Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: THE ROLLING STONES – Bridges to Bremen

THE ROLLING STONES - Bridges to Bremen

Eagle Rock [Release date 24.06.19] There can be no doubt that the Rolling Stones were an immense touring force throughout the nineties, and they were a great live act. By 1998 it seemed like there was no stopping them, but … Continue reading

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Album review: H.E.A.T. – Live at Sweden Rock Festival

H.E.A.T.- Live at Sweden Rock Festival

Release Date 26.07.19 It’s not that long since H.E.A.T. released a live album recorded at London’s own Highbury Garage, but this release serves two purposes. One is to showcase the standard bearers of the younger breed of melodic rockers on … Continue reading

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Gig review: ZZ TOP, Jimmy Barnes – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 12 July 2019

ZZ TOP, Jimmy Barnes- SSE Arena, Wembley, 12 July 2019

Here’s one for the music section of Guinness World Records – which band has had the longest continuous existence with the same line up?  When I put this puzzle to friends ahead of this sole UK date marking ZZ Top’s … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVE BICKLER – Darklight

DAVE BICKLER - Darklight

Deko Music [Release date 19.04.19] Amazingly this is the debut solo album from former Survivor vocalist Dave Bickler, most famous for the voice on that band’s classic anthem ‘Eye Of The Tiger’. A solo album has long been rumoured and … Continue reading

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Album review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Live In Tokyo 2017

GRAHAM BONNET BAND - Live In Tokyo 2017

Frontiers [Release date 12.07.19] Vocalist Graham Bonnet has been busy of late, both solo and with his early 80s band the resurrected Alcatrazz. Studio, live and archive, and each one essential listening. With bands like The Marbles, Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz … Continue reading

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Album review: SAXON – The Eagle Has Landed 40

SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed 40

Silver Lining (3CD, 5LP) [Release date 02.08.19] With a massive parp of the trumpets, and deservedly so, Saxon are celebrating their 40th Anniversary. Along with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement, whose first LP was Saxon’s eponymous debut, … Continue reading

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Album review: FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

FIRST SIGNAL- Line of Fire

Release Date 17.05.19 First Signal was conceived some years back as a vehicle to reunite Harem Scarem singer Harry Hess with the pure melodic rock style that arguably began and ended with the Canadians’ debut album, before they diversified into … Continue reading

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Album review: MARK BAKER – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

MARK BAKER - The Future Ain

MelodicRock Records [Release date 26.07.19] The name Mark Baker may not be immediately recognizable to many, but he is the man behind the classic Signal ‘Loud & Clear’ album as well as many other songs for the likes of .38 … Continue reading

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Gig review: RAMMSTEIN – MK Dons Stadium, Milton Keynes, 6 July 2019

Driving towards MK Dons stadium pre gig I saw a sign which could only mean that Rammstein were in town, it stated ‘Warning Special Effects!’.  I can’t think of any other band who would require such a notice, however a … Continue reading

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Album review: CROBOT – Motherbrain

CROBOT - Motherbrain

Mascot [Release date 23.08.19] Not to be confused with legendary metallers Crowbar, Crobot release their fourth studio album since their 2012 debut. Their 2016 offering ‘Welcome To Fat City’ was particularly well received. If pile-driving heavy riffage is your bag, … Continue reading

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Album review: JORN – Live On Death Road

JORN - Live On Death Road

Frontiers [Release date 14.06.19] Jorn Lande continues his fiftieth birthday celebrations, started off last December with a lavish box set, with a live double CD and DVD. Joining Jorn in his live band are guitarist Tore Moren, keyboards player Alessandro … Continue reading

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Gig review: RICHARD MARX – British Summer Time, Hyde Park, London, 7 July 2019

RICHARD MARX- British Summer Time, Hyde Park, London, 7 July 2019

It’s been eight years by my reckoning since Richard Marx last played the UK, and he ended this famine in unusual circumstances, added to the bill of the British Summer Time show headlined by Barbra Streisand just a couple of … Continue reading

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Gig review: BUCKET AND CO / COLLATERAL – Half Moon, Putney, London, 4 July 2019

Bucket and Co

After a June spent primarily at festivals and stadium shows, it was time to reconnect with what live gig going is really about by visiting the Half Moon, one of the few remaining pub venues in London that has continually … Continue reading

