Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: THE POODLES – Prisma

Posted on February 6, 2018 by jason

Gain Music/Sony [Release date 26.01.18] The Poodles add to the growing list of rock acts who have released a covers album in the past few years. On ‘Prisma’ they tackle a variety of genres and eras, including a few surprise pop choices. Jakob … Continue reading →

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Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
AL DI MEOLA - Opus

earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18] Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever.  After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons. His … Continue reading →

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Album review: GONG EXPRESSO – Decadence

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
GONG EXPRESSO - Decadence

Gong Expresso [Release date 20.02.18] Once upon a time there was a band called Gong.  They were hippy, trippy and certainly dippy.  In their ranks was percussionist Pierre Moerlen who evidently saw an eye to the main chance.  Pierre established … Continue reading →

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Album review: OSMOSIS (reissue)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
OSMOSIS

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] If the ‘assimilation of ideas’ inherent in the meaning of the term osmosis is also a process of ‘almost unconscious gradualism’, it is not reflected in the 1970 debut (and only) release by this US Bostonian … Continue reading →

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Album review: STRAY – Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
STRAY - Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] Regulars on the 70s’ gigging circuit in the UK, Stray harnessed consistently strong and varied repertoire with colourful performances supporting the likes of Black Sabbath and Ten Years After. But they were also signed to indie … Continue reading →

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Album review: W.A.S.P. – Re-idolized

Posted on February 3, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 02.02.18] Moving away from the trashy, good-time, OTT lyrics of earlier albums, The Crimson Idol (released in 1993) saw Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. move into the territory of the concept  album. The Crimson Idol tells the … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Posted on February 1, 2018 by petefeenstra
THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Self Release [Release date 01.12.18] ‘God Bless America’ is an album full of colourful narratives – both real and imagined – deep grooves, intricate guitar work and an array of sparkling tones. It invites us to immerse ourselves in a … Continue reading →

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News: For Your Listening Pleasure…STEVE HACKETT, FM, DUKES OF THE ORIENT (February 2018)

Posted on February 1, 2018 by jason

Steve Hackett releases a re-recorded version of GTR’s ‘When The Heart Rules The Mind’ on February 2nd. It features a guest appearance from Marillion’s Steve Rothery. More details and tour dates here FM release their new album ‘Atomic Generation’ on … Continue reading →

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Album review: IGNORE THE SIGN – A Line To Cross

Posted on February 1, 2018 by jason
IGNORE THE SIGN - A Line To Cross

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 23.02.18] Ignore The Sign are a new band formed around the trio of vocalist/keys/guitarist Ossy Pfeiffer, guitarist/vocalist Anca Graterol (Rosy Vista) and guitarist Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart). The are joined by bass player Lars Lehmann (Uli Jon Roth),  percussionist … Continue reading →

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Album review: BILLY WALTON BAND – Soul Of A Man

Posted on January 31, 2018 by petefeenstra
Billy Walton Band - Soul Of A Man

Vizztone Records [Release date 12.01.18] Not to be confused with the Blind Willie Johnson song, the Billy Walton Band’s ‘Soul Of A Man’ album strikes the perfect balance between their natural exuberance and nascent song craft. If you include a … Continue reading →

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Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

Posted on January 30, 2018 by petefeenstra
ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

33 Records [Release date 02.03.18] ‘The Blues And I Should Have A Party’ is as much a thematic statement of the band’s musical intent – let alone history – as it is a specific title track about a troubled relationship. … Continue reading →

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EP review: BAD MOTHER EARTH

Posted on January 30, 2018 by jason

Self-released [Release date 26.01.18] Bad Mother Earth are a new four piece consisting of vocalist Jacky Rogue, guitarist Joe Kash, drummer Greg Kats and bass palyer Mitch Prax. ‘Not Comin’ Home’ has been released as lead single/video and fair pelts … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Insurrection

