Yearly Archives: 2017

Album review: SAM KELLY’S STATION HOUSE – No Barricades

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 24.11.17] Sometimes, the unlikeliest of releases just tick the right boxes. Last week, the metal infused debut from Scream Serenity, pronounced itself essential listening. And now Sam Kelly’s Station House have done the same with a blues release, … Continue reading →

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Skyscraper Souls

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

David Randall chatted to Chris Braide in October 2015 and this hour special provides background to the singer-songwriter’s career and on hooking up with Geoff Downes. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Magical Think Tank Records [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, Asia, Big Big Train, Buggles, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, Marc Almond, melodic, pop, progressive, review, Skyscraper Souls, Tim Bowness, XTC, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017

Posted on November 6, 2017 by david.wilson

Around this time of year there are cries around the country of ‘Christmas gets earlier every year’ as the first decorations are spotted and every TV ad features snowy scenes and perfectly wrapped presents. Manchester took this a step further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 4 November 2017, Chris Glen, Gary Barden, gig, Graham Bonnet, Grand Prix, live, Manchester, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, review, Ritz, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, The Departed | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 20-22 October 2017

Posted on November 5, 2017 by andynathan

Loverboy - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, 20-22 October 2017

Though this was the third year of Rockingham Festival , the natural successor to the much loved Firefest in its autumnal Nottingham position, it really felt as if the Festival came of age. Having settled on a format that works … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Airrace, AOR, Bailey, Blanc Faces, Brother Firetribe, Cruzh, Dare, Dave Bickler, festival, Fortune, gig, Great White, Harem Scarem, John Parr, Kix, Loverboy, Maverick, melodic rock, Moritz, review, Rockingham, The Amorettes, Vega, Vince Neil | Leave a comment

Album review: DEEP PURPLE – A Fire In The Sky

Posted on November 5, 2017 by jason

Parlophone [Release date 15.09.17] British classic rock legends are still going strong, and basking on the back of the rather wonderful ‘iNfinite’ album, released earlier this year. And while compilations may be so common they’re on a street corner with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Fire In The Sky, album, best of, classic rock, compilation, Deep Purple, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Jon Lord, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND, ARC, Stockton-on-Tees, 2 November 2017

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Martin Barre - Great British Rock & Blues Festival 2015

Despite a 4am collective jet-lagged wake-up call – no doubt nudged on by their just-closed nine week US tour – the Martin Barre Band opened the first date of a short UK tour with a swift instrumental, followed by crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 November 2017, Alan Thomson, Arc, Dan Crisp, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre Band, review, rock, Stockton-on-Tees | Leave a comment

Album review: WHEN MARY – Tainted

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond [Release date 10.11.17] The second album from Norwegian art rock band When Mary – Trude Eidtang (vocals, synth, percussion, glockenspiel), Christian Paulsen (guitars, programming, synth, bass) and Vidar Uthaug (synth, organ, korg, Rhodes) is a rather enchanting affair. That … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, art rock, electronica, pop, review, Tainted, Trude Eidtang, When Mary, White Willow | Leave a comment

Album review: SCREAM SERENITY – Eye Of The Storm

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] A suitably named debut from a suitably named band. I feared I might be the wrong person to review this humungous slice of unbridled power combining the weight of Maiden, Metallica and Sabbath, but with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eye Of The Storm, metal, review, rock, Scream Serenity | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE TILLING – CIRCU5

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Steve Tilling for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (January 2018) [Release date 15.09.17] Pronounced ‘Circa-5′ (so why not call it that?) this debut album from Swindon based songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged ABC, album, Big Big Train, CIRCU5, Dave Gregory XTC, Johnny Warman, Matt Backer, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Tilling | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’ We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

DVD review: PANIC ROOM – Screens Live In London

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! have followed Panic Room’s progress from the very start and many gig and album reviews have been featured. David Randall from Get Ready to ROCK! chatted to Jon Edwards shortly before the release of Panic Room’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Anne-Marie Helder, Dave Foster, DVD, Gavin Griffiths, Jon Edwards, Live in London, Panic Room, prog, progressive, review, rock, Screens, Yatim Halimi | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DANTE FOX, CHEAP TRICK, KATE RUSBY, LOTS HOLLOWAY

Posted on November 1, 2017 by jason

DANTE FOX Six String Revolver AOR Heaven [Release date 24.11.17] This album sees Dante Fox re-record ten songs from their first two albums ‘Under Suspicion’ (1996) and ‘The Fire Within’ (1999) – five songs from each album. Joining the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Angels & Men, AOR, carols, Cheap Trick, Christmas Christmas, Dante Fox, folk, Kate Rusby, Lots Holloway, melodic, review, rock, Roy Wood, Six String Revolver | Leave a comment

DVD review: TOMMY EMMANUEL – Music Gone Public

Posted on October 31, 2017 by alanjones

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic guitar, Bucky Pizzarelli, DVD, Frank Vignola, Music Gone Public, review, Tommy Emmanuel, Vinny Raniola | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

[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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Death And The Blues, guitarist, Mark 'PORKCHOP' Holder, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BUFFALO KILLERS – Alive & Well In Ohio

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alive & Well In Ohio, Buffalo Killers, Gabbard, psychedelic, review, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: GOYA – Kathmandu

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

[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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, Goya, instrumental, Kathmandu, progressive, review, rock, Rush, Stoner | Leave a comment

Album review: ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY – The Groove Cubed

Posted on October 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, fusion, jazz funk, Joe Bonmassa, Mahalia Barnes, review, Rock Candy Funk Party, soul, The Groove Cubed, Ty Taylor | Leave a comment

Album review: VIRGIL & STEVE HOWE – Nexus

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, cinematic, instrumental, melodic, Nexus, progressive, review, Steve Howe, Virgil How, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE WALSH – Black Butterfly

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Butterfly, Kansas, melodic, Mike Slamer, progressive, review, rock, Steve Overland, Steve Walsh, Streets, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: LA GUNS – The Missing Peace

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, glam, LA Guns, metal, Missing Peace, Phil Lewis, review, rock, sleaze, Tracii Guns | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN HACKETT BAND – We Are Not Alone

Posted on October 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

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

Posted on October 30, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, Dave Cousins, folk, gig, London, October 29 2017, progressive, review, rock, The Ferryman's Curse, The Strawbs, Under the Bridge | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 29, 2017 by petefeenstra

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged blues, Chris Layton, classic rock, country, Gary Moore, gig, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Krown, Keith Richard, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kevin McCormick, Noah Hunt, Paul Rogers, review, rockabilly, Sylvester “Sam” Bryant | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: LOUISE STEEL

Posted on October 28, 2017 by jason

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Heartstorm, interview, Jim Steinman, Louise Steel, melodic, Pat Benatar, Rising Stars, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: JOSH TAERK – Stages

Posted on October 28, 2017 by jason

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 →