Alan O'Hare is a musician and songwriter from Liverpool. Well known as the former lead singer of The Trestles, Al's current venture is Only Child alongside Laura McKinlay.
BOOK REVIEW Title – Simon & Garfunkel: Together Alone Author – Spencer Leigh Publisher – McNidder & Grace Release date – 18th September 2016 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare While there is a major Paul Simon biography due this year from the celebrated American author Peter Ames Carlin, tomes on Simon & Garfunkel (and even just the former)Continue Reading
Live review: Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting, and Nancy Kerr Support: Charlie McKeon Date: Wednesday 8th June 2016 Venue: The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool Reviewer: Alan O’Hare – Liverpooletc The legendary folk singer and guitarist, Martin Simpson, is midway through an anecdote to introduce the ballad ‘Ruben’ and a busy-enough-for-a-Wednesday-night crowd finally come to life. There’s laughs,Continue Reading
EP REVIEW Artist – Paul Wilkes EP – Patterns Release date – 25th November 2015 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare Hot on the heels of ‘Take The Sunlight’ and ‘River Running With Me’, comes his third EP of the year, the delicate ‘Patterns’. It’s lower key than the previous releases – out go the strings and widescreen arrangements,Continue Reading
ALBUM REVIEW Artist: Ian Prowse Album: Compañeros Reviewer: Alan O’Hare Released: 2nd October 2015 When is an album of cover versions not a covers album? When said songs are being uncovered for the first time… Ian Prowse’s new album, Compañeros, contains ten tunes written by songwriters other than the Merseysider. The rub?Continue Reading
Live review: Elvis Costello Date: Monday 15th June 2015 Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Reviewer: Alan O’Hare It’s all about that singular voice. Elvis Costello is unique. Sure, he’s not the only acclaimed songwriter around who twists brand new melodies from well-worn chords. But he is the only one who renders chords, melodies and structure almostContinue Reading
EP REVIEW Artist – Paul Wilkes EP – Take The Sunlight Release date – 8th June 2015 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare Listen on Soundcloud How does a prolific artist sustain interest in 2015? There is no answer to that. But, in these disposable times, one plan of action is to release music often and to strive toContinue Reading
EP REVIEW Artist – Paul Wilkes EP – River Running With Me Release date – 19th January 2015 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare Listen on Soundcloud Paul Wilkes has been around for a long time. One of his first tunes, the delicately bruised ‘Rihanna’, still occupies a space in the file marked ‘great lost songs’ of theContinue Reading
ALBUM REVIEW Artist: Various Artists Album: Mellowtone: Ten Years Reviewer: Alan O’Hare Talk about a labour of love. “We hope our selection gives a taste of the city’s unplugged underground from 2004 to 2014,” says curator Dave McTague. He can rest easy. McTague, as lots of you will already know, is theContinue Reading
EP REVIEW Artist – Iain Till EP – The Rise And The Fall Release date – November 2014 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare (Listen on BandCamp) To make music this sparse stand out from the crowd, the singer has to be able to whisper something into your ear. Fortunately for Iain Till, his voice is sublime. The songwriter (andContinue Reading
EP REVIEW Artist: SheBeat EP: SheBeat EP Reviewer: Alan O’Hare SheBeat’s debut release is a cracker. The singer/songwriter, well known for earning her stripes on the local open mic scene, has seemed a little fragile trying to hit the heights above the noise of a crowded pub. But this four track EP puts thatContinue Reading
