Monthly Archives: October 2017

DVD review: TOMMY EMMANUEL – Music Gone Public

TOMMY EMMANUEL - Music Gone Public

CGP Sounds/Music Gone Public  -  [Release date: 10.02.17] Tommy Emmanuel, for those not in the know, is surely one of the finest exponents of the acoustic guitar on the planet. The affable Aussie has released a fair number of DVDs … Continue reading

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Album review: MARK “PORKCHOP” HOLDER – Death And The Blues

MARK "PORKCHOP" HOLDER – Death And The Blues

[Release date 03.11.17] Recorded as the follow-up to debut “Let It Slide” only 9 months ago, the Porkchop is back with another collection of wonderfully uncomplicated, dirty and mean blues cuts. You’d have to be comatose not to feel the … Continue reading

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Album review: BUFFALO KILLERS – Alive & Well In Ohio

BUFFALO KILLERS - Alive & Well In Ohio

Alive Naturalsound Records [Release date 20.10.17] Honest, consistent and true to themselves and their inspirations, the Buffalo Killers have been spinning their mazy blend of spacey, psychedelic Americana over seven albums to-date and number eight, “Alive and Well in Ohio” … Continue reading

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EP review: GOYA – Kathmandu

GOYA - Kathmandu

[Release date 08.12.17] Hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, Goya are a bit like a progressive/stoner Stoke City – fans that love them, love them but a lot won’t like the stuff they play. That said, and with all the usual trepidation of … Continue reading

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Album review: ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY – The Groove Cubed

ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY - The Groove Cubed

J & R Adventures [Release date 20.10.17] A quick glance at the track listing and you get the impression that the assembled musical heavyweights don’t take themselves too seriously.  There’s also a sense of relief that this is nearly all … Continue reading

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Album review: VIRGIL & STEVE HOWE – Nexus

VIRGIL & STEVE HOWE - Nexus

Inside Out [Release date 17.11.17] ‘Nexus’ is the collaborative record by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and his son Virgil Howe who passed away suddenly on September 11, 2017 aged 41. Not an easy decision then to release this album, however … Continue reading

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Album review: STEVE WALSH – Black Butterfly

STEVE WALSH - Black Butterfly

Escape Music [Release date 10.11.17] After Steve Walsh retired from Kansas back in 2014 many thought that would be it and we’d hear no more from Walsh, luckily this was proven wrong and here we have a new solo album … Continue reading

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Album review: LA GUNS – The Missing Peace

LA GUNS - The Missing Peace

Frontiers [Release date 06.10.17] To be fair, I am a big fan of L.A Guns. Now before you assume that this review is going to be a one sided love fest, let me assure you that this is an upfront … Continue reading

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Album review: JOHN HACKETT BAND – We Are Not Alone

JOHN HACKETT BAND - We Are Not Alone

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 29.09.17] Let’s be honest.  John  Hackett has for too long laboured in the shadow of his better known older brother.  He’s guested on Steve’s classic seventies albums and appeared in his live band.  He’s made two … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE STRAWBS – Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

THE STRAWBS - Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

As a kid in the 70s I do recall frequent radio plays of the Strawbs novelty hit ‘Part Of The Union’ in what was that fractious decade for industrial relations. And as an adult and Sandy Denny fanatic, the latter’s … Continue reading

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Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017

Right now Kenny Wayne Shepherd is at the height of his powers. He’s a modern day techno-blues man who marries speed with a range of contrasting attacks. He explores feel and tonal variety as part of an avalanche of bluesy … Continue reading

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Rising Stars: LOUISE STEEL

Louise Steel

Louise Steel has just released her new album ‘Heartstorm’, one for lovers of passionate melodic rock. We ask Louise a few Qs about the album, its recording and her future musical plans… Louise Steel Music What have you got planned … Continue reading

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EP review: JOSH TAERK – Stages

Apple Music [Release date 02.02.18] Josh Taerk has long been a favourite here at Ritchie towers and he is now back with a new five song EP, although one song ‘After The Fall’ is lifted from his last album ‘Here’s To … Continue reading

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Album review: STRAWBS – The Ferryman’s Curse

