It takes a lot these days to get me out of The Towers, (I half jest the cat goes out more than me) especially on a damp. miserable Thursday evening, to the dreadfully named, Northern Quarter, always Shudehill to me, but I digress.

Brian Gorman a man of many talents, artist, author, actor, man about town etc has written and illustrated his new book, Atmosphere described as being "Words and Art about the Manchester Post Punk Music Scene" and I will go along with that description.

The launch was at Disorder Bar, a Joy Division inspired bar/restaurant which was quite apt really, it was good to see, so many old friends, Pam Lee, Tony Davidson, Mick and Vicky Middles, John Burscough, and many more,

Tony Davidson who has written the forward to the book opened the launch and spoke of his days when he was head of TJM Records and set up the TJM rehearsal studios, if you have seen the video for Love Will Tear Us Apart where the door opens to show Joy Division playing....that was his studios...he told of his encounters with so many local bands, The Fall, The Drones, The Smiths and Mick Hucknall about whom the less said the better?

Music journalist, author and all round good chap, Mick Middles, the first journalist to interview Joy Division incidentally and who has contributed heavily to the book spoke of his days writing for Sounds magazine in the 1980s and gave hilarious anecdotes of his trip to America with New Order and other rock n roll tales.

John Burscough that should read, Dr John Burscough told of his days as an obsessive fan of the Manchester music scene earning him the nickname Joe 90 and It dawned on me that many of the gigs he attended i was at,  Alberto's, Smirks, The Fall, John Cooper Clarke, The Freshies and was it really that long ago?

Book? what book?  you thought I had forgotten about it didn't you?

I looked through it last night and once again this morning and it is a joy to read, written with both attention and love, the illustrations by Brian are a revelation, the one of Ian Curtis holding his microphone and looking into the void is magnificently haunting, also memories of not only the bands but venues are lovingly recalled by fans who were there...I really, really enjoyed it and I doff my oversized cap.

From the more than wonderful book cover designed as a 45 rpm single cover...oh the memories...to the, Then and Now fade out section each page a delight, written and illustrated with love.

So treat yourself or a friend to a copy it's a fine read, lavishly illustrated and a fine addition to any bookshelf.

Dare I say the ideal Christmas present? worth a try surely..

Contact: brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk and he will do the rest

June Griffin who writes under the pen name of Amber Gray has just published her first novel, What Goes Around which she tells me is based on real life experience which explores family relationships, community etc through the decades from the 1940s to present day.

She was born off Parrin Lane, Winton the seventh child of nine and the first one to pass the scholarship exam for Eccles Grammar this despite her Mother leaving when she was aged just eight and her Father being a heavy drinker, a life she admits was tough but lessons were learned.

With an intriguing strap line that reads... Four women, Three generations, Two deaths, One broken family the stage is set for a psychological domestic drama in tough, working class, post war Manchester homes, women from the same family struggle to find stability in a world shaken by, power, control and abuse.

In the 1940s, Kathleen is desperate to break free of her domineering and abusive mother, she falls for Cyril at a dance but finds herself in a worse situation than before.

Marian, born to Kathleen and Cyril, raised in neglect and abuse, is determined to break the cycle.

Shauna, the offspring of an incestuous liaison, is a social misfit set on revenge.

Marian's daughter Dolores has a less than perfect start in life, but will she be the one to break the mould?

Sounds intriguing with a plot that promise much doesn't it?

So why not support your local author and purchase a copy of What Goes Around.

Available from Amazon £8.99 paperback.... £3.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Goes-Around-Amber-Gray/dp/B0C1J3HPKZ

When I received this book to review my first thought was that it would be a standard history of the clergy in the Diocese of Salford from 1850 -1902 which in effect it is, telling the story of the  clergy who were ordained for, or arrived to minister in, the Diocese from its formation in 1850 to the death of the third Bishop of Salford, John Bilsborrow in March 1903.

Many of these priests were immigrants or refugees from Ireland and Continental Europe often labouring in great poverty and battling against prejudice and injustice to provide not just religious services, but also schools, orphanages, hospitals etc.

However the meticulous research into the 609 priests mentioned in the book has thrown up some fascinating stories, take these for example..

Father Gaetano Fracassi the Rector of St Alban in Ancoats who in June 1940 allowed local Blackshirts to hold meetings in the Parish Hall, he was arrested and eventually was put on the ill fated Arandora Star along with other Italian internees which was sailing to Canada, it was torpedoed by German U boats resulting in  the loss of over 800 lives including Father Fracassi who was last seen on the deck giving benediction to fellow passengers.

Father Nicholas McCarthy from Irleand was first in Bolon but left under a cloud when he publicly refused to march in a procession to celebrate, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and was moved to St James in Pendleton, when it came time to bless The Manchester Martyrs memorial in Moston, the Bishop refused, Father McCarthy had no such qualms and did the deed, he too was embroiled in religious politics between the English Catholics and the Irish Catholics in his diocese.

