Paul McCartney, Kisses On The Bottom. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 7th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

There’s nothing quite like a forgotten old gem to make you sit and take notice. When you tag that onto the Liverpool legend giving a new life to the tune, your perspective suddenly changes.  You can end up digging through other timeless and wonderful songs that have sadly been neglected by a society that has moved on and away from its own soul. This is the result of Paul McCartney and the new take of old songs in Kisses on the Bottom.

Paul McCartney, Kisses On The Bottom. Album Review. full post

(457 words, 1 image, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

Big Country, The Crossing. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 7th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

Looking back at an album’s life can be unnerving. It reminds you of where you and what you were doing when you became conscious of the first notes of a debut record by a new and extraordinary fresh band. The time on the albums credits are indication to the passing of your own life, the mortality that’s attached to your love of the record. You treasured the time together, you poured out your own soul and fears whilst listening to the poetry and distinctive music of someone else.

Big Country, The Crossing. 30th Anniversary Edition. Album Review. full post

(614 words, 1 image, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

The Lightning Seeds, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Picture Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S.Media. February 12th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

There can be no better sight than of a much loved band coming back to their home, to where they belong and giving such an astounding performance that it blows everything out of the water. Ian Broudie may be understated and private but there is no doubting his ability, his dedication to Liverpool and some of the best music to have dominated the musical airwaves for the best part of five decades.

The Lightning Seeds, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(520 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Interview With Barry Briercliffe, Cancer Research Charity, Music Night at Parr Street.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 13th 2012.

Parr Street Studios will host a very special evening in aid of Cancer Research on Monday 27thFebruary. Presided over by Liverpool musician Barry Briercliffe, the night will be a celebration of good music with a couple of extra special guests thrown into the mix that will just one of those nights in Liverpool that in all honesty, you have to be at!

It is fitting that Barry should host this night at Parr Street, with a new album coming out soon, Barry has long been one of the musicians that Liverpool loves, in that he always gives back to the city just as much as he gets out of it.

Interview With Barry Briercliffe, Cancer Research Charity, Music Night at Parr Street. full post

(1015 words, 1 image, estimated 4:04 mins reading time)

Wicked Whispers, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

photo by chester rocks.com

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 16th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ****

It must be one of the hardest things to do in the music business; it’s up there with deciding whether or not a young up-coming band is going to break through and be the success that you hope they can be. To open up for a long established band with incredible pedigree and a lot of love constantly being showered their way from fans up and down the country could decimate and partially destroy some fledgling groups.

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

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

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh.

Steve Hackett at The Queen’s Hall. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 20th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

The title says it all, Steve Hackett at the Queen’s Hall. In a word, sensational!

Steve Hackett’s career is long, his output prestigious and he remains one of the finest guitarists to have ever come from these shores and even 41 years after Genesis released the eponymous album Nursery Cryme, he still has the power to pull in an audience some newer, more young and fresh faced bands will only ever dream of attaining. Fans may come and go but talent and dedication are binding.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. full post

(538 words, 1 image, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

Midge Ure, Gig Review. The Jam House, Edinburgh.

Midge Ure at The Jam House. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 20th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Ignore those who say with a surprised conviction in their voice, “Really, Midge Ure? Why hasn’t he retired yet?”  For what’s the point in retirement from something you enjoy doing and the love you feel in return from fans that not only have followed your long and satisfying career from the start but also the amount of new, younger fans that were in abundance at The Jam House in Edinburgh.

Midge Ure, Gig Review. The Jam House, Edinburgh. full post

(462 words, 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls. Gig Review. Rodewold Suite, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Erica Nockalls and Miles Hunt. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media.February 23rd 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls never seem to stand still and rest on their impressive laurels. These two imposing musical stars have been on a journey, plying their trade up and down the country and to far flung corners for longer than some can remember.

Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls. Gig Review. Rodewold Suite, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(423 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Altered Images, Gig Review. Eric’s, Mathew Street. Liverpool

Clare Grogan at Eric’s Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

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

L.S. Media Rating ****

Don’t let the years that have passed since Clare Grogan first burst onto the scene as a happy and vivacious girl fool you. With the new version of Altered Images on stage awaiting Clare’s arrival, the patient and certainly excited crowd were greeted by the vision of Ms. Grogan dressed immaculately in a Greek style flowing dress weaving between members of the audience, saying hello and making certain hearts flutter as she passed by.

Altered Images, Gig Review. Eric’s, Mathew Street. Liverpool full post

(551 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

Doctor Who, The Fourth Wall. Big Finish 157 Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 6th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating * * * *

Cast: Colin Baker, Lisa Greenwood, Julian Wadham, Yasmin Bannerman, Hywel Morgan, Martin Hutson, Tilly Gaunt, Kim Wall, Henry Devas.

There is always talk of when an actor breaks the “fourth wall”, that twilight line between perceived reality of the stage and the moment when the audience is drawn in and spoken to in such a way that they are no longer interested voyeurs taking in the action, they are part and parcel of the storyline. They are the 12th man on the pitch, the Banquo at the Banquet and they are involved, sometimes up to their necks.

Doctor Who, The Fourth Wall. Big Finish 157 Review. full post

(629 words, estimated 2:31 mins reading time)