Author Archives: admin

Canterbury Tales, Theatre Review. L.U.D.S. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool.

Mr. Geraint Williams as Geoffrey Chaucer. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Geraint Williams, Dominic Davies, Daniel Murphy, Shamus Cooke, Alex Webber-Date, Liam Hale, Trixie Roddick, George Parsons, Angela Hehir, Faisel Yousif, Charles Adey, James Rooney, Lewis Smith, Imogen Wignall, Katie Overbury, Jacob Lowman, Madeline Smart, Johnny Campbell, Charlotte Wilson, George Trier, Darren Begley.

Minstrels: Darren Begley, Alex Cottrell, Sarah Peverley, Maeve Sullivan.

Canterbury Tales, Theatre Review. L.U.D.S. Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool. full post

(594 words, 1 image, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

Emily Smith, Gig Review. The Atkinson, Southport.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

No matter how good the venue, no matter how respectable the recording history of the artist, sometimes going out on the road with an album that has generated such good feeling towards it, can seem a little dull when heard live in comparison to the image that the listener has built up in their head.

Emily Smith, Gig Review. The Atkinson, Southport. full post

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

Vedina Mosé, The Soul Remembers Everything. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Vedina Mosé more than lives up to the title she has given her new album, The Soul Remembers Everything. In this case the songs she has produced for this offering are of such an incredible nature, both warm even comforting and yet prickly, taking the conscience of her beloved London and putting it on show for the world to see and offering the glimpse of a life in which the musician clearly has a long memory for every smile, every frown, each and every ill-treatment struck down on her, her family and those in which society has let go in whichever form that may be.

Vedina Mosé, The Soul Remembers Everything. Album Review. full post

(415 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Magnum, Escape From The Shadow Garden. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Can a group go on forever making storming album after album? Eventually time catches up with all, the ticking of the clock counts down and the music stops; sometimes suddenly with no expectation from the fans and sometimes with the gradual decline of a group who knows that time has caught with them but still have the power to charm and beguile.

Magnum, Escape From The Shadow Garden. Album Review. full post

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

Shakira, Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

It is perhaps hard to believe that Columbian superstar Shakira has been performing and writing music for as long as she has. The simple incorruptibility that she wears as if a badge of honour, the tight grip she keeps on her music like a lioness keeping a watchful wary eye on her young; is not for sale, even though many an executive might try their damnedest to flaunt her appeal. Sometimes it works, the odd breakthrough the tough Columbian feminine exterior and on those occasions the music lacks soul but for the most part you can always rely on some good old fashioned pop with the big heavy hint of Latino thrown in for good measure.

Shakira, Album Review. full post

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

I’m Happy Here (Honest), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It is said that somewhere between joy and despair lies happiness; perhaps acceptance would be better because happiness is surely attained when you have watched someone almost take themselves the absolute limit, perform something astonishing and see them smile at the end, that surely is the meaning of happiness; the moment in which you have seen someone achieve something great and powerful.

I’m Happy Here (Honest), Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(368 words, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Nine Times Blue, Matter Of Time. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is craftsmanship and there is skill in the artistry, the look of appreciation from the passer by as they suddenly stop and take in the wonder that has unfolded before them. For Nine Times Blue, their new record Matter of Time is the type of E.P., although at six songs it really is not far off album length and equals it in its great depth, that grabs the attention of those passers-by. It turns them into life-long fans, the splendour of power pop wrapped cunningly in the arms of the melodious rock tune and across seven songs the beat gets more interesting, more attractive until suddenly you see the Vincent Van Gogh before your eyes.

Nine Times Blue, Matter Of Time. E.P. Review. full post

(415 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Anette Olzon, Shine. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

From out of the embers of past regrets and former glories, comes a gleaming light that steers far from the edge of patina and brings back one of the great voices of Symphonic Metal, the illustrious Anette Olzon and her debut solo album Shine.

Shine it does as well and despite moments in which she may have seriously doubted herself after having to leave Finnish Metal stars Nightwish, any such fears and trepidation, the twinkle in the eye and the lustre in her voice are still very much essential in framing the type of music that many have come to expect from Ms. Olzon.

Anette Olzon, Shine. Album Review. full post

(356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

The Alarm, Declaration (2014). Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The art of re-imagining, of taking something so pure and sometimes corrupting it just to suit your own ideal of perfection is one the most part an art to avoid, it never captures the spirit for which it is intended and can lead to frustration in many fans eyes.

Like Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes, it can be ridiculed and derided and whilst thankfully the new stories, effectively prequels in their own right can help get over the scorn in the public gaze, the image is still there forever imprinted into the retina.

The Alarm, Declaration (2014). Album Review. full post

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

Space, Attack Of The Mutant 50ft Kebab. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The hunger never really stopped. Despite leaving the main music arena for new bands to enter the fray, to take on the semi goliaths that the 1990s offered, Tommy Scott and Franny Griffiths kept checking out the view from the side of the cinema screen and took in the odd tour with new cohorts and sublime musicians, Phil Hartley, Ryan Clarke and Alan Jones. Now, they have finally decided enough is enough, the epic nature and humour that Space provide the nation as a studio outfit has finally and thankfully returned with their album Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab.

Space, Attack Of The Mutant 50ft Kebab. Album Review. full post

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