Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft. Graphic Novel Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Welcome to Lovecraft; welcome to the world of Joe Hill but whatever you find it might be better to keep it under Locke & Key.

Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft was the opening graphic novel by the writer Joe Hill and top rated artist Gabriel Rodriguez and as graphic novels go it is sensational. A story of incredible depth but with the added bonus of some of the most interesting comic art to ever see the light of day that its only peers in the last twenty years would be arguably Watchmen and the Sin City series, certainly when it comes to independent graphic novels.

Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft. Graphic Novel Review. full post

(601 words, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)

The Grid, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: James Bibby, Esta Bickerstaff, Catherine Brown, Georgina Cummings, Philipa Gaskell, Lucy Harris, Heidi Henders, David Jackson, Gus Kearns, Chloe Nall-Smith, Emily Rainbow, Keeley Ray, Anthony Roberts, Grace Sandison, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, Whitney Suku, Kieran Urquhart, Matthew Woods, Nick Crosby, Tiegan Byrne, Caitlin Carey, Cortney Carey, Poppy Hughes, Kate Keeton, Niamh McCarthy, James O’ Neill, Mark Powell, Darren Pritchard, Jamie Pye, Paislie Ried, Joe Roberts, Nathan Russell, Harry Sargent, Kaila Sharples, Daryl Wafer, Nadia Anim Mohammad Noor, Rachel Barry, Lewis Bray, Jennifer Briggs, Daniel Fitzgerald, Tom Harrington, Tammy Holland, Sean Hyland, Nina Levy, Scott Lewis, Hannah McGowan, Kathryn McGurk, Spencer Montague, Joe Ringwood, Jenny Stock, Jonathan Taylor, Theo Thompson, Tommy Williams, Curtis Wilson.

The Grid, Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(567 words, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

Mike McCartney, Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll ( I Wish). An Evening With Mike McCartney. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

When anybody with the authority of Mike McGear McCartney, celebrated photographer, part of the great Liverpool band The Scaffold and ambassador of many things to do with the city, comes back home and offers the chance to hear him give a talk on his life, it is not just a night out, it is a chance to live through history.

Mike McCartney, Sex, Drugs and Rock N Roll ( I Wish). An Evening With Mike McCartney. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(490 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Aquaman: The Others. Graphic Novel Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Aquaman may well have been the poor relation for many years in terms of superheroes from the big two mainstream makers of comic books and graphic novels but in terms of modern story-telling, the fight against injustice actually going hand in hand with environmental concerns, it really has opened many fans eyes to the possibilities that was afforded to Arthur Curry due to the huge re-boot by D.C. Comics in the New 52 series.

Aquaman: The Others. Graphic Novel Review. full post

(594 words, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

Rita Payne, Stories From a Suitcase. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Everybody has luggage, some more than most; however it is what you do with it that can define you. The belongings that you carted round with you ten years ago is not the same as you carry round today. The bags may be heavier, that could contain less you imagine when you learn to shed some of the skin that surrounds it and occasionally, just occasionally you might misplace one and let the label fall of and flutter away like a winter bird returning to more northern climes. Regardless of how much luggage you carry, the Stories From a Suitcase will always be there to remind you how far you have travelled.

Rita Payne, Stories From a Suitcase. Album Review. full post

(408 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Nick Magnus, N’Monix. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Occasionally it’s possible to see greatness flow from one human being to another, to witness first-hand the skill and temperament that one may have in abundance and slowly be taken on by another. Of course some are born with natural ability and their expertise tends to blow people’s minds. Such is the tantalising prospect awaiting any listener who makes a bee-line for Nick Magnus’ new album N’Monix.

Nick Magnus, N’Monix. Album Review. full post

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

Geoffrey Beevers, The Forgotten Fields. Book Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

We perhaps like to think we look at the periods of time that went before us with a modern, dispassionate eye. An eye that picks over the fine details of what made the people of the time the way they were, the condition in which they allowed their lives to flourish or stagnate and the system of which they featured. We are not so far removed from the days that saw the world go to war in 1914, from the rush for Empire in the 19th Century, (instead of countries to conquer, there are now conglomerates who desire to own everything that moves) or even the so-called Dark Ages and the race to collect souls in the name of religion. How will future generations evaluate us, how can they decide what we were like if all they have to go by is the mess that we leave behind? This is the fascinating question that lurks at the heart of Geoffrey Beevers’ novel The Forgotten Fields.

Geoffrey Beevers, The Forgotten Fields. Book Review. full post

(470 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

Jamaica Inn, Television Review. B.B.C. Television.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating *

Cast: Jessica Brown Findlay, Matthew McNulty, Sean Harris, Ben Daniels, Shirley Henderson, Andrew Scarborough, Joanne Whalley, Christopher Fairbank, Matthew James Edge, Tristan Sturrock, Charles Furness, Andy Giles, Paul Bullion, Scarlett Archer, Elliot Levey, Simon Meacock, Patrick O’Kane, David Beck, Danny Miller, James Rastall, Sadie Shimmin, Rhiannon Oliver, Matthew Bearne, Carl McCrystal, Rory Mulroe, Justin Pearson, Jason Gregg.

Jamaica Inn, Television Review. B.B.C. Television. full post

(501 words, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)

Elmo And The Styx, Happy. Album Review

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Happy? Some people aren’t and some are, it’s a fact of life for every person who is truly ecstatic somebody somewhere must be feeling the damage of life lived, the pain of suffering or even the slightest niggle of annoyance. Whether it’s down to that underlying Human emotion of jealousy or greed, they will probably resent the person who is just content with their lot in the life. Happy? It’s a feeling that needs careful nurturing, it requires on occasion to be kept hidden lest black shadows try to destroy it but ultimately it can be the most fulfilling of all sensations and the rather interesting title of the new album by Elmo and The Styx

Elmo And The Styx, Happy. Album Review full post

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

Why do I cry?

The following poem was written by Brian Nash for the WNWA walk from Hillsborough to Anfield. The group consisted of supporters, survivors and family members and was organised by Steve Kelly and Cherie Brewster.

 

Why do I cry?

Nobody I knew died.

My old man was there

Some good friends were there

But they came home alive.

My Dad had almost given up

Couldn’t get near the gate

But a crush and then a sway and

“Ee are, get in here mate”

Did that random act of kindness decide his fate?

Why do I cry? full post

(689 words, estimated 2:45 mins reading time)