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Jenny Strand, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

In recent years Norway has given so much to Liverpool’s present musical heritage that it is almost becoming a true tradition to be able to walk into any venue in the wider city and hear the flowing tones of the Nordic ability for storytelling transformed into epic song played, and fully appreciated.

It is the long standing convention that people of Scandinavia have their culture and their physical geography to thank for that, like Britain, of Europe but not immersed fully into the characteristics of their land locked neighbours further south or the mysterious tales that come from Mediterranean culture. With the addition of Jenny Strand to that heritage, the future has yet more reason to be hopeful.

Jenny Strand, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool. full post

(434 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

The Hazel Empire, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

A certain combined wisdom can come together when like-minded people are in sync, inspiration can strike and the effect is not only tangible but far-reaching.

For The Hazel Empire, inspiration and wisdom go hand in hand with musical enjoyment and like all flourishing Empires, the seeds of knowledge cast their net wide and more people find themselves drawn to the apparent mysticism contained within.

The Hazel Empire, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool. full post

(361 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Nadjia, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Truer words are rarely spoken at any gig. The visiting band might say at some point how much they love a particular town or city, they might perhaps, and with great sincerity attached to their name, say that the audience has been the best on the tour, after all one gig in arguably ten is going to be right. However, when Nadjia sings inside the Parr Street’s Studio 2 about Time not being a creature to be tamed, the truth of existence is placed naked before the world, that the time between the tick and tock might be kind, it might treat you well, but it will still ravage your very soul in the end.

Nadjia, Gig Review. Strings And Things, Studio 2, Liverpool. full post

(539 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

The Senseless Death Of Another Fallen Umbrella.

We are gathered here today

to mourn the passing of yet another fallen hero

selfishly abandoned on Britain’s streets.

The carcass of the picked open raven coloured cover

that provides, at best mediocre shelter, but to whom so many

of us gathered round the pavement of our beloved city,

a natural habitat and environment for it to flourish

and thrive in,

are thankful to be seen with, to use as a weapon

as we hold it far too low and are able to pluck the eyes

The Senseless Death Of Another Fallen Umbrella. full post

(253 words, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

Steve Thompson & The Incidents, Rainbows & Arrows. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Arguably there was a period of time when very little mattered music wise to some, the odd breakthrough artist such as Tori Amos, for some the battle for the so called soul of Brit-Pop between Oasis and Blur, a battle that seemed dog-eared and tired when compared to listening to the lyrical genius that lay in the words provided by Jarvis Cocker and Pulp and in others it seemed like the bland had taken over the musical asylum. The only way forward for some music lovers was to search beyond the offerings or to head back into safer waters and listen to what had come before.

Steve Thompson & The Incidents, Rainbows & Arrows. Album Review. full post

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

Nicola Hardman, Little Fish. Single Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Every good song needs a hook in which to draw the listener in with. Some have them placed so discreetly that it might not be until a couple of days later as you find yourself working in the garden or preparing a late night supper that the hook becomes apparent. Others have you at the very start, they tingle with energy, they are demanding in their instant appeal and have something so catchy about them that you cannot help but listen to them.

Nicola Hardman, Little Fish. Single Review. full post

(361 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Anthony Proctor.

The British Pantomime it seems is not just for Christmas, it is possible to have this truly British theatrical institution played all year round, or at least at seminal moments in the yearly calendar at least. In recent years the theatre night in which the whole family can enjoy has taken on greater resonance, especially over the Easter or spring bank holidays.

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Anthony Proctor. full post

(2009 words, estimated 8:02 mins reading time)

The Clown That Sang Such Sweet Songs.

The memories have come thick and fast in the past seven days.

A myriad of colours, sepia toned and black and white

finish, all once perfected

with the laminated breath of a forgotten set of gods winking

their approval and non conformist heads

and now shattered, a grieving taking place as I find

my once perfect clown breathing in the cold heart of

electrical impulses, the bed of nails too hard to ignore.

 

This Clown took me through every lined connection and sweet serenade of song

The Clown That Sang Such Sweet Songs. full post

(267 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)

Woman In Gold, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Katie Holmes, Tatiana Maslany, Max Irons, Charles Dance, Elizabeth McGovern, Antje Traue, Daniel Brühl, Neve Gachev, Frances Fisher, Jonathan Pryce, Tom Schilling, Moritz Bleibtreu, Anthony Howell, Moritz Bleibtreu, Allan Corduner, Henry Goodman, Nina Kunzendorf, Alma Hasun, Justus Von Dohanyi, Kudger Pistor, Ben Miles, Rolf Saxon.

Woman In Gold, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(624 words, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)

Force Majeure, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Vincent Wettergren, Kristofer Hivju, Fanni Metelius, Karin Myrenberg, Brady Corbet, Johannes Moustos, Jorge Lattof, Adrian Heinisch, Michael Breitenberger, Karl Pincon, Julie Roumogoux, Peter Gaunt.

Nature is a force so incomprehensible that its overwhelming tsunami like effect it has on the soul is to be seen as complex and extraordinary. Like an avalanche travelling at a hundred miles an hour and aiming straight at you, the only thing to do is either run from it, or stare it down, come Hell or high water, your choice is how it will be seen to define you.

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

(496 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)