Author Archives: admin

Heart, Fanatic. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating ****

Two years after Heart brought out Red Velvet Car, Ann and Nancy Wilson have once again teamed up with Ben Mink and come up with an album of distinction. For those that only remember Heart as producing hard rock ballads during the 1980’s and know nothing of their early albums such as Little Queen or Dreamboat Annie, before you listen to Fanatic, check out the early recordings, see how rich and full Ann Wilson’s voice was and then compare. For as Red Velvet Car showed, the two sisters are back and sounding as good as they did before they sold out to the 80’s corporate mainstream.

Heart, Fanatic. Album Review. full post

(387 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

The Illegal Eagles, Gig Review. The Liverpool Empire Theatre.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 30th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Eagles may soar high but only really sadly tour seemingly sporadically now and despite finally coming together to produce one of the most acclaimed albums of 2007 in Long Road Out Of Eden, it   really doesn’t look as if it is going to be an ongoing concern for the band. Thankfully then for fans of the American band, The Illegal Eagles always seem to step up to the plate and deliver a set worthy of the illustrious band.

The Illegal Eagles, Gig Review. The Liverpool Empire Theatre. full post

(498 words, 1 image, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Theatre Review. The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

Fine Time Fontayne and Neil Gore at The Lantern Theatre. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 29th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Neil Gore, Fine Time Fontayne.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell should be considered one of the most important books of the last 100 years, no matter what your background is. First published in 1914, it shocked then as it still has the power to do so now. The adaptations for the stage have been equally well received and especially in Liverpool where in 2010 Howard Brenton’s adaptation and starring Finbar Lynch, brought the house down.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Theatre Review. The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(414 words, 1 image, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Killing Them Softly. Film Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 28th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Cast: Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Sam Shepherd, Slaine, Bella Heathcote, Vincent Curatola, Linara Washington, Garratt Dilahunt.

A film that relies heavily on the use of violence, spectacular cinematography and a look at how the mob can be seen as still effectively running the United States of America 50 years after President Kennedy tried to destroy it.  That it is in a sense the idea behind the new Brad Pitt film Killing Them Softly.

Killing Them Softly. Film Review. full post

(427 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

The Boomtown Rats, The Boomtown Rats. 35th Anniversary Retrospective.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 27th 2012.

The history of the Punk movement would not be complete without the influence of the bands that came from across the Irish Sea, took Great Britain by storm and who in one way or another become heroes to a generation that transcended politics and religion and yet who left their own indelible mark on the national conscious in the late 1970’s and early 10980’s.

The Boomtown Rats, The Boomtown Rats. 35th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(1111 words, 1 image, estimated 4:27 mins reading time)

Magnum, On The Thirteenth Day. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

On The Thirteenth Day…Magnum was created to rock the socks off die-hard rock and Progressive fans alike.

The new album from the legendary Midlands band follows a trend of superb albums by the group since they reformed in 2001 after a few years away and on various other projects. From 2004’s Brand New Mourning onwards, Magnum have notched up four excellent albums on the bounce and now On The Thirteenth Day joins that run of success and firmly establishes once and for all that Magnum should be seen as one of the best British Rock bands of all time.

Magnum, On The Thirteenth Day. Album Review. full post

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

Deacon Blue, The Hipsters. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.

L.S.Media Rating ****

When Raintown was released 25 years ago Deacon Blue strode aloft the pop world and made sure that the finality of the 1980’s British music lovers had another band that would be remembered fondly and for good reason. Now 25 years later and ten years elapsing since their last studio album, Deacon Blue have returned with all guns blazing and produced a record of incredible quality befitting the past and yet sounding new and exciting.

Deacon Blue, The Hipsters. Album Review. full post

(362 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Paul Carrack, Good Feeling. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Paul Carrack’s latest offering is quite simply one to savour. Good Feeling is not only the name of this excellent album but also the mood it generates as the various pieces of music drift over you is akin to the very best waking dreams and nights in front of a roaring and comforting fire.

Paul Carrack, Good Feeling. Album Review. full post

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

No Doubt, Push And Shove. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.

L.S.Media Rating *****

Gwen Stefani is back where she really belongs, back behind the microphone of one of the most original bands to come out of America in the last 20 years and seemingly having fun again with her three No Doubt male members.

No Doubt, Push And Shove. Album Review. full post

(452 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Steve Harris, British Lion. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 26th 2012.

L.S. Media rating ***

British Lion, two words that pretty much sum up Iron Maiden’s founder member and bass player Steve Harris. The writer of a plethora of songs from the British heavy kings has cemented Steve Harris as one of the godfathers of Heavy Metal and quite rightly so.

Now 22 years after his Iron Maiden band mate Bruce Dickinson released his debut album Tattooed Millionaire, Steve Harris has joined forces with Richard Taylor, David Hawkins, Grahame Leslie and Simon Dawson to produce an album that, might not roar like the beast it is represented by but also certainly doesn’t mew like a frightened kitten.

Steve Harris, British Lion. Album Review. full post

(388 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)