Poptastic.

Having just become Runner Up in the Entertainment Writer of The Year Awards ( pause for applause and shouts of 'bridesmaid' again, Granty?)
I have decided to go all showbiz and celebrity Scousified.
It's here again . . . the Summer Pops and a time that I always enjoy. Old friends, good wine, cool Guinness and music to suit all tastes.
I used to love the Tent gigs and I can recall many a happy hour filing copy to the Post and Echo from the car park.
It's a tightly run machine and I applaude Chas Cole for bringing the superstars to the Pool.
And there's the lovely PR, Lisa Southern, too, who looks after the media. She brings her own breeze to proceedings.
Looking through the line up this year I realise I've interviewed many of the acts.
The Pet Shop Boys - I interviewed Neil Tennant on a Zebra Crossing in London. He didn't reaise it at the time.
I saw Shane McGowan of the Pogues completely out of his tree with two cans of Special Brew accompanied by two blondes in Finsbury Park.
And I once had a call form Glen Tilbrook of Squeeze who rang me at home and my mum answered and said: "Peter, it's Squeeze for you."
I later spoke to Jools Holland (geddit) Later.... oh, please yourselves
And Chrissie Hynde of The Preteneders who said she loved the Scouse accent and spoke warmly about Paul and Linda McCartney.
Oh and did I mention the time I had a beer with Gloria Estefan.
And how Deacon Blue dedicated their song Dignity to my fab Cathy who has a tugboat.
So there you have it The Summer Pops- it's like old friends popping in.
Granty

The Line Up

July 3 Australian Pink Floyd
4th N-dubz
7th James Morrison
10th Beatles Day
11th McFly
12th Sharlee3n Spiteri - Voice of Texas
13th Pet Shop Boys
14th Leonard Cohen
15th the Pogues
16th Squeeze/ the Pretenders
17th Ne-yo
21st Simple Minds
22nd Pussycat Dolls
24th Jools Holland
25th Simply Red
27th Gloria Estefan
30th Rhydian/ Only Men Aloud
31st Deacon Blue
August 1st Australian pink Floyd

Philharmonic Hall
July 25th the Lotus Easters
July 26th The Lightning seeds

02 Academy

July 2 John Mayall
July 5th Idlewild
July10th Buzzcocks
17th Aswad
18th The Christians
19th Indie Weekender
24th China Crisis
31st Real People

That prolific author Bill Harry's been at it again.
The writer who gave us the Mersey Beat newspaper has a new book out next month called Liverpool - Bigger than the Beatles.
Bill was one of the first people to publish the work of his mate John Lennon.
The two were part of a litte literary group called The Dissenters.
This latest work is a lively, fact-filled, no-nonsese look at how people can sometimes overlook the fact that we had already been a musical city before the Fab Four put us on the global map.
We had more Christian bands, black music, folk, country, poets, girl singers than any othewr city: we had it all .
We still do.
But there were also the venues, the colourful promoters and the disc jockeys.
No wonder we are called the Capital of Pop by the Guinness Book of Records.
Bill will be in Liverpool next month to promote the book so look out for one of his talks and signing sessions.
The great factior about this partiuclar anthology is that Bill knew most of the peple in it not just as a writer but also when he became a record company supremo.
Still Scouse too and proud of it,
Bigger than The Beatles (Trnity Mirror, £8.99)

Bowled Over

While on my travels to find the best Scouse in Liverpool (the eating variety, that is) I had an e mail letter from writer John Kerrigan.
While I was sitting in Ma Boyle's trying out their version of Scouse, I read about John's book.
It's not like Talk Like the Scousers (mine £8.99 all good bookshops and bad ones).
So I'll let John explain.
Go on, la.
"A Bowl of Scouse' is a selection of stories that explore the forgotten people and hidden events in Liverpool's history - not just a bowl of scouse, more of a cultural feast."
I like that, John, tell me more. Go 'ed
"From the Beatles and Bessie Braddock, to Adolf Hitler and the Titanic, there are twenty five separate stories as varied and fascinating as the City of Liverpool itself."
The net profits and royalties from the book (£7.99) is donated to a Liverpool community based charity, and used on projects helping children in the developing world, and also homeless people in Liverpool.
Nice one , John, and I must say it's wonderfully illustrated throughout.

Great. Now, John ,can you plug my book.

RADIO DAZE

Don't miss my regular City Talk slot "Granty's Scouse Pie" on Neil Fitzmaurice's breakfast show saturday, July 4 at 7.45. 105.9

Ta ra, las and la -esses.
.

It's launched today June 28. Now

My search is on for the . .. .

Best Ever Bowl of Scouse in Liverpool. Play music from Pete Wylie 's Heart as Big As Liverpool.

There has to be one...

My mum's is the best , but I am biased. No this is open to pubs and eateries who claim it is Scouse.

