Author Archives: admin

Michelle Burke, Step Into My Parlour. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It was always deemed a privilege to be allowed access into the confines of a parlour, the chance to talk openly, perhaps even frankly of the business of the day or of some particular trouble that was vexing the local community. It was also a place where the women of the household could do what they did best in the grander houses of the period, that of being gracious in the art of listening, making sure the right stories were handed down and to be the real power behind the throne; in any household.

Michelle Burke, Step Into My Parlour. Album Review. full post

(439 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Alison Green, Whiskey Ginger Johnson. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It is never about the production but the passion and depth of strength and fortitude behind it that makes it a piece of art of repute. The intensity that is placed into delivering what is effectively your soul in the open air, to bring the birth of your voice in the natural arena of scrutiny and possible derision, that is what makes the process all the more worthwhile.

Alison Green, Whiskey Ginger Johnson. Album Review. full post

(397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

The Poozies, Into The Well. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5

Who needs a good horror story to send the chill up the spine, the encouraging shiver of keen anticipation of a set of songs that place the hairs on the back on the arm to full attention and the wide eyed look of appreciation at a haunting piece of art? Who needs a good horror story when the beauty of four female voice well versed in their craft can achieve the same effect without the need to keep one eye open and clutching a loved one tight with fear rather than affection.

The Poozies, Into The Well. Album Review. full post

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

The Man Who Gave Me Nightmares.

I was driven to the dark side by you.

The psychological warfare you declared on my soul

was swift, brutal, embracing and total; for that is what you do,

the use of my fears, you coveted and stole.

 

You climbed into my bed and ravaged me late at night,

it is not an accusation, more of a memory of the first line

we shared, and then forever, I have kept you in sight,

even with you missing from the night time, your nightmares became mine.

 

The Man Who Gave Me Nightmares. full post

(159 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

The Voodoo Sheiks, Voodification. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Whilst something borrowed shows a deep sense of adoration to another lover, there is always something very special about having the new rub along with the novel and standing shoulder to shoulder with the fresh and innovative.

Following on from last year’s gracious Borrowed & New, The Voodoo Sheiks’ latest album Voodification not only celebrates the sheer beauty of the continued mix of Blues Rock that the previous album gave out in waves but also the intrigue that the band place before their fans in the new album. It is the dichotomy of the musical soul, the chance to stay lauded where you have previously laid the lyrics and testament of the well placed guitar note or move on, take yet another stride towards a kind of permanent place in the pantheon before them.

The Voodoo Sheiks, Voodification. Album Review. full post

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

Dara O’ Briain, Comedy Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. (2015)

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Some people are just larger than life, some even make life large by pointing out the very small details, the details that are so acutely insane that they deserve to be picked out, shaken and handed to the audience as if they were small chewable nuggets of how to get through a crazy but memorable life.

Dara O’ Briain, Comedy Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. (2015) full post

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

I Want

Surely

there are no two words more dangerous in their combination,

than the pair that leads to the poison that is rank,

stinking jealousy

and the sickly covetousness of the  envious vampire like

drilled with suspicion and unhappy malice fucks.

There are no two greater words to cause such misery

on the shoulders of humanity than I Want.

 

Bitter jealousy and envy, the twin darlings of

the grasping I Want, mewling, mealy mouthed and despite

the odd good intention, such as I Want World Peace,

I Want full post

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

A Place Near Burnley (On The Day That Dara Came To Town)

There is a dwelling of myth and magic

deep in the heart of the British countryside,

a place near Burnley

where Polytunnels do reside.

They are grown in this place near Burnley

in secret, tested by Hamsters and a six foot Guinea Pig,

chased by unicorns and frolicking maidens called Rebecca

and mused over by a comedian whose reputation is big.

The Polytunnel holds many secrets

in the place near Burnley,

a shorter commute for the weary traveller,

closer than Liverpool anyway, surely?

When research is over

A Place Near Burnley (On The Day That Dara Came To Town) full post

(152 words, estimated 36 secs reading time)

Black Diamond, Gig Review. East Village Arts Centre, Liverpool.

Black Diamond, East Vilage Arts Centre, Liverpool. May 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Black Diamond, East Vilage Arts Centre, Liverpool. May 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The one to watch in 2015 has delivered to the point of fanaticism, dispensed with the thought of possibility and served up the righteous at room temperature an allowed to boil well into the night. For Black Diamond this particular gig at the East Village Arts Centre was astonishing, a tour de force of explosive beauty coupled with the heat of derision and the portrayal of band who cannot surely be stopped.

Black Diamond, Gig Review. East Village Arts Centre, Liverpool. full post

(465 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)