Mersey Mariner

The river's role in the nation's shipbuilding industry.

In 1967 Penguin published its hit pop poetry book The Mersey Sound, introducing Roger McGough, Brian Patten and Adrian Henri to the world, thereby securing Liverpool as the cultural centre of the UK and bringing poetry to pop audiences. With the help of famous friends and fellow writers, McGough and Patten tell the inside story of this modern classic and how they made poetry cool.

Granted, all but fanatics should be satisfied with a best-of for Gerry & the Pacemakers. But British Invasion specialists could do worse than pick up this reissue, which packages their 1965 LP with 14 rare bonus tracks. Ferry Cross the Mersey itself has nine Gerry Marsden originals, and aside from the hits (the title track and "It's Gonna Be All Right"), these rarely show up on compilations; they have the same lightweight, energetic Merseybeat charm of most of their early material.

Presented on CD is a collection of radio broadcast live recordings (including interviews) of the UK's legendary '60s beat combo Gerry & The Pacemakers, dating back to the years 1964-'66. This CD comes with remastered sound and a booklet offering background liners, rare and original memorabilia and timeline photos.