Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW – Memories In Rock – Live In Germany

RITCHIE BLACKMORE

Eagle Records [Release date 18.11.16] If Ritchie Blackmore’s arena comeback this summer is a one-off, an estimated 60,000 fans will have been left happy men (or women).  Even better now they have a 2-CD souvenir, plus DVD and Bluray versions. … Continue reading

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Gig review: NICKELBACK – SSE Wembley Arena, 17 October 2016

NICKELBACK - SSE Wembley Arena, 17 October 2016

Few bands have experienced the vitriol that has attached itself to Nickelback over the years, to the extent that the phenomenon was even the subject of academic theses. Yet the fact that, 15 years after they first stormed the charts … Continue reading

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Album review: JONAS LINDBERG & THE OTHER SIDE – Pathfinder

JONAS LINDBERG & THE OTHER SIDE - Pathfinder

ModeMusic – [Release date: 15.09.16] Whenever I read the accompanying press handout on a new release and see the words “we wanted to explore our heavier side” – I always approach it with a modicum of trepidation, fearing that a … Continue reading

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Album review: RED BUTLER – Nothing To Lose

The Best of 2016 - Breakthrough Act

Red Butler Original [Release date 11.11.16] From the sudden explosive opening burst of ‘Got To Make It’, Red Butler confidently announce that they have moved on a quantum jump from their ‘Freedom Bound’ debut album. ‘Nothing To Lose’ lights a … Continue reading

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Quick plays: WHITE WIDDOW, ARENA

WHITE WIDDOW Silhouette

WHITE WIDDOW Silhouette AOR Heaven [Release date 28.10.16] White Widdow return with album number four and they carry on where their last album, ‘Crossfire’, left off, with lots of catchy and hook filled AOR tunes – ‘Stranded’ and ‘Smile For … Continue reading

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Album review: DEMON – Cemetery Junction

DEMON - Cemetery Junction

Spaced Out Music [Release date 28.10.16] Since their last album, 2012′s ‘Unbroken’, Demon have had one line-up change with Karl Waye joining on keyboards replacing Paul Farrington. His is a significant one as this album harks back more the keyboard … Continue reading

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Album review: DATURA4 – Hairy Mountain

DATURA4 – Hairy Mountain

[Release date 28.10.16] How far is it from the west coast of Australia to the west coast of the USA ? Turns out that, musically, it’s about a five minute trip in a space-buggy powered by stardust and riff-diesel. Fremantle’s … Continue reading

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Interview: GUY BAILEY (THIRSTY)

Guy Bailey gives the latest on Thirsty, who’s latest album ‘Albatross’ is out now… 1. How pleased are you with the reception that Thirsty has continued to receive as a band? We are all delighted. From the very beginning, when … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER/Stevie Nimmo – Islington Town Hall, London,18 October 2016

ROBIN TROWER – Islington Town Hall, London,18 October 2016

Everything about tonight is a reminder of a bygone era. From the venue – a good old fashioned town hall with a cranked-up PA and ridiculous volume levels – to the whippersnapper support band Stevie Nimmo and a frisky London … Continue reading

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Album review: GARY WRIGHT & WONDERWHEEL – Ring Of Changes

GARY WRIGHT & WONDERWHEEL - Ring Of Changes

Esoteric [Release date 29.07.16] Best known for his hit single ‘Dreamweaver’ in 1976, and his time in Spooky Tooth, Gary Wright’s ‘Ring Of Changes’ was made in 1972 but, in spite of a single release (included as a bonus track), … Continue reading

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Album review: URIAH HEEP – Salisbury (reissue)

URIAH HEEP - Salisbury

BMG [Release date 28.10.16] The Heep reissue series continues with their 1971 “progressive” offering, and reinforced with a bonus “alternative” disc including  previously unreleased material.  Cynics might wonder why we are again being ask to re-buy the music of our … Continue reading

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Album review: AISLES – Hawaii

AISLES - Hawaii

Presagio Records [Release date: 29.07.16] Ahh, Aisles, geniuses or not – it’s a very fine line between between the two isn’t it, and this had me thinking all the way through. I reviewed the Chilean (yes, Chilean) progressive rock outfit’s … Continue reading

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Album review: THE ANSWER – Solas

