Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge Final
Leaf, 65-67 Bold Street, L1 4EZ
Saturday 27th January 2024

Reviewed by Rob Harrison

Last year during September, Songwriters were invited to submit new songs inspired by various artworks in and around Liverpool or The Wirral. When the songs are performed in a live context, the work of art will be shown as the performer plays. Super kool idea hey..

So we find your intrepid word scribe in attendance tonight for the (deep Breath) Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge. Overall 26 songwriters submitted pieces of music for the judges. From the Twenty six, Ten finalists were selected to present their songs to an audience, that’s us I guess.

Kaya Hersted Carney begins proceedings, sounding a bit French. In an Edith Piaf vein. But, after Kayas performance we have no regrets. ( La Plaisanterie ) As Kaya is one of the judges she doesn’t count. So it’s on to the performers.

As you would imagine it’s a mixed bag. And mostly acoustic apart from the keyboard At first the performances are a bit unspectacular, as they seem to fall into a sort of folk dirge. Helen Maw is about the forth performer.

From there things begin to pick up. Helen plays keyboards and sings with another vocalist and a guitar player. who I can’t hear very well. But apart from that, the harmonies are lovely. Between the three of them they create this dream-like vibe which gives expression to the artworks behind them. It’s a song about the stone fellas in Waterloo who overlook the sea. I think this should have won but what do I know ?.

For the next two songs the ghost of Nick Drake looms large over the proceedings With the tricky guitar work which is not bad. These come from Iain Paterson and James Chetter.

Interestingly, (Chetter) plays Promised Based on a Picture by Henry Scott Tuke to be found in the Walker art Gallery in Liverpool. Back in 81 The Bunnymen did the same picture.They called it The promise James’ song is different though.

Jim Pearson is next with The boy with the red hat. He wins the judges award and rightly So. it’s a mixture of Talking heads and the Kinks, nice one Jim. The artist it appears is in the audience, and immediately takes control of the proceedings.

Eventually ending up on stage. Jim seems bashful when he has his photo taken with the artist, I think he’d rather be playing his guitar.

Mike Ryan gets the audience award with Lily”s last waltz, a song about Lily Savage and Paul O’grady who are one and the same. The song is based on a mural to be found at Woodside terminal Birkenhead.

I found the song alright but a bit lacking. As it seemed to just keep repeating itself ad infinitum. It sort of reminded me of Muse. Desperately crying out for the big band treatment. Mike should listen to the “With the Beatles” album perhaps.

My friend noticed that we appeared to be in a grey area. Meaning, lots of old people in the audience ( can I add that we are both in our Sixties ) The award for the audience Was conducted by tech on your phone. My friend sorted it, but I struggled a bit. Lets get back to paper and be more democratic. I’m sure the oldies probably struggle with the tech giving an unfair advantage here.

Last to perform was Paul Henry with his song The ghost of the bombed out church By this time we were all doing musical rope a dope. Being pummelled into submission by watching ten acts ( in quick succession )

As a consequence Paul’s song was probably not considered enough. It was quite good actually. Very Billy Joel in the bouncy keyboard sounds. Once again it lacked a band which would have given it more Beef (sorry Vegans) But it finished the evening on a high. Overall, another good contender boxing jokes abound I could have been…..

So that was it, a fun night had by all. But my thoughts linger on the other Sixteen contenders. The Maybe also ran”s who tried for the competition What were their contributions? Like, I’m pondering, as I do in these matters of course. Perhaps another contest for them, this could go on till next year couldn’t it .?