Cool Manchester

Saturday night saw the return of series 7 [33] of the greatest Sci -Fi show on TV, in this story we saw the re-re-reintroduction of Jenna Louise Coleman as the mysterious Clara, but was it any good?

The episode started with a spooky warning that there may be a living enitity inside your Wi-Fi connection. From that moment I was immediately on board with the premise that something that is all around us could be dangerous - very much like Blink.

Matt Smith and Jenna Louise Coleman are now rock solid together, having him meet her a few times before was a pretty good idea , although there are still many many questions that need to be answered. One thing that intrigued me was her problem with numbers - did anyone else notice her issues with the number three?

I think i'm going to really like Clara. How could you not love someone who takes a cup of tea into the TARDIS as she hadn't finished it yet?

In addition to this the whole thing just looked amazing, the London skyline looked wonderful. Was it filmed in London or was Cardiff doubled up with bit of CGI? Either way it looked stunning, especially when The Doctor rode up the Shard!

Celia Imrie was as good as ever and there was also a suprising cameo who I won't reveal as I know not everyone has seen it yet.

My only niggle, and its a very small one, is that the episode could have been about 5 minutes longer. As with many stories in this series, the resolution was too quick and I wanted to know more about what happened to the office workers.

Other than that it was business as usual and a great opening to what looks like is going to be a great run of episodes

Section 25

Dark Light

Review By Andrew Barclay

Many years ago when I was around 6 or 7 years old I can remember playing all my dad's old cassette tapes (I wasn't allowed near the vinyl until I was much older). I chose what to listen to by how much I liked the cover. A great cover equalled a great album, or so I figured.

Anyway, I came across an album called 'Key Of Dreams'. Most of my dad's collection was made up of American bands and singers, so when I looked through the album notes and sussed out that this was an English band, I decided to have a listen.

As young as I was at the time, the music spoke to me. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before (or since for that matter). Eventually I grew up, bought my own record collection and came to know and love Section 25.

The new album, 'Dark Light' is the first album to fully feature vocalist Bethany Cassidy, daughter of Larry Cassidy, the band's original singer for anyone not acquainted with them yet. The new album follows in the footprints of the bands last outing, the 'Invicta' EP of new material released on Hacienda Records, and featuring the new fan favourite 'Colour Movement Sex and Violence'.

The album start's with the subtle brooding 'Worlds End' which shows Section 25 aren't all about pretty tunes and pop tones, this is a dark song.

As Bethany sings

"last dance on the radio.."

the hairs on my neck literally stood on end.

'My Outrage' picks up the pace and contains all the elements that made the band great in the 1980s infused with what makes the band great in 2013, Bethany's tuneful vocals.

I was lucky enough to hear an early version of 'Pitch Black Box' last year and knew then it was going to be a great track, jazzy, cool calm and collected its essential listening.

The album version of 'Colour Movement Sex And Violence' is just as good as its EP version if slightly less radio friendly in the mix. It's the sort of song that if written by Bernard Sumner would be hailed as a huge return to form. For Section 25, its all in a days work.

'Inner drive', another track first heard on the Invicta EP is driving and melodic, with drummer Vin Cassidy managing to put down his first rap vocal in the bands lengthy career to date, literally anything is possible with this band.

'Letter To America' is some serious stuff, sinister sounding and every bit as edgy as anything I've heard Primal Scream record, under pinned by looming vocal samples whilst images of destruction are conjured up in the listeners mind.

'Early Exit' sounds like it could very well make a new live favourite. It's kept in time by some tight drumming by Vin Cassidy, and lyrically seems to deal with themes of reflection in general terms, and with Bethany's crystal clear vocal its also quite reassuring in a strange way.

'Program For Light' will bring a smile to the face of anyone who was around and enjoyed the acid dance craze. It's fast, furious and designed to make you get up and dance. Which is exactly what you should be doing if you see Section 25 playing in a town near you, buy a ticket and go enjoy hearing one of the most versatile bands in the world.

For more info visit the bands website at

www.section25.com

Today brought the sad news that British actor Richard Griffiths had passed away aged 65. Since the late seventies Mr Griffiths has appeared in many huge films and TV shows and was always known as a reliable and well respected actor.

He is probably most famous around the world for is role in the Harry Potter series, but over the years he acheived cult status in many classic films. Here are some of my favourite moments featuring the genuine legend.