Posted on January 30, 2018 by jason

Facebook page [Release date 26.01.18] I reviewed Spreading The Disease’s EP a couple of years ago and that featured the awesome song ‘Bulldozer’ – a song that did what it said on the tin, namely rolling over the listener with some … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
Chantel McGregor - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Day 3 – Sunday As the final day started we wouldn’t have been surprised to see Bobby Kimball sliding out of the curtains reminiscing about his appearance on Toto IV but … instead Chantel McGregor got the juices flowing with … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
John Verity - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Day 2 – Saturday John Verity opened up shop on a damp Saturday with a thoughtful blues rock set, not overplaying his own solo material (new album: Blue To My Soul) and treating us to some familiar standards including ‘Cocaine’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 1)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
FM - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2018 (Day 1)

News during the week that Wetherspoons had taken steak off their menu may not have been of great interest until we learn that Butlins also get their meat from the same source that is currently “under investigation”.  The loss of … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JOANOVARC, HELL’S GAZELLES, KILLIT, BLACK WHISKEY – Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KILLIT - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

A spotlight on some of the upcoming bands that graced the Giants of Rock stages in 2018… Dubbed the ‘new queens of rock’ JoanovArc immediately impressed with an energetic and high-quality performance. Big drums, powerful bass, nice heavy guitar and … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL, Skegness, 19-22 January 2018

Posted on January 26, 2018 by jason
Nazareth - Giants of Rock 2018

I’ve enjoyed various Butlins music weekends over the years but 2018 will be the first where I’ve done two such weekends on the trot. My Butlins blow-out started off with the Rock & Blues weekend in Skegness – with just … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: LUKE JACKSON, TOM TOWNSEND

Posted on January 25, 2018 by jason

LUKE JACKSON Solo, Duo, Trio First Take Records [Release date 09.02.18] Luke Jackson has been steadily building a name for himself since his debut album ‘More Than The Boys’ was released in 2013. Indeed, he has been nominated for the BBC … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KING KING – Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Posted on January 24, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KING KING - Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Bath has never been a hot bed for rock/blues gigs but tonight the temperature rose to fever pitch when King King arrived in town and  shook the Georgian buildings to their very foundations. After the issues that Alan Nimmo has … Continue reading →

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Album review: LONG DISTANCE CALLING – Boundless

Posted on January 23, 2018 by jason
LONG DISTANCE CALLING - Boundless

Inside Out [Release date 02.02.18] Germany’s Long Distance Calling – guitarists David Jordan and Florian Füntmann, bassist Jan Hoffman and drummer Janosch Rathmer – have been around since 2006 and although their last album featured guest vocalists, on this album … Continue reading →

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Album review: DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – My ReGeneration/The Further Adventures Of

Posted on January 23, 2018 by jason
DOWN

Frontiers [Release date 01.12.17] The Down ‘N’ Outz were formed by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, when he was asked to be involved in the Mott The Hoople reunion shows in 2009. For this he was backed by Quireboys’ members Paul Guerin … Continue reading →

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Book review: JACKIE MCAULEY – I, SIDEMAN: The Story Of Me In The 60′s & 70′s

Posted on January 22, 2018 by petefeenstra
JACKIE MCAULEY - I, SIDEMAN: The Story Of Me In The 60

www.jackiemcauley.com – 253 pages paperback [Publication date: December 2017] Jackie McAuley’s ‘I Sideman: The Story Of Me In The 60′s and 70′s’ is an eloquently written, partial biography by a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who takes three quarters of the … Continue reading →

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Album review: FIVE GRAND STEREO – Sex & Money

Posted on January 20, 2018 by jason
FIVE GRAND STEREO – Sex & Money

Five Grand Stereo [Release date 26.01.18] Five Grand Stereo are Chris Singleton (vocals/guitar/piano), Jane Fraser (vocals), Stelios Kalisperides (guitar), Michael Kirkland (sax/synths), Zane Maertens (bass) and Ben Woollacott (drums). Chris Singleton has of course released a series of excellent pop/rock … Continue reading →

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Gig review: OPERATION: MINDCRIME (Geoff Tate) – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

Posted on January 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
OPERATION: MINDCRIME - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

I won’t bore you with the details of the acrimonious Queensryche break up and fall out that followed, but in summary after a court case in 2012/14 Geoff Tate is the only person that can perform the classic Operation Mindcrime … Continue reading →

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