Barry Briercliffe, The Alive E.P. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 9th 2010.

The name Barry Briercliffe might not be one that immediately roles of the tongue outside of his native city of Liverpool but that could all change with his stunning new work.

On the 27th August Barry launched his new E.P; this set of four songs goes under the album title of The Alive and contains the tracks Hold On, Alive, Time Is Standing Still and The Real You. All these tracks will demand the complete attention of the listener as it offers an insight into one of the bright young things of the Liverpool scene, alongside Stephen Langstaff and adopted Scouser Richard O’ Flynn.

Barry Briercliffe, The Alive E.P. Album Review. full post

(251 words, 1 image, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

The Christians, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 11th 2010.

One of the last times The Christians came to Liverpool was to perform at the Liverpool Academy and even though the band went down well that night, there seemed to be something missing from the overall experience that audiences expect from one of Liverpool’s finest and most respected bands.

Anything that was sadly remiss on that balmy summer’s night in 2009 was put right by having the band in a setting which suited their style and laid back harmonic approach such as the Philharmonic.

The Christians, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

(353 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

ArK, Wild Untamed Imaginings. Album Review.

It may be hard to believe but there was a time when Progressive Rock was considered past its sell by date, the emergence of punk in the seventies had done its best to dismantle it but it was the era of the nineties music scene which seemed to finally kill off the behemoth. Thankfully you can never keep a good seven minute song down for too long and the genre was soon flourishing once more with the likes of Touchstone and The Reasoning.

ArK, Wild Untamed Imaginings. Album Review. full post

(349 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Marseille, Unfinished Business. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2010.

Marseille are finally back and kicking in the best way possible. After a couple of years touring and ironing out any frustrations they may have felt along the way, the band have at last released their fourth studio album and the first one since 1984’s Touch The Night.

Craftily calling their new album Unfinished Business is a reminder to all the fans of the band that when the group dismantled there was indeed something left unsaid. Indeed within certain rock circles it has always been a game of what if and how far could they have gone within the ranks of others that came under the banner of NWOBHM.

Marseille, Unfinished Business. Album Review. full post

(346 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

The Moody Blues, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2010.

Back in the late sixties the musicians that made up the Moody Blues could never have dreamed that their combined efforts would produce some of the most loved songs of the latter half of the twentieth century.

It has been a while since they last played Liverpool and despite the early autumn chill that was in the air, it seemed as though there were still plenty of fans throughout the area who would come and see them play. With no room inside to park a mellotron, the scene was set within the Philharmonic Hall for a night of music that would never have been thought about when the band produced one of the defining moments of musical history, the inspired Days of Future Passed.

The Moody Blues, Gig Review. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. full post

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

Our Day Out, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre.

Cast: Kieran Cunningham, Pauline Daniels, Stephen Fletcher, Mark Moraghan, Georgina White, Sophie Fraser, Chris Mason, Abby Mavers, Jack Rigby. Mia Molloy.

We have all been on one, no matter of our age. The school day out is one of those times that if pushed we will remember detail for detail, whether it was a day trip to the local seaside to let off steam or an exercise in futility where the teachers tried to show that they could be down with the kids and be their friends for one day.

Our Day Out, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre. full post

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

Paul Heaton, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 21st 2010.

Paul Heaton is one of those rare enigma’s in the music industry, much loved by all those who have followed his career from the days of the Housemartins and through to the heady days of chart success with The Beautiful South and now someone who, even though primarily a very private man, wears his heart and beliefs on his sleeve when making his own brand of music.

By kicking off his tour to promote his new album Acid Country in Liverpool, Paul almost guaranteed that the first night would be one of the finest and well supported nights.

Paul Heaton, Gig Review. o2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

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

‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 21st 2010.

Cast: Ken Bradshaw, Kevin Harvey, Matti Houghton, Paul McCleary, Eileen O’Brien, Emily Pithon, Stuart Richman, Nicholas Shaw, Hugh Skinner.

The Everyman theatre is well renowned for its staging of hard, gritty and sometimes disturbing plays. None so more perhaps than the opening play of the new season, John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.

There may be those who would shy away from the subject of incest, murder and impinging insanity but director Chris Meads has built a reputation for getting the best out of actors even in the most unusual of plays and in Tis Pity he has struck gold again with a cast that tackles some of humanity’s base instincts and wanton desires.

‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. Theatre Review. Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(349 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Paul Heaton, Acid Country. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. Sept 22nd 2010.

Acid Country is the new studio album by one of music best wordsmiths. Paul Heaton has made a living from his use of intelligent and interesting lyrics set alongside some of the most upbeat music over the last couple of decades, whether from his time in the eighties with the Housemartins or in later years with the impressive and chart toppers The Beautiful South.

Now on his second solo album, Paul has once more reached the musical highs that are associated with him and produced an album full of charm and his own personnel stamp emblazoned throughout.

Paul Heaton, Acid Country. Album Review. full post

(371 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

The Game, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool.

Cast: John Branwell, Liz Carney, Jo Gerard, Catherine Kinsella, Ror North, Wendi Peters, Phil Rowson, Barrie Rutter, Matt Sutton, Jos Vantyler.

Harold Brighouse’s name might ring more bells with drama and literature lovers as the writer of the classic play Hobson’s Choice, however thanks to a dramatic find in a Canadian University, Barrie Rutter and his team of players that make up Northern Broadsides have breathed life into the play The Game.

Northern Broadsides have continued to thrill Liverpool audiences over the last few years, with productions such as The Man with Two Gaffers and their own take on Romeo and Juliet, it seems as though the company can do no wrong in wrong in local eyes.

The Game, Theatre Review. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(385 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)