Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
It is a universal truth that music not only aids the soul in troubled times and blesses it with the same virtue in days of plenty, but that is an art that can take someone out of the poverty imposed upon them by government and circumstance, that it can raise them spiritually, can give them hope when dark skies are closing in, and above all, be the teacher to which they commit themselves too when all else may abandon them.
We look to the heavens for inspiration, but we never seem to ask on the darkest, cloud crammed nights where there is no moon to guide us on the sea of troubles that one question of philosophy to which can hang in the air for what seems an eternity, and which can decide our fate by the way we are able to answer it. Who Took The Stars Out Of The Sky is a question of depth, but one that can be answered with a voice willing to question their own perspective, willing to alter their presence and embrace a different kind of light in which to navigate their future by.
If the question is one of philosophy then perhaps humanity would consider the narrative of the song in our hearts a little differently, that for people such as Sister Lee/ Liverpool born Eileen Bridges, the time spent before finding the voice of reason was only time preparing to be found.
The stars never truly go out, it is just our perception as we look at life from below the clouds, if we are given that encouragement to take a step up, to believe in ourselves, then what we say or not the stars blinking out of view, but being created right here on Earth, and for Sister Lee and the beautifully crafted song, Who Took The Stars Out Of The Sky, the city ofLiverpool may have found another creative artist to which to embrace and nurture.
We gain strength from all we mentally positively consume and to which we are confidently exposed to, and in the occasional family get together to take in the delights of Gospel music, songs of the sea and artists such as Jim Reeves and Hank Williams, and this surely is no different for Sister Lee. A song in the heart at any age is to be encouraged, and if the listener takes the words on with understanding, they too will know just how beautiful and enlightening Sister Lee’s emergence is.
Confident, passionate, invigorating, whoever removed the stars has placed one down in Liverpool to shine brightly.
Sister Lee’s Who Took The Stars Out Of The Sky is out now.
Ian D. Hall