Father Joseph Rettori who for a time in the mid 1890s was Chaplain to the Rescue Home in Patricroft, possibly St Joseph's orphanage where he is credited with painting fine murals in the chapel yet very little is known of his life.

Other priests who are included in this fine book are the one who set up the Iron Church in Trafford Park, the priest who tended to the Manchester Martyrs on the gallows, tales of both outstanding work in their community and others who shall we say, fell by the wayside...

The authors Lawrence R Gregory and David Lannon are to be congratulated on this magnificent book which has taken almost 20 years to put together, not only is it recommended for the serious scholar and historian but makes a fabulous read for anybody interested in their local parish priests and I can't praise it highly enough.

The book is available to purchase from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1J1WQ94?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_A2WB6ZF5VMXCJTGSGDCF

In the Summer of 2005 Ray Lowry the original rock and roll artist set it upon himself to visit all the towns and venues that Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran played on their UK tour in 1960, to record, draw and record peoples memories of it, this became a magnificent obsession with Ray and like Gene and Eddie's tour was to be ill fated.

I actually trekked around Manchester with him one sunny day in Manchester to the Rampant Lion, Anson Road which was then known as The Milverton Lodge when Gene and Eddie stayed when they played the Manchester Hippodrome, 28th March 1960, the hotel has become famous as this is where Eddie had a premonition of his death, sadly the staff had never heard of them and the annexe where they stayed was locked and empty... we slunk away, dejected.

Shortly after Ray had a bad fall at home which put a stop to his pilgrimage, however this enforced lay off gave him time to fully focus his attention to his labour of love which he did with a new found passion.

I saw some of his original artwork for the book and it was both astounding and yet frightening, with visions of death, breakdowns, coupled with newspaper cuttings, period photographs and Ray's signature hand written text scrawled across the pages... and then?

Ray sadly died in October 2008 ironically just as his career had just taken off again following a sell out exhibition of his work at See Gallery in Crawshawbooth and I feared the book would never see publication... but wait.

Last month I visited Ray's son, Sam who is now the Guardian of Ray's estate who is doing an incredible job of looking after Ray's legacy through his website https://raylowry.com/ as we were leaving he mentioned the book and was astounded when he told me that it was now in print!

Yesterday the postman banged on the door with a huge parcel as heavy as the old telephone directories, you young 'uns will not remember them, I opened it as excited as a child at Christmas opening his football annual present... and it really is Somethin' Else.

I doubt I have ever seen such a magnificently presented book which comes in a hard back presentation  case and then has 102 pages of text and images, most never seen before in what I have been told is" 102 pages of text and images on heavyweight paper, using layflat binding technology, this ensures that each double page spread lies flat when open, and nothing is lost from view in the central vertical gutter between the pages. in a bespoke presentation box which also includes two 8 x 10 inch limited edition prints (one of Gene, one of Eddie) suitable for framing.

I am almost lost for words as I turn the pages of the book and I can see Ray's passion for rock and roll literally screaming from the pages, it is truly a phenomenal work of art from the packaging to the minute details all a product of Ray's feverish mind, the man was genius, this can't be denied. what I wouldn't give for Ray to have seen the finished product... Sam you have done your Dad proud.

The book is available in two formats the De Luxe Box Set and Regular Version, I urge you to buy this book, sell your clothes, your guitars, your blood if necessary, why wait?

Available from info@snapgalleries.com

I was delighted to receive a copy of, The Origins of Manchester by renowned author and historian, Alan Kidd a superb book chronicling the growth of Manchester from the Romans to the first Industrial Revolution.

The research is meticulous which makes the book a delight to read and I learnt so much from reading this book, I am a proud Salfordian and yes Salford does get several mentions I am pleased to report.

If you are interested to know about such diverse topics as the Roman fort and the impact it had on Manchester, the slave trade, street battles, food riots, housing conditions, religion, entertainment, politics, working conditions, Civil War,  government, sanitation etc then this is the book for you.

There are fascinating chapters on Manchester Cathedral, Hanging Ditch, Chetham's Library, Georgian Housing, The Shambles, St Anne's Square. Market Street etc

The food riots of 1757 following a poor harvest were an eye opener for me, with the "Shudehill Fight""as troops fired upon rioters killing two of them as they protested about food prices and demanded they should be capped.

Lavishly illustrated in full colour with maps, people of note, buildings, churches, handbills etc it is a must read for both the serious historian and for those with a love of Manchester and curious to know more.

Published by Carnegie Publishing Ltd of Lancaster at £12.99 and available at most good bookshops 

Highly recommended, Manchester so much to answer for.

https://www.carnegiepublishing.co.uk/product/the-origins-of-manchester/