I am now into my research eating Scouse across the city. I want to announce the BEST BOWL OF SCOUSE 2009 later this year.
Any suggestions where I should go? (hey, I heard that).

Let me know.

There will be a framed certificate for the winner and a presentation by a real home grown Scouse celebrity. And invites to a 'do' courtesy of Scouse Pie

Granty
X

I went to see this film despite the obvious downside Cantona (he of the title) was a Man United player - silly, I know, as EC is the star / hero of this tale.
But divisions run deep - how many Man U fans would watch a film - no matter how famous the director - called Looking for Dalglish?
I recall my mum, Sarah, once looking for a new vacuum cleaner. She found one she really liked - a little red contraption.
It was called Dirt Devil - mum misheard the girl in the shop and thought it was called Red Devil and didn't buy it till this was confirmed.
Which brings me back to the movie by Ken Loach.
It focuses on a postman who turns to a poster of Eric C for inspiration when in times of need.
The real Eric appears as his spiritual mentor - and Eric the elusive trawler enticing sardine promoter can actually act just like Ronaldo in the penalty box. Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.
But did we really need to see 'those' Cantona goals in flashback - especially the Liverpool FA Cup fiasco?
"Great idea," said one paper, "stunning," said another reviewer.
But, hold on, surely this 'idea' has been done before.
Anyone remember the Don Camillo books where a small town Italian priest talks to Jesus? A lovely comedy of hope.
Much later, Alan Bleasdale's cracking series Scully saw Andrew Schofield's character look up to reds idol Kenny Dalglish for guidance and Kenny appeared throughout the series.
Kenny made a striking cameo especially in one episode being doused in red paint.
In Looking for Eric, the not so ghostly Mr C philisophically guides our anti-hero through a gang-land gun dilemma.
It all ends happily.
But our former Mayor of Liverpool wasn't impressed.
"I felt Scully did it first and I made the connection straight away," said Steve Rotheram.
"Where Liverpool leads Manchester follows," added the wonderfully Scouse Mr R.
I was with Steve on Neil Fitzmaurice's show on City Talk and joined by the lovely Lisa Maloney of Fire Management.
She's one of the best PRs in the city who has a passion for the place and it shows.
Her fiery red hair matching that real love.
Right, she owes me a glass of Pinot for that. Only kidding, girl.
So, do tune into a slice of Granty's Scouse Pie on City Talk Neil Fitzmaurice every Saturday where we talk everything about Scouse culture - the accent, TV, film, books.
It's 7.45am.
I know it's early, but it's worth it ... honest and you can win things.

Oh and don't forget. Beatles Day July 10th. It's for charity...

Ta ra, for now

Granty

On line ... On the button

If ever there's proof of the real growing impact of the Internet then it's the news coverage of the death of poor Michael Jackson.
I first heard something was not right with the 50-year-old troubled star when watching Newsnight and they broke off from talking about MPs expenses to say it had been reported on the well-respected celebrity website TMZ that he had suffered a heart attack.
Well respected TMZ seldom get things wrong. I was worried.
I switched to BBC 24 News and watched the grim story unfold. I wanted it to be a hoax.
First the news he was in a Coma and then the shock horror of it all. The LA Times followed it up with a confirmation that, indeed, Jacko was dead.
While all the news was being released people were texting each other in pubs, bars, buses at home and some were Twittering such as Foreign Secretary David Milliband who said, "RIP Michael."
I now flashback to the way we heard John Lennon was dead.
This was 1980 and before mobile phones and it took eight hours for his assassination announcement to make it over to the UK.
Lennon died in America on December 8 but over here on December 9. New travels so much faster thanks to the digital revolution.
When I saw the headlines this morning I had to buy a newspaper because we in print and books can do follow ups much better than web reports more depth . . . for the time being.,
And since the news Jackson's own fan club website crashed due to the craving for information NOW.
The Internet is a powerful form of communication I and millions more are now convinced.
I do think, however,that the TV broadcasters were ill prepared for such a tragedy. Their footage and range of interviewees was woeful.
Surely they must have had something prepared in the light of his recent health scares.
So Now Michael is out of our lives.

Extra Extra . . . Read all about him
OUT MONDAY 29TH JUNE!

MICHAEL JACKSON took the amazing step from child star to the King of Pop.
From his early successes with the Jackson 5 through to the phenomenal success of Eighties best-selling albums Thriller and Bad, Jackson became the biggest pop artist on the planet.
Part of the new Mirror collection, 'Michael Jackson - The King of Pop' celebrates his life through a selection of great images from the Daily Mirror archive charting his rise from childhood to the height of superstardom.
www.merseyshop.com (£4.99)

RADIO DAZE...

I am on Neil Fitzmaurice's show at City Talk Saturday June 27, 7 to 10am chatting about the Scouse accent with excerpts from my book Talk Like The Scousers and looking at Scousers in the world of film.

