Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It is not the first time that poetry has been set to or inspired a musical score and it certainly won’t be the last but with the indomitable spirit and really sensuous voice that runs through the very core of Steve Macfarlane, the enchanting Billy Hui on piano and the words of the impressive poet Peter Grant, the musical orchestration of Happy Daze is a poet’s dream come true and hugely enjoyable to listen to.

With Billy Hui, Steve MacFarlane and with additional words by Gary Miller, the music is adventurous; it captures the spirit of one of Liverpool’s best poets/writers and gives it an edge that may not have been envisioned when the scribe was looking for that one moment of genuine artistic muse inspiring love to grab hold of the sharpened pencil. The light touch that Mr. Hui employs throughout the album is joined by Steve Macfarlane’s almost unique insight in how music sounds to an ear as his voice resonates through songs such as the very beautiful Never the Right Time, the haunting Sideboard Picture and the evocative and truly memorable Playing the Game of REMEMBER WHEN.

Peter Grant’s name may be more familiar to readers of the Liverpool Echo newspaper but there can be no doubting the quality of the poetry that has inspired this music. Fun, beautifully melancholic for all the right reasons and most essentially capturing the spirit of the city he lives and breathes in.

All too soon this enchanting music is over; it flutters along at a tremendous but dignified speed with Mr. Hui’s piano a perfect accompaniment to the voice and words on show. A wonderful album that has raised money for a very worthy charity in Liverpool and one that can banish a lot of blues away with its demure, unflappable and pleasing poetic tones. Even if you are not a fan of the genre, it is an exquisite piece of work to have playing when curled up with a loved one on dark, cold and miserable nights.

Ian D. Hall