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Album review: OSO OSO – Basking In The Glow

OSO OSO – Basking In The Glow

Triple Crown Records [Released date 16.08.19] The third full album from emo power pop band Oso Oso which is basically Jade Lilitri. Normally his music delves into the pessimistic part of his creative side, however on ‘Basking In The Glow’ … Continue reading

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Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – Great Tew, Oxfordshire, 5-7 July 2019

Friday 5 July Arriving onsite just in time to catch the tail end of former Supergrass singer/songwriter Gaz Coombes set. Being a bit of a local musical hero his set was well received although he may have missed a trick … Continue reading

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Gig review: LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Status Quo – SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 29 June 2019

LYNYRD SKYNYRD- SSE Arena, Wembley, London- 29 June 2019

When I first became aware of Lynyrd Skynyrd sometime in the eighties, they were one legendary band who I was never going to see. Fortunately, a decade after the untimely 1977 plane crash, they reformed with Johnny Van Zant filling … Continue reading

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Album review: FLIGHT BRIGADE – Chased By Wolves

FLIGHT BRIGADE - Chased By Wolves

Rebel Cinema Records [Release date 13.09.19] Labels are useful but can also be disingenuous, as is the case of the new album from “indie rock band” Flight Brigade. ‘Chased by Wolves’, the latest offering from the Hampshire-based seven-piece, creates a … Continue reading

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Gig review: EAGLES – Wembley Stadium, London, 23 June 2019

EAGLES- Wembley Stadium, London, 23 June 2019

Of the many celebrity deaths in the annus horribilis of 2016, that of Glenn Frey saddened me more than most, not least as a reminder you should see your heroes before they go (or you do first!) Only a couple … Continue reading

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Gig review: BILLY JOEL – Wembley Stadium, 22 June 2019

BILLY JOEL- Wembley Stadium, 22 June 2019

For most of my life I had little interest in seeing Billy Joel. I knew all his big hit singles and that he was revered as a singer-songwriter and pianist with a long history, almost like America’s answer to Elton … Continue reading

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Single review: THE SPITFIRES – Enough Is Enough

THE SPITFIRES - Enough Is Enough

Order link [Release date 19.07.19] Something a little different from the Spitfires, who have been gaining fans through their relentless touring and picking up a few plaudits from legends such as Paul Weller. ‘Enough Is Enough’ is a perfect summer … Continue reading

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Quick plays: JAILBIRDS, TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON, CHAOS MAGIC

JAILBIRDS - The Great Escape

JAILBIRDS The Great Escape Golden Robot Records [Released date 05.07.19] Jailbirds are an Australian/Irish hard rock band based in Dublin, Ireland and ‘The Great Escape’ is their debut album. The band is composed of Axel McDonald (vocals, lead guitar), Jay … Continue reading

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Album review: MIDNIGHT SUN – Dark Tide Rising

MIDNIGHT SUN - Dark Tide Rising

Sonicbond [Release date 28.06.19] New Stroud-based prog rock/metal band Midnight Sun claim to be ‘an original rock band’. Well, for a kick off, the name’s not original, having been ‘pre-owned’ by Danish prog rockers between 1971 and 1974 (whose main … Continue reading

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Album review: NEAL MORSE – Jesus Christ The Exorcist

NEAL MORSE - Jesus Christ The Exorcist

Frontiers [Release date 14.06.19] I like a musical.  In fact, it was only recently I suggested that a prog rock version of Hamilton by Izz could be a big hit.  Jesus Christ Superstar is another personal favourite although, in hindsight, … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE WATERBOYS – Auditorio Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2019

Gig review: THE WATERBOYS - Auditorio Burjassot, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2019

If the legend that is Andy Nathan can report on an AOR convention from Sweden, surely, I can cover The Waterboys from Spain… This outdoor arena on the outskirts of Valencia was a steeply banked affair with a rigid cantilevered roof open … Continue reading

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Gig review: BON JOVI – Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019

BON JOVI - Wembley Stadium, London, 21 June 2019

For many years Bon Jovi were the kings of the stadium show in the UK and on their frequent visits to these shores I would even attend more than one show on the tour. This high profile also seemed  to … Continue reading

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