Album review: TIM ARNOLD – The Soho Hobo

TA Music [Release date 10.08.15]

Tim Arnold has been a champion of Soho and created the alter ego the Soho Hobo. He has also released twelve self-titled albums to date and helps lead the Save Soho campaign with Stephen Fry and Benedict Cumberbatch.

This is a musical delight, taking in many musical styles all held together by the Soho theme. The album even gives the listener a history lesson on the origins of Soho in the opening song ‘The Hunter And The Hunted’, with Peter Straker (best known for his appearances inDr Who) narrating. ‘Soho Heroes’ name checks the famous from Soho like Shelley, Jeffrey Barnard, Peter Cook and many more, with actors and actresses taking on the voices of the famous.

‘Ain’t Made To Measure’ is a great tune, featuring Phil Daniels and the song tells the tail of the Soho tailors, Daniels adding in the local accent for extra effect. There is a great romp through ‘The Piccadilly Trot’, a musical hall classic from 1912 and originally performed by Marie Lloyd. A little more musical hall meets jazz on ‘Fanlight Fanny’ (written by amongst others George Formby), which has the great line ‘Now she’s a peach but understand. She’s called a peach because she’s always canned’.

There are a couple of lovely duets on here, ‘ Soho Sunset’ with Jessie Wallace guesting on vocals and Lisa Moorish guests on ‘The Bells of St Anne’s’. Both guest vocalists complement Arnold’s vocals and songs to a tee.

A kaleidoscope of musical styles and songs, with a Soho theme and covering everything from musical hall, acoustic, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and indie. Tim Arnold manages to harness all these ideas and styles to create a vibrant and enjoyable album that taps into the heart and soul of Soho. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Interview (June 2015)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)