Author Archives: admin

Phil Collins, Hello I Must Be Going. 30th Anniversary Retrospective.

Like all the members of the Progressive Rock giants Genesis, Phil Collins had launched his solo career with a certain amount of music acumen and good will bestowed upon them by the group’s followers. By the time Phil released his second solo offering, Hello, I Must Be Going, he was already becoming one of the leading men in 1980’s pop/rock.

Phil’s debut album, the 1981 release of Face Value, had made sure that Phil’s popularity as the Genesis vocalist, a position he took over when Peter Gabriel left the band after the tour for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway album, would see him reach number one at the first attempt. For his follow up album, it would be a case of more of the same with demands from the label, the fans and seemingly from the artist himself.

Phil Collins, Hello I Must Be Going. 30th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(985 words, 1 image, estimated 3:56 mins reading time)

Stone Sour, House of Gold and Bones Part 1. Album Review.

Do you remember where you were when you heard Megadeth’s Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying or Rust in Peace, Sabbat’s Dreamweaver (Reflections of Our Yesterdays) or Skyclad’s Wayward Sons of Mother Earth for the first time? The temptation to add the latest album by Stone Sour, House of Gold and Bones Part 1, to these premium and top rated albums of the genre should not take long, all of the first listen will be enough to confirm that perhaps for the first time the band have created something intrinsically and artistically brilliant.

Stone Sour, House of Gold and Bones Part 1. Album Review. full post

(376 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Madness, Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It can be of hardly any surprise to find that the latest album from the stable of Madness doesn’t match the career defining album The Liberty of Norton Folgate released in 2009. However, this should not stop the loveable rogues of north London continue their 21st century renaissance as one of the best bands to have graced the British charts in the last 40 years.

Madness, Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da. Album Review. full post

(497 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Tori Amos, Scarlett’s Walk. 10th Anniversary Retrospective.

When listening to Tori Amos it almost feels that you are joining her on a spiritual journey in which she alone knows the final destination and she will lead you blindfold past the final signpost whilst holding your heart carefully as she goes. Such is the timeless beauty of Scarlett’s Walk that it easily ranks in the top three studio releases by the enigmatic piano player.

Tori Amos, Scarlett’s Walk. 10th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(1133 words, 1 image, estimated 4:32 mins reading time)

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Rio Matchett.

Rio Matchett. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

One of the joys of being in a city such as Liverpool is the abundance of theatres that cater for all tastes and for all actors wishing to tackle the well-trodden boards and add their names to the list of watched and admired artists.

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Rio Matchett. full post

(1419 words, 1 image, estimated 5:41 mins reading time)

The Wicked Whispers, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

When the Wicked Whispers play their music on stage, the most advisable thing to do is stand back, close your eyes and wallow in the excellent atmosphere and dream of more halcyon days.

One of the most unique bands to have come from the Liverpool area, the Wicked Whispers, have just finished a tour that has taken in London and Newcastle and now the group have come back home to show just exactly why the word is spreading beyond the confines of the home of popular music.

The Wicked Whispers, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(384 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

The Sundowners, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Fiona Skelly, part of The Sundowners. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

If you only remember one thing about 2012, consider this for as long as it takes, that the music of Liverpool has once again become a powerhouse, a powder keg of new bands that have come along and reminded music lovers of the city that there is much talent out there ready to be heard. Add to this the phenomenal and unbelievable aptitude that lies at the heart of The Sundowners.

The Sundowners, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Skyfall, Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory, Ola Rapace, Ben Whishaw.

There will be detractors of Skyfall, there always is and always will be when it comes to the James Bond film series. There will be those that call them archaic, a remnant of an era that no longer exists. They give it disparaging names and in less than polite circles pat themselves on the back for being able to condemn a film for representing certain social stereotypes and they will point to America at leading the way in how these types of films should be presented. Never mind the film, forget everything you have seen on the screen. It is easier to denounce both film and main actor when there is an axe to grinds somewhere.

Skyfall, Film Review. full post

(593 words, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

Black Country Communion, Afterglow. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Black Country Communion, a supergroup so good they had to give the four members a third album just to satisfy the incredible clamour and deluge from their overwhelming number of fans.

The group certainly need no introduction, the music really does speak for itself, self assured, distinctive, mind blowing and with so much depth it practically carves out a 10 foot deep trench with ease; this is what makes Black Country Communion one of the best bands of the last two decades, and they seem to have managed this in less than three years.

Black Country Communion, Afterglow. Album Review. full post

(396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Jonny Walker, This Is Not Me. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is an element of excitement, a shadow of lingering hopefulness that pervades the listener’s expectations when they hear a new artist for the first time. It can go disastrously wrong and the person who has invested their time and money may feel bitter about it for a while and then all things being equal move on to the next hopeful batch. There of course are the moments when an E.P. or an album just grabs them in a very unexpected and simple way, the joy of hearing something new is what makes it all worth-while.

Jonny Walker, This Is Not Me. E.P. Review. full post

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