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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Album review: SAXON – Reissues (Saxon, Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law)
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Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – When Two Worlds Collide
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Album review: THE OUTLAW ORCHESTRA – Pantomime Villains
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Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Cult Classics
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Book Review: ON TRACK (every album, every song…) – IRON MAIDEN (by Steve Pilkington) and THIN LIZZY (by Graeme Stroud)
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Album Review: RPWL – A Show Beyond Man And Time
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Features
Single & EP Reviews
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Features
Monthly Archives: September 2023
Album review: SKAGARACK- Heart and Soul
Thunderstruck Records (Release date 25.08.23) Skagarack were, alongside Fate, the Danish standard bearers in the original Scandinavian melodic rock explosion of the late eighties. I was a big fan, seeing them at the old Marquee and even picking up albums … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Jan Petersen, melodic rock, Skagarack, TORBEN SCHMIDT
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Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – The Garage, Highbury, London, 23 September 2023
With good timing, as their new album ‘Slipstream’ has just been released, Romeo’s Daughter played their first show in London since the pandemic. Indeed much of the pre show talk evolved around who had retained their tickets from an original … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, Craig Joiner, gig, Highbury, Leigh Matty, melodic rock, Romeo's Daughter, Sweet Crisis, The Garage
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Album review: WINGER – Chapter One Atlantic Years 1988-1993
Atlantic/BMG [Release date: 17.11.23] It had to happen. The boxed Winger story from 1988 to 1993 and “the only remasters approved by Kip Winger.” As ever, it doesn’t help those who have already indulged in previous vinyl or CD although … Continue reading
Gig review: HOUND – Here We Aren’t, Peterborough, 27 September 2023
An enigma, wrapped up in neon-bright packaging, Cambridgeshire punk pop metal quintet Hound are all dangerous curves, big riffs and uncontrolled energy. The fact they’re playing what must rank as one of the tiniest venues in the country, the whole … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged gig, Here We Aren’t, HOUND, melodic, Peterborough, Punk Metal, punk pop, review, Wednesday 27 September 2023
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EP review: TOM WEBBER – The RAK Tracks
Website [Release date 29.09.23] Recorded at the legendary RAK Studios, Tom Webber takes another step up in his musical travels and more importantly, the musical depth and production that comes with recording at such a famous studio. If you though … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Didcot, EP, indie, Maya Lane, pop, RAK studios, RAK Tracks, review, rock 'n' roll, singer songwriter, The Korgis, Tom Webber
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News: BERNIE MARSDEN, THE KINKS, PALLAS (October 2023)
Alkaline Trio release their latest album, ‘Blood, Hair And Eyeballs’, on January 26 via Rise Records. The Beatles release ‘Now And Then’ on November 2, and it is being advertised as the final ‘new’ Beatles song ever. Black Sabbath release a … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP
Tagged albums, Bernie Marsden, blues, blues rock, classic rock, folk, gigs, metal, news, Pallas, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, The Kinks
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Album review: CLIVE CARROLL – The Abbot – Clive Carroll plays the music of John Renbourn
www.clivecarroll.co.uk [Release date 02.10.23] I have a confession to make. In the early 1970s I was heavily into “early music” and for a time performed in a duo recreating the dance music of the medieval minstrels. That band’s demise was … Continue reading
Album review: SCREAMING EAGLES – High Class Rock ‘N’ Roll
FTF Records [Release date 06.10.23] Screaming Eagles hail from Northern Ireland and this is their sophomore album. The debut came out in 2013 which begs the question what have they been doing since? Notwithstanding the two year hiatus that is … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, heavy rock, High Class Rock 'N' Roll, review, Screaming Eagles
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Album review : THE RUNAWAYS – Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin (5 CD boxset)
Cherry Red [Release date : 29.09.23] An all female rock band is rare. A successful all female rock band is even rarer. US band, The Runaways, Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Sandy West and Jackie Fox, broke through the … Continue reading
Gig review: ROB TOGNONI – 100 Club, London, 26 September 2023
Rob Tognoni typifies the spirit of old school rock and roll. It isn’t the fact that he and his band have just driven 16 hours from the Orkney Festival in the highlands of Scotland to the heart of London, or … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 100 Club, AC/DC, Australian, Back To The One, BBC, blues, Gaz Rackham, gig, live, Miguel Montalban, Mike Helier, review, Rob Tognoni, rock, Steve Braithwaite, Wilko Johnson
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EP review: CULANN – Songs of Saints & Reivers
Bandcamp [Release date 15.09.23] Ayrshire based Culann have been around since 2008, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2012, followed by their second album, ‘The Great Ecumene‘, in 2019. Now Cullan – who consist of PJ Kelly (Vocals, Guitar), Sean Kelly (Drums), … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Culann, EP, folk rock, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, Songs of Saints & Reivers
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – 100 Club, London, 19 September 2023
In the fast rising career of Brave Rival this was a significant milestone for the South Coast-based band. As part of their heavy touring schedule they had played support slots at the 100 Club before, but this was their first … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Barron, Big River, Billy Dedman, blues rock, Brave Rival, Chloe Josephine, Damo Fawsett, Donna Peters, Ed Clarke, gig, Lindsey Bonnick, Thr3e