Withnail and I

A film that starred Richard E Grant and Paul McGann was bound to deliver some good performances, but Richard Griffiths's Uncle Monty stole the whole movie. He was rude and shocking, but at the same time had an immense likeabilty. if any TV Network wanted to pay a good tribute to teh man, they should put this on as soon as possible [after the watershed of course so children can't hear that nasty "c" word ]

History Boys

In Alan Bennett's History Boy's Mr Griffiths played Hector, possibly one of the best teachers ever to appear in film. In all honesty this film knocks the spots off Dead Poet's Society and Griffith's performance is much more believeable than the hammy Robin Williams.

The Naked Gun 2 and 1/2

I love this clip, just because it was so silly. There are many "spoof" films around now and nearly all of them are dreadful. What made the Naked Gun series so successful was that every  actor involved played it straight and rarely camped it up. The aboce scene could only be played by skilled actors and Griffiths was just hilarious!

Richard Griffiths - CoolManchester salutes you!

So what was going on this time 24 years ago? Not much according to Wikipedia:

March 20 – Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke weeps on national television as he admits marital infidelity.
March 22
Clint Malarchuk of the NHL Buffalo Sabres suffers an almost fatal injury when another player accidentally slits his throat.
Asteroid 4581 Asclepius approaches the Earth at a distance of 700,000 kilometers.March 23 – Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann announce that they have achieved cold fusion at the University of Utah.
March 23–28 – The Socialist Republic of Serbia passes constitutional changes revoking the autonomy of the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo, triggering six days of rioting by the Albanian majority, during which at least 29 people were killed.
March 24 – Exxon Valdez oil spill: In Alaska's Prince William Sound the Exxon Valdez spills 240,000 barrels (38,000 m3) of oil after running aground.
March 27 – The first contested elections for the Soviet parliament result in losses for the Communist Party.
March 29 – The 61st Academy Awards are held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, with Rain Man winning Best Picture.

Exciting times? Not really, but the UK Top 40 had some pretty brilliant moments with the strongest top 40 I have ever seen. There were SO many great songs!

1 Madonna Like A Prayer
2 Jason Donovan Too Many Broken Hearts
3 Donna Summer This Time I Know It's For Real
4 Paula Abdul Straight Up
5 Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler Keep On Movin'
6 Guns N' Roses Paradise City
7 Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine Can't Stay Away From You
8 Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo Help!
9 The Reynolds Girls I'd Rather Jack
10 Sam Brown Stop
11 We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It International Rescue
12 Kon Kan I Beg Your Pardon
13 Michael Ball Love Changes Everything
14 S-Express Hey Music Lover
15 Chanelle One Man
16 Michael Jackson Leave Me Alone
17 Living In A Box Blow The House Down
18 Alyson Williams Sleep Talk
19 Coldcut featuring Lisa Stansfield People Hold On
20 The Bangles Eternal Flame
21 Pat & Mick I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet
22 New Order Round And Round
23 Womack & Womack Celebrate The World
24 Texas I Don't Want A Lover
25 Simple Minds Belfast Child
26 Roachford Family Man
27 Poison Every Rose Has Its Thorn
28 Tyree featuring Kool Rock Steady Turn Up The Bass
29 Dusty Springfield Nothing Has Been Proved
30 Kym Mazelle Got To Get You Back
31 Paul Simpson featuring Adeva Musical Freedom (Moving On Up)
32 Four Tops featuring Smokey Robinson Indestructible
33 Deacon Blue Wages Day
34 Kim Wilde Love In The Natural Way
35 T'Pau Only The Lonely
36 Elvis Costello Veronica
37 Goodbye Mr Mackenzie The Rattler
38 Yello Of Course I'm Lying
39 Bobby Brown My Prerogative
40 Ellis Beggs & Howard Big Bubbles No Troubles

So what are your favourite tracks here? The number one happens to be the best song Madonna ever released and the rest of the Top Ten has some great pop songs as well as some classic rock and some early house tracks from the likes of Paul Simpson and Chanelle.

My favourite song though sits at Number 29, the Dusty Springfield comeback was in full swing at this point and this was her best track since the 1960s.

What are your favourites sings from this era? Let me know

Thank you everyone for helping CoolManchester.com have one of it's busiest months on record. There's still plenty of work to be done though.

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