Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: KARMAMOI – The Day Is Done

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond [Release date 30.11.18] The fourth album from Italian proggers Daniele Giovannoni (drums, keys) and Alex Massari (guitars) aka Karmamoi is a concept album inspired by the story of two Syrian boys, one of whom died in the Grenfell Tower … Continue reading →

Album review: THUNDER – Please Remain Seated

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 19.01.19] Let’s be quite clear: ‘Rip It Up’ was one of the best albums of 2017, a vibrant, relevant chapter in the modern-day Thunder storybook. It must surprise the band themselves that they have been allowed to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Danny Bowes, Luke Morley, Please Remain Seated, review, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: ALBIE DONNELLY’S SUPERCHARGE – Get Hip

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 18.01.19] On a number of occasions back in the early 1970s, fellow scribe David Randall and I would venture to the Sportsman Bar in Liverpool, often post gig, to catch Albie Donnelly’s Supercharge. The band – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Albie Donnelly, album, Get Hip, R&B, review, soul, Supercharge | Leave a comment

Album review: SLASH – Living The Dream

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Roadrunner [Release date 21.09.18] For me, things have gone consistently ‘downhill’ since Slash released his eponymous debut with a plethora of guest vocalists back in 2010. Every track on that album was an absolute peach. Since then he’s stuck with … Continue reading →

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Album review: LARKIN POE – Venom & Faith

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

In March 2011 David Randall interviewed Larkin Poe for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio during one of their earliest UK tours. This exclusive edit provides insight at an early point in the duo’s career. (9:45) Proper Music [Release date 09.11.18] … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Americana, blues, interview, Larkin Poe, review, roots, Venom & Faith | Leave a comment

Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – The Tivoli, Buckley, 3 November 2018

Posted on November 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted with Andy Powell in October 2012 for “The Guitarists” series on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. This hour special discusses the development of the band and includes live tracks from 1977, 1988 and 1995. Andy Powell/Wishbone Ash … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 3 November 2018, Andy Powell, Buckley, classic rock, gig, interview, melodic rock, review, The Tivoli, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI – The Met, Bury, 26 October 2018

Posted on October 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Kiki Dee in March 2015 for a two-part special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Part 2 covers the 1970s including her work with Elton John and her partnership with Carmelo Luggeri, bringing the story up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 26 October 2018, acoustic, Bury, Carmelo Luggeri, Elton John, gig, interview, Kiki Dee, pop, review, singer, songwriter, The Met | Leave a comment

Album review: GALEN AYERS – Monument

Posted on October 25, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bombinate [Release date: 27.07.18] A confident debut here from this British US/Greece-based singer-songwriter, ‘Monument’ births short/sharp essays in personal values and beliefs in a swell of acoustic ambience. Cool to the point-of-chilly opener, ‘You Choose’ sets out her stall with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, ambient, folk, Galen Ayers, Kevin Ayers, Monument, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

News: DAN REED NETWORK – Origins tour starts 7 November and new album

Posted on October 24, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

DAN REED NETWORK – Live Rooms, Chester, 17 November 2018

Dan Reed Network: UK dates and new album Dan Reed Network have announced their upcoming “Origins” tour in support of their new album released 23 November 2018 via Zero One Entertainment. The “Origins” tour is by direct result of Dan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, Dan Reed, Dan Reed Network, gig, November 2018, Origins, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

Album review: RENAISSANCE – A Symphonic Journey (CD/DVD)

Posted on October 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Annie Haslam chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio shortly before Renaissance’s UK dates in April 2015. This hour special includes tracks from the band’s albums. Symphonic Rock Recordings [Release date: 14.09.18] Bands to have hurdled a half century’s performing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged A Symphonic Journey, album, Annie Haslam, DVD, interview, prog, Progressive Rock, radio, Renaissance, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Living The Dream

Posted on October 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date 14.09.18] We really have no right to expect – in 2018 – a tremendously vital album from a “heritage” band with an average age of 60 and who celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2019. But that’s exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bernie Shaw, hard rock, Living The Dream, Mick Box, Phil Lanzon, progressive, review, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – Dissolution

Posted on October 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Kscope [Release date 31.08.18] I know, it’s easy to confuse The Pineapple Thief with Porcupine Tree. This perception is only reinforced by the presence of now regular drummer Gavin Harrison. Similarities might normally end there, but in fact Pineapple Thief … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Soord, Dissolution, Gavin Harrison, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Pineapple Thief | Leave a comment

Album review: BIRDSONG AT MORNING – Signs And Wonders

Posted on October 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Blue Gentian Records [Release date 22.08.18] ‘Signs And Wonders’ is a remarkably ambitious album from a band based around singer/songwriter/vocalist Alan Williams. But then this is a band that released a 4-CD box set debut in 2011. This time the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 5.1, acoustic, album, Birdsong At Morning, Blu-ray, Marillion, orchestral, review, rock, Signs And Wonders | Leave a comment

