Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
One of the signs of a band having something about them, the spark of creativity that will stand them in good stead in years to come, is being able to perform at the drop of a hat and surprise an audience by being an unlisted addition; it is how you conduct yourself as a group at the very beginning that sets the seal on how you will be seen later on in your career.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Richard Herring is comedian whose look on life and complete honesty in his view and comedy may upset a small selection of the public but the man certainly knows how to make people laugh and judging by the cross section of society in the Epstein Theatre, he pretty much knows that Liverpool people understand him and love what he says.
The thought of the last taboo of British comedy may not be for everyone. His talented interested and intellectual approach to the thoughts of what make men and their best friend tick in his sell out show Talking C**k bordered upon the insanely genius and entertainingly superb.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Paul Straws might not be a name that the vast majority of music listeners in Liverpool and the surrounding area are aware of just yet but with his impish grin and delectable guitar playing, it won’t be too long before the music lovers of the city catch him somewhere.
Coming on stage at Leaf can be pretty daunting. It’s not a large area for sure but its close knit proximity to the audience means that there is nowhere to hide for someone who is anyway self-conscious or worse self-absorbed.
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.
Kevin Rowland at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally Published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
When the band formally known as Dexy’s Midnight Runners announced there was finally going to be a new album for their fans to listen to and digest song by song, few would have guessed what was coming. Many may have hoped for the type of music that made the band one of the most talked about and iconic of the early 1980’s. What they got was something beyond their wildest dreams and Dexy’s, as they now are, were reborn.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 22nd 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
A night of two halves joined by a very talented individual thread, that is the key behind Nik Kershaw’s fantastic night at the Liverpool o2 Academy show,. It was a night where both performer and audience reminisced in the depths of music and came up with a set list that defied time and made the most of some of the excellent new songs from his latest album.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 21st 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
No doubt Leaf on Bold Street will host many important night in the years to come, the space above the busy tea drinking den lends itself superbly to the music that has been performed there since it opened. However, the launch of Liverpool musician Alan O’ Hare and string virtuoso, Laura McKinlay’s latest project, the magnificent Only Child and their eponymous debut E.P. will take some beating.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 21st 2012.
Dave O’Grady has had a busy year already in music terms and by being one of the support acts for Only Child’s E.P. launch at Leaf on Bold Street he managed to inspire and show a new audience what exactly the fuss is about his playing ability and incredible charm.
On stage he weaves a musical composition as if he were Faustus or the Pied Piper of Hamelin playing his music for his loyal followers, it is quite an astonishing feat for example to turn The Beastie Boys hit (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party), possibly one of the most iconic songs of the 1980’s and symbolic of American youth disaffection, into something rather beautiful and laconic.
Originally published in Music News.Com. September 15th 2012.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 16th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ***
Every band has to start somewhere; it is a basic fact of live music and of life and some don’t, for whatever reason, make it in the end. However, sometimes the hint of promise is there from the start and even if there is a long way to go before the inevitable success; these are moments when the band first performs that makes it all worthwhile.