Monthly Archives: January 2020

Album review: DECARLO – Lightning Strikes Twice

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] DeCarlo are Tommy DeCarlo (who has been a member of Boston since 2008) and co-founder (and son) Tommy DeCarlo Jr., along with drummer Dan Hitz. The songs have been written over a number of years, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged 70's rock, album, Boston, classic rock, debut, DeCarlo, Frontiers, hard rock, Lightning Strikes Twice, melodic rock, review, Tommy Decarlo | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – High Times, Live In Italy

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Michael Thompson’s reputation as the rock world’s original “go to guitarist” is unassailable. Though none is needed, he provides ample proof of his skill and virtuosity here. And understandably cashing in his cultural stock in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, AOR, Boston, DVD, Foreigner, Frontiers, guitarist, High Times Live In Italy, Larry King, live, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, review, Soleil Moon, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20] Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian. Sons Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Billy Sheenan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Guns 'N' Roses, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic metal, metal, Mike Portnoy, MMXX, prog metal, progressive, review, Sons Of Apollo | Leave a comment

Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

SOLD ‘Empty Words’ Seemingly making quantum leaps with each new release, Estonia band Sold have really hit things out of the ballpark with ‘Empty Words’. A snarling wildcat of a song, its mix of growling male and clean female vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Single and EP reviews | Tagged False Hearts, Halestorm, Hellz, melodic metal, metal, new bands, review, singles, Sold | Leave a comment

Album review: ALUNAH – Violet Hour

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Heavy Pysch Sounds [Release date 29.10.19] Midlands four-piece Alunah show that, without doubt, you can take something primal and brutal but turn it into a thing of beauty. Their 60’s tinged doom metal follows in the footsteps of pioneers Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Alunah, Black Sabbath, Doom Metal, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, metal, psychadelic, review, Violet Hour | Leave a comment

Album review: ALBERT CUMMINGS – Believe

Posted on January 28, 2020 by petefeenstra

Provogue Records [Release date 14.02.19] ‘Believe’ is Albert Cummings debut album for Provogue records. It’s a surprisingly understated affair full of quality musicianship, but a few songs short of being a definitive album. Indeed, some of the best moments are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Al Green, Albert Cummings, album, BELIEVE, blues, Freddie King, funk, guitar, horns, Memphis soul, Muscle Shoals, R&B, review, rock, Sam & Dave, soul, Van Morrison, Willie Dixon | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 24-27 January 2020

Posted on January 28, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Praying Mantis - Giants Of Rock, Butlins, Minehead, 27 January 2020

Another Cold January and another Giants Of Rock. Enough to warm the cockles following a respectable respite after Christmas and New Year. This was our fourth Giants, although intrepid GRTR! reviewers have reported since the festival’s inception in 2014. After … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 24-27 January 2020, Bernie Marsden, Butlins, classic rock, Diamond Head, Hawkwind, heavy rock, Hollowstar, Minehead, Quireboys, Review of Giants of Rock festival, Rock Goddess, space rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness,17th to 20th January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by david.wilson

Skegness in early January is a bit of a strange place. Row upon row of empty caravans lie in wait for warmer weather and better times. When once again the sound of laughter and the smell of stale beer, cigarette … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 17th to 20th January 2020, AC/DC, Atomic Rooster, Bernie Marsden, blues, Burnt Out Wreck, Butlins, Chris Bevington Organisation, Chris Slade Time Line, Clearwater, Crow Black Chicken, David Coverdale, Gary Moore, Geordie, gig, Great British Rock And Blues Festival, Hollowstar, James Oliver Band, Joan ov Arc, Killit, live, Matt Pearce and the Mutiny, Mike Farris, NINE BELOW ZERO, Pete Feenstra, Peter Green, Redfish, Rhinos revenge, rock, Savoy Brown, SKAM!, Skegness, The Animals And Friends, Vambo, Whitesnake, Zoe Scwarz Blue Commotion | Leave a comment

Gig review: BERNIE MARSDEN/Deborah Bonham – Under the Bridge, London, 24 January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by andynathan

You might say it was a case of ‘Blues is the colour’ as Under the Bridge, located beneath the East Stand at Chelsea FC, played host to one of London Blues Month’s highest-profile gigs. It lies squarely within the wealthiest … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 January 2020, Bernie Marsden, blues, blues rock, Bob Fridzema, Deborah Bonham, gig, Joe Bonamassa, London, London Blues Month, Peter Bullick, Under the Bridge, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Cult Classics

Posted on January 27, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Surprising and exciting news was announced in the autumn of last year in that Frontiers have signed Blue Oyster Cult for a series re-issues (including their hard to find 1998 album ‘Heaven Forbid’ which is re-issued … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Buck Dharma, classic rock, Cult Classics, Eric Bloom, hard rock, melodic, reissue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JORN – Heavy Rock Radio II

