Hal Bruce at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
August 24th 2003

Review by Michael Turner

Try to imagine the scene; It is just after 12 noon in the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on Sunday August 24th 2003 (Beatle convention day). The fans have rolled in from far and wide with local "scouse" accents mingling with those from every part of Britain, Europe, America (North and South), Japan, Australia … you name a place where Beatle music is played, they were there. Every second person seemed to be wearing a T-shirt bearing some image related to the "fab four" or alternatively be dressed in Beatle or sixties style attire. At mid-day the doors were opened and the fans had streamed into the old city centre hotel. Most of them immediately made for the dealers room where the merchandisers are cashing in on what is probably their best pay-day of the year. Of course some of the fans head straight to the bar but, after all, this is England. A glance at the entertainment itinerary shows that this year the live entertainment commences not in the main hall but in two smaller, more intimate, side rooms. Down in the Crompton bar there is a heavy metal band. Meanwhile in the Crosby suite we have a Canadian singer / guitarist called HAL BRUCE. The Turner family along with a few others have decided to take up a spot on some comfortable furnishings just outside the latter. The dull murmur from the dealer room drifts through the air. The unintelligible sound of a thousand conversations occasionally punctured by a familiar riff or lyric. "You tell lies thinking I can't see…" "Had you come some other day then …". It is a cocktail of all things Beatle, and the fans are drinking it down. Then suddenly through the incoherent din, an acoustic guitar, clear and shrill pierces the air and commands attention. Hal had taken the stage. It was immediately obvious that here was a man who knew his craft both vocally and musically. The playing was distinct and precise. The singing warm and confident. No need to guess how Mr Bruce had spent his teen years. The Beatles catalogue of songs must have been under constant siege until they finally yielded their secrets. The repertoire was delivered with charm, enthusiasm, passion and sympathy in equal measure. The whole 35 minute show was a total delight. It is hard to pick an individual highlight from a hugely consistent performance. However, a glistening version of "Here Comes the Sun" would be hard to beat. All the family agree it was … a splendid time.

Michael Turner August 2003

Reproduced with permission from halbruce.com