STRAWBS - The Ferryman

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 03.11.17] What do we know about Strawbs?  Well, their origins go back to the mid-1960s, they’ve covered folk, prog and pop stylings and are perhaps best remembered for the song ‘Part Of The Union’ which was … Continue reading

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Album review: PUGWASH – Silverlake

Lojinx [Release date 25.11.17] Pugwash, the brainchild of Thomas Walsh, was a band until earlier this year when he disbanded it and went back to Pugwash being a solo project. However, on this album he finally managed to work with friend and fellow … Continue reading

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Album review: JAIMZ VOKINS – Time Machine

AOR Blvd [Release date 06.10.17] Jaimz Vokins is the new project from former Tigertailz vocalist Steevi Jaimz and guitarist Phil Vokins, who is probably best known for his time in Wrathchild. Teaming up with producer Dave Draper (The Wildhearts/The Professionals) the pair have … Continue reading

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Album review: SONJA KRISTINA – Anthology

SONJA KRISTINA - Anthology

David Randall chatted to Sonja Kristina in May 2015 for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio for a two-part career overview.  Part 2 is available here Curved Air Records [Release date 06.10.17] 2-CD In a review several years ago I referred … Continue reading

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Quick plays: GREGORY PORTER, DYED IN BLUE, KIRSTY MERRYN, JOE HENRY

GREGORY PORTER - Nat King Cole & Me

GREGORY PORTER Nat King Cole & Me Decca/Blue Note [Release date 27.10.17] Gregory Porter has shot to fame from his jazz background to become a major name in the jazz and soul world. On his latest release he pays homage … Continue reading

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Album review: DEVOID – Cup Of Tears

DEVOID - Cup Of Tears

MelodicRock Records [Release date 13.10.17] Devoid is the brainchild of French guitarist Shad Mae and features vocalist Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz (Evidence One and many other guest vocal spots), keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud, bassist Ben Toquet and drummer Ben Wanders. Joining this core … Continue reading

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Album review: SQUEEZE – The Knowledge

SQUEEZE - The Knowledge

Love Records [Release date 13.10.17] ‘The Knowledge’ is Squeeze’s third album since they reunited back in 2007 and 2015′s ‘Cradle To The Grave’ received rave reviews, plus saw the band gain more exposure as the album formed the soundtrack to the TV series … Continue reading

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Album review: SAXON – Decade Of The Eagle

SAXON - Decade Of The Eagle

BMG [Double CD/4 vinyl 180gm LPS Release date 17.11.17] British metal legends Saxon, still going strong, released what is considered the first album of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal genre. Originally called Son Of A Bitch, the band formed … Continue reading

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Gig review: WISHBONE ASH/Steve Hill – Islington Academy, London, 19 October 2017

WISHBONE ASH - Islington Academy, London, 19 October 2017

A new chapter has begun in Wishbone Ash’s long and distinguished history, with master guitarist Andy Powell accompanied by a new partner in Yorkshireman Mark Abrahams,  following Muddy Manninen’s departure after twelve years. They remain one of the hardest working … Continue reading

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Album review: ANNIHILATOR – For The Demented

[Release date 03.11.17] Annihilator’s brief rise to fame in the late 80’s early 90’s was one that helped propel heavier music into the mainstream along with bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, and many others. With a hyper aggressive aproach to … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRAINNE DUFFY – Nell’s Jazz & Blues, 19 October 2017

GRAINNE DUFFY - Nell’s Jazz & Blues, 19 October 2017

Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist, Grainne Duffy, has been receiving plenty of plaudits since her debut album ‘Out Of The Dark’ was released back in 2007. She has tended to be labelled a blues artist and, not having seen her before … Continue reading

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Album review: THOMAS LANG – Scallywag Jaz (2 disc expanded edition)

THOMAS LANG - Scallywag Jaz

SFE/Cherry Red [Release date 10.11.17] As we learn from the informative liner notes Tom T. Jones made his first demos in a studio in Birkenhead (Lily Savage’s spiritual home) before returning to his day job as a British Rail joiner.  … Continue reading

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