Liverpool: Wondrous Place

Music from Cavern to Cream by Paul Du Noyer

Reviewed by Chris Helm

The author of 'Wondrous Place’ is Paul Du Noyer, an exiled Scouser who has worked on various music papers since the 70's, so he should know his stuff. He briefly explores the roots of Liverpool music and the various cultures that have influenced it over the past couple of hundred years, but reserves most of the book for rock and pop music and the events of the last 50 years.

The Beatles story has of course been done to death by now but Merseybeat was not just about The Beatles, and Du Noyer writes about those who made it and those who didn't very entertainingly. And he does dredge up some new anecdotes about The Beatles. The story about George Harrison, the prostitute and the ukulele is a new one on me. Just as well he can't sue anymore.

Those of a morbid bent will find interest in the tragic stories of Rory Storm and Badfinger, artists who couldn't adjust back to the 'real' world after tasting stardom.

I thought the author wrote very well on the subject of music, but was on less sure ground when he moved on to football, theatre, film and especially politics. Militant are given a metaphorical kicking as a bunch of philistines who did nothing for the city, while the long whine about the decline of Liverpool in the hardback edition is not updated for the newly published paperback, except for the addition of a few lines on how wonderful winning Capital of Culture has been for the city. It's at this point you realize that the author doesn't get back 'home' very often.

One thing that is unique about 'Wondrous Place' is the recognition it gives to obscure acts and also to unsung heroes such as Bob Wooler, Roger Eagle, Geoff Davies and Jayne Casey. They richly deserve to steal some of The Beatles' limelight.