Monthly Archives: January 2026

Gig review: PREACHER STONE – Cart and Horses, London, 29 January 2026

Posted on January 31, 2026 by andynathan

Pete Feenstra chatted to Preacher Stone co-founder member Ronnie Riddle for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. With tracks from the band’s album ‘Preacher Stone V’. First broadcast 29 September 2024. Many bands balk at the cost of making the trip … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Ben Robinson, Cart and Horses, Darrell Whit, gig, interview, Jim Bolt, Matthew Hudson, Preacher Stone, Revenant, Ronnie Riddle, southern rock, Sugarman Sam, Wyatt | Leave a comment

Gig review: AYNSLEY LISTER – 100 Club, London, 27 January 2026

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Davoski

Tonight’s gig was part of the 100 Club’s regular Tuesday Blues events and a decent crowd was already in situ by the time Albany Down took the stage. I’ve been a quiet appreciator of this band for a while now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, 27 January 2026, Albany Down, AYNSLEY LISTER, blues, blues rock, gig, live review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY – Black Heart, Camden, London, 24 January 2026

Posted on January 28, 2026 by andynathan

Midnite City continue to entertain with their feel good revival of the glammy melodic hard rock sounds of the late eighties (or hair metal as it was never called in the day). This show was originally scheduled for November but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, glam rock, hair metal, melodic rock, Midnite City, Miles Meakin, Nasty Ratz, Rob Wylde, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

Single review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Hell Or High Water

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Website “Can I help you sir?” “Yes I’d like some gospel blues served up with a soupçon of acoustic guitar and banjo, with lashings and lashings of raunchy electric guitar and topped off with an economic but searing guitar solo” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, blues rock, guitarist, Hell or High Water, Joanne Shaw Taylor, review, single, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT REED – Sanctuary IV

Posted on January 28, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

Tigermoth Records [Release date 16.04.25] I can’t quite understand Robert Reed’s obsession with Mike Oldfield. ‘Tubular Bells’ was a landmark album but in some respects very much of its time. Yes, it made greater impact in 1973 because of Oldfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Les Penning, Mike Oldfield, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Robert Reed, Sanctuary IV, Simon Phillips, Tubular Bells | Leave a comment

Book review: WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING by Andy Stuart

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jason

Kingmaker Publishing [Publication date 06.02.26] Written to accompany the new album from Big Big Train, ‘Woodcut – The Making And The Meaning’ follows the gestation of what would result in the Progressive Rock band’s first concept album, through to the early … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alberto Bravin, album, Andy Stuart, Big Big Train, book, Clare Lindley, Greg Spawton, prog, prog rock, progressive, Progressive Rock, review, WOODCUT – THE MAKING AND THE MEANING | Leave a comment

News: AEROSMITH, SAVATAGE, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (February 2026)

Posted on January 27, 2026 by jason

SUZI QUATRO-London Palladium, 15 November 2023

Acid Reign will release a new album ‘Daze Of The Week’ on May 15. Aerosmith release ‘Aerosmith (Legendary Edition)’ on March 20 as a limited-edition deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, black and colour vinyl, 3CD, CD, and digital. Steven Tyler and Joe … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Aerosmith, albums, AOR, blues, Cambridge Folk Festival, folk, gigs, melodic rock, metal, news, re-issues, RIP, Savatage, special editions, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: LAURENCE JONES – On My Own

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Davoski

Ron Records [Release date: 23.01.26] New music from Laurence Jones is always welcome. Jones has an impressive career that includes multiple British Blues Awards and more than 50,000 units shifted since his debut in 2012. His often incendiary and virtuoso … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, album review, blues, guitarist, Laurence Jones, On My Own, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: LAURENCE JONES – Pizza Express, Holborn, London, 23 January 2026

Posted on January 25, 2026 by andynathan

The past year has been a life changing one for top blues guitarist Laurence Jones who has really struggled with the inflammatory bowel condition Crohn’s Disease. It left him unable to stand the rigours of touring, and needing to focus … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Amy Eftekhari, blues, blues rock, gig, Laurence Jones, On My Own | Leave a comment

Album review : FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS – You Were Made For Me, The Complete Recordings, 1963-70

Posted on January 25, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 30.01.26] The Complete Recordings’ Boxset is a feat of logistics and research in itself, for which it deserves 5 stars, never mind the music. 136 tracks, 5 CDs. In the “Swinging Sixties” Manchester band Freddie And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cherry Red, Freddie and the Dreamers, Freddie Garrity, John Carter, Mitch Murray, review, Roger Greenaway, The Sixties, You Were made For Me | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL THORNALLEY – Stacked

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Facebook [Release date 23.01.26] Here at GRTR! Towers we love the work of Phil Thornalley, be it his solo pop/power rock delights or with Astral Drive, a band whose albums should be in any self-respecting music lover’s collection. On his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey Shea, melodic rock, Phil Thornalley, pop punk, pop rock, power pop, review, Stacked | Leave a comment

Album review: AMY HOPWOOD – Gone to Flowers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 19,02.26] When I first put this album on I thought you’ve got to be joking, its just a bunch of nursery rhymes sung by a little girl. But then I thought of Ivor Cutler, a strange old … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Amy Hopwood, folk, Gone to Flowers, Ivor Culter, John Peel, melodic, quirky, review, traditional music | Leave a comment

EP review: SAM CARTER – Oakham Poachers

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 05.12.26] Sam Carter is a BBC Folk Award winning finger picking singer songwriter, who has travelled the world playing his narrative rich songs. He carries on this fifteen year tradition with five songs on this EP. He … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, folk, guitarist, Jean Ritchie, Oakham Poachers, review, Sam Carter, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: ELLES BAILEY – Wax and Beans, Bury, 19 January 2026

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

This is my first time attending one of these intimate record shop gigs, and what a delight it was. Elles Bailey, with her acoustic guitarist and best friend Demi Marriner in front of an audience of around fifty people. It … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 January 2026, blues, Bury, Can't Take My Story Away, Demi Marriner, Elles Bailey, gig, melodic, review, singer, soul, Wax and Beans | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAULIE BOY BLUES – The Eagle Inn, Manchester, 23 January 2026

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

Coincidentally, I have been thinking recently, where are all the up and coming guitar heroes? Starting in the late 60’s, early 70’s your favourite band would always have a guitar hero wouldn’t it, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Eric … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23 January 2026, gig, guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, Manchester, Paulie Boy Blues, review, The Eagle Inn | Leave a comment

Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – First Light

Posted on January 23, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 06.02.26] Multi instrumentalist and prolific songwriter Sean Taylor releases his fourteenth album First Light, full of eclecticity and surprises. His voice, reminiscent of JJ Cale is a pleasing toned whisper, blending well with the mostly acoustic backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, First Light, folk, review, Sean Taylor, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HARA – The Fallout

Posted on January 20, 2026 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 23.01.26] This album from The Hara tackles mental health struggles and subjects of toxicity and self-doubt along with the pitfalls of the industry on their journey. Channelling this into their livewire performances has seen them pick up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt metal, indie, Mascot records, metal, review, The Fallout, the Hara | Leave a comment

Album review : ANDREW GOLD – Lonely Boy – The Asylum Years Anthology (6 CDs + DVD)

Posted on January 20, 2026 by brianmc

Esoteric Recordings / Cherry Red [Release date : 30.01.26] Andrew Gold was one of the finest musicians and songwriters to emerge from the Los Angeles music scene in the mid 70s. Most will remember him as being one half of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, Andrew Gold, boxset, Cherry Red, Graham Gouldman, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Sedaka, review, The Beatles, The Eagles, Wax | Leave a comment

Gig review: NINE BELOW ZERO – 229 London, 16 January 2026

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Davoski

This gig was part of the January Blues Festival, now a regular fixture in the gig calendar at the very fine 229 Club on Portland Street. Nine Below Zero are hardly ever off the road. This festival appearance was shoe-horned … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 January 2026, 229 Club, blues, Dennis Greaves, gig, January Blues Festival, live, London, Mark Feltham, NINE BELOW ZERO, r n b, review, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS – With A Little Help From My Friends, A Tribute To Matt Long

Posted on January 19, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 20.03.26] Only the good die young they say, and bluesman Matt Long must have been a real good guy judging by the amount of artists offering their services on this tribute album. This list includes Joe Bonamassa, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tribute To Matt Long, album With A Little Help From My Friends, blues, Catfish, charity, Elles Bailey, fundraiser, guitarist, he Royal Surrey County Hospital, Jac Shultz, Joe Bonamassa, review, The Cinelli Bros, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review : MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP – Bad Boys, The MSG Story 1987-92 (4 CD boxset)

Posted on January 17, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 30.01.26] Axeman Michael Schenker’s considerable CV has been well documented over the years and it’s clearly delineated in these liner notes. Brief version: between 1972 and 1984 he cycled through The Scorpions, UFO and MSG Version … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Cherry Red, Frank Filipetti, hard rock, Michael Schenker, MSG, Perfect Timing, review, Robin McAuley, Save Yourself, Scorpions, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDER- Live (expanded and remastered reissue)

Posted on January 16, 2026 by andynathan

earMusic [Release Date 16.01.26] As Danny Bowes continues his long but encouraging recovery, in the absence of any new Thunder music or touring we have to content ourselves with reissues. Originally released in 1998, the Ronseal-titled ‘Live’ was their first … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Ben Matthews, Chris Childs, Danny Bowes, Harry James, live album, Luke Morley, reissues, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Woodcut

Posted on January 16, 2026 by jason

InsideOut Music [Release date 06.02.26] Woodcut is the sixteenth studio album from Big Big Train, the progressive rock band originally formed back in 1990. It sees a band that has had more than its fair share of line up changes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alberto Bravin, album, Big Big Train, Greg Spawton, melodic, Nick D’Virgilio, prog rock, progressive, review, Rikard Sjoblom, Woodcut | Leave a comment

Album review : FRANCIS ROSSI – The Accidental

Posted on January 16, 2026 by brianmc

earMUSIC [Release date : 30.1.26] Francis Rossi’s fifth solo album, The Accidental, sees him reconnecting with the bricks and mortar foundation that underpinned Quo’s music over the years. It’s a recording studio free-for-all eventually shaped by a longing for simple, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Andy Brooks, Bob Young, Francis Rossi, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Leon Cave, review, Status Quo, The Accidental | Leave a comment

Album review : EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS – Teenage Depression &ife On The Line (2CD set)

Posted on January 15, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 23.01.26] So much crammed into these “two CD” reissues from punk/ new wave/ R’n’B legends Eddie and The Hot Rods’. So much history here. Of the band, of the nascent sound of Punk. Of the talent … Continue reading →