The Stranglers are arguably one of the finest bands to have come out Britain. The four men in black boast a huge dedicated following that turn up in their droves to gigs in this country and abroad and with albums and singles that have sold beyond measure. However even the most dedicated of Stranglers fans must have been surprised the direction the seventh studio album, Feline, took when released in the New Year of 1983.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
There surely shouldn’t be that many people who have not at one point walked between the pages of a Ben Elton novel and been enraptured by the ease in which the writing flows and captivates. From 1989s debut Stark to his new release Two Brothers his books have ridiculed the ridiculous, poured scorn on those worthy and all the time delivered some great books in the process.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Coleen Nolan, Liz McClarnon, Pete Price, Pauline Daniels, Billy Boyle, Shaun Mason, Kieran Jae, Edward Griffith.
The Empire Theatre always has the reputation of hosting the most sumptuous and glistering pantomime productions and this year has been no exception as the cast for Cinderella provided a fantastic evening’s entertainment for the assembled audience.
She sees the unwavering smile I throw her every day.
She smiles back but not with favour
I desire from her, I have toiled till I can no longer labour.
Her hands, warm, empty, not touching the potters clay
That is there ready to be moulded
Shaped, pleasingly with but a moments desire,
That would keep a flight Daedalus’s flyer.
I remain untouched, virgin paper, unfolded.
Kiss Me! I dare thee!
Hold me once during my summer days,
Passion is desired, needed, thrill me.
Let me lie in the arms of She
The wreck of a love lies unloved in my Mechanics bay,
The wheels, rimless, scuffed are at it’s best, its nicest feature.
The Mechanic sees nothing of value in this once sentimental creature.
A bygone relic who wishes it could express in any way,
What it was once capable of doing through its younger years,
Long rides in the country, a joy to move the gears into place.
Hear them grind perfectly in tune with its engine, the thrill of the chase,
Now stuck at the back of the workshop, brooding, dying, full of fears.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
David Garside seems to have always ploughed his own furrow when it comes to making and performing music, however he certainly follows in the footsteps of some of the great and musically innovative musicians that have hailed from the realms of Birmingham. In his latest album, the appealing and beguiling End Of The Pier, the emotion and haunting nature of David’s love of his favourite music and determination to stretch his and the audience’s attention have made for a sound that grabs the listener.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
As debut albums go, Norman Kelsey’s unveiling as a solo star was nothing short of excellent. A Talent For Loving takes the young man on a ride that is heavily influenced by the sounds of Prince, soul masterpieces and the best that pop can inspire, a disparate range of emotions and one of the sweetest voices captured on disc.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Alexander Siddig, Nadim Sawalha, Malcolm Tierney, Teddy Kemper, Kim Ismay, Debbie Leigh-Simmons, Christopher Luscombe, Oliver Coopersmith.
1001 nights, a little under three years, and in the realm of Doctor Who, a wonderful twist on an old story and the basis of may tales. The thing is with the Doctor, no matter the incarnation, there are a lot of tales to tell about the wandering detective, the man who makes things better. So many stories that can be woven into the fabric of the Big Finish stories that sometimes one writer is not enough, nor it seems is one tale per C.D. release.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Lisa Symonds, Jason Carragher, Hannah Ruth Cooke, Jamie Stuart, Sam Liu, Douglas Austin, Jessica Olwyn, Justine Williams, Lauren Naylor, Laura Ryan.
The Lantern Theatre may have only just celebrated its first birthday but what an end to the 2012 season with their showcasing Purplecoat Productions of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Tommy Scott at the 02 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
If you are after a spectacular party to round off a fantastic year of music in Liverpool then you should look no further than the city’s own band, Space. The personnel may have changed since the heady days of the 1990’s but there is no doubting the essential and unique brand of cool that Tommy Scott, Franny Griffiths, Allan Jones, Phil Hartley and Ryan Clarke bring to the stage for the audience to have some serious fun too.