Alun Parry, We Can Make The World Stop. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 21st 2009.

Alun Parry’s new offering is wonderfully titled We Can Make The World Stop and for a while whilst listening, it really seems as though we can. From start to finish the whole album is delightfully crafted, well written and excellently sung.

The opening track and the album title shows perfectly from the start how Alun perceives the injustices within society as he observes that they have got the money but never worked a railway line or drove a bus. The feeling of solidarity pervades through the whole album but there are some songs that hold a mirror up to the cracks that have spread through society.

Alun Parry, We Can Make The World Stop. Album Review. full post

(268 words, 1 image, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)

Quadrophenia, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media

Cast: Ryan O’Donnell, George Maguire, Jack Roth, Rob Kendrick, Sean Croke, Daniel Curtis, Lillie Flynn, Ryan Gage, Kirsty Malone, Brennan Reece, Iris Roberts, Tom Robertson, John Schumacher, Sydney Rae White.

In some critics’ eyes Quadrophenia is the definition of the era of the mod, cool clothes, good music and the spirit of rebellion that had been sadly lost. To others it was time when you saw the rise of the disaffected youth that blighted a generation and the odd sea-side town. From out of this small period came The Who’s Pete Townsend who turned his imagination and past experiences into one of the critically acclaimed albums of the last forty years.

Quadrophenia, Theatre Review. Liverpool Empire, Liverpool. full post

(450 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Annie, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 8th 2009.

Cast: Lydia Tunstall, Su Pollard, Michael Morgan, Chris Molloy, James Muller, Gemma James, Gareth Heesom, Simone Craddock, Lorinda King.

A story about an orphaned girl, the depression, 1930’s American society and the undercurrent of child beating doesn’t spring to mind the plot of a heart warming musical that combines some of theatre’s best known songs with some feisty one liners and cheekiness, but in the hands of director Roger Hannah and produces Chris Moreno this classic of film and theatre has been given new life.

Annie, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(312 words, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

Marseille, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D.Hall

Originally published by L.S.Media. September 11th 2009.

Twenty five years after Marseille last played the Cavern, the band made a triumphant return and rolled away the void that had been created when they decided to call it a day. A band that in all honesty should never have been allowed to fade away.

Some people might find it hard to believe that this was a band that was at the forefront of the start of the genre of The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and enjoyed much success, touring with some of the biggest names around and winning the first coveted battle of the bands competition.

Marseille, Gig Review. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(392 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Stephen Langstaff Interview, September 2009.

Originally published by L.S.  Media. September 17th 2009.

In eighteen short months the life and career of musician Stephen Langstaff has taken on almost sky rocket proportions, for a young man he was already well known as a decent support act in his own right and was able to open for the Bangles at the Academy on their tour in the summer of 2008. Stephen then got the call to support the Lightning Seeds at the Liverpool Philharmonic and then a coveted opening spot for Deacon Blue at this years Liverpool Summer Pops at the Echo Arena.

Stephen Langstaff Interview, September 2009. full post

(1522 words, estimated 6:05 mins reading time)

Amsterdam, The Liverpool Working Class Festival. Gig Review. The Picket, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 15th 2009.

Self confessed Liverpool boy Ian Prowse, and his band Amsterdam took to the stage at the Picket to great applause from an audience made up of local people and the odd delegate from the T.U.C Conference.

The great thing about Ian is that you know before he even opens his mouth to belt out much loved scorn or words that will make you think for a while, that he will give it all he has got and then dig deep in his reserves and give you another blast of his own version of fire and brimstone.

Amsterdam, The Liverpool Working Class Festival. Gig Review. The Picket, Liverpool. full post

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

Megadeth, Endgame. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2009.

One of the most consistent thrash / heavy metal bands have returned with the eagerly awaited album Endgame. Whilst the other thrash mainstays Metallica have raised their game over the last year to come back the pinnacle that they deserve to hold, Megadeth never really let their fans down and time after time delivered albums full of humour, stunning guitar work, drums that make your head spin and lyrics that stand the test of time.

Megadeth, Endgame. Album Review. full post

(307 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Peter Pan Pantomime Preview And Interviews With Les Dennis And Natasha Hamilton.

This year the Empire theatre in Liverpool have pulled out all the stops to provide families, couples and any one who just wants the chance to relieve childhood by booing loudly at the villain of the piece at this year’s Pantomime. The line up who will be donning the tights and slapping thighs will include the versatile Les Dennis whose C.V. reads like a catalogue of comedy characters, Atomic Kitten member Natasha Hamilton as Peter Pan and the legend that is the Fonz from Happy Days: Henry Winkler.

Peter Pan Pantomime Preview And Interviews With Les Dennis And Natasha Hamilton. full post

(2176 words, estimated 8:42 mins reading time)

Kajagoogoo, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 19th 2009.

Apart from the odd appearance on VH1’s Band’s Re-united, Kajagoogoo have not been seen on stage together for over 25 years. Thankfully for lovers of the 80’s pop genre they have finally answered the calls of the fans and reformed to tour and produce some new songs that should ignite further interest in one of the best performers of their time.

Kajagoogoo, Gig Review. 02 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(397 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Kes, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse Theatre.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 23rd 2009.

Cast: Mike Burnside, Stefan Butler, Daniel Casey, David Crellin, Katherine Dowblyton, Oliver Farnworth, Dominic Gately, Peter McGovern, Oliver Watton.

The film is considered to be a cinematic classic, gritty in its honesty; heartbreaking and heart warming at the same time. One of the true greats and one of Ken Loach’s finest moments. It would therefore be near on impossible for anybody to transfer it to the stage, but in the writer Lawrence Till, all the sadness, tinges of humour and the bleak future is stripped bare and in its place is nothing short of theatrical genius.

Kes, Theatre Review. Liverpool Playhouse Theatre. full post

(345 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)