Quick plays: VARVARA, I’M WITH HER, CHIARA BERARDELLI

VARVARA Go [Release date 23.02.18]

Hailing from Finland (the most exciting thing to come out of Finland since fromer Liverpool player Jari Litmanen according to one previous review), are based around guitarist/vocalist Mikko Kari. This is the band’s fourth album and is one for those who like a bit of indie rock with a punk edge.

‘Gone’ and ‘Fly Far’ are top notch indie rockers with a punk beat, whilst ‘Up To The Top’ recalls the Foo Fighters in their 90′s period. If there’s one slight drawback the album tails off slightly after the impressive first five songs on the album.

Varvara deserve to get more known outside of their native Finland and Mikko Kari’s melodic vocals ensure their songs are airplay/playlist friendly. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

I’M WITH HER See You Around

I’m With Her is a trio consisting of Crooked Still’s Aoife O’Donovan (piano/synth), Sarah Jarosz (mandolin/banjo) and Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins (fiddle/ukulele) and they are a bit of a modern folk ‘super group’.

The trio produce some stunning harmony vocals throughout the whole album, never sounding to twee and listening to say the title track, you can see why I’m With Her will attract rave reviews and fans. ‘I 89′ has a rock base, whilst ‘Game To Lose’ features more of their uplifting harmony vocals. Shades of Joni Mitchell is some of the songs, yet I’m With Her have their own distinct sound and all bar one of the songs on this album were composed by the band.

The super group tag can be the undoing of many, luckily that’s not the case here and hopefully we will get more from I’m With Her in due course. Until then, dive in the musical treat that awaits you here. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

CHIARA BERARDELLI Seamonster [Release date 02.03.18]

This is a very personal album from Glaswegian singer/songwriter Chiara Berardelli as it deals with her pain and sadness at not being able to have children. Despite the subject matter Chiara has produced an album of thoughtful, tuneful songs like the title track with its jaunty beat and folk backing. Opening song ‘Free Floating Love’ and the piano led ‘Another Planet’ recall Mercury Rev and that band’s love of a lush arrangement.

An album that grows on you after each successive listen and worthy of your precious listening time. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie


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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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 7 April 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 2 April 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 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply