Astral Fox Records [Release date 18.11.16]

The sophomore album by Cornish singer songwriter Joe Francis, who otherwise goes by the name of Winter Mountain (formerly a duo with Donegal’s Marty Smyth), is a mishmash of influences.

Featuring contributions from Seth Lakeman, the album kicks off with ‘Platinum And Gold’ which has vague Proclaimers undertones, while ‘Sunlight, Good Roads’ has hints of Chris De Burgh at his best, as does ‘Open Heart’.

Influenced by songwriters such as Springsteen, Petty and Neil Young, Francis’ own style is more bitter sweet – ‘The Morning Bell’ being pure Paul Simon territory, while ‘Dragonfly’ has another classic Simon acoustic line amidst some wonderfully sparse vocal, acoustic and cello interplay.

‘Banba’s Crown’, with some evocative fiddle playing courtesy of Niall Murphy is a fitting tribute to Francis’ Irish connections, while the piano ballad ‘Fireworks Nights (Promises We Make)’ closes the set on a suitably haunting note.

The male singer songwriter genre is an overflowing cup of talent, and they’re to be found as the opening act on many, many tours and Francis has opened for a few luminaries himself – including Guy Garvey, The Feeling, Seal, LeAnn Rimes, Patty Griffin, Paulo Nutini, and Fleet Foxes.

There’s much to be admired here, although whether I Swear I Flew is strong enough to place Winter Mountain/Joe Francis ahead of the pack is open to debate.  ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

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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

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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 20 October 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 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse 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)

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