Muse, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool.

Muse at the Liverpool Echo. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 6th 2009.

Remember, remember, Muse in November The unique brand of Devonshire rock I know of no reason Why Muse this season Will ever be forgot.

Who needs to stand in a cold, muddy field after it’s been raining all day watching a damp, half hearted fireworks display when one of the best bands recording in the modern era come to the Echo Arena and blow all the bands that have played there this year clean out of the Mersey.  With a laser show that would make Pink Floyd seethe with envy and a strict but simple mantra to give the paying fans one of the best shows they will ever see in their lifetime.

Muse, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. full post

(386 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

The Saw Doctors, To Win Just Once. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 6th 2009.

I don’t often claim to be fairly ignorant about a band or music, unless it is something I have gone completely out of my way to avoid such genres as opera or ballet or even most of the 90’s pop scene, but to my shame one band that escaped and passed me by was the Saw Doctors.  It is with regret that this happened as I find myself really enjoying the brand new album To Win Just Once-The best of The Saw Doctors.

The Saw Doctors, To Win Just Once. Album Review. full post

(284 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

The Small Fakers, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 8th 2009.

No matter your age, if you love music there will be a band that you listen to on a regular basis that you never will or got to see play live. Sometimes you might be fortunate and only like the current bands that dominate your formative musical years and get to experience them all.

But what do you do if your taste of music straddles a time period before you were born! Ah yes it’s easy to lament the lack of chance of seeing Queen with Freddie or Meatloaf, after all they were touring long after I got into music and it is my own fault for not making more of an effort to see them.

The Small Fakers, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(510 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Alanis Morissette, Havoc And Bright Lights. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 31st 2012.

L.S. Media Rating ***

Say what you like about Alanis Morissete, most people do have an opinion on the Canadian singer/songwriter, however the music world is better for her being in it, even if it with the odd song or quirky look at life in which inhabits. From Jagged Little Pill to the new album Havoc and Bright Lights, she remains someone eminently listenable to and as desired as well made Sunday dinner, even if you can’t stomach it all because there is too much stuffing served alongside it.

Alanis Morissette, Havoc And Bright Lights. Album Review. full post

(382 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Roy Wood, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Roy Wood celebrating Christmas at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. December 2009.

Fresh from his triumphant support slot on Status Quo’s U.K. tour, Roy Wood arrived in Bilston to headline his now annual Christmas show.

He wasted no time in warming up everyone who had braved the sub-zero temperatures by opening the set with the infectious California Man.

Roy Wood, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(202 words, 1 image, estimated 48 secs reading time)

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2009.

An altercation with a fan over a camera flash left a packed house briefly in fear that Hugh Cornwell would not return for the second of a set of two halves featuring songs from his latest offering Hooverdam and re-visiting The Stranglers’ 1977 debut album Rattus Norvegicus.

However, Hugh returned to bring the house down with the old favourites, kicking off with Sometimes, followed by the entire album including Goodbye Toulouse, Peaches, Hanging Around and Down in the Sewer.

Hugh Cornwell, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Birmingham. full post

(154 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

New Model Army, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2009.

New Model Army have gone through so many different genres they could almost appeal to every live music lover,

Whether it is the rock/folk era that the fans like or the early punk days, during which they enjoyed critical success, every taste was appeared to be catered for.

Touring on the back of their new studio album, Today is a Good Day, NMA mainstay and frontman Justin Sullivan wasted no time getting down to the business of making as much noise and good music as possible.

New Model Army, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Birmingham. full post

(220 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Nick Beggs and Steve Hackett at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by the Birmingham Mail. November 2009.

Thanks to the popularity of his latest album, Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth, Steve Hackett is enjoying success once more where it matters, in front of audiences who never stopped believing in the prolific musician/songwriter.

Steve and his band kicked off with the maniacal Mechanical Bride before heading straight into the childlike but message-heavy Fire On The Moon from the new album. An array of other songs from his long solo career followed.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(199 words, 1 image, estimated 48 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Bob Catley in action. Photgraph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2009.

They opened the show with material from their new album Into The Valley of the Moonking, including the fantastic Cry to Yourself but Magnum soon reminded the audience of their past work with Brand New Morning and the effortless When We Were Younger.

The biggest cheer of the night deservedly went out to the thought provoking Les Morte Dansant,

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(153 words, 1 image, estimated 37 secs reading time)

The Bad Shepherds, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2009.

It might be hard to get past the idea of comedian Adrian Edmondson being on stage with musicians playing folk versions of punk classics but after opening with The Clash’s I Fought The Law they had the near-capacity crowd in the palm of their hands.

Other songs getting the Bad Shepherd’s treatment included The Stranglers’ hit No More Heroes, The Jam’s Down In The Tube Station At Midnight and Talking Heads’ Once In A Lifetime.

The Bad Shepherds, Gig Review. Robin 2, Bilston. full post

(181 words, 1 image, estimated 43 secs reading time)