Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

One Step Forward, and a day, an album, a resonating thought at a time; the pleasure that comes from listening to a set of songs that you always knew was coming, and one that was placed in your trust from the moment the artist stepped out onto the stage and introduced themselves to a world that was unaware, unconscious of what was about to be unleashed.

One Step Forward, no side step, no climbing back down the ladder of disquiet, no snake eyes being thrown and the whole house being lost on a dream, for Barry Briercliffe, the journey may have been long, perhaps arduous in places, the battle at times overwhelming, but it was one that Mr. Briercliffe was always going to relish, to in turn, overwhelm the senses with, not as retaliation, but in honour of the struggle that many face in a world that never really fancies giving the new a chance to shine.

There is no U-turn, or indeed You-turn, away from the popular Liverpool musician’s work, and in his latest recording, One Step Forward, the sincerity of his performance and the immense satisfaction gained from hearing the quality, the finesse registered, of his thoughts and application, all shine through in a way that marks, without argument, his finest work to date.

Such a statement might be considered sweeping, especially given Mr. Briercliffe’s considerable weight of work that he had already committed to the fans and listener’s alike, however, as songs such as the opening track, and lead single, Lie Back And Think of England, Undertow, The Love Of Your Life Is Over, the album’s title track, One Step Forward and the finale of the experience so touchingly responsive and elegantly persuasive, When A Soul Leaves, all combine to make a period of time, timeless, beautifully abiding and one that brings a sense of calm to a troubled spirit that may be enduring their own transitory state, their vision blinded by the ephemeral.

Hard work, patience and belief all have their place in bringing the gift of expression to the attention of others, but it also requires the unrepentant soul, the one who observes the world as a series of patterns, of seeing the truth in listening, to keep stepping forward, one day at a time, the best foot forward, and for a soul such as Barry Briercliffe, it is a never ending journey towards musical enlightenment.

Ian D. Hall