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Pennyblackmusic: December 2023


Interviews


Steve Wynn


The Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn talks to Philamonjaro about his new live CD 'Journeyman' and his recent European acoustic tour.



Sharks
Nicola Black
Roy Moller

Sharks’ frontman and 70’s punk influence Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons talks to Eoghan Lyng about their new film documentary, ‘Not A Rock Doc (A Shark’s Tale)’.
Film producer Nicola Black speaks to Andrew Twambley about her new project, ‘The Light Pours Out Of Me. an in-depth film about the life of guitarist John McGeoch,
Edinburgh-born singer and songwriter Roy Moller speaks to John Clarkson about his new album ‘Be My Baby’,which is about his discovery that his birth parents were Canadian and that his mother flew from Toronto to Edinburgh to give birth to and put him up for adoption.



Robert Davi
Black Hill Transmissions
Louise McCorkindale
Prisoners

Actor Robert Davi speaks to Eoghan Lyng about his other career as a singer and playing a Bpnd villain in ‘Licence to Kill’.
Experimental musician Mark Scanlan talks to John Clarkson about his project Black Hill Transmissions and its new release 'Transmissions #3'.
Aberdee singer-songwriter and former Only A Ghost frontwoman Louise McCorkindale talks to John Clarkson about her debut solo release, EP ‘Her Art’.
James Taylor, the keyboardist and the organ player, with legendary 80's garage-rock band The Prisoners talks to Denzil Watson about their reformation for a show at The Roundhouse in London and their forthcoming first album in almost forty years.


Ken Loach
John Philip Shenale
John Philip Shenale
Eric Bell

Adam Coxon talks to film director Ken Loach about his long career and the making of his films including 'Up The Junction', 'Cathy Come Home'. 'Kes' and 'I, Daniel Bradley'.
Los Angeles composer and arranger John Philip Shenale is associated with Grammy-nominated artists: Tori Amos, Jane’s Addiction, Tracy Chapman and Billy idol. To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ‘Night of Hunters,’ he shares excerpted highlights of his five-decade career.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ‘Night of Hunters’ L.A. composer/arranger/producer John Philip Shenale discusses his role in the intricacies of Tori Amos’s classically-based album, and more.
Legendary guitarist Eric Bell chats to Adam Coxon about working with Van Morrison in Them and Phil Lynott in Thin Lizzy, his fifty year career and his autobiography 'Remembering'.

Jeff Moller
Joe McGrath
Blue Highways
Madeline Bell

American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Moller talks to Eoghan Lyng about his classic rock-inspired debut album, ‘Sigh Baby’.
1960’s and 1970’s film and television director Joe McGrath talks to Adam Coxon about working with The Goons, The Beatles on promotional films and ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Help!’, Ringo Starr on ‘The Magic Christian’, and also 'Rising Damp -The Movie’.
Callum Lury from London-based America trio The Blue Highways, which comprises of three brothers, speaks to Julie Cruickshank about their progress to date and their Bruce Springsteen-influenced second album, ‘Out on The Line’.
Former Blue Mink singer Madeline Bell talks to Adam Coxon about her career in the 1960s and 1970s working as a backing singer for artists and producers such as John Lennon, George Harrison, Phil Spector and Giorgio Moroder and her friendship with Dusty Springfield.



Visitor Comments

Editorial


Hello and welcome to the 25th Anniversary edition of the Pennyblackmusic Magazine. We are sometimes asked why we have managed to keep going so long. Part of that is undoubtedly down to sheer belligerence on my behalf, and possibly an inability to know when to stop. Part of that is down to our writing and photographic team, several of whom have been with us almost as long as the site has been going, and remain absolutely passionate and committed to listening to new music. Most of all, however, it is down to our webmaster Richard Banks, He has kept Pennyblackmusic developing as technolo ....more






Profiles



Lisa Torem recollects meeting, interviewing and enjoying Chicago-based saxophonist Mars Williams’s music and endearing personality over the years.




Beatles
Cliff Richard
Kenneth Womack
Pennyblackmusic

Nick Dent-Robinson reflects upon the Beatles' much anticipated new single, 'Now and Then'.
Bob Nicholson examines a new memoir from Cliff Richard in which he reflects upon thirty of the songs that have had the most influence on him.
Eoghan Lyng assesses Kenneth Womack's latest book about Beatles road manager Mal Evans.
Some of Pennyblackmusic's favourite artists and labels help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary by sending us their birthday greetings.



Live Reviews





Steve Wynn
Larkin Poe
Little Man Tate

Philamonjaro finds The Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn making a surprisingly big sound at an acoustic solo gig at The Fun House in Madrid
Philamonjaro enjoys a versatile set from Americana duo Larkin Poe, which is fronted by sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell, at La Riviera in Madrid.
Dixie Ernill enjoys a vibrant set from Sheffield indie rock act Little Man Tate on their first national tour in thirteen years.



