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
Mc Mabon - Buy This Now Before Badness, Hate Greed
Mc Mabon - Buy This Now Before Badness, Hate Greed
Roy Moller - Songs From Be My Baby
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - Miller High Life Theater, Milwaukee, 30/9/2023
link - squam rep
Sinead O' Connor - A Force for Good
Pennyblackmusic - 20th Anniversary
Hives - Sheffield Leadmill, 2/2/02
Organ - Interview
Hives - Sheffield Leadmill, 2/2/02
Hugh Cornwell - O2 Academy, Sheffield, 7/5/2023
Mc Mabon - Buy This Now Before Badness, Hate Greed
Roy Moller - Songs From Be My Baby
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - Miller High Life Theater, Milwaukee, 30/9/2023
link - squam rep
Sinead O' Connor - A Force for Good
Pennyblackmusic - 20th Anniversary
Hives - Sheffield Leadmill, 2/2/02
Organ - Interview
Hives - Sheffield Leadmill, 2/2/02
Hugh Cornwell - O2 Academy, Sheffield, 7/5/2023
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
Micky Dolenz
Lisa Torem watches Mickey Dolenz, the last surviving member of The Monkees, perform songs from that band, plus other compelling covers, with his talented backing band and sister/vocalist Coco.
Micky Dolenz
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Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 14/10/2024
Steve Wynn - Fun House, Masrid, 25/10/2023
Larkin Poe - La Riviera. Madrid, 6/11/2023
Little Man Tate - The Grand, Clitheroe, 14/10/2023
Squid - Vicar Street,, Dublin, 25/10/2023
Three Nights of Indie Pop - Manchester and Glasgow, 6/10/2023....8/10/2023
Echo And The Bunnymen - Royal Centre, Nottingham, 12/9/2023
Wigan Casino 50th Anniversary - Winter Gardens, Blackpool, 22/9/2023...24/9/2023
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - Miller High Life Theater, Milwaukee, 30/9/2023
Paul Weller - Razzmatazz, Barcelona, 18/9/2023
Herb Alpert and Lani Hall - Vic Theatre, Chicago, 16/9/2023
Ezra Furman - Tramshed, Cardiff, 31/8/2023
Steve Wynn - Fun House, Masrid, 25/10/2023
Larkin Poe - La Riviera. Madrid, 6/11/2023
Little Man Tate - The Grand, Clitheroe, 14/10/2023
Squid - Vicar Street,, Dublin, 25/10/2023
Three Nights of Indie Pop - Manchester and Glasgow, 6/10/2023....8/10/2023
Echo And The Bunnymen - Royal Centre, Nottingham, 12/9/2023
Wigan Casino 50th Anniversary - Winter Gardens, Blackpool, 22/9/2023...24/9/2023
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band - Miller High Life Theater, Milwaukee, 30/9/2023
Paul Weller - Razzmatazz, Barcelona, 18/9/2023
Herb Alpert and Lani Hall - Vic Theatre, Chicago, 16/9/2023
Ezra Furman - Tramshed, Cardiff, 31/8/2023
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)
Current Edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - Heaven Is Whenever We Can Get Together 4 – ‘When you look a little closer, you learn a lot more.’Robert Davi - Interview
Nicola Black - Interview
Kenneth Womack - Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans
Cliff Richard - A Head Full of Music
Sharks - Interview
Steve Wynn - Interview
Ken Loach - Interview
Pale Blue Eyes - Photoscapes
Sisters of Mercy - Photoscapes
Previous Editions
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - InterviewDandy Warhols - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Ruskin Arms - The Image That Made Me Weep
Paul Jones - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Paul Simpson - Interview
Sound - Interview
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
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)
Current Edition
Autumn 1904 - The CityRupert Wates - Elegies
Lewis Burner - The Featherstone Massacre
Madness - Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C'est La Vie
Struts - Pretty Vicious
Emeli Sande - How Were We To Know
Van Morrison - Accentuate The Positive
Holly Humberstone - Paint My Bedroom Black
Laufey - Bewitched
Chris Stapleton - Higher
Previous Editions
Songs Ohia - The LionessTaxi Taxi! - Taxi Taxi!
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Disco - Live at The London Palladium
French Boutik - Ce Je Ne Sais Quoi
Vapors of Morphine - Fear and Fantasy
Mabels - Scenes From A Midday Movie
Frank And Walters - Glass
Benjamin Zephaniah - Naked
Emmy the Great - First Love
Elli De Mon - Pagan Blues
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
Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart