Mountain Face, Zanzibar, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

It seems implausible to the ear and yet sometimes a band that has a strength, a sublime sound and oodles of personality, is not able to get to Liverpool and perform for an audience; not for the want of trying, just that they have not been able to find the right place or perhaps the right thought in a venue’s bosses in which hosting them would be the right and the most excellent of moves.

Chester’s Mountain Face is such a band that merits Liverpool’s mighty sense of music appreciation at its disposal. The relatively short train ride on Mersey Rail through the outposts of The Wirral is the only thing that should get in the way for Mountain Face appearing in the future, they are a trio that has energy and a sparkling disposition that has a smile on its face as the three distinct harmonies and playing abilities meld and fuse into a set which is carried by a Cheshire force of nature.

The songs that made up their set, a couple of very good covers, including John Martyn’s Over The Hill, were bouncing their echoing heart off the Zanzibar walls, the smell of satisfaction residing in the aural centres of the brain, already acute and fighting for more, more drive, further unflappable excitement…to be in the arms of the sociable band as they play is all that is often required to really have a crowd enjoy themselves.

With the songs Another World, a cover of Loudon Wainwright’s Swimming Song, the excellent Native Dust the aforementioned Over The Hill and How Many Roads all tightly packed into one sweeping gesture and delivery of good taste and terrific ability; Mountain Face steered their way through one of the few times they have played in the city and acquitted themselves perfectly.

A tremendous and very enjoyable set by Mountain Face, the early evening dusk and gathering darkness adding to the effect of shelter and protection, a sanctuary into which this band from Chester should be given more often.

Ian D. Hall