THE ANSWER - Solas

Napalm Records [Release date 28.10.16] The Answer celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album ‘Rise’, an album they have struggled at times to live up to. However, on this new album ‘Solas’ (the Gaelic word for light) they have … Continue reading

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Single review: MIKE PETERS & THE ALARM – In The Poppyfields

The Twenty First Century Recording Company [Release date 11.11.16] These three songs were recorded on October 10 2015 in front of 2,000 fans at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Mike Peters and the Alarm were joined by the Welsh Pops Orchestra, … Continue reading

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Album review: WINTER MOUNTAIN – I Swear I Flew

WINTER MOUNTAIN - I Swear I Flew

Astral Fox Records [Release date 18.11.16] The sophomore album by Cornish singer songwriter Joe Francis, who otherwise goes by the name of Winter Mountain (formerly a duo with Donegal’s Marty Smyth), is a mishmash of influences. Featuring contributions from Seth … Continue reading

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Quick plays: AMANDA RHEAUME, SKYWARD, EILERA, ANDY BENNETT

AMANDA RHEAUME  Holding Patterns

AMANDA RHEAUME  Holding Patterns [Release date 21.10.16] On her last release Keep A Fire (2014) we suggested that Ottawa songstress Amanda Rheaume’s song writing is more ‘popular’ than ‘pop’ and a pleasant enough Radio 2 style listen. In that sense, … Continue reading

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Album review: ROD STEWART – Sir Rod Stewart and some of his early faces

ROD STEWART - Sir Rod Stewart and some of his early faces

The Store For Music [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD When ‘Sir’ precedes Rod’s name, and the album artwork features a Spitting Image/ Newzoid caricature of the man, it’s natural to have some doubts about the depths that have been plumbed to … Continue reading

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Album review: PETRICHOR – What We’ve Noticed

PETRICHOR - What We

[Release date 02.01.16] Written, recorded, and produced over four years – from the middle of high school to college – What We’ve Noticed is a remarkably mature debut from Massachusetts-based seven piece band Petrichor. With three vocalists and the use … Continue reading

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Album review: HOLON – The Time Is Always Now

HOLON - The Time Is Always Now

Release date [12.08.16] The Time Is Always Now is a set of proggy ‘songs’ written over ten years by Norwegian guitarist Ronny Pedersen. Not considered suitable for his existing projects, the songs are a nucleus of a collaborative concept project.  … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Like An Arrow

The Best of 2016

Earache Records [Release date 15.10.16] Blackberry Smoke are back with the follow-up to last year’s ‘Holding All The Roses’, an Album of the Year selection here at GRTR! and a rare five star album from me. So no pressure then … Continue reading

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DVD review: JOURNEY – Live In Manila

JOURNEY - Live In Manila

Eagle Vision [Release date 09.09.16] Back in 2009, when this gig was filmed, vocalist Arnel Pineda was still very much the new boy.  Recorded in Pinel’s hometown of Manila in the Phillipines the sound and visual quality is excellent and … Continue reading

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Album review: CRY OF DAWN featuring Goran Edman- Cry of Dawn

(Release Date 23.09.16) In melodic rock circles, the name of Goran Edman is spoken of in hushed terms as one of the genre’s top vocalists, in a long career ranging from singing with John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen to gracing … Continue reading

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Album review: HOW WE LIVE – Dry Land (Steve Hogarth)

HOW WE LIVE - Dry Land (Steve Hogarth)

David Randall chatted to Steve Hogarth about his career in July 2014.  In this hour special, tracks include How We Live and Marillion, plus Steve’s solo work. Esoteric [Release date 26.08.16] ‘How We Live’ is an important part of the … Continue reading

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Album review: SANTANA IV – Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas

SANTANA IV - Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas

Eagle Rock/Universal [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD/DVD If the classic Santana III line-up only make one ‘comeback’ album we should be thankful for this year’s ‘Santana IV’.  And back in March, ahead of its release, the band played the legendary House … Continue reading

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Album review: ESP – Invisible Din (Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki)

ESP - Invisible Din (Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki)

Sunn Creative [Release date 11.11.16] ESP is an interesting collaboration as it features producer/guitarist Tony Lowe and Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki, the latter maybe not someone you’d associate with progressive rock. Tony Lowe composed all the music and Alison … Continue reading

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