Quick plays: RICHARD TRETHEWEY, THE SCHMOOZENBERGS

Richard Trethewey – Two Halves [Release date 15.03.24]

Second album from Cornish musician Richard Trethewey is one that was first imagined for vinyl, as side one is songs inspired from Cornwall’s river estuaries, whilst side two would feature songs based on Cornwall’s industrial heritage.

Couple of real stand outs are ‘Queen of the Cornish Rhine’, based on a visit by Queen Victoria to Fal in 1846 and a seven-cannon salute arranged by local magistrate John Gwatkin with his own cannon. The song takes a look at what may have happened if said gun salute went wrong…

‘The Sounds of the Mine’ is an evocative recreation of Cornish mining, from the sounds of mining through to the storytelling lyrics, a perfect piece of folk music if ever there was one.

An album of traditional sounding folk songs, albeit all written by Richard, it will delight traditional folkies, as well as those artists who like to bring folk music into modern times, like Ninebarrow. ***1/2

The Schmoozenbergs – Mouse [Release date 15.03.24]

Ooh we do like a good instrumental album here at GRTR! Towers and the Schmoozenbergs have provided us with a belter! They mix jazz, Celtic, Balkan, swing and more into a delightful foot tapping mix.

The double bass playing of Ron Phelan combined with the violin of Gina Griffin is something rather special. Always lively, played with undoubted passion and a smile on their faces. Not to be forgotten are the two guitarists, Sam Stennett and Tom Brydon-Smith, who are both fleet fingered players and certainly add extra vim ‘n’ vigour to the faster passages of music.

Not for the background this one, more a uplifting album to put on after a long day or just if if you are in the mood for a jig. ***1/2

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline – Molecules Bandcamp [Release date 22.03.24]

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline are a duo consisting of Beth Parker (vocals, harmonica) and Clinton Hough (guitars), with bassist Nick Pini (who has been a touring band member for the likes of Tom Jones, Mary-Chapin Carpenter and Seth Lakeman) and drummer Jimmy Nordon rounding out the line-up on this record.

Recorded at the Bert Jansch Studio, the album has a raw, minimal sound allowing each instrument/musician to be heard clearly. Beth Parker has that mesmerising country meets West Coast sound to her vocals. In a fairer musical world songs like ‘Alone’ and the upbeat country of ‘Say Goodbye’ would be all over the daytime radio playlists.

They have the pop nous of Fleetwood Mac, coupled with the expansive country sound of say Nanci Griffith or Mary-Chapin Carpenter. It appeals to fans of the country & Americana genres, yet has enough pop about it to gain them a deserved wider audience. ***1/2

Reviews 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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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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 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)