Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
It can be of hardly any surprise to find that the latest album from the stable of Madness doesn’t match the career defining album The Liberty of Norton Folgate released in 2009. However, this should not stop the loveable rogues of north London continue their 21st century renaissance as one of the best bands to have graced the British charts in the last 40 years.
When listening to Tori Amos it almost feels that you are joining her on a spiritual journey in which she alone knows the final destination and she will lead you blindfold past the final signpost whilst holding your heart carefully as she goes. Such is the timeless beauty of Scarlett’s Walk that it easily ranks in the top three studio releases by the enigmatic piano player.
Rio Matchett. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
One of the joys of being in a city such as Liverpool is the abundance of theatres that cater for all tastes and for all actors wishing to tackle the well-trodden boards and add their names to the list of watched and admired artists.
photograph by Ian D. Hall
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
When the Wicked Whispers play their music on stage, the most advisable thing to do is stand back, close your eyes and wallow in the excellent atmosphere and dream of more halcyon days.
One of the most unique bands to have come from the Liverpool area, the Wicked Whispers, have just finished a tour that has taken in London and Newcastle and now the group have come back home to show just exactly why the word is spreading beyond the confines of the home of popular music.
Fiona Skelly, part of The Sundowners. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
If you only remember one thing about 2012, consider this for as long as it takes, that the music of Liverpool has once again become a powerhouse, a powder keg of new bands that have come along and reminded music lovers of the city that there is much talent out there ready to be heard. Add to this the phenomenal and unbelievable aptitude that lies at the heart of The Sundowners.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory, Ola Rapace, Ben Whishaw.
There will be detractors of Skyfall, there always is and always will be when it comes to the James Bond film series. There will be those that call them archaic, a remnant of an era that no longer exists. They give it disparaging names and in less than polite circles pat themselves on the back for being able to condemn a film for representing certain social stereotypes and they will point to America at leading the way in how these types of films should be presented. Never mind the film, forget everything you have seen on the screen. It is easier to denounce both film and main actor when there is an axe to grinds somewhere.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Black Country Communion, a supergroup so good they had to give the four members a third album just to satisfy the incredible clamour and deluge from their overwhelming number of fans.
The group certainly need no introduction, the music really does speak for itself, self assured, distinctive, mind blowing and with so much depth it practically carves out a 10 foot deep trench with ease; this is what makes Black Country Communion one of the best bands of the last two decades, and they seem to have managed this in less than three years.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
There is an element of excitement, a shadow of lingering hopefulness that pervades the listener’s expectations when they hear a new artist for the first time. It can go disastrously wrong and the person who has invested their time and money may feel bitter about it for a while and then all things being equal move on to the next hopeful batch. There of course are the moments when an E.P. or an album just grabs them in a very unexpected and simple way, the joy of hearing something new is what makes it all worth-while.
Glenn Gregory providing Temptation at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Originally published by Liverpool Live. October 2012.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
For Heaven 17’s remaining members, to come out on tour and perform the whole of their colossal 1983 hit album, The Luxury Gap, must be a double edged sword. One of the biggest, boldest and outstandingly self-confident albums to come out the Steel city for many years, it deserves to be played in its entirety and there would be no dissenters to this fact.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Since Genesis last took to the stage for their 2007 tour, the most productive two members of the stalwarts and guiding lights of Progressive Rock are the two that had left the band in the days before they become the corporate behemoth of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Peter Gabriel has been busy giving his fans new looks of his back catalogue and inspired readings of other people’s works. Steve Hackett on the other hand has produced more solo work than any other member of one of the U.K.’s favourite Prog acts; he also seems to find time to keep the work of Genesis between 1970 and 1977 very much alive on his keenly anticipated touring schedule.