Most Viewed (articles)







Favourite Albums




Even As We Speak
Beatles
Cranberries

Dave Goodwin is impressed by two 1990’s John Peel Sessions by Australian indie pop band Even As We Speak, which have just been released on the ever reliable Precious Recordings of London.
Nick Dent-Robinson looks at The Beatles’ classic greatest hits Red and Blue albums which have just been reissued for their 50th Anniversary in expanded and remastered deluxe editions.
Zena Greig reflects upon Irish pop/rock outfit The Cranberries third album ‘To the Faithful Departed’, which has just been re-released in a deluxe edition.



Features




Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' dives headfirst into a debate about the cost of new records, via a detour on the number 52 bus
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem assesses legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash’s 2014 memoir ‘Wild Tales’.



Beat, General Public and the Fine Young Cannibals
Beck
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities

Fiona Hutchings reflects on a new book from Sonicbond on The Beat and also General Public and The Fine Young Cannibals, which featured many of the same members.
Kimberly Bright finds Sonicbond’s new book on Beck to be beautifully researched and totally compelling.
In the third part of his four part series, Steve Miles continues his interview with Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, putting his writing process under the spotlight, and looking at how focus on mental health plays a key role in the band’s bond with the audience.
In the fourth and final part of his series on music and mental health, Steve Miles talks to Heavenly’s Amelia Fletcher, on the band and the tragic death of her brother in 1997.



Photography




Andrew Twambley takes photos of Gothic group The Sisters of Mercy at thre Manchester Academy.
Robert Hadley takes photographs of electro-modernist guitar group Pale Blue Eyes at the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham



In the first of a two part gallery Andrew Twambley photographs The Australian Pink Floyd Show at a gig at the Manchester Apollo.



Australian Pink Floyd Show
Bleach Lab
She's In Parties

Andrew Twambley in the second of a two part gallery photographs The Australian Pink Floyd Show at a gig at the Manchester Apollo.
Robert Hadley takes photos of indie band Bleach Lab at The Hare and Hounds in Birmingham.
Robert Hadley takes photographs of shoegaze band She’s In Parties at a show in Birmingham.






Most Viewed (reviews)




Reviews



Freschard and Stanley Brinks
Van Morrison
Rupert Wates
Madness

Reflective and gentle Euro indie pop on vinyl only joint third album between French-born duo Freschard and Stanley Brinks
Surprisingly upbeat double album of 1950s rock and roll and 1960s pop covers from Van Morrison
Exquisite new album from folk guitarist and singer-songwriter Rupert Wates.
Often dark and pessimistic concept album from Madness about the state of our planet


Taylor Swift
Duff McKagan
Struts

Expanded and reworked version of Taylor Swift’s 2014 album which saw her make the transition from country to pop
Versatile and reflective third solo album from Guns N’Roses founder member and bass player Duff McKagan
Vibrant combination of rock and pop on fourth album rom glam-influenced Derby band The Struts


Head With Wings
Chris Stapleton
Olivia Rodrigo
Holly Humberstone

Head With Wings’ new album thrills with inventive, layered soundscapes
Soulful fifth album from much acclaimed country star Chris Stapleton
Refreshing and acerbically witty second album and coming-of-age record from rising star, Olivia Rodrigo
Atmospheric and reflective solo debut album from classically trained violinist and singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone


Dolly Parton
Emeli Sande
Baiana
Amanda Stewart

Impressive collection of covers on first rock album from Dolly Parton
Strong comeback album from Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande
Infectious and panoramic combination of samba, jazz and bossa nova, sung in both English and Portuguese, from Baiana, the project of Liverpool musician Laura Doyle
Eclectic, reflective and passionate second album from Montana singer-songwriter Amanda Stewart which stands up to repeated listening


Rebecca Poole
Cher
Agnetha Faltstog
Laufey

Intimate and sophisticated. jazz-influenced third album from singer-songwriter. musician and actor and Jools Holland collaborator Rebecca Poole
Energetic and appealing album of Christmas song covers from Cher
Revamped and now elegant dance and electronic pop-based new version of her 2013 solo album ‘A’ from ex-Abba star Agnetha Faltskog
Stylish blend of blend of contemporary jazz and pop on second album from classically-trained Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Laufey


Corinne Bailey Rae
Lewis Burner
Autumn 1904
Swansea Sound

Ambitiou, indie-influenced concept album from acclaimed soul artist Corinne Bailey Rae
New single commemorating the Featherstone Massacre of 1893 from The Burner Band’s Lewis Burner.
Exuberant new single from 1980’s Edinburgh post-punks Autumn 1984, which comes from a forthcoming album of re-masters and re-recordings
Typically thoughtful and refreshingly caustic Christmas EP from indie pop supergroup Swansea Sound which reflects on both sides of the festive season






Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors