Buz April 2016 by Zebra Design Services

APRIL 2016

PAULINE DANIELS IAN PROWSE LYN STAUNTON CONNIE LUSH BILL ELMS AMY CHALMERS KATHERINE MURPHY RICHIE NOONAN ALEX MCGRATH CHRISTOPHER KELLY JIM PEARSON

Interviews with:

LULU, YES LULU BRIAN CUMMINS JOE SYMES AND TLK

Plus:

CREAM CLASSICS GARY EDWARD JONES JAMES BURTON WEEKEND WIRRAL ROCKS and so much more...

www.thebuz.co.uk website gig listings updated daily

this month... Editor: Diane Tremarco Tel: 0151 558 1007 M: 07772475445 Email: diane@thebuz.co.uk Twitter: @thebuzmag Facebook: Get Out More 2 Web: www.thebuz.co.uk

Welcome to the Buz Magazine. We are now in print, online and on social media platforms - follow us and keep up to date with music and entertainment on Merseyside.

05 // From Birkenhead to BB Kings 08 // Cream Classics 11 // Ian Prowse 12 // The Buz Live Show

Sales/admin: Jade Tremarco Email: jade@thebuz.co.uk

15 // Bang Bang Bang

Publisher: Mouse Media

20 // Local Artist CDs

Special thanks to our contributors: Connie Lush Bill Elms Pauline Daniels Ian Prowse Lyn Staunton Amy Chalmers Katherine Murphy Richie Noonan Alex McGrath Christopher Kelly Jim Pearson

25 // Alex McGrath

Front page: Brian Cummins

Disclaimer While precautions have been take to ensure the accuracy of the contents of our magazine, neither the editors, publishers or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise there from. Mouse Media reserves the right to edit comments or choose not to publish selected comments, whether in printed, mobile or digital format. No part of any of our publication, whether in print or digital may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

18 // One to watch: Tabitha Jade 19 // Review by Richie Noonan 21 // Jim Pearson 26 // 6 Of The Best (OTB)

27 // Amy Chalmers 28 // North West Choir Fest 29 // Kathryn Murphy 31 // Lyn Staunton 33 // Christopher Kelly 34 // James Burton Weekend 36 // Lulu 38 // Bill Elms 40 // Joe Symes & The Loving Kind 43 // Connie Lush 44 // Wirral Rocks 46 // Pauline Daniels

To advertise email: sales@thebuz.co.uk For features email: hello@thebuz.co.uk

The next issue will be May 2016. All adverts and payments must be completed by 20th April. If you would like to be featured in a future edition feel free to contact us via email, website or telephone.

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FROM BIRKENHEAD

TO BB KINGS!

It must be some ten years ago that The Buz readers last heard from Brian Cummins. We caught up with him recently at home and fired a few questions at him. There seems so much to ask; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really knowing where to start! You have several projects on the go at the moment so maybe we should take them one by one...

1. The Carpet Crawlers, your Genesis Tribute band is now worldwide, you must be delighted with the success? Have you always been a Genesis fan? Genesis has always been a huge band for me ever since I was a kid. I used to drive my Mum up the wall ‘air drumming’ to the old videos when she’d be trying to dish out my dinner. I always wanted to try and pull of a band playing the music but I never dreamt it would happen and especially never dreamt where it would take me in my career. 2. The costumes are quite something! Who makes them and how do you get them so accurate? Yeah, the costumes are a massive part of the show and have taken a lot of time and money to pull off. I’m very lucky actually as a very old friend of mine from many years ago Ali McWatt from Lorelei designs makes the bulk of them for me. She’s so creative and always goes the extra mile for me. I also had Dawn Farrell from lady Elizabeth in Frodsham make some for me and more recently for our ‘LAMB’ tour I had the challenge of getting the REALLY wacky ‘Slipperman’ costume made, which is kind of a walking STD covered in lumps and warts etc., it’s pretty grotesque lol. I actually have a dear friend in Davy Jones of ‘Davy Jones SFX’ who works for the BBC and TV on Doctor Who and other Sci Fi/Horror dramas and on films like Blade and Pirates of the Caribbean. He very kindly took time out during filming to make the most stunning costume to date, but he is also a HUGE Genesis fan which helped lol. 3. Is it difficult to sing whilst in some of those costumes or does it actually help get into character? Well funny you should mention that, but the costume we were just speaking about ‘The Slipperman’ was horrible to sing in, it goes totally over my head and is made of latex and foam with only a small hole for the mouth so it was like a sauna and impossible to breathe after a minute of singing and hopping about in that lol. The other costumes though definitely help get into the character of what Peter Gabriel was doing back in the day, and it all just adds to the nostalgia for the fans who come to the shows, so it’s all good fun.

4. How much work did you have to put into the vocal in order to match both Gabriel and Collins? Well with the Gabriel, not a lot really as my natural voice is very similar. The main thing is the diction and accent as obviously Peter wasn’t a Scouser haha. The Phil side is very similar to Peter’s voice but takes a bit more work but again all good fun as these are the voices I grew up listening to. 5. How did you source the musicians for the band? Each individual part replicates the original so well – are they all huge Genesis fans? Well over the years we’ve had quite a few come and go and we always manage to seem to find some amazing musicians (with the odd exception haha). Luckily most of them have been fans as that’s such a huge leg up coming into a band like the Crawlers as the Genesis back catalogue is such a massive body of work to learn if you’ve never heard it. I try not to advertise for musicians and prefer recommendations or word of mouth and it’s done us well so far. 6. The solo Gabriel show has met with great acclaim, is it scary taking to the stage alone after The Carpet Crawlers? I actually relished the challenge to be honest. It started off as an idea to just do a kind of ‘unplugged’ show, and a lot of Peter Gabriel’s songs work really well in that context, but after delving into the repertoire I was realising that a lot of the music depended heavily on the drum rhythms and synth sounds, so the show evolved into me juggling acoustic, electric and synth guitars and incorporating loads of effects and loop pedals where I was literally making a backing track of each song LIVE in front of the audience ‘on the fly’. I did a short European and UK tour in 2013 and it went down really well and opened up another door for me. The highlight though was being asked to perform at the ‘NIGHT OF THE PROGS’ festival in Loreley Germany in 2014 to about 10,000 people. To this date I’m still the only act to have performed the show solo. 7. How did the Security Project come about? For those who don’t know, could you explain a little

about the band? Well literally the night of my FIRST solo Gabriel show in Holland, I got an email from America asking would I be interested in a project? So I got back to them and it was the SECURITY PROJECT, a band based in the USA featuring members of Peter Gabriel’s band and King Crimson who performed Peter’s early material up to the album ‘Security’ (which was the album before ‘SO’) Within a day I was Skyping with JERRY MAROTTA who was Peter’s drummer on the first 5 albums and has also played with Hall & Oates, Tears for Fears, Elvis Costello, Stevie Nicks, Cher, and Paul McCartney! It also has TREY GUNN who was in one of the most high brow and intellectual bands out there KING CRIMSON, and at the time also had LOU REED’s guitarist in too. I was invited over to New York and went to Woodstock where Jerry has an amazing studio and we rehearsed and filmed it and that’s the clip you can find on YouTube from 2013. It was the first day I’d met the band and we’re all playing, they have Poker faces and I’m grinning like a Cheshire Cat! haha. Since then we have toured the USA, Canada and Europe. 8. What’s it like working with people you have admired for so long? Do you pinch yourself every morning? It’s honestly insane! I grew up with records and LPs with these guy’s names on and now I’m not only in a band with them, but they’re very close friends, I’d just have never dreamt as a kid when I picked up a guitar it would have lead to all of this. 9. What’s next for the Security Project? Well we have a tour of the West Coast of the USA coming up in May where we will be playing Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Diego and LA. We will also be launching our new Live Album which I have to say sounds absolutely stunning! In October we’re touring the East Coast from New York and up through Chicago and onto Canada I think. We hope to come and tour Europe again early 2017. 10. Is it true you fronted Marillion? That must have been a dream come true? Well, not Marillion but a splinter group featuring Mick Pointer the original Marillion drummer who founded the band and actually NAMED the band. Again I was a HUGE Marillion fan as a kid and watched the ‘Recital of the Script’ video over and over and 25 years later for the Anniversary of that concert I was asked by Mick to go out with a Prog Rock Supergroup and perform that very show I watched as a kid in the Mick Pointer Band. We toured for 5 years and released a Double Live Album in 2014 ‘Script Revisited’ which again I’m very proud of. We haven’t played for a few years but have a show in April in Holland and I’m really looking forward to that one/ 11. It’s hard to believe we can still see you playing around the pubs on Merseyside. Where can we catch you during April? I still play all over the place in my ‘day job’ as HUSH but if you’re going the Races at Aintree I’m there all three days, and you can catch me and my old mate AMANDA as ‘CRUSH’ starting at the Liverpool in James Street every Thursday night. I also play places like the Grange Moreton, Royal Oak Bromborough, Blue Anchor Aintree, Jawbone Tavern Bootle. You can add me on Facebook to keep up with more.

