Category Archives: Live

Ste Neildsy, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

In another time Ste Neildsy would have been arguably suited to the role bestowed upon him of a Liverpool Johnny Cash spliced ingeniously with the musical gene of Jeff Lynne, such his stance, his gaze, his whole rock solid demeanour of spirit and perceptive and often more lyrical praise. Whilst there may be no gruffness, no dedicated man in black naturally pounding at the establishment door and gaining access to a world he cares little for; instead what you find with Neildsy is the creative back hander which thrills both the senses and puts a smile readily on the face.

Ste Neildsy, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

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

Alan Triggs, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The very model of the unruffled and serenely played, summer days in the sunshine, gently wafting at a short sighted errant bee that might mistake your patterned shirt for a previously untapped exotic flower, your family beside you on the grass and the smells of the frying burger rampaging across the once regimented grass of the local bowling green. For days like this in Bootle, where for too long the stress of being ignored by Government has played on the mind of the local community, it could only be the appearance of the superb Alan Triggs that would weave such a spell of undisturbed composure in the air.

Alan Triggs, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

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

Billy Kelly, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

It always remains a constant surprise to see just how much a person can fit into their lives that they take the day on with such a broad grin and with a fist clenched ready to fight back just in case Time should get other ideas, such people, such souls can only be admired.

Billy Kelly, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

(418 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

The Huyton Minstrel, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are certain people in this world to which respect is not just an idea mooted, it is given whole-heartedly and without hesitation. Whilst every person you bump into, rub along alongside or have the chance to listen to should be valued, for at least it takes the time for them to open their mouth and their opinions tumble out like a sack of sick cats all pus eyed and fleshed out fur, or in the case of The Huyton Minstrel, ringing velvet truth from a life of keen observation and seeing the misery heaped upon certain members of society in the chase for social injustice, respect is due to people and artists such as the man behind the minstrel stare; Carl Allan.

The Huyton Minstrel, Gig Review. Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

(432 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

Maddie, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It’s almost a hundred years since the London tabloid press used the phrase The bright young things to describe a group of bohemian socialites, ravaged perhaps by the decade’s greed and eventual bust which dominated the inter-war years. Looking back at that time it is hard to express sympathy for them, as it is difficult to acknowledge any empathy or kindness to another so called bubble of enlightenment and entitlement, the bankers and the money makers who, arguably, act nothing more than spoiled pirates.

Maddie, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

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

Daisy Gill, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

One of the more disturbing aspects of life is in the way that many will seek to have some power over the individual, practised under the banner of the well meaning but socially supremacy or showing dominance over thought, of suggesting that a person has to be like everybody else in order to get along. The phrase, wouldn’t you be happier if you dressed like us, acted like us, become one of us, is one born out of such double standards, one in which society expects the norm to adhered too, even in perhaps the most tolerant and so called accepting times.

Daisy Gill, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

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

Sam Lyon, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating

The eternal triangle, a day of music wherever you looked, Skeleton Coast on the other side of the river, Love and Glory just a couple of miles up the road in Liverpool and making up this unusual feast of music mayhem and August summer vibes, in a part of Merseyside that often gets overlooked by Government and to the despair of its residents, the Party in the Park; Bootle’s mighty answer, its generous wave and beautiful setting appeal, of an afternoon of culture and holding a neighbour close, was kicked off in fine style by Sam Lyon.

Sam Lyon, Gig Review. The Party In The Park, Bootle. full post

(475 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Ian Prowse, Gig Review. Music Rooms, Philharmonic Hall. Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Ian Prowse at the Music Rooms, Liverpool. July 2017. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

High summer and the thought of many moments turn, the dog days of August are imminent, festival season sees the passion of music burning brightly in many a foreign field and all seems warm, all is O.K. with the world; yet the clock and the shadows have already turned, the gap between Summer’s praise and Winter’s embrace is noticeable and alluring and it turns the gig goer’s mind to the pleasure of the indoor gig and the intimacy it provides.

Ian Prowse, Gig Review. Music Rooms, Philharmonic Hall. Liverpool. full post

(531 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

Brian Wilson, Gig Review. Exhibition Centre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Brian Wilson taking the applause in Liverpool, 2017. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

History is not only made by the first appearance, but it is also in the final moment in which the observer knows in their heart they might never see such beauty, the monumental or the heart beat again. History is not a private club for the winning of a trophy, the essays of children getting too grips with world events, the worry of elections or the spin of the dice which dictates a person’s collision with the aftermath of the historic; sometimes it just boils down to the fact that a certain song, a writer’s love and passion will never be heard in the same way by a crowd in a city again.

Brian Wilson, Gig Review. Exhibition Centre, Liverpool. full post

(641 words, 1 image, estimated 2:34 mins reading time)

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Gig Review. Parr Hall, Warrington.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The Rebel takes on many personas, many different guises and faces, it is the light that causes others to follow, it is the darkness in which the cause stands alone; the Rebel, the loner, the guiding spirit with the different outlook on life and who isn’t afraid to smile at the situation or take it on with a gentle sneer, the cold dagger eyes turning on a sixpence to the warmth of the embrace by the ones who know all the words and to whom the presence of the Rebel means the world.

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Gig Review. Parr Hall, Warrington. full post

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