Album review : GERRY JABLONSKI and THE ELECTRIC BAND – 105

Independent [Release date: 02.12.22]

Fifth album from one of the UK’s lesser known Rock’n'Blues outfits, Gerry Jablonski and The Electric Band. (Not their one hundred and fifth).

Looking at the band’s incessant touring schedules, it’s a surprise they had time to go into the studio to record this material. Headline slots at the HRH Blues festival, The Rory Gallagher Festival and sell out shows at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival put them on the radar of many genre fans.

Plus endless slogs through the UK and Eastern Europe (they’re just coming off a 22 gig tour, and by the looks of it they’ve squeezed a few more unannounced appearances into North Of Scotland venues this month).

No surprise then that road miles have turned them into a tight, tight outfit.

In places the emphasis is clearly on Rock, which might disappoint some blues fans, but it’s an album of exceptional maturity and mastery of the bluesrock brief.

“Music and art should reflect the world we live in and right now the world feels dark and heavy!”. So says Jablonski. He’s referring to the Russia / Ukraine conflict. The band use this tragic turn of events and its fallout as the fulcrum around which their songwriting spins.

The raw, Hendrixian ‘Broken Stones’ and ‘Strange Love’ are both sharp, well observed narratives that describe the state of the UK and the wider world today. These are rough, riff heavy rock songs, pierced by a very emotive, very detailed harmonica wail that plays like lead guitar.

‘Heavy Water’, ‘Tiny Thoughts’ and the first single ‘Goddam’ are constructed and presented in much the same manner. Each takes aim at societal flaws, usually on a global scale.

There’s clearly a communicative skill and energy to these and other songs. But sometimes they lack the sophistication needed to translate protest into sought after rock’n'roll. ***

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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 16 November 2025.

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 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.