Website: www.securityprojectband.com, www.carpetcrawlers.com. Twitter username: BrianCumminsUk Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/brian.cummins.52 Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/carpetcrawlers

CREAM CLASSICS AT LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL PERFORMED BY THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Cream announce a night of dance music classics as you’ve never heard them before, the soundtrack to a generation, performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in one of Liverpool’s most iconic and breath-taking buildings Liverpool Cathedral. Bringing together three of the city’s cultural institutions for a unique event that will see global dance brand Cream collaborate with musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and will transform some of the greatest dance classics from the electronic music genre in the majestic surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral. This unique concert, a first for the city will see a 60 piece orchestra come together to perform classical arrangements of some of Cream’s classic anthems from the last two decades featuring special guest vocalists and performances. Curated by dance music duo and former Cream residents K-Klass who have carefully selected the sound track for the concert, they will see their selection orchestrally come to life in a new light with symphony orchestra. Key contributors include Executive Producer Dave Green from

Liverpool’s Ameritz Music and conductor and arranger Tim Crooks, whose wealth of experience spans different sectors of the music industry. Commenting about the forthcoming event Tim said:“This is an amazing project that unites the musical forces of Liverpool in one massive feast for the ears. So many colours and sounds from synthesisers originate from acoustic instruments that there’s a clear and exciting sound world that is shared between these two bodies, rich for exploration. This common musical ground is so powerful as we have all the colours and textures of an orchestra, mixed with beats, bass lines, live vocalists and one epic sound system! This will be truly incredible”. At the heart of Liverpool’s cultural life, the award winning Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is the UK’s oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra, founded in 1840 by a group of Liverpool music-lovers and whose original ethos remains to this day – to promote the love of music and music-making. Sandra Parr, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Artistic Planning

Director said: “We’ve worked with many of Liverpool’s great artists from across every style of music, though this will be the first time we’ve worked with Liverpool’s iconic, international club brand and it’s a collaboration that we’re really looking forward to. The magnificent setting of Liverpool Cathedral, the fantastic sound of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra along with the essential Cream club mix is set to be a memorable night of great music in the city.” As the UK’s biggest cathedral, and famously called “one of the great buildings of the world” by Poet Sir John Betjeman, this twentieth century architectural masterpiece dominates Liverpool’s skyline. Resonating with all its heritage, history, ambition and creative possibilities, a centre of worship, learning, culture and tourism, making this the perfect backdrop for such a unique and special event. In addition it is home to the largest pipe organ in the UK, the power of which will be felt at Cream Classics. Eryl Parry, Director of Enterprise at Liverpool Cathedral said: ““This event represents a unique collaboration of two internationally-renowned Liverpool artistic forces in this world-class venue. An extraordinary evening in this awesome space, is, put simply, a pretty mind-blowing prospect”. Tickets for Saturday 16th April have now sold out, limited tickets still available for Friday 15th April www.ticketmaster.co.uk

CREAM CLASSICS – LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL DATES Friday 15th April 2016 *** 2ND DATE ADDED *** Venue: Liverpool Cathedral, St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ / Times (Event & Bar): 8pm – 10.30pm / Age: 18+ (Challenge 21 in operation / Valid photo ID required) £45+BF (General) *This event is standing

CREAM CLASSICS AFTERPARTY @ THE GARAGE – LIVERPOOL Seb Fontaine / Allister Whitehead / A Guy Called Gerald / Paul Bleasdale / Andy Mac / Stuart Hodson & Samuel Lamont Venue: Garage, Great Baltic Warehouse Complex, 34 Greenland Street, Liverpool , L1 0BS Time: 10.30pm-4am

CREAM CLASSICS PERFORMED BY THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Venue: Liverpool Cathedral, St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ Saturday 16th April 2016 *** SOLD OUT *** Times: (Event & Bar): 8pm – 10.30pm Age: 18+ (Challenge 21 in operation / Valid photo ID required) £45+BF (General) *This event is standing

NIGHT WHISPERS

MARC KENNY Every Friday Cavern Club 6pm - 8pm 2nd - Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester 10pm 8th - Cavern Pub 10pm 9th - Vu Bar (after Grand National) 22nd - LFC EURO LEGENDS, Hilton, Liverpool

CATCH US IN APRIL AT THE FOLLOWING VENUES: 2nd April The Primrose, Wallasey

Full gig listings and all enquiries www.marckenny.co.uk Available Solo or Band Weddings & Corporate Party bookings

15th April The Saughall, Saughall Massie 30th April The Irby Social Club. nightwhispersband.com

Tw: @nightwhispers4 FB: nightwhispersband

Buy or download new single whatsitlikeinliverpool.com

Supporting local, live, music Find us on Facebook: /liverpoolbandspage

ian prowse This July sees the 5th birthday of our beloved club. There will be a huge party. Over 800 different songwriters have been through our club, either solo, as a duet or with their bands, that’s way over 1000 different musicians. Rock and Roll singer and songwriter with Amsterdam. Formerly with Pele. Infected with the Celtic soul. Amsterdam are: Ian Prowse Vocals and guitar Johnny Barlow Guitar Dave Mastracola Bass Kevin Spurgeon keyboards Anastacia Worrel Violin Fiona McConnel / Helen Maher Accordian Eimear McGeowan Flute

Some have been as young as 11, some have been octogenarians. People from Mexico, France, Israel, USA, Germany, Venezuela, Vietnam, China and god knows where else. Many from down south, across from Yorkshire and lots from Manchester have made the journey to play at Monday Club. We encourage as many females as males, a really successful edition of MC is evenly spread between the genders. Bands are greatly encouraged. The Real People came out of a quiet period to take the roof off one night, Hurricane #1 used the MC to practice for a forthcoming tour. Bands show up every week, newly formed or wishing to hone a new song. Sometimes we have bands that actually met at MC. A list of the happening bands in Liverpool at the minute reveals a fair percentage have played the MC at some point. Poets are also a vital part of the MC experience and we are forever putting the call out to local poets. You are most welcome at our night. Anne Briggs is the poet most associated with our night, her classic ‘Never buy a Poundshop vajazzle

kit’, in fact it was Anne which inspired the most famous song to come out of the night. ‘Hide The Sausage’ by the Southbound Attic Band is a paean to the joys of swearing. It sounds daft doesn’t it (it is daft!) But until you’ve seen the entire room in full flight singing along on a Monday night you haven’t lived. Ask anyone who’s been. And the of course the staple diet is the singer/songwriter. Hugely successful tune-smiths like Miles Hunt, Damien Dempsey, Doctor Robert, Lee Mavers and Ian McNabb have rubbed shoulders with young men and women yet to play on the big stage. How do you get on is the question I’m most often asked. The answer is surprisingly simple. If you turn up you will get on. It’s a kind of first come first served system. No pre booking is needed, playing and instantly leaving is frowned upon. The night also acts as an informal advice community, studio tips, new band members, what venues treat musicians well. It’s all at Monday Club. Cavern Pub 8 til 12. Every single Monday.

/amsterdamuk

Amsterdam Local Live Dates Thursday 7th April Chester Telford’s Warehouse (Full Amsterdam Band)

£12 Available to buy from amsterdam-music.com

Saturday 16th April Thornton Hough Village Hall (Acoustic)

LIVE SHOW FLORAL PAVILION 25TH MARCH

Pauline Daniels took to the stage and had the audience laughing from the off as only a consummate professional could. She simply IS funny and on this occasion Pauline was helped along by the untimely, loud laughter of a very young audience member. Very funny. Sense of Sound Singers faultlessly delivered two Acapulco (as Pauline said), numbers, utilising all seven voices to their absolute best. A young apprentice gave a solo and showed us the longevity of this group. Charmed joined Sense of Sound Singers and wowed the audience; the combination of strings and vocals was truly sublime. A classical piece followed by a chart topper, Charmed are excellent musicians. The Brian Jones Band began their set by backing Rosie Mundy. Transporting us back to the twenties and thirties with vintage jazz, Rosie sang her heart out and the audience showed their appreciation.

Jade Tremarco gave her debut EP itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first hearing and it was met with great accolade. She looked very comfortable with the band, you might say she rocked it. The Brian Jones Band ended the first spot with a few classics. Brian is an amazing saxophonist but then all the members are amazing in their own right. Dave Goldberg on keys is a highly respected musician as is Adrian Gautry. Talent beyond talent. Keith and Tim (bass and drums respectively) completed an awesome band. After Pauline had entertained yet again, it was time to introduce the headline act. No introduction was actually needed as Connie Lush and her band powered onto the stage. Boy can that lady sing the blues? Steve delivers every time on guitar and the Terry/Roy combination on Bass and drums are a formidable force. All in all, it was, as promised, an eclectic mix of musical genres, each delivered with passion and professionalism. The audience left extremely happy and entertained.

STANLEYS CASK WALLASEY T: 01516911093 Facebook: Stanleys Cask Five Cask Ales Every Tuesday QUIZ NIGHT 9.30pm Sky Sports, BT Sports All Friday and Saturday gigs are 9.30pm Sunday 6.30pm Friday 1st April THE MUFFIN MEN with Denny Walley (Zappa & Beefheart ) Saturday 2nd STRIDER Sunday 3rd THE EMMAS Tuesday 5th RECKLESS ELBOW Friday 8th SEAFOAM GREEN Saturday 9th THE JALAPEÑOS Sunday 10th PHIL JONES Tuesday 12th RECKLESS ELBOW

JADE

TREMARCO and

GLYN

WILLIAMS are

GLADE Friday 1 JADE TREMARCO supporting DIRE STATES The Cavern Club Live Lounge, Liverpool 7pm Thur 7th JADE TREMARCO Tanks Bar, St Helens 9pm Sat 9th – GLADE The Ship Inn, Hoylake 9pm Fri 15th – GLADE – Oxton Bar & Kitchen, Oxton 9.30pm Sat 16th JADE TREMARCO The Armchair, Moreton 9pm

Friday 15th AFRAID OF MICE

Tue 19th - GLADE The Wro, West Kirby 9pm

Saturday 16th KING ROCK

Fri 22nd JADE TREMARCO The Corner, New Brighton 9pm

Sunday 17th SEAFOAM GREEN Tuesday 19th RECKLESS ELBOW Friday 22nd THE OIL CHICKENS Saturday 23rd THE BUFFALO RIOT Sunday 24th THE BAND - ITS Tuesday 26th RECKLESS ELBOW Friday 29th FORTY 4 Saturday 30th RED ROCK Sunday 1st May SWAMPDOG MILLIONAIRES

Sat 23rd JADE TREMARCO The Cock & Pullet, Oxton 9.30pm Sun 24th JADE TREMARCO Rocks, Liscard 9pm Thu 28th JADE TREMARCO – Oxton Bar & Kitchen, Oxton 9pm Sat 30th – GLADE Rocks, Liscard 9pm Oxton Village 9-11pm

TO BOOK: 07983208887

Bang, BANg,bang

Gary Edward Jones launches his single Bang Bang Bang at Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Constellations and The Observatory on Thursday 28 April 2016. We take a look at the man, his music and the making of the amazing stop motion video that accompanies the release.

GARY EDWARD JONES’ exquisite artistry channels many of the great songwriters of the last 50 years. From the laid back melodies of the Californian halcyon days to the mystical depths of the British folk giants like John Martyn and Nick Drake. All these references inform his music; concocting their own special brew. A packed St Georges Concert Hall in Liverpool, at the end of 2014, for the launch of his bewitching “The Cabinet Maker” album was testimony to the established popularity Gary enjoys on home turf.

beehive and achingly beautiful guitar picking are the cornerstones of this single. It immediately invades the subconscious, with a vapour trail that frequently reappears in the coming days. A thought-provoking message cloaked in a myriad of hooks. The message is at once ambiguous but juxtaposed with an eloquent monologue of how many of us feel about the modern world.

Since then the momentum has continued with sell-out gigs throughout Merseyside, Chester and The Midlands. Now, in something of a homecoming, Gary launches his single ‘Bang Bang Bang’ at Liverpool’s Constellations and The Observatory on Thursday 28 April 2016. Whist an undoubted local hero, “Bang Bang Bang” is set to spread the word much further afield. A conscience without evangelism entwined with a voice created in the

“The clocks they turn but no lessons are learnt”. We have all the knowledge but take none of the actions to stop our planet’s decline. Accompanying the release is Matthew Dolan’s astonishing stop motion video; featuring a melancholic, yet optimistic little robot. He channels the principals of mindfulness whilst simultaneously facing an uncertain

future. Modern philosophy combined with a global sense of apathy. His fate is seemingly sealed but yet open to the imagination to determine. Mathew Dolan said: “Bang Bang Bang is a stop frame video which has taken over twenty thousand images and a few months to create. Made in an apple orchard with very special thanks to ‘Studio Lythgoe’ for their time and patience. “The stop frame, hand crafted video, I felt, would marry the pensive lyric with a fitting, reflective visual and a chance to create a model world that could be captured filmically; this meant building the set and importantly building the right lighting rigs to create the correct mood plus I really wanted to see a singing robot”. Both song and video stand-alone as great examples of sublime artistry. Taken together they complement each other to a profound level; moving, hypnotic and soothing in a heartbeat. Take the time to listen to an artist at the top of his game with a prolific catalogue of soaring songs left to discover.

For the true sentiment and spirit behind the evening, it is perhaps best to simply hear what Gary himself has to say, “This event celebrates the creativity, dedication and hard work that has resulted in a truly unique interpretation of my song, Bang Bang Bang, with the video, the remixes, live performance and event visuals. The song was really the starting point, but it is through the sharing of it with the audience, in a really exciting way, that the poignant message will really come alive and begin to provoke thought and maybe even action. It’s going to be a great night!” The great songwriters are usually prolific and Gary is no different in that respect. On the night he will also be showcasing songs from his, all but complete, next album. The sheer quality and depth his compositions suggest that this is an artist in it for the long haul, with songs to keep him company. Tickets: www.seetickets.com/go/garyedwardjonesbbb Website: www.garyedwardjones.com

STANLEY'S 83 SEAVIEW RD, WALLASEY CH45 4LE

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SUNDAY 1ST MAY BANK HOLIDAY MAD MEN

WE ARE BACK, FULLY REFURBISHED AND UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

MEGAN LOUISE At the tender age of 13, Megan Louise is already an acomplished singer songwriter. 2016 is set to become a great year for Megan with the release of her first EP. meganlouise.co.uk

WINDMILL WONDERLUST REVIEW Armed with a collection of original songs and a recording that has been totally funded by the band themselves, this debut offering from Liverpool-based group Windmill provides genuine proof, if it was ever needed, that a truly inspiring and talent-rich indie music scene is alive and ﬂourishing in the Merseyside area. For the avid listener, numerous plays of this work are amply rewarded. It soon becomes clear that this CD offers a vitally refreshing opportunity to listen to a local band that not only has the ability to explore and develop their own self-penned material but also possesses a fine sense of musical arrangement and form. From the comprehensive sleeve notes, compositional duties on this album were shared between vocalist and guitarist Mick Dolan who wrote nine of the songs while ‘Rest’ is a Dawn Williams composition. The album was recorded at House of Light recording studios and produced, engineered and mastered by Yorkie for Universal Shoes Productions. Prior to its official March 4th 2016 release, this recording has already generated significant interest and also had selected tracks played on both Tom Robinson’s Radio 2 programme and Dave Monks on Radio Merseyside. With respect to the songs themselves, this ten-track CD opens with the terrific ‘Birdman’, a hauntingly enigmatic piece that draws the listener in with its beautiful ethereal vocal lines and infectious understated melody. As the album progresses the high standard is

unfailingly maintained as stand-out tracks such as ‘Where Are We Now’, ‘Jenny’s Gone’, ‘Rest’ and ’Wake Up, You’re Dreaming’ reveal a level of song-writing and performance that is hugely impressive in its execution. For this reviewer, a real highlight and indeed a common thread that runs through this album is the beautiful spread and flawless quality of the vocals that grace the tracks on offer. Texturally, they are lush and vibrant while always maintaining a fine sense of clarity and resonance, a factor that is certainly attributable to Windmill’s interesting line up for this recording which includes three female vocalists in Dawn Williams, Louise Rodriguez and Jennifer Airey, Mick Dolan on vocals and guitar and David Palmer on bass guitar, keyboards and vocals. To complete the line-up, they are flawlessly supported by Elaine Kinsella on drums and percussion. For this project, the Windmill line up was augmented by the addition of Alastair Ligertwood on cello, Peter Banning on trumpet and Jack and Ben Palmer on vocals. Eschewing the concept of the three-minute hook-laden pop song in favour of compositions that instead display a tasteful maturity, what Windmill have managed to do with such a diverse selection of instrumentation and vocal talents is to create a stunning set of aural landscapes that reveal a depth and subtlety that is reminiscent of Brian Eno at his most creative. Displaying first class production values and sound quality, this album is a top class effort that reflects well on all concerned with the project.

