Leon Rosselson - Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool, 14/9/2016
by Steve Kinrade
published: 8 / 11 / 2016

intro
Steve Kinrade watches 82 year old folk singer Leon Rosselson play a completely irresistible set at the Philharmonic Music Room in Liverpool
Leon Rosselson has a rich history - as is the want of his 82 years - of songwriting, children's authorship, interweaved with so-called socialist radical politics, and it is with eager enthusiasm the audience anticipated his two-part set, split with support act Esme Bridie, who served as an interesting counterpoint to Rosselson's artistic manifesto. Ms Bridie offered to the night's appreciative audience songs of subtle and lyrical beauty dealing with sadness, loss and the general complexity of relationships, such as 'Big Brown Boots' and the sublime 'What You Had Yesterday'. She possessed an intriguing stillness on stage which belies her youth but signifies an inner steel of confidence that will serve her well in the future. Leon Rosseleson played tonight a set that embraced the zeitgeist - addressing political and feminist issues he has been grappling with all his long creative life, but that are just as pertinent today as when they were first written. 'Palaces of Gold' themes the obvious hypocrisy of class and privilege. The line "invisible fingers will mould Palaces of Gold" was a telling reminder that power and self- interest always loads the dice in the Establishment's favour; 'Don't Get Married Girls' is a funny, acerbic and many times very accurate commentary - depending on your viewpoint - of the social construct of this hallowed institution. 'Talking Democracy Blues' is a brilliant post Brexit commentary, with not so much as a side-swipe but a full on forearm smash to Blair's political legacy. 'Where Are The Barricades' pretty much sums up these austerity years. Rosselson's call to arms is completely irresistible. This was an evening of intelligent music that spoke to the Philharmonic assembly intuitively and made the assembly consider the political and emotional worlds we all now inhabit. As the Maestro quipped, this was a night of the old and the new. But it was also a welcome reminder that wise observations borne out of experience should always be heeded. And needed.
Also at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool
Band Links:-
http://www.leonrosselson.co.uk/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Rosselson
Picture Gallery:-

most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
previous editions
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....Nitzer Ebb -
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Loop - Loop / Godflesh - Heaven, London, 4/6/2014
Super Furry Animals - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Brad Elvis - Interview
Not Forgotten Girl - Interview
Love - Reel to Real
Miscellaneous - Film
most viewed reviews
current edition
John McKay - Sixes and #SevensDavey Woodward - Mumbo in the Jumbo
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart