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.
Album review: Nick Ellis – Adult Fiction ALBUM REVIEW Artist – Nick Ellis Album – Adult Fiction Release date – 12th November 2017 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare Second albums are tough… especially if you’re a solo artist. Scouse songwriter Nick Ellis’ first album, the sublime Daylight Ghosts, was critically acclaimed and placed the ex-MaybesContinue Reading
ALBUM REVIEW Artist – Alun Parry Album – Freedom Rider Release date – 25th March 2017 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare, Liverpool Acoustic You don’t often associate poetry and metaphor with protest music. But therein lies the rub: Alun Parry is no protest singer. He’s a folk hero. Folk music comes in many colours and whilst it’sContinue Reading
ALBUM REVIEW Artist – Elfin Bow Album – Elfin Bow Release date – 18th March 2017 Reviewer – Alan O’Hare, Liverpool Acoustic All artists invite you to enter the world they inhabit. It was Bruce Springsteen who said that the artist’s job is to make YOU interested in their obsessions. Has Elfin Bow managed that with herContinue Reading
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