Richie Noonan

In summary, with this debut album Windmill firmly establish themselves as a talented and imaginative Liverpool talent. Clearly, they are a band able to effortlessly combine melodic song-writing and performance without a hint of mediocre middle ground. With this offering, Windmill have succeeded, with seamless precision, in making the transition from live performance to the recording studio. As a local band who have written, performed and self-funded their debut album they deserve every credit and success. For any music fan seeking local-based talent at its most dynamic this CD is highly recommended.

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS...

Title: Be Mine Price: £0.79 Artist: Two Black Sheep

Title: My Fault Anyway Price: £4.99 Artist: Jade Tremarco

Title: Renaissance Price: £12 Artist: Connie Lush Band

Two Black Sheep are proud to announce that their debut single “Be Mine” will be oﬃcially released as download only on Monday April 18th 2016.

Jade Tremarco began her singing career at the tender age of eleven, imitating those of her idols including Eva Cassidy, Alanis Morrisette, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Axl Rose, Elton John, Seal and other legendary vocalists.

After entertaining audiences in 30 countries throughout the world in her 20 year, award winning career, Connie has arrived at a new beginning…

All sales proceeds received by the duo are to be donated to Cancer Research UK and you can help us fight this terrible illness by downloading the single in advance of release NOW TO DOWNLOAD Visit iTunes or GooglePlay music and search Be Mine - Two Black Sheep Thank you for your donation, we hope that you enjoy the music. Together we can beat cancer. Amy & Ian Two Black Sheep Hear the song at www.twoblacksheep.co.uk facebook.com/twoblacksheepmusic

Jade’s music has always been focused on writing songs based on personal experience; referencing highs and lows of her life, relationships with friends and family, illnesses and above all else, acceptance. Her music is elegant, simple and clean which has only been accentuated by the local legendary musicians she has worked with including Brian “Saxophone” Jones from The Undertakers, The Christians, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Gary Murphy Band and Vesbim Floyd UK to name a few. EP of original songs which encapsulate her soulful voice in full. Influences of rock, pop, country, jazz, funk, soul and blues all come together to give Jade the tools she needs to write music that reflects on the past, shares lessons learnt and grows with her as she evolves in both her personal and creative selves. Available to download on iTunes, Amazon Music and GooglePlay music

We want to help local artists sell their own music, so we are offering to point music lovers in the right direction completley free of charge. Simply send in your CD artwork with the relevant information and leave the rest to us. Send to hello@thebuz.co.uk

After an enforced absence from the road because of a broken foot, it ended up being a natural pause and from that, a new paragraph has begun in her already sparkling career. She has a new band, new producer, new material, a new album and a renewed enthusiasm to share it with the world. Within the last year Connie and her long time professional (and personal) partner Terry Harris on bass, have been joined by guitarist, composer, producer Steve Wright and drummer Roy Martin in their touring band. The album is now ready to be unleashed onto the public and the songs to be given the live treatment at the upcoming Connie Lush Band shows. It’s a new direction, a new start for Connie. A Renaissance…. Once you hear the new songs and see her live, you are sure to want to come along with her for the ride.

jim pearson STAGE FRIGHT I had been writing and recording songs at home for a couple of years, getting a lot of encouragement from a close-knit group of online musicians and songwriters to start playing live. As a younger man I had played hundreds of gigs behind a drum kit, but never as a singer, playing guitar, singing my own songs. I was daunted, partly because I didn’t know how to take the first steps, but mostly because I was scared stiff. So I put it off. As I passed my fortieth birthday it began to dawn on me that life was starting to pass me by and that I would certainly regret not ever having at least given it a go. So, on the first weekend of 2007 I tracked down a local folk club and committed myself to turning-up. I woke that morning with an almost overwhelming sense of doom and foreboding, feeling slightly panicky, but resolute. I tried not to think about it, I just thought about not thinking about it. I was not going to back-out. When I arrived at Manor Road Folk Club in Wallasey with guitar in hand, I felt inhibited and shy, out of my depth, a fish out of water etc. I found making small talk awkward, although I was a new face so attracted some interest. What do you play? er, I write my own songs… who do you sound like? er… I don’t really know. The open mic evening started and my pulse-rate shot up. I needed to go to the loo between every other performance. Eventually I was approached in the gloom… you’re on next. A huge wave of adrenaline surged through me, my heart was literally in my mouth as I was called forward. I had thought about saying something witty before I got started, but I dried up, and decided I’d better just get on with it. I played what I had previously considered one of my simplest songs (Mary And Me), but I soon discovered that singing live brought a whole host of issues I was suddenly fully conscious of. So many things to think about, and think about thinking about, each one demanding my full attention. I had to play my guitar without making mistakes, I had to remember words, I had to somehow control my wobbly voice, and if any one of these failed I would come to a grinding, embarrassing halt. Nothing sounded the same as it did at home. My arms felt like lead, my fingers like sausages, my throat as dry as the Sahara. But somehow I got through it. Limbs shaking, sweat running down my back, I returned to my seat. I was so relieved. I was applauded, mostly I’m sure because it was my first time. Never-the-less, a warm and friendly reception. At the end of the night I was encouraged to return, but my nerves were shot. I felt shell shocked for a couple of days and wasn’t sure I could put myself through it again. I did go back, sporadically for a few months, but each time felt almost as bad as my first attempt. Then I ground to a halt. I dwindled, gave up, and decided that the feeling of stage fright was just too much to bare. About four years went by. I continued to write and record songs at home. I self-produced another couple of albums. I played my acoustic guitar much more at home. Always lurking in the back of my mind was unfinished business. For two years running I vowed to return on Remembrance Sunday to dedicate Long Way Home to my Uncle Ray, but I chickened-out again and again. This sense of failure was starting to feel worse than the fear of performing! I was letting myself down. At last, on November 11th 2011, it finally dawned on me that getting up to sing in front of thirty-odd like-minded, friendly, encouraging folk was in no way comparable to the bravery of my Uncle in WWII. So I went back to Manor Road, Wallasey Folk Club… and it was just as bad as before!! Well, not quite. All the previous symptoms persisted, but something was different. I knew that

(despite the nerves) I was doing something I wanted to do – for my own sake – that felt genuinely good… and I decided that this time I wouldn’t back-out and would force myself to keep coming back and become a regular. And I have. Slowly but surely I have become more familiar to the members of Wallasey Folk and Acoustic Club, and to myself. Occasionally I feel inexplicably nervous, but more and more I can keep it in check. The more you do something, the more you improve. Gradually through osmosis I’ve attended more folk clubs in the region and have been invited to play at local events. Then completely out of the blue I was invited to become a resident.

HOUSE GIGS I first became aware of the house gig phenomenon through my tenuous association with Henry Priestman and Les Glover. I’d been fortunate enough to support them a couple of times at Thornton Hough Village Club, and hence was following their various antics on FB. They do a lot of house gigs, not always in houses; allotments, tents, boats, schools… I started to offer my credentials as a way of taking payment for my album “It Might Never Happen”. I didn’t have many taker’s, but it got the ball rolling. My first house gig was in a shed, in my sister’s garden in County Durham last summer. A big shed, my sister calls it her retreat. I wasn’t exactly in it, I was just out of it. The gig was to help raise funds for a charity my sister helps to run Deepti Centre, in India. Carrie had invited twenty odd friends and neighbours, most of whom were not quite used to the idea of someone singing at them in a back garden… I felt the same way. At first it seemed like a tough gig for me and them, I don’t play covers, naturally no-one knew my songs. But they were certainly interested, I could tell that much. By the end of the evening, we were all great friends, singing along to “All Sing Along” and the like. I sold quite a few CDs, and even signed a couple. My next gig was in Liverpool to help Julie celebrate a significant birthday. A real contrast to my open air debut. Up close and personal doesn’t do it justice. Apart from Julie, I knew no one, and vice versa. I was nobody’s brother. Again, many people there “hadn’t had the privilege” of live music in this way, and again by the end of the evening we all had a blast. I have done a couple more since then, for Brian, then Nick in my home town West Kirby, both brilliant nights, playing for some folks who knew me locally, but not perhaps quite like this. As a performer, the joy of house gigs is that there is no escape, for them or you. Nowhere to hide. Apart from the garden shed engagement, it’s been just me and my guitar. You have their attention, there is no rush, you can take your time, chat between songs, give some context, eyeball to eyeball, if someone “dares” talk, even a whisper, we all know about it. I find playing without amplification totally liberating, it feels like your doing something deeply traditional – entertaining by the skin of your teeth, your words, your music, your stories. Old fashioned, which of course I am. So what are you waiting for? It’s all the rage, impress your friends, book me, I am very reasonable.

