Jaggy D Records [Release date 03.06.16]

What a beauty of an album this is!

Stiltskin frontman and ex-Genesis lead singer, Ray Wilson’s fifth solo album, “Song For A Friend” oozes quality and empathy – epitomizing heart-felt balladry throughout. Lots of touching minor chords provide perfect sonic translation of the not unusual themes of loss, friendship, life’s journey and how we deal with events along the way.

This genre, of course, is a well-trodden path and can sometimes come across as pretentious, woe-is-me whinery. However, what is so warm and cosy about Wilson’s work on this album is the recurring message of hope and inspiration – don’t mope about life….roll with it, learn from it, embrace it.

Honestly, this is a wonderful play-right-through collection of personal and profound songs which paint instantly accessible landscapes of one man’s voyage to spiritual fulfillment. I’m sure Wilson will say he’s not there yet but songs like opener “Old Book On A Shelf”, “Song For A Friend”, “How Long Is Too Long” (some lovely guitar phraseology on this one) and “Tried and Failed” attest to a man at peace with himself and the world around him. “Over My Dead Body” is, like all of these songs, extremely catchy and sticks like white on rice.

If there is to be any criticism, it would be that the album closer, a cover of Pink Floyd’s “High Hopes”, certainly fits with the various themes of the album but left me thinking I would much rather have had six-plus minutes more of original Ray Wilson. Not that these songs need any better interpretation but if Cocker was still with us, he would surely be propelling one of these songs to worldwide recognition.

The execution is flawless but what stands out here is the collection of lovely tunes. As many artists strive to write that one great song in their lifetime, Wilson has produced a masterful compendium of nine beauties – soothing, melodious and brilliant.  ****1/2

Review by Mark “Mad Dog” Shaw

---

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 3 November 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 29 October 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 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

---

---

Popular (last 10 days)

---