Author Archives: admin

Western Sands, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

It may always come as a slight surprise that some people are quite willing to part with hard earned cash for a gig and then proceed to miss at least half of it. Of course there is work; that cannot be helped, it is part and parcel of being in the kind of society that we are. Then there may be child care issues to consider. However that surely still leaves a fair percentage, a sizeable chunk of a gig going audience who only ever turn up for the main act and perhaps don’t even want to take the chance on something new. For those that made their way to the o2 Academy in Liverpool in good time to see Western Sands and The Dead Daisies, there was a feeling of overwhelming nodding approval in what they saw.

Western Sands, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

Ripper Street: A Stronger Loving World. Television Review. B.B.C.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Matthew Macfadyen, Jerome Flynn, Adam Rothenberg, Gillian Sakar, Charlene McKenna, Paul Kaye, MyAnna Buring, Gina Bellman, Justin Avoth, Chris Patrick Simpson, David Wilmot, David Dawson, Damien Molony, Kirsty Oswald, Callum Turner, Liam Burke, Gwynne McElveen.

The writers of Ripper Street have never been afraid to head down the path afforded the rich history of Whitechapel for its inspiration. Whether it is the world of male prostitution, the salaciousness of Molly Houses, the rights of women, the Irish question or the straight poison that stalked the streets of the East End in 1888, there is not a moment in that dark history of Whitechapel that isn’t worth exploring.

Ripper Street: A Stronger Loving World. Television Review. B.B.C. full post

(601 words, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)

Nebraska, Film Review. F.A.C.T Cinema, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, Bob Odenkirk, Mary Louise Wilson, Missy Doty, Angela McEwan, Rance Howard, Devin Ratray, Roger Stuckwisch, Tim Driscoll, Glendora Stitt, Elizabeth Moore, Kevin Kunkel, Dennis McCoig, Ronald Vosta, John Reynolds, Jeffrey Yosten, Neal Freudenburg, Eula Freudenburg, Ray Stevens, Lois Nemec, Francisco Mendez, Jose Munoz, Catherine Rae Schutz, Terry Lotrous, Dennis McCave.

If the latter part of 2013 has anything to show for it then the quality of films that have come out in the last six months have been exemplary. None so less as the Alexander Payne film Nebraska.

Nebraska, Film Review. F.A.C.T Cinema, Liverpool. full post

(616 words, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

A St. Malo Serenade

The sun set over the busy St. Malo street

allowing the shadows

of the dead time

to capture the memories of all who walked along the

cobbled pavements and to make the

 haze of

childhood recollection seem infertile and bitterly cold.

The group of English, the ragtag of German, the abundance of French

badly spoken questions, bitter rivalries without the understanding

or the compassion needed to be better than they were.

The shouts and hails from vendors, a bull whip on offer,

money parted his wallet, fawned over by

A St. Malo Serenade full post

(568 words, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

Also Eden, Redacted. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

There is nothing like an album to remind you of many truths that you may hold dear in your short life. When the subtle combination of music and lyrical splendour is able to shake the lethargy that had been creeping in to your existence, of perhaps even a first love, then you know that truth you had held onto for so long and with a vice like grip is absolutely right.

Also Eden, Redacted. Album Review. full post

(400 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Nina Ferro, Into The Light. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is no doubting the honest sincerity and vocal intensity that Nina Ferro gives in her latest album Into the Light. The heartfelt plea, the authenticity that surrounds the vocals supplied by a selection of musicians who seem to have fallen completely under the spell of the quite remarkable vocals and play as if that spell will never be broken is more than enough to make sure that this album is regarded with high esteem amongst jazz, rhythm and blues enthusiasts.

Nina Ferro, Into The Light. Album Review. full post

(369 words, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Pool (No Water), Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Dominic Davies, Jacob Lowman, Iona Campbell, Madeline Smart, Charlotte Parson, Bryony Holloway.

It can be argued that it takes immense courage or character of spirit to take on the writing of Mark Ravenhill, especially his play Pool (No Water) which speaks volumes of how art and artists are a breed that need constant nurturing. The work though  leaves so much to the interpretation of the brave director who has made it their life’s mission to try and go through the entangled genius and come up with something that tears at the mind and catches the emotions of the audience at their peak.

Pool (No Water), Theatre Review. Stanley Theatre, University of Liverpool. full post

(504 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Barry Briercliffe, Life On Repeat. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It is almost criminal, worthy of the full weight of the law being thrown against you, to let such an exciting musician such as Liverpool’s Barry Briercliffe to go so long without releasing an abundance of music that not only sounds terrific but also captures the rich goodness of the man and his guitar.

Barry Briercliffe, Life On Repeat. Album Review. full post

(453 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

The Christians, Speed Of Life. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Heaven forbid the day when there is too much great music being produced that you find you cannot keep up with it all. Making time for an album should be savoured, it should want to be played at the right moment, not when fashion dictates. In that moment occasionally a beautiful album may slip through the net, not because you have forgotten but because the time never felt quite right in which to slip into the words of someone so talented a song writer.

The Christians, Speed Of Life. Album Review. full post

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

The Hitchhikers Guide To Fazakerley, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Lynne Francis, Lindzi Germain, Jack Rigby, Angela Simms, Michael Starke, Charlotte Dalton, Stephanie Miles, Emily Trebicki.

Every science fiction story needs a hero, a man willing to put his life on the line in order to save the world and by doing so redeem his soul, a man who handles himself with courage, moral fortitude, bravery in the face of oppression…and a Tardis inspired wheelie Bin.  It’s the festive season but not as we know it.

The Hitchhikers Guide To Fazakerley, Theatre Review. Royal Court, Liverpool. full post

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