‘Stunning’ - GetOutMore ‘One of the albums of the year’—Liverpool Sound & Vision ‘Highly accomplished’ - Liverpool Acoustic ‘An intriguing listen’ - Native Monster

OUT NOW

The Stunning NEW Album

Kevin Critchley Now Available On

Facebook.com/kevincritchleymusic @kevincritchley

Itunes & Amazon MP3 Also available for purchase via Www.kevincritchley.com

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alex mcgrath As part of a “covers act/cabaret band” you experience a lot of very odd and sometimes disturbing things. Tonight was no exception.

Alex forms one half of the duo Rigsby’s Cat, that’s Rigsby’s Cat. Steve Lloyd and Alex have been performing on the Merseyside circuit since their teenage years and are well respected both on and off the stage. Alex has a out-andout quality, stadium rock voice and Steve is the technical guru of the guitar. Together they are magical and extremley funny. A must see.

Towards the end of our last set, a young-ish bloke was going from table to table sitting and having a little chat with people to varying degrees of success. At this point we didn’t have a clue who he was or what he was doing so ignored him. We finished and started to pack away so as to clear the stage for the regular Sunday night Karaoke. The guy comes striding over to our friend Jackie, who hasn’t even gotten a microphone out at this point, and demands that he should be on first seeing as he has had to put up with the fat blokes making noise (wonder if he knew we were still on the stage packing away or was too blinded by his own ego to notice?) and that he had put his song choices in to the bar staff half an hour previous. He then informs her that he had gone around the tables to get everyone to join in when he is on. The response to this was priceless (and unprintable here...). Impervious to insult and being told he was being disrespectful to two hard working musicians (don’t get called that very often, hard working or a musician) off he toddled back to his friend to crow about being on first. Gear now in van and he is about to sing. Opening piano riff of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” plays, mouth opens and...Well, you wouldn’t call it singing or in tune or in time! Undeterred by how bad he doesn’t realise he is, he beckons for audience participation of which only a few oblige. The rest sit open mouthed, stunned by his total lack of...Well anything! Will this make him aware that he is not cut out for this? Hell No! A table of five people joined in so he must be the new Freddy Mercury because he has stormed it or that’s what he will tell his mates at work in the morning. Self belief is one thing but this is total delusion and unfortunately he is not alone. It seems to be happening more and

more that people are of the opinion they are better than the act, whoever they may be, and that we should give them the platform to prove it. Who or what is to blame for this you may ask? Is it karaoke itself or maybe it’s bigger than that. How many times have you seen the latest glut of talent shows revel in the abysmal and embarrassingly bad auditions and then put them through (for no other reason than it makes, in their eyes, good TV) for us all to laugh at and make fun of. A lot of the respect for hard working professional musicians has gone out of the window in this world of “Me mates and me Mum think I’m great” wannabe singers. I always wonder what would happen (and I know the answer before I even ask the question) if you gave one of these muppets

(and that’s insulting to the real Muppets) the stage and said “If you are getting up for one song then you may as well do the whole set if you are that good”. Don’t forget to mention that they have to be on for three hours and do it with a cracked rib (well that was the fun I had this week) and we will get the masters of the long sets, Paul Kappa, Mark Lacey and Brian from Hush to judge them on how well they have done (that’s if they last more than 15 minutes!). This may seem to be a bit of a rant and you’re right it is (it’s my column I’ll write what I want) so let’s hope nobody annoys me just before I have to submit for next month ;) Alex

TRACEY FROM MIDNIGHT DAISIES 1. What make was your first guitar and what was the first song you learnt to play on it? I still have my first guitar, it is a 3/4 Spanish guitar – a KC 265 with nylon strings. It was pre-owed when my dad bought it for me and I have had it for over 35 years and still play it. The first song I learnt to play on it was Twist and Shout – D G A – love those Beatles! 2. If you could have anyone sing one of your own songs who would it be and what song would they sing? Caro Emerald, the Dutch jazz singer is amazing and I would like her to sing and arrange my song ‘Crazy Tune’ in her 40/50’s vintage style.

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3. Is there one particular song that you would never tire of playing? It would have to be one of my originals, ‘The Game of Life’, it is a big production number and I can imagine Shirley Bassey singing it. I wrote it about my eldest sister Joyce and it always makes me smile to see her so proud of her song. 4. What is your favourite chord sequence and what song is it from? C E7 A7 Dm A7 Dm – ‘Nobody knows you when you’re down at out’ – an old blues standard covered by Bessie Smith, Eric Clapton and Katie Melua, to name but a few. 5. If you could play in any band, worldwide, which would you pick and why? ‘Katzenjammer’, an all female band from Norway. They play original songs in a wide range of genres and they play over 30 instruments between them but most of all they always look like they are having fun. 6. Who is/was your greatest musical influence and why? My late father John Halvorsen. He was a singer and loved music and performing. We used to sing at home all the time. We would be singing to each other even while I was in bed reading my book and he was downstairs –probably doing the dishes, we would sing old standards and songs from the shows. ‘When I’m calling you ‘ – an Indian love song from Rose Marie, ‘Only Make believe’ – from Showboat and ‘After the ball’ are some of the memories I have. I would be listening to really old songs that children growing up in the 1970’s weren’t generally exposed to. Because my dad was 43 when I was born and his taste in music was 1920’s onwards. He had been stationed in Italy during WWII and came home with a love for Italian Operas. We had an eclectic collection of records at home and I loved them all from Opera to Jim Reeves.

drift Solo / Duo / Full Band / Disco / Karaoke

Contact Dave Robinson

07947 361 925 Email: daverobinsonvocalist@fsmail.net www.youtube.com/daverobinsonvocals NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2016

amy chalmers There’s lots of beautiful music in your local area this April. Here are my top concert tips this month…

Amy is a violinist and vocalist who works with a variety of acts that play folk, country, pop and classical music. She is currently writing and recording an album with her acoustic duo. She also works in music education on the Wirral.

@AmyVChalmers

New Voices – Wendy Dickinson & Rachel Nicholas at St Nicholas Church, Arrowe Road, Greasby. 2pm, Sunday 3rd April. New music from local young composers. “Come along to fill your head with an eclectic mix of new sounds – something different for a Sunday afternoon.”

Gala Concert at St. George’s Hall Concert Room. 7.30pm, 30th April. This fabulous Gala Concert is presented by the United Rotary Club. Its varied programme features a choir, a harpist, the Merseyside Police Band and comedy, and is all hosted by Radio Merseyside’s Simon Hoban. Tickets cost £15 and are available from Sylvia Lewis on 07999 952 628 or Roger Heath on 07525 783 156.

Liverpool Philharmonic Experience for Families: Play at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. 11am, 3rd April. This is an interactive and super engaging experience for kids and adults alike with games, tales and musical surprises along the way. You’ll experience what it’s like to play an instrument centre-stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, hold the conductor’s baton and then enjoy a live performance by a Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musician. Threshold Festival at Baltic Triangle, Liverpool. 1st-4th April. An exciting and diverse programme is on offer with the best in original music. See www.thresholdfestival.co.uk for further details. Chester Philharmonic Orchestra’s St Georges Day Concert at Chester Cathedral. 7.30pm, 23rd April. The orchestra, one of England’s premier amateur orchestras will perform an all English programme: Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, his haunting ‘Cello Concerto and Vaughan Williams’ London Symphony. Tickets available from 01244 500959 or www.chesterphilorchestra.co.uk

My month will include…. Playing at the Threshold Festival with Operation Lightfoot on 3rd April. Playing Irish tunes and drinking Guinness with “Tony Q & The Twocans” on Friday 8th in The Irish House, and on Sunday 10th in Shenanigans - two great Liverpool music venues. Releasing the first “Two Black Sheep” single (my duo – see www. twoblacksheep.co.uk) on 18th April. It’s called “Be Mine” and is available to pre-order on iTunes and Google Play right now! All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK. Watching Bellowhead – one of my very favourite bands – perform at the Liverpool Philharmonic on 19th April. I’ll tell you all about it next month!

AMY CHALMERS WITH A SPOTLIGHT ON: North West Choir Fest

HEIDI

I caught up with Paula from NWCF to find out about their forthcoming event on Sunday 24th April in Neston. Tell our readers about the idea behind North West Choir Fest: 2 years ago I travelled 5 hours with my community choir to take part in a festival. It was a wonderful day; when I was searching for something to participate in closer to home, I couldn’t find anything, certainly not non-competitive. So, as the creative director for Hip & Harmony CIC, it felt only natural to create our own. With the help of sponsors Phillip Bates & Co Ltd and Philip Bates Financial Services Ltd, it’s becoming a reality! The North West Choir Fest aims to bring as many choirs within the North West together. There are so many community choirs out there but not many opportunities to meet, unless you take part in competitions. What can participants expect to do on the day? It will be a wonderful day of mass singing. There will be fun and informative singing workshops giving people an opportunity to learn and sing together. These will take place during both the morning and afternoon. Also during the afternoon, all participating choirs and groups will be invited to perform their own repertoire, sharing their sound with like-minded people in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The finale will involve everyone singing together the repertoire learned collectively throughout the course of the day.

(Solo) Performing Modern Covers

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Acoustic Trio Performing Modern Covers

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OPEN M C NIGHT FREE ENTRY! Starts at 8pm.

Have you got talent? Come & show it off here. Make sure you bring your family & friends to support you!

Whether yours is a new group or well established, with four members or 40, this day will be a wonderful opportunity to share and experience singing in sweet harmony with other singers from all over the North West. Who is leading the singing sessions? The workshops will be led by four dynamic, professional facilitators, all experienced in contemporary material and techniques. To find out more about the Leaders please go to: http://northwestchoirfest.co.uk/about/ How can people sign up? Simply go to www.northwestchoirfest.co.uk and book your place! For more info call Paula: 07588559729 or email admin@northwestchoirfest.co.uk

THURSDAYS ‘One free drink for every performer’.

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katherine murphy low flying records

She drew the gun is a female fronted four piece hailing from Liverpool. The band is the brainchild of Louisa Roach, and reminiscent of Portishead and PJ Harvey, and produced by James Skelly of the Coral. They have previously bagged a session at Maida Vale for Radio 6 with Steve Lamaq championing them, also in the final for emerging talent competition for Glasto.

Scarlet Hailed as the UK’s answer to Patti Smith, Scarlet bring to the front angsty punk and indie vibes to the forefront of Liverpool’s underground scene. With them hitting a whole host of festivals up and down the country including Threshold, We Luv Festival and Tramlines, catch them now. www.facebook.com/Scarletbanduk

2016 is set for a big year in SDTG camp, get on them before they hit the big time. New album drops on 22nd April and national tour to support this kicks off from this date and continues until 1st May.

Eleanor Nelly Eleanor has been making waves on the local scene for quite a while now. Being young and fresh faced at only 16, her country folk styles have been catching the eyes and ears of many for a few years now. With big gigs under her belt, and very able to hold her own against artists who have been perfecting their craft for many years longer than Ms Nelly, she can only get bigger accolades from here on out.. Find her material and upcoming shows from her website. www.nellysworld.co.uk

www.shedrewthegun.com

Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of focus around Women in the industry and how they are represented in various roles and how they’re roles are ever changing. International Women’s Day last month saw a lot of attention brought to the subject, and how even though we are in the 21st century there are still different attitudes to genders within job roles in all workplaces and industries, not just entertainment. With bands hitting the high tops like War-paint, HAIM, Wolf Alice yet in every review and accolade they receive the focus is on them being FEMALE. Like, is being female the only thing they’ve got going for them? Of course not. Are female artists being given such high praise for being successful just because they are female, like, are they not allowed to be so successful and not be male? Like

it’s almost shocking to some, It’s strange. There are so many successful women in all areas, but again they are credited for being so good in their own fields of expertise and yet there’s a lot of focus on them being female. As if there’s success in it’s own right to be equal in the field, when by now, it should be a completely ordinary focus, but as we all know, gender inequality is still an on going issue. And there are many stunning ladies out there who are fighting our corner to right this issue.. Find out more here www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2016/ Mar/Women-in-Music-IWD2016 This month’s chosen artists are all fantastic examples of what Liverpool girls have to offer.

MERSEY MUSIC AND MEMORIES Take a trip down memory lane and grab yourself a CD or DVD to bring a smile to your face. Comedy, beautiful music or both? All from Mrs Butler’s Eldest; the choice is yours...

Radios Funniest Quiz Show on CD Best of Hold Your Plums Vols 1-7 Hold Your Plums Greatest Hits Songs of Love and Hope CD 5 Beautiful Songs: Mothers Angels Melissa Hart Look For Me in Rainbows Louise Rogan Look Down Melissa Hart Turning Back The Hands of Tme Danny Roman Rose of My Heart Melissa Hart ALL £5 EACH plus £1 per CD post and package

Billy and Wally’s World Of Scouse Humour Recorded Live At Harry Ramsdens 1998 Celebrate Some of Merseyside’s Comic Legends: Jackie Hamilton, Bobby Kaye, Hal Nolan, Lee Brennan, Bobby Shack, Eddie Collington Hold Your Plums Dvd Vols 1 Hold Your Plums Dvd Vol2 DVD’S ALL £7 plus £1 postage

Double CD Billy and Wally Celebrate 50 Pontins Gigs £7 Music and Interviews with Joe Longthorne, Micky Finn, Eddie Collington, Jackie Hamilton, Billy Maher, Eddie Flanagan, Louise Rogan, Drifters, Stylistics, Real Thing ect.

Please make cheques and P/Orders to: Zest Services, 31 Ennerdale Road, Wallasey CH45 0LX

lyn staunton Can you believe it’s Easter already!!!! Easter is a very busy time at Variety, the Children’s Charity with everyone delivering Easter Eggs to hospitals, Hospices, schools, organisations and individual Children who would never receive an Easter egg without Variety. All over the UK there are children who have to cope with sickness, disability or disadvantage. It’s tough. Really tough. Variety, the children’s charity, provide practical, tangible help that makes an immediate difference to those children and their families. If you can help in any way, please contact Lyn Staunton or one of the team at the North West oﬃce on: 0161 236 0500 or e-mail Northwest@variety. org.uk /VarietyGB

This year Variety is celebrating 50 years of “Great days out for Children” a programme put together by a group of wonderful volunteers all those years ago , and today it has gone from strength to strength and now needs hundreds of volunteers to carry on doing this wonderful programme for children . Variety springs into action at this time of year (get it Spring !!! ) to take disabled and disadvantaged children to some amazing fun places, so they can enjoy the activities that many times are just denied to them for all kinds of reasons. This year we have plans for, the zoo, Gulliver’s World, Safari parks, Seaside trips, educational days out at museums, Circuses etc etc. It’s a wonderful time of the year. If you would like to help with any of the above we would be delighted to hear from you. Remember we need treats for children all year, so if you are a chocolate shop, a bakery, a toy shop, etc and you can donate anything to us, please do not hesitate to contact the Buz Magazine. Last Month I said I would tell you how the Book signing with Denise Welch went on the 4th March at the Racquet Club Hotel in Liverpool, it was fantastic!!!!! I would like to thank Billy Butler of Radio Merseyside who came along on the night to interview Denise about her life and her latest book “If they could see me now “. Billy was hilarious and relayed some very funny tales about the famous “Hold Your Plums” radio show. “Thanks Billy as always for your amazing support”. The House Beauty Spa Liverpool, Hosted the Book

signing , and on the night raised £1,600 for disabled and disadvantaged children in Merseyside. This money goes such a long way in helping children less fortunate than others. I have included a picture of just one of the young people who all the fundraising supports, that is Marcus Harrison, pictured with his dad David at a Variety event. With the support given to Marcus by Variety, I am delighted to tell you that Marcus has become an Wheelchair England footballer, and a young Variety Ambassador, we are all so proud of Marcus. See you next month.

BRIAN HARDMAN 07429590575 Every Tuesday The Tap, Charing Cross 6pm till late Every Thursday The Beerkeg, Liscard 10pm - 1am Check Facebook for updates

THE LEVEE BREAKS

M: 07919 250990 Dynamic blues-rock line-up playing Led Zeppelin to Golden Earring, ZZ Top to Janis Joplin. Available for pub gigs, functions, weddings, parties. A lively and varied set from experienced performers. www.facebook/ TheLeveeBreaksbluesrock

Marshall Hearts

IN CAHOOTS

ROCK, POP, MOTOWN & SOUL Pubs, Weddings, and Parties T: Mark Whiteley 07719454559 or Steve Lawson 07906246241 https://www.facebook. com/themarshallhearts/

For Booking enquiries contact Danny on 07780835618 or Tequiladuo@yahoo.co.uk

For details of where Tequila are performing add them on social media Facebook.com/ tequilawirral and @tequiladuo on Twitter.

