Author Archives: petefeenstra

Album review: CLEARLIGHT – Impressionist Symphony

CLEARLIGHT - Impressionist Symphony

Gonzo Media Group [Release date 23.05.14] Clearlight’s ‘Impressionist Symphony’ celebrates the 40th anniversary of the post-‘Tubular Bells’ album ‘Clearlight Symphony’, cut on the fledgling Virgin label all those years ago. It once again brings together three former Gong members Didier … Continue reading

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Album review: MICHAEL KATON – Hard On! (The Boogie)

MICHAEL KATON – Hard On! (The Boogie)

Mystic [Release date 31.03.14] Michael Katon’s back with a hard hitting album full of boogie, blues and lashing of guitar. In fact he’s never really been away, except that his last few albums have been digital download only, so ‘Hard … Continue reading

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Album review: CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN – El Camino Real

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN – El Camino Real

Freeworld [Release date 11.08.14] It’s not essential to have heard this album’s predecessor ‘La Costa Perdida’, but it certainly helps to explain the dark lyrical quality, David Lowery’s weary vocals and the sardonic nature of Camper Van Beethoven’s ruminations on … Continue reading

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Album review: THE GRAND – The Rebel Son

The Grand - Rebel Son

Self release [Release date 15.03.14] The Grand hail from British Columbia Canada, but they play a very commercial brand of southern influenced rock with a big production.  Their bristling style comes with a layered sound and impossibly catchy hooks, topped by … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACK STATE HIGHWAY – Black State Highway

Black State Highway

HNE Recordings Ltd [Release date 18.08.14] ‘Black State Highway’ is a self titled 8 track debut album by a young Brighton band of retro rockers who provide their own contemporary take on classic hard rock. They may unashamedly tip their … Continue reading

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Album review: THE SHARPEES – Mississippi Thrill

The Sharpees - Mississippi Thrill

Sharpees [Release date 12.05.14] Influenced in equal measure by George Thorogood, Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher and Tom Petty’s melodic sensibilities, The Sharpees are a straight to the vein shot of self penned, guitar driven rhythm and blues. ‘Mississippi Thrill’ pushes … Continue reading

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Album review: HOYT BINDER – Prayrie Go Round

HOYT BINDER – Prayrie Go Round

Self release [06.11.13] From the opening sustained and hypnotic note of ‘This Is Why’ to the extended violin work out on the closing title track,  ‘Prayrie Go Round’ is an adventurous musical journey that meanders its way through multi genres … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVID MIGDEN & THE TWISTED ROOTS – Animal & Man

Blues Boulevard [Released 10.10.14] On ‘Hunters Moon’, David Migden sings: “I walk the hills on my own, I’ve hunted down all that is flesh and bone, An arrow and a bow, I have a knife in my hand, I carved a … Continue reading

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Album review: PHILIP SAYCE – Influence

Philip Sayce - Influence

Provogue [Release date 25.08.14] ‘Influence’ is a curious but enjoyable album that finds guitar slinger Philip Sayce in tandem with busy producer Dave Cobb searching out different musical directions. By busy, I mean Cobb is an in demand producer (Rival … Continue reading

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Album review: RICH ROBINSON – The Ceaseless Sight

Rich Robinson - The Ceaseless Sight

The End [Release date 03.06.14] Rich Robinson’s ‘The Ceaseless Sight’ gently washes over you, invites you to immerse yourself in its deep textures and lyrical reflection, leaving you with a gentle uplifting feeling of having shared Rich’s heartfelt feelings and … Continue reading

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Album review: OTIS GIBBS – Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth

OTIS GIBBS – Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth

Wanamaker Recording Company [Release date 17.02.14] Otis Gibbs is a socio-politico story teller who infuses his blue collar characters with enough real urban grit for you to care about their trials and tribulations. He’s also recalls autobiographical stories and his … Continue reading

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Album review: MAN – All’s Well That Ends Well

MAN – All

Esoteric [Release date 17.02.14] Man’s ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ is a splendid reminder that there was still some great music being made just before punk hit the rock scene like an unexpected sledgehammer. This album was supposed to be … Continue reading

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Album review: THE PASS OUTS – Dead Technology

The Pass Outs - Dead Technology

Self release [Release date 06.06.14] The Pass Outs hail from Mebourne in Australia, where they have built up a following strong enough to sell out a 250 capacity venue on the launch of their debut album ‘Dead Technology’. A loosely … Continue reading

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Album review: ALL MY FRIENDS – Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman

ALL MY FRIENDS – Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman

Rounder [Release Date 14.06.14] ‘All My Friends – Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman’ is the sort of all star 26 track double album that the Americans do so well. It’s a multi-generational and all inclusive musical family … Continue reading

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Album review: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & THE MAGIC BAND – Somewhere Over Detroit

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & THE MAGIC BAND – Somewhere Over Detroit

Gonzo Multimedia [Release Date 23.05.14] Given the atrocious sound quality of this album and the apparent jumble of material ‘Somewhere Over Detroit’ is for completists only. Recorded in December 1980, this concert was part of Beefheart’s comeback, as he reverted … Continue reading

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Gig review: HOP FARM MUSIC FESTIVAL – Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent 4/5/6 July 2014

Hop Farm Festival, 4-6 July 2014

The Hop Farm Music Festival 2014 is a reconfigured broad based festival. While previous years included Neil Young, Dylan and The Eagles, the new promoters focused on striking a musical balance that pleased more than it alienated.  The result was … Continue reading

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Album review : P-A-U-L Lamb & Detroit Breakdown – Take It From The Top

P-A-U-L Lamb & Detroit Breakdown - Take It From The Top

Nominated as the ‘Best Overseas Artist in the 2014 British Blues Awards’, Paul Lamb & The Detroit Breakdown use the blues as a launch pad for something far more adventurous. Their Detroit background leads them to dark imagery with lyrical … Continue reading

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Album review: BERNIE MARSDEN – Shine

BM - Shine

Provogue [Release date 18.08.14] Bernie Marsden’s ‘Shine’ explores a wide ranging musical horizon including a cleverly updated blues, slick AOR, kick ass boogie, riff driven and twin guitar rock, a steaming bluesy shuffle and a book-ended instrumental. By his own … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 25 June 2014

ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Shepherd

Royal Southern Brotherhood reconfigure the classic rhythm and blues revue to their own ends, with great playing, 3 great lead vocalists, glistening harmonies and an essential harmonic relationship between strong songs that gives the evening its free flowing feel. Their … Continue reading

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Gig review: MORELAND & ARBUCKLE – The Beaverwood Club, Chisehurst, 24 June 2014

MORELAND & ARBUCKLE – The Beaverwood Club, Chisehurst, 24 June 2014

Moreland & Arbuckle aren’t like any other blues band. The term Roots Rock hardly encapsulates the breadth of their music. They are a power trio with a difference, comprising harp, drum and guitar, with Aaron Moreland providing the bass lines … Continue reading

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Gig review – DESERT MOUNTAIN TRIBE – Bush Hall, London, 16 June 2014

Desert Mountain Tribe – Bush Hall, London, 16 June 2014

They came, they saw, they created spine-tingling psychedelic rock and then left quietly. Just like one of those cosmic moments when everything seems crystal clear and the universe is encapsulated in a flash, Desert Mountain Tribe hit a peak, but … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACKTOP DELUXE – Turn Up Be Nice Play Hard

BLACKTOP DELUXE – Turn Up Be Nice Play Hard

Blacktop Deluxe [Release date 13.05.14] Blacktop Deluxe are a Cornish based power trio featuring Keith Howe on guitar and vocals, Tim Chapple on bass and Alan Ibbotson on drums and vocals, with producer Gareth Young doubling on keyboards.  ‘Turn Up … Continue reading

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Album review: JULES CARTER TRIO – Done Misbehaving

Jules Carter Trio - Done Misbehaving

Jules Carter Trio [Release date 16.06.14] The Jules Carter Trio’s ‘Done Misbehaving’ is a frustrating album. The funky grooves, intricate guitar playing and tight band interplay from guitarist Jules, bassist Fingerz Carty and drummer Paul White is hampered by some … Continue reading

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Album review: DOUG GILLARD – Parade On

Doug Gillard - Parade On

Nine Mile [Release date 14.07.14] Cleveland underground rock veteran Doug Gillard (Death of Samantha, Cobra Verde, Gem, Guided Voices, Nada Surf) knows exactly what he wants. ‘Parade On’ is an album packed with layered harmonies and jangly guitar-led power pop … Continue reading

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Album Review: JOHN MAYALL – A Special Life

John Mayall - A Special Life

Forty Below [Released date 19.05.14] John Mayall probably makes light of the fact that he’s 80, reasoning that as long as he can continue to match his passion for the blues with the ability to play it, he will be … Continue reading

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