The Hypochondriac
Liverpool Playhouse

I had a bad accident last year when I fractured my pelvis and hobbling over Williamson Square I bumped into Roger McGough entering the stage door of the Liverpool Playhouse.
He grimaced when I told him what had happened to me.
But changing the subject I told him that I was looking forward to his adaptation of French satirist Moliere's The Hypochondriac.
"How are you now?" he said softly, while very concerned.
I told him that if I had been a hypochondriac before the seven-hour operation, I wasn't now.
He laughed and said: "I'll use that!"
That's typical of Roger clocking everything going and what makes his poetry so accessible.
After the success of Tartuffe last year a real laughter-filled production comes The Hypochondriac
Is it as good?
Well you can't compare. It's a bit like a musician having a great album out and you wonder how can they follow it. The Beatles did it.
On stage, yet again, poet McGough has done it.
In the process he has created with the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and English Touring Theatre a new genre - a "McGouhiere" (try saying that after a few glasses of Pernod.
This is every bit as distinctive as Tartuffe but very different in in its own way.
Whereas Tartufte sparkled from the opening lines this production simmers and then bursts out like a firework.
A cast of nine enjoy this rhyme with reason romp and the audience lapped it up.
There are some wonderful puns, "knock knock" jokes in French and a few silly but enjoyable songs.
There's great Scousisms splattered throughout such as Padua rhyming with, "Mad - you are" and Turin with "Urine.
It is a show that works on different levels.
Leanne Best works energetically throughout as Toinette - the feisty character who moves along the action not only as a maid, but in disguise as a 90-year-old Italian quack.
Clive Francis as the Scrooge-like- Argan makes capital gains out of absurd illnesses. the actor is masterful throughout.
Indeed the set is rather Christmas Carol-ish - barren, all wood panelled and reminiscent of Ebenezer's cash-neglected abode.
Fine actor Neil Caple ( Dr Diaforius) can't 'pwonounce' his 'rs' and is sadly under-used.
He sits and observes as if, ironically, in a waiting room.
Versatile Gemma Bodinetz directs with her usual stamp of love and affection and this collaborations with Roger is another inspired piece of work that we are lucky to see first here in Liverpool.
So if you need a tonic book an appointment for this clever production.
I was going to send Roger and Gemma a "Get Well" card instead of a "Good Luck" one for the opening night, but it doesn't need it.
It says what it does on the poster - "a Laughter Elixir."
It's a play that is in fine, rude health.

9/10 Three Ms - Magnifique, McGough and Moliere!

Here's Charlie, ya all, la!

Here's a book I've been looking forward to and I know his fans will too. Coming out in September in time for his tour is Charlie Landsborough's autobiography called Storyteller.
In his own words the man who is regarded as the best sit down, stand up musician in the business
It is the true story of one of the music world's longest 'overnight sensations'. The Birkenhead cowboy.
I've got to know Charlie over the years and he has become a dream friend.
The message of his book is this
If you have a dream you must follow it.
Charlie now 64 never gave up hope that he would reach his goal - to sing and play to those who love his music.
It happened.
The affable singer-songwriter has had his fair share of life's up and downs - yet he has used many amazing experiences to positive effect from the regrets of going off-the-rails in his youth to joining the army and becoming an inspiring teacher.
He may look like someone who has stepped out of the bible but Charlie admits he's no saint but his tale is inspirational to everyone of all ages.
It was his music that helped him to succeed as one of the UK's most versatile singer-songwriters and all-round entertainers.
This is the story of a musician who early in his career used a makeshift microphone strapped to a broom handle as he performed in little bars.
Yet he eventually made it to Nashville's world famous Grand Ole Opry and today performs to sell out audiences across the world.
Storyteller is Charlie Landsborough's remarkable life story told in more than 280 pages, painted in his own rich words and packed with 16 pages of photographs.
There are poignant memories from the heart-warming to the tragic but plenty of laugh-out-loud anecdotes.
This paperback perfectly captures the life of a genuine, unique personality who has time for everybody he meets - just ask legendary Daniel O'Donnell who happily wrote the foreword.
Storyteller is a wonderful rags-to-riches journey and Charlie invites you along for the ride. It's one you will never forget.
He's been there and done it and has achieved the dream - he now wants to share that dream with you.
When I interview Charlie for my book Talk Like The Scousers I asked for his favourite phrase he said simply: "Marvellous" and you know that sums him up

PRE ORDERS
Trinity Mirror (£8.99) published September 2009.
Pre-orders on online shop www.merseyshop.com and on by phone 0845 1430001.