GIGS IN APRIL Friday April 1st Bromborough Social Club, Legion Lane from 8pm til late with Kim Alvord, finalist from The Voice and The X Factor. charity night in aid of Eastham Young Rangers. £7.50 OTD inc buffet. Sat 30th April - The Running Horses, Bells Lane, Lydiate from 9.30pm til late. In Cahoots are a unique five piece band covering almost every genre of music from contemporary pop to soul, easy listening to R&B, rock, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and stomping Irish tunes! Something for everyone! Available for pubs, weddings and special occasions. Contact: 07854571991 or 07740972229 Facebook: /InCahoots

christopher kelly FOLK UPDATE: Tippin’ it Up are members and residents of Maghull Folk Club which meets every Tuesday at Maghull Community Association. Chris Kelly, is one half of the duo, Tippin’ it Up, with his good friend of many years, John Marshall.They mostly play traditional music and song, but mixed in with contemporary and origional songs on a variety of instruments, including guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, bodhran and the human voice. /ChristopherKelly

Taking a look ahead: June 14th,we have Keith Price and Will Simmons as guests,with humour,song and good music guaranteed. 20th September, we have a big spot from our very own Mark Hughes, a young man with a wealth of talent and a multitude of songs and some fine guitar playing. 25th October we have our main yearly concert, featuring Jimmy Crowley, all the way from Cork in Southern Ireland. On that night you will be treated to an uncorked bottle of delight, overflowing with good spirits, effervescent vocals, brimful of good bouzouki/guitar playing and wonderful storey telling to boot. His musical enthusiasms embrace everything from Erving Berlin, to The Boys of Fairhill, Salonica and beyond and all for a mere £5. Each month I hope to highlight different folk & acoustic venues, band and individual profiles and stories old and new. Remember to keep music live. Chris Kelly.

MONDAYS: The Prospect Folk Club - The Prospect Inn, Runcorn April 4th, Anthony Cooper Clarke is their guest. The Mucky Duck Folk Club, Ewloe, Flintshire April 4th, The Haughton Weavers are their guests. Room at the Top, Lathom, Ormskirk, singers every Monday. TUESDAYS: Cornmarket Acoustic April 5th, guests Keith Price & Will Simmons. The Cross Keys, LLanfynydd April 19th guests are The Time Bandits. Maghull Folk Club April 16th guests are Bernice Carters & John Condy. WEDNESDAYS: Bromborough Folk Club The Ship Inn, Port Sunlight, see club website for details. Everyman Folk Club - The Cross Keys, Earle Street, L3 9NS Singers nights with occasional guests. THURSDAYS: Hungry Horse Folk Club, E/Port - April 7th Pete Shirley. April 14th, Jim Moray. Lymm Folk Club - The Spread Eagle Hotel, Lymm. April 7th, guests are Grassroots. April 28th is Liz Simcock. Parkgate, Wirral - April 28th, Huw Williams is the guest. Wrexham Folk Club 1st Thursday of the month is a guest night 3rd Thursday is a singers night. Caz Kraft’s Open Mic every Thurs at Stork Hotel, Birkenhead. FRIDAYS: Frodsham Folk Club April 1st their guests are The Trio Threlfall. Rhyl Folk ClubApril 15th The Jaywalkers are guests SATURDAYS: Friends of Folk April 11th Feast of Fiddles - The Atkinson Theatre, Southport. The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool April 8th, Kris Drever & Siobhan Wilson 15th Bellowhead 21st Altan 23rd Katheryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman 29th The Young ‘Uns. SUNDAYS: The Bothy Club, Southport 10th April their guest is Eddie Walker 24th April it is Pete Coe & Alice Jones. Wallasey Folk & Acoustic Club Wooden Horse folk Club - The Junction Pub, Rainford, April 17th, their guests are Fore & Aft.

James Burton WEEkend 2016 Undoubtedly James Burton is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great guitar heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from Elvis Presley to Ricky Nelson he gave them his unique guitar sound. www.james-burton.net

Thursday 28th July 2016 Floral Pavilion Theatre New Brighton, Wirral www.floralpavilion.com or tel 0151 666 0000 For this evenings show we welcome his long standing musical companion Glen D. Hardin from ‘The Crickets’ to Elvis plus many more. His CV is the envy of many keyboard players the world over. Special guest this evening is a man who is at the very top of the British Rock n Roll A list Marty Wilde. www.martywilde.com We also welcome back after a number of years Chas McDevitt to take us back to the days of skiffel. Adding to the mix local band ‘Don’t Walk’ and the ‘The Passionettes’ 80s Rockabilly band ‘The Jets’ provide a high energetic start to light the touch paper on an explosive evening. Your compère for the evening is Wirral’s own Merseybeat Star Cliff Roberts. Friday 29th July 2016 Floral Pavilion Theatre Again for this evenings show we welcome James long standing musical companion Glen D. Hardin. Topping the bill this evening is ‘The Merseybeats’. www.themerseybeats.co.uk A first visit to the Floral for Cavern stalwarts ‘The Shakers’ who will be joined by Don Woods plus the ‘The Passionettes’ and another first timer for the Floral Wirral band ’The Electric Hat Band’ sit tight and enjoy. To start the evening Henry Priestman former member songwriter with The Christians, brings his unique blend of music. Holding the evening together we have a surprise MC more later!!

Sunday 31st July 2pm to 6pm Cavern Club www.cavernclub.org or tel 0151 236 9091 James and Glen D welcome you to the Cavern, Liverpool. Topping the bill on this Sunday afternoon is Chris Clayton with a full Elvis set, plus Mark Poutney with a number of songs from the Roy Orbison ‘Black and White show’ to which both James and Glen played on. A welcome return for Cavern veteran Frankie Connor (The Hidaways) and a first for Wirral band ‘Don’t Walk’. Add a bit of Susan Hedges plus ‘The Passionetts’ and you have the perfect Sunday Rock n Roll day, plus you will have witnessed musical history being made!!!! Show time 2pm to 6pm, Tickets £26 plus booking fee VIP Ticket Why not purchase a VIP Weekend ticket which includes all three shows with best seats in the house for the two theatre shows and an invite to the Saturday evening private party at Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton Saturday 30th July 7.30pm till 11.00pm. Meet James and Glen with plenty of photo opportunities. Ticket price also includes a £5 reduction cost, go to www.floralpavilion.com Cost £73 plus booking fee

LULU IN WREXHAM

WILLIAM ASTON HALL

SUNDAY 10TH APRIL

BOX OFFICE NO: 0844 888 9991

The incredible Lulu still has plenty to shout about and is back with another fantastic tour. The Grammy-nominated singer will be performing hits from her 50 year career, such as ‘To Sir With Love’, ‘The Man Who Sold The World’, ‘Relight My Fire’, and of course ‘Shout’. As well as performing songs from some of her musical heroes, such as soul legends, Ray Charles and Otis Redding, she will also be taking us on a musical journey recalling personal anecdotes, song writing experiences, and other entertaining stories. 2015 has been an exceptional year for me, in a 50-year career. From performing at Glastonbury, releasing my first self-penned album and touring the UK, solo with my fabulous band for the first time in 10 years. I had so much fun, I’ve decided to get back out there to do it again in March & April 2016, and I can’t wait! Ahead of her show in Wrexham this month, we spoke to Lulu and asked her about her music and her life. We haven’t seen you in the public eye for a while, what have you been up to? Are we right in thinking that you have moved into blues?

