

are nothing to many now

that your inside was proved

to be the reason

that people’s

hearts broke.

Ian D. Hall 2016

Permanent link to this post (52 words, estimated 12 secs reading time)

The Good Host, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The sound of Vienna, the last days of grand empire in a city that would remain forever associated with fine music and beautiful venues in which to play them, could not sound more opulent or desirable than being able to relish in the alternative Folk Rock guitar sound driven by The Good Host. The whirl of Vienna, the mood of the Danube slowly winding itself down through Europe and the psychological musings of Freud as the ghosts of the Habsburgs looked on; none of that splendour matches being in the company of the band that makes music just something you yearn for the company of a fine port and a roaring Christmas fire for.

The Good Host, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016). full post

(431 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Matthew McGurty, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The last time Matthew McGurty performed in Studio 2 to such a loyal and intensely proud audience the winter of 2015 was in full blast and the cold was such that that the music of the man was not just a welcome glow in the corner of some good old fashioned public house, the type where they won’t let you leave for home without checking that you are safe to do so and if walking, pouring you the fortifying aid of a hearty whisky, it was the shine of the sun on a near broken spirit and the smouldering of a dusky maiden kiss.

Matthew McGurty, Gig Review. Studio 2, Liverpool. (2016). full post

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

Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band, Barely Holding On. Single Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Winter may be coming, the sound of the first crunch of ice hangs in the northern air and the sense that the darkness will, as always, be consuming and the lights that flicker mournfully will only stretch so far in their guidance towards the new dawn, the dark season may be approaching but for Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band Barely Holding On is not an option, in fact it is with tender relief and liberation of spirit that Paul Dunbar is back to doing what he does best, making incredibly beautiful music.

Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band, Barely Holding On. Single Review. full post

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

Your Folk Club Days.

 

It is funny to think

of your back catalogue

always being rehashed and repackaged

as it is something new,

glimmering away

fiscally

like a must have bauble

on an already over tilting Christmas tree,

a decoration too many, nothing

but avarice sentiment

to keep the tills ringing.

It is funny, amusing for a while

but then the resentment kicks in

because they always

ignore your folk club days,

the sound of your true self

and not the polished ego

Your Folk Club Days. full post

(96 words, estimated 23 secs reading time)

Joe Kelly, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

There is something tremendously satisfying about sitting in a place of worship all day, feeling the sense of a different presence wash over you, especially when it from a song book you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing before.

The writer of the solemn text standing in the arena, the musical pulpit and with guitar in hand, keyboards and backing vocalists ready to praise the written word and laid down tune, worship is something you feel compelled to do. Though Constellations is far from a church as you can imagine, if your belief is in the power of the art that lays within us all, then the final act of Beerdfest 2016 would have anyone clutching their hearts and straining their ears to hear the words of Joe Kelly.

Joe Kelly, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool. full post

(414 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Benn Helm, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The day is filled with the unseen and the unexpected, it is the time in which the shadows find glee at the darkness and shelter we simple spectres of humanity crave for; the comfort of the music we know and never daring to step beyond it out of fear or the thought of betrayal to the memory of the band that you have nurtured in your soul for as long as you have taken breath.

Benn Helm, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool. full post

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

SheBeat, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Jodie Schofield is a much missed woman around Liverpool, the voice of a thousand dreams has found another part of the world in which to rest the souls of the anxious and play for those who need saving; it is a loss that quite rightly many in the acoustic scene of Liverpool have felt but it was also one that was quickly rectified, albeit too briefly as the performer behind SheBeat, not only hosted her day of praising all things beard but also found time to perform songs and put her new SheBeat E.P. into the public gaze.

SheBeat, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool. full post

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

Ste Neildsey, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In amongst the hirsute and the abundant floral facial decorations stood on stage a man to whom looked equally as impressive but also indomitable in his pursuit to be the very best man on display inside Constellations on a day when the wind and rain were conspiring to make every male in the city look blustery and windswept. Whilst others were going over their looks, quite rightly in appreciation of Beerdfest and everything facially follicle, the every impressive Ste Neildsy was marking out a path of his own and it was that excellent to witness, especially with one whose own reputation is taking great strides.

Ste Neildsey, Gig Review. Constellations, Liverpool. full post

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