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Gig review: ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK – The Junction, Cambridge, 22 September 2023
Their sound may be the most American imaginable, but it seems Robert Jon and the Wreck have made Europe and the UK in particular their second home. At a time when many US acts are pulling out of European tours … Continue reading
Album review: GREGG WRIGHT – Big Dawg Barkin’
Left Hook Music [Release date 01.12.22] It’s 45 years since Gregg Wright the self proclaimed ‘King of the rockin Blues’ cut his debut solo album back in Louisiana called ‘Khamsin’. Since then he’s established himself as an international rock blues … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Albert King, album, Aynsley Dunbar, Berlin, Big Dawg Barkin, Billy Gibbons, blues, Cheyenne Wright, Freddie King, funk, gospel, Gregg Wright, guitar, Guns 'N' Roses, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Leslie West, Michael Jackson, Mick Fleetwood, Oogie Brown, Peter Green, psychedelia, review, rock, soul, Spencer Davis, The Gap Band
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News: THUNDER are the latest entrants in The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (October 2023)
Classic rockers Thunder are the latest entrants to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” a year long promotion to tie in with rock website Get Ready to ROCK!’s 20th anniversary. During Get Ready to ROCK!’s lifetime the band has been put … Continue reading
Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, ALL POSTS, NEWS
Tagged Ben Matthews, Chris Childs, classic rock, Danny Bowes, feature, Harry James, history, Luke Morley, news, retrospective, Thunder
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Album review: 38 SPECIAL – Special Forces and Wild Eyed Southern Boys (Remasters)
Rock Candy Records [Release date: 08.09.23] In 2008, a major fire in Universal Studios’ Hollywood Warehouse devastated the company’s music archives. 38 Special were one of the bands to suffer a significant loss…and if nothing else, that gives these remasters … Continue reading
Album review: DIO – The Studio Albums 1996–2004
BMG [Release date 22.09.23] Ronnie James Dio’s eponymous band have quite a legacy, released a long string of solid and well received metal albums, from their formation in 1982 (following Dio’s departure from Black Sabbath) until his death in 2010. … Continue reading
Album review : SHAKE THAT THING ! The Blues In Britain 1963-73
Cherry Red [Release date 22.09.23] Without the blues, there would be no rock’n’roll. That’s the history. This 73 track, 3 CD package is an extensive collection of recordings by British bands and solo artists, all heavily influenced by American Blues. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged 1963, 1973, Alex Harvey, Alexis Korner, Bert Jansch, blues, boxset, Britain, Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac, Gene Vincent, Humble Pie, Jethro Tull, John Martyn, John Mayall, John McAuley, Judy Dyble, Leadbelly, Lindsay Buckingham, Long John Baldry, Mungo Jerry, Pete Green, review, Robert Johnson, Rory Gallagher, Savoy Brown, TASTE, Ten Years After, The Animals, The Climax Chicago Blues Band, Trader Horne
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Gig review: THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA – Talbot Hotel, Oundle, 21 September 2023
Reputed to be haunted by the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots, the upstairs room of this Northamptonshire hotel has its own magic, the delicate lighting and warmth more welcoming than unsettling. With their ethereal and involving soundscapes, The Blackheart … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged gig, Oundle, review, The Blackheart Orchestra, the Talbot Hotel, Thursday 21 September 2023
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EP review: LITTLE LORE – Seven Stories part one
Bandcamp [Release date 22.09.23] Tricia Duffy, aka Little Lore, is back with a new EP, with the follow-up EP, ‘Seven Stories part two’, due out in February next year. A CD version, featuring all seven songs from both parts one and … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Americana, EP, folk, Little Lore, melodic, review, Seven Stories part one, singer songwriter
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Album review: UNCLE FRANK – Diablo
Last Man Media [Release date 06.10.23] Uncle Frank were formed in 2003 by Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ drummer (and vocalist with Uncle Frank) Frank Benbini and guitarist Naim Cortazzi and ‘Diablo’ is the band’s fourth album. They are joined by Darryl … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Diablo, Fun Lovin' Criminals, funk, pop rock, review, rock, soul, Uncle Frank
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Album review : BONFIRE – MMMXXIII
AFM [Release date : 22.09.23] MMMXXIII is a suite of three albums re-recorded by German Rock giants, Bonfire. The band’s continued popularity and success through the decades confounds critics, of the genre at least, if not the band. That of … Continue reading
Album review: STEVE HACKETT – Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live In Brighton
David Randall chatted to Steve Hackett in September 2023 as part of the GRTR!@20 promotion when Steve was the September “Grotto of Greatness” inductee. This is an edited version of the radio show that will be broadcast in its entirety … Continue reading
Album review: RENAISSANCE – The Legacy Tour 2022
Symphonic Rock Recordings [Release date 15.08.23] Back in 2015 we saw Renaissance performing at a small venue in North-West England, The Citadel, which remains something of a mecca for prog bands. Since that time they have played several tours in … Continue reading
Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 16 September 2023
After a number of tours celebrating classic Wishbone Ash albums, founder member Martin Turner and band have now spent most of 2023 marking the 50th anniversary of ‘Live Dates’- their first live album and the swansong for the first era … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 100 Club, 16 September 2023, Danny Willson, gig, Live Dates, London, Martin Turner, Misha Nikolic, review, Sonny Flint, Wishbone Ash
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