I have always been Country, Rock, Blues and I have certainly played a few blues venues, but no I haven’t made a conscience move. It’s funny really I suppose my voice naturally lends itself to that genre but, I am happy enough where I am. It is hard to believe you have never had a UK no 1, if you could pick one of your songs to have been no 1 what would it be? It would be ‘Where the Poor Boys Dance’ - As it was very personal. We had trouble with the record company because the record was climbing the charts at number ten if I recall, and they pulled it. It stayed in the charts for a long time but was no longer available. Everyone thinks that Shout reached no 1 but it didn’t. Do you have any other passion in your life besides music? My grandchildren. Bella is 6 and Teddy is 3 and they are such a joy. I have to be very careful I don’t over indulge them! Is there anything else you want to achieve in your career? No. I am just grateful for everything I have had to this point and I am very, very happy.

bill elms WHAT TO SEE AND DO WITH BILL ELMS THIS MONTH - My Recommendations:

Bill Elms has worked in the theatre industry both locally and nationally for 25 years and left a 10 year position as Head of Sales and Marketing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre in August 2008, to set up his own Marketing and PR Company based in Liverpool city centre. Bill has also successfully entered into the world of theatre production with a growing portfolio of productions, collaborating with local artists and theatre companies. /BillElmsAssociates @BillElms

Threshold Festival | various venues, Baltic Triangle | 1 – 3 April. Now in its 6th consecutive year, Threshold Festival is a celebration of the grassroots creative scenes of Liverpool and further afield through music, art and culture. This year’s edition will host over 900 performers over 12 venues in 3 days around the city’s creative quarter the Baltic Triangle, with a huge focus on collaboration and new work. The theme this year is Alchemy, which is a fitting label to the melting pot of arts within this year’s festival. The theatre and performance programme will be hosted by Cabaret from the Shadows - an international ensemble of artists specialising in an electrifying blend of clowning and bouffon. Find out more at www. thresholdfestival.co.uk.

The Mousetrap | Liverpool Empire | 21 – 23 April. Famous around the world for being the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre, with over 26,000 performances in London. The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by the snow discover, to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst. Who can it be? One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at the last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed. In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.

Lennon Through A Glass Onion | Epstein Theatre | 18-29 April. Following its New York and Edinburgh success, Lennon Through a Glass Onion is set to debut in its spiritual home. It’s a celebration of the genius and music of one of Liverpool’s favourite sons, John Lennon. Part concert and part biography, Daniel Taylor reveals the true essence of the life and astonishing talent of one of the world’s most treasured icons. An intimate production featuring 31 hits of Lennon and his collaborations with McCartney including “Imagine”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, “Revolution”, “Woman” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” “Working Class Hero” and “Jealous Guy”. The 39 Steps | Liverpool Playhouse | 4-9 April. Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage as the smash hit Olivier Award Winning Comedy is now on tour after 9 years in London’s West End. Follow the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women. This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features 4 fearless actors, playing 130 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action. Where There’s A Will | St George’s Hall | 23 – 28 April. A season of classic Shakespeare plays will take place at St George’s Hall to mark the 400th Anniversary of the Bard’s death. Appropriately entitled, Where There’s A Will, the season features four of The Bard’s most popular plays which will be staged in the stunning Concert Room at the iconic venue. Where There’s A Will is being presented by Chalice Media Limited and starts with Macbeth (24 to 28 April). It will be followed by The Tempest (3 and 4 June); Romeo And Juliet (2 and 3 July); and Much Ado About Nothing (3 to 5 August). Alongside Macbeth is the Walking The Bard promenade tours around the hall from 23 - 28 April.

Looking Ahead… Physical Fest –various venues – from 20 May Liverpool’s international festival of Physical Theatre returns for a 12th year to animate the city with free and programmed performances, it even includes a spin off festival for kids called Young Fest. Brazilica! – Various Venues, city centre – 15 – 17 July Get ready to Samba, Liverpool Carnival Company have announced they are back in Rio Olympic year to wash the city with colour, Brazilian music, art, film and the spectacular evening parade make this one of our muchloved festivals. Twopence to Cross the Mersey – Touring September to November Helen Forrester’s best-selling book jumps from page to stage in this new straight play version of the dramatic, moving and heartwarming tale. It opens at the Royal Court, then moves on to Southport, Warrington and St Helens to name but a few.

THEATRE LISTINGS THE EMPIRE THEATRE 0844 871 3017 The Last Tango – Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacache 4th-6th April The Illegal Eagles 7th April A Vision of Elvis 8th April One Night of Rock 9th April Thriller Live 11th–16th April Showstoppers 18th–19th The Mousetrap 21st–23rd April The Bodyguard 26th April–7th May THE EPSTEIN THEATRE 0844 888 4411 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves until – 6th April New Dawn Fades 7th–9th April Rosenblume and Robert Vincent – An Evening of Liverpool Americana 14th April Ruby Turner 15th April Chris Ramsey 21st April Lennon – Through a Glass Onion 18th–29th April Rising Stars UK Spectacular 30th April

17th April We’ll Meet Again 20th April The Wack Pack Live 22nd April ELO Again – A Night of ELO 23rd April Spotlight on Youth 2016 24th April Complete Works Performance – TEN 27th – 28th April Tap Factory – World Tour 2016 30 April FLORAL PAVILION BLUE LOUNGE 0151 666 0000 The Singular Exploits of Sherlock Holmes 23rd April The Spirit and Sound of Steely Dan - Nearly Dan in Concert 24th April St Paul’s Operatic Society - Music! Music! Music! 28th–29th April Wirral Community Choir Big Band Concert - On Broadway 30th April

ST GEORGE’S HALL 0844 800 0410 (Ticketquarter) THE ROYAL COURT Oh Goody! With Tim Brooke0151 709 4321 Taylor and Chris Searle 6th April Down the Dock Road 11th BBC Radio Merseyside ~ Big March–9th April History Show 9th-10th April The Golden Oldies 15th THE BIG BAND FIVE STAR April–14th May SWING 10th April The Three Degrees 11th April Rob Beckett – Mouth Of The ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL South (SOLD OUT) 15th April 01744 756000 An Evening With Wingates Band 16th April Peter Pan – Easter Panto 25th Chamber Music in Liverpool March–17th April Vanbrugh Quartet 19th April The ELO Experience 22nd Organ Recital 19th April April THE BLOW MONKEYS 21st April Sing-a-Long-a Rocky Horror THE FLORAL PAVILION Picture Show 22nd April 0151 666 0000 WALKING THE BARD: THE SHAKESPEARE The Blues Brothers EXPERIENCE TOUR 23rd Experience 1st April April–28 April Tell Me On A Sunday 2nd April Shakespeare’s “MACBETH” Ireland’s Call 3rd April 24th-28th April David Walliams’ Gangsta Gala Concert 30th April Granny 6th – 10th April The Hot Club of Cowtown 12th April LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE An Evening of Burlesque 0151 709 4776 15th April Coppélia - Vienna Festival The 39 Steps 4th–9th April Ballet 16th April Mark Thomas: Trespass The Glenn Miller Orchestra 22nd April

THE EVERYMAN THEATRE 0151 709 4776 A Girl is a Half-formed thing 5th–9th April Iphigenia in Splott 14th–16th April THE PHILHARMONIC HALL 0151 709 3789 Viennese Masters 1st April Fazil Say (Music Room) 1st April Ray Mears: Tales of Endurance 2nd April Northern Dreams 7th April Kris Drever (Music Room) 8th April Jane Jones and Tai Murray (Music Room) 9th April National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain 9th April Bruch’s Violin Concerto 10th April Yundi 12th April The Rieder Ensamble (Music Room) 13th April Frequencies (Music Room) 14th April Rick Astly 15th April Edward II (Music Room) 15th April Katherine Ryan: Kathbum 16th April Shakatak (Music Room) 16th April Gregory Porter (SOLD OUT) 17th April Bellowhead: The Farewell Tour (SOLD OUT) 19th April Emperor 21st & 22nd April Altan (Music Room) 21st April Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman (Music Room) 23rd April Symphonic Safari Family Concert 24th April The Solid Silver 60s Show 27th April Rhapsody 28th April Shalamar 29th April The Young ‘Uns 29th April Michael Bolton 30th April

The Vamps 12th April Little Mix 14th & 21st April Noel Gallagher 25th April Harlem Globetrotters 26 April English Boxing 29 April–1 May THE LANTERN THEATRE 0114 255 1776 The Picture of Dorian Gray 7th -9th April Twisted 15th April Our Kylie’s Having A Bab 19th April Kenny’s Carpet 21st–23rd April Care Takers 29th April UNITY THEATRE 0151 709 4988 Dirty Pakistani Laundry 1st April Tinned Goods 2nd April Brakin’ Pad 5th – 9th April The Impossible House 8th – 9th April Stephanie Lang: Nincompoop 12th April Chris Stokes: Altruism in Birds 12th April Resurrection Half Price 13th April Double Bill 19th April Dirty Glitter 20 April The Odyssey 21st April The Lamella Project 22nd – 23rd April Scratch Night 26th April Mark Watson: I’m Not Here 27th – 28th April Error 404 28th – 30th April Going Viral 29th & 30th April

THE ECHO ARENA 0844 8000 400 Smith Vs Mohoumadi (Boxing) 2 April Jeff Lynne’s ELO 5th April Artistic Gymnastics 8th–10th April Shawn Klush Elvis World Tour 8th April (Auditorium) The Wizard of Oz 9th April (Auditorium)