Dreamboats and Petticoats
Liverpool Empire
By Peter Grant

This is a show that does what it says on the poster.
A Bill Kenwright feel good production that has a cast who glide around a fantastic set to give a stunning high-energy set of their own.
Marks and Gran, the writing team behind TV hits like Goodnight Sweetheart and Birds of a Feather interweave upbeat dialogue into the show bursting two hours. There's songs for every taste and age.
More than 40 of them. It deserves a mention in the Guinness Book of Records.
It is reminiscent of the American Show Happy Days and those great Joe Brown films of the 50s and early 60 Brit flicks.
Kenwright looked like David Moyes in the dugout talking notes and tweaking here and there.
The show is based on the multi-selling album of the same name.
But did you know the title songs as written by Jason Donovan and Henry Priestman of the Christians. It sounds wonderfully period.
There are witty lines throughout and a wonderful version of the Big O's Only the Lonely
Ironically Neil Sedaka was playing at the Philharmonic Hall on the opening night while at the Empire his Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen had everyone rocking in the aisles.
Cast wise Scott Bruton as drippy Bobby shines as does Daisy Wood-Davis's Laura. But this is one incredible ensemble piece.
Bill Kenwright should be proud of this first-rate touring show. Now Bill, how about a sequel?
Five STARS

SCHOOLS OUT - MEET THE DAY TRIPPERS

Willy Russell makes a welcome return to the stage musical genre (good word genre) with Our day Out.
I saw him yesterday as he launched a re-worked West End musical into Liverpool's
Royal Court.
It is the award winning theatre's Liverpool's biggest project to date and is set to be the most talked about show of 2009.
Willy's last play there Stags and Hens - the Re Mix - was sheer magic.
In Our day Out anyone in the audience who hears the plaintive cries of I'm In Love with Sir (pronounced Sur) to rhyme with hur (hair) will know what I mean.
Our Day Out was a massive TV hit when it was originally written in 1976 and was later turned into a popular stage play.
Now, for 2009, Willy told me he has reworked the script and added some new songs with stalwart director Bob Eaton to create a brand new musical.
It will, I am sure, have audiences laughing and singing all the way home.
It's a very funny and heart-warming story.
Iain Christie, Marketing Guru, gives us a short history lesson about the play.
Says Iain: "Mrs Kay's Progress Class are all on board and bound for Alton Towers... until Mr Briggs gets on board.
"The destination changes to a zoo in North Wales but there is no stopping the fun on a trip for the class that always gets left behind.
"Dance numbers, instantly recognisable characters and songs so catchy you'll be singing them for weeks make Our Day Out -The Musical."
And there's a hand-picked cast: Michael Starke (Brookside, Coronation Street), Andrew Schofield (Misery, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels), Holly Quin-Ankrah (Grange Hill, Rock Rivals), Bradley Clarkson(Grease Is The Word) and Gillian Hardie (Stags and Hens, On The Ledge).
A host of talented Liverpool schoolchildren will take on the younger roles and make up the chorus having been chosen from hundreds who auditioned.
At the Theatre's first official press launch there was a packed lunch for all media ( I grabbed a few Kit Kats too) a typical feel good, fun idea by the inventive Royal Court team.
Andrew Schofield was there in his 'sir' stage clobber joined by Kevin Fearon, Chief Executive of Royal Court Liverpool.
Kevin, was clearly like a kid in a sweetshop.
He said: "We have been discussing this project with Willy for a long time and we are delighted that he has decided to work with us on what is a great show by a great Liverpool writer. "This is the biggest production that we have ever produced here at the Royal Court and we can't wait to get started."
Willy told Scouse Pie (impressed eh): "I'm delighted to have forged a working relationship with the wonderful Royal Court and to be launching Our Day Out - The Musical with such a stunning company of actors and musicians - not to mention the animals!"
So roll up for a magical history tour...
So I recommend you climb on board. Get a ticket to ride!
Our Day Out - The Musical will run from Friday 11 September to Saturday 17 October 2009. Tickets and information are available from www.royalcourtliverpool.com or on 0870 787 1866.

Goodbye Mr Bean...

Sorry to heart the death of Dad's Army star Colin Bean who played the ever reliable Private Sponge.
I interviewed this lovely man for the Liverpool ECHO and I received a lot of warm letters about it.
He was from Wigan. One of life's great veteran actors
Farewell old chap.
Give Godfrey a hug for me.
Stand at ease....

NASHER

Nasher, of the fab band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, has been back in the studio.
Back in the Pooll to see his Dad too.
So what have you been up to, la I ask?
Ina an exclusive Scosue Pie connection he says....
"The new album "A Lo Minimo" will be available in the next few months and will be available via www.myspace.com/nasher as will "The Last Rites EP" which is a five track collection of live recordings.
" Extracts from both of these releases can be heard at myspace also. I have been recording new material for the next release entitled "4 On The Floor" which will be out sometime next year."
There you have it from the Nasher's mouth ...

Granty