Posted on January 27, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Jorn Lande is back with his second volume of songs he grew up with or influenced him – making this his fourth covers album to date. These songs get the Jorn heavy rock treatment or as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Black Sabbath, classic rock, Covers, Deep Purple, Dio, Eagles, Foreigner, Jorn, Jorn Lande, pop, review, rock, Russ Ballard, Trond Holter | Leave a comment

Album review: GLENN HUGHES – Justified Man

Posted on January 26, 2020 by jason

Cherry Red Records [Release date 31.01.20] Part One: Feel (CD1), Addicted (CD2), The Way It Is (CD3) : This clydebuilt boxset plugs into Glenn Hughes’ solo career in 1995, kicking off with his fourth solo album “Feel” (CD1). It’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged Addiciton, album, box set, Building The Machine, Cherry Red Records, classic rock, Deep Purple, Feel, funk, Glenn Hughes, JJ Marsh, Justified Man, Pat Thrall, Return Of The Crystal Karma, review, rock, Songs In The Key Of Rock, soul, The Way It Is | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK BRUCE & FRIENDS – The Bottom Line Archive

Posted on January 26, 2020 by petefeenstra

Jack Bruce & Friends - The Bottom Line Archives

The Store For Music [Release date 29.11.19] This double live set from March 1980 is a welcome return to the catalogue for a jazz fusion supergroup with blues edges and occasional folk into artsy tinged vocals from Bruce. The important … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Billy Cobham, blues, Clem Clempson, Cozy Powell, Cream, David Sancious, folk, fusion, Harmony Row, Jack Bruce & Friends, jazz, live album, review, rock, The Bottom Line Archive | Leave a comment

Album review: EDDIE MARTIN – Thirst

Posted on January 26, 2020 by petefeenstra

Blueblood Records [Release date 06.12.19] Eddie Martin’s ‘Thirst’ is an excellent contemporary blues album with strong songs and inspired playing sparked by a sense of adventure. He is one of the UK most underrated blues artists. Were he a footballer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Blueblood Records, blues, Dan Moore, Eddie Martin, Elmore James, funk, gospel, guitar, harp, Joe Garcia, Jonny Henderson, Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans, Nick Cave, review, Richard Johnston, rock, Ry Cooder, Thirst, Tom Gilkes | 1 Comment

Album review: FRANK WYATT & FRIENDS – Zeitgeist

Posted on January 25, 2020 by alanjones

Self-released [Release date: 01.11.19] Frank Wyatt was a founding member of noted American band Happy The Man – who got together through a shared love of British progressive rock way back in 1973. A series of prog albums followed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Frank Wyatt, Happy The Man, Progressive Rock, review, Zeitgeist | Leave a comment

Album review: GIRL – Wasted Youth

Posted on January 24, 2020 by jason

Cherry Red Records [31.01.20] Arguably, Girl was simply the launching pad for Phil Lewis – later to join The LA Guns; Phil Collen – later to join Def Leppard, and Gerry Laffy – later to carve out a significant career … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged album, box set, classic rock, Def Leppard, Gerry Laffy, Girl, LA Guns, Phil Collen, Phil Lewis, reissue, review, rock, Russ Ballard, Wasted Youth | Leave a comment

Album review: SERPENTYNE & OPEROSE

Posted on January 24, 2020 by jason

Hell Fury Records [Release date 21.11.19] There is always so much to explore in music, as you explore every sub-genre of a sub-genre. Modern Symphonic Metal is a good case in point and, what was once just purely the domain … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged albums, Angels of the Night, Jennifer Coleman, Lion Music, Maggiebeth Sand, melodic, metal, Oceans Of Starlight, Operose, review, Serpentyne, symphonic metel | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVE KERZNER – Breakdown – A Compilation 1995 – 2019

Posted on January 22, 2020 by alanjones

Cherry Red [Release date: 22.11.19] Dave Kerzner is a deservedly celebrated musician and producer who has had a long and varied career both as a solo artist and as a member of a number of excellent bands. Starting out with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Breakdown, Dave Kerzner, Francis Dunnery, Heather Findlay, Jon Davison, Marco Minnemann, Progressive Rock, Randy McStine, review, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Quick plays: KIWI JR, OF MONTREAL

Posted on January 22, 2020 by jason

KIWI JR. – Football Money Persona Non Grata [Release date 17.01.20] Kiwi Jr. hail from Canada and feature Alvvays’ guitarist Brian Murphy amongst their ranks, with the group’s main songwriter being Jeremy Gaudet. They pack it in with ten songs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Alvvays, Football Money, indie pop, Kevin Barnes, Kiwi Jr, of Montreal, pop, quirky, review, synth pop, ur fun | Leave a comment

Gig review: SAVOY BROWN – 100 Club, London, 18 January 2020

Posted on January 21, 2020 by andynathan

The marketing for the now traditional January London Blues Month is a mocked up, retro-style handbill. Someone who can remember those days is Kim Simmonds. He may not have the high profile of other guitar contemporaries of the British blues … Continue reading →