Album review: RIVERSEA – The Tide

Posted on October 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 23.04.18] available at bandcamp.com and at riversea-band.com Quite how Riversea – an outstanding Northern Powerhouse of a ‘combo’ – have evaded the Get Ready to ROCK! net thus far is something of a mystery. But it’s amazing where … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Olivia Sparnenn, progressive, review, Riversea, rock, The Tide | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK ROWEN – Radiance

Posted on October 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date: 01.09.18] available at bandcamp.com Anyone remember Breathing Space, featuring ex-Mostly Autumn’s Iain Jennings and Olivia Sparnenn? The band produced a clutch of excellent melodic semi ‘prog’ albums in the ‘noughties’, including Coming Up For Air (2007) and Under … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Breathing Space, Mark Rowen, pop, progressive, radiance, review, rock, Stolen Earth | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Forgotten Dreams

Posted on October 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Chasing The Dragon Audiophile Recordings [Release date: 08.18] available at chasingthedragon.co.uk We’ve had Alone (2011) and its companion release Naked Music (2016) – albums that saw Irish singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy retire to the sanctuary of a sleepy Norfolk studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, audiophile, Chasing The Dragon, classical, direct cut, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, Forgotten Dreams, hi-fi, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: GREENSLADE (remastered and expanded)

Posted on October 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date 28.09.18] When Warner Brothers’ then-fledgling UK arm scored a hit debut with Curved Air’s ‘Airconditioning’ it was clear there was something in this new progressive rock music and the London office A&R scouts duly sallied forth to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, BBC, Dave Greenslade, Dave Lawson, Greenslade, prog, prog rock, Progressive Rock, radio, review, sessions, Tony Reeves | Leave a comment

News: GLENN HUGHES tour gets underway with more dates to follow in 2019

Posted on October 4, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

GLENN HUGHES, Club Academy, Manchester, 29 October 2015

Glenn Hughes performing Classic Deep Purple Live has started his UK tour with special guest Laurence Jones. The gig on 15 October has been switched to London’s Electric Ballroom due to construction work at the Koko. As bassist and co-vocalist … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SONS OF APOLLO – Manchester Academy, 1 October 2018

Posted on October 2, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

It always amazes me how a less than mainstream band (even though heavyweights in their own right) can attract a sizeable crowd on a Monday night. It’s highly unlikely there were many students at this gig, although within rolling out … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 October 2018, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, gig, Jeff Scott Soto, Manchester Academy, progressive metal, review, Ron Thal, Sons Of Apollo | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GHOST AND THE MACHINE – Red Rain Tires

Posted on September 27, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Noise Appeal Records [Release date 28.09.18] Formed in 2014, The Ghost And The Machine are an Austrian ‘post blues’ three piece – Andi Lechner (resonator guitar, lapsteel, vocals), Heidi Fial (double bass, vocals) and Matthias Macht (drums). While their eponymous … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Red Rain Tires, review, rock, roots, The Ghost And The Machine | Leave a comment

News: GIANTS OF ROCK – Skid Row, Roger Chapman, and many more head for Minehead (25-28 January 2019)

Posted on September 26, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Martin Barre - Great British Rock & Blues Festival 2015

David Randall previews two bands appearing at the Butlins Big Weekends in January. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 30 December. (11:17) More information 2019′s Giants Of Rock takes place at Butlins in Minehead, Somerset, 25-28 January. … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Leave a comment

News: STEELEYE SPAN UK Tour starts 1 October – win tickets to Cambridge gig (8 October)

Posted on September 24, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

As Steeleye Span approach their their 50th anniversary in 2019 they embark on a UK tour starting 1 October. The band is working on a new studio album and some of the new tracks will feature in the setlist. Steeleye … Continue reading →

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Album review: VANESSA PETERS – Foxhole Prayers

Posted on September 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 05.10.18] For some reason, Texas based indie-folk singer songwriter Vanessa Peters’ last album – The Burden Of Unshakeable Proof (2016) seems to have bypassed GRTR! But a quick listen on bandcamp.com suggests it was a welcome return to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Foxhole Prayers, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Vanessa Peters | Leave a comment

News: STEVE HACKETT – orchestral tour, box set, radio interview

Posted on September 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Prog-meister Steve Hackett tours with a 41 piece orchestra in October, plus there is the release of a 6-CD/2-DVD box set covering the years 1984-2006. Steve’s orchestral tour stems from a one-off performance in March 2017 in the USA. He’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged box set, Broken Skies - Outspread Wings (1984 - 2006), Genesis Revisited, guitar, guitarist, interview, orchestral, prog, Progressive Rock, radio, Steve Hackett, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

Album review: DAN REED NETWORK – Origins

Posted on September 13, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Zero One [Release date 23.11.18] ‘Origins’ is an interesting concept and is perhaps best viewed as a live album recorded in the studio. Over the past year or so, DRN have recorded themselves in various studios (Manchester, NYC, Portland and … Continue reading →