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Tag Archives: acoustic
Gig review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Alexanders, Chester, 2 March 2023

Halfway through her UK tour, and a day after our major feature was published, Alexanders in Chester could well be the Grotto to Eleanor McEvoy’s Greatness. A favourite venue certainly since the early millennium. Catching up for a chat pre-gig … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 2 March 2023, acoustic, Alexanders, Chester, classic rock, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, gig, interview, jazz, radio, review, roots, singer songwriter
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Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – ELEANOR McEVOY (March 2023)

As Irish and iconic as Guinness and also dark and lively in equal measures… Singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy first came to wider attention in 1992 when she was part of “A Woman’s Heart” compilation with Mary Black and other female … Continue reading
Album review: MILTON HIDE – The Holloway

Website [Release date 31.03.23] Milton Hide (AKA husband and wife Jim and Josie Tipler) release their second album, ‘The Holloway’, following on from 2o21′s most enjoyable ‘Temperature’s Rising’. Since then they have played many a show up and down the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, folk, folk rock, Jim Tipler, Milton Hide, progressive, review, Rosie Tipler, The Holloway
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Single review: DUST RADIO – Problem & Remedy

Bandcamp [Release date: 23.11.22] ‘Problem & Remedy’ is that rare thing, a beautifully crafted single and a succinct slice of acoustic blues. It’s a delightful old fashioned single with real cinematic presence on which the music evokes the lyrical imagery and … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Digital only, Single and EP reviews
Tagged acoustic, blues, Chris Whitley, Dobro, Dust Radio, guitar, harp, Paddy Wells, Problem & Remedy, review, roots, single, Tom Jackson
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Gig review: DANNY VAUGHN – The Grace, London, 4 December 2022

Danny Vaughn was one of those troubadours who made lockdown life more bearable for rock fans with his ‘Vaughnsday’ on line acoustic performances from his living room. The pandemic had interrupted his usual busy schedule, whether solo, with Tyketto or … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 4 December 2022, acoustic, Danny Vaughn, gig, London, melodic rock, The Grace, Tyketto
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Gig review: RICHARD MARX – Union Chapel, London, 3 October 2022

Autumn 2022 has seen a number of eagerly awaited shows announced pre-Covid finally come to fruition. One such is Richard Marx, who after his first UK show in ages supporting Barbara Streisand at Hyde Park then announced some solo acoustic … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, AOR, gig, melodic rock, Richard Marx, singer songwriter
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Album review: ALISON O’DONNELL – Hark The Voice That Sings For All

Talking Elephant [Release date 22.07.22] Until this album appeared at GRTR! Towers I’d not heard of Alison O’Donnell. Apart from, that is, the actress who plays “Tosh” in the superb “Shetland” TV series. The musical one has plied her trade … Continue reading
Album review: JAMES LABRIE – Beautiful Shade Of Grey

InsideOut Music [Release date 20.05.22] The latest solo offering from James LaBrie stems from his involvement on the Eden’s Curse track “No Holy Man’ (a real highlight on their 2011 album ‘Trinity’) and a subsequent support slot for the band … Continue reading
Gig review: HALESTORM – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 13 March 2022

Halestorm have put in the hard yards of touring the UK for over a decade to become a major draw in their own right. This love affair with the country was demonstrated when, in spite of pulling the rest of … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, Arejay Hale, gig, Halestorm, Joe Hottinger, Josh Smith, Lzzy Hale
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EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

Website [Release date 03.12.21] Roly Witherow is a prolific and acclaimed composer in the world of film, theatre and TV. Roly released his debut album ‘Ballads and Yarns’ in 2020, which he now follows-up with this new five-track EP. Roly … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged acoustic, Down By The River, EP. Singer songwriter, folk, review, Richard Thompson, Roly Witherow
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Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Black Heart, Camden, London, 27 November 2021

Kip Winger’s acoustic shows in London at the much missed Borderline became the stuff of legend with their mixture of intimate songs and storytelling and fan participation. They even achieved the ultimate accolade of being a numbered series, so this … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 27 November 2021, acoustic, Camden, gig, review Kip Winger, Robby Rothschild, The Black Heart, Winger
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Album Review: AFTERLIGHT (Thea Gilmore) – Afterlight

Mighty Village Records [Release date: 01.10.21] What’s a woman to do when the life that you’ve led for over twenty years reveals itself over time to be a stifling, coercive relationship that’s dominated your life and musical career? The answer … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile)
Tagged acoustic, Afterlight, album, review, singer, songwriter, Thea Gilmore
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Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Best Of

Ruf [Release date 21.09.21] If there’s still a debate about the merits of European blues as opposed to its American antecedents, then Denmark’s Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado have finally kicked the argument into touch with this stellar ‘Best … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, big band, blues, compilation, country, Danish, Emil Balsgaard, funk, Harold Adamson, horns, Joachim Svensmark, Kasper Wagner, Martin Seidelin, Nat King Cole, Peter Kehl, review, rock, ruf records, soul, Søren Bøjgaard, Thorbjorn Risager &The Black Tornado, vocals
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY – Cambridge Junction 2, Tuesday 23 November 2021

A natural born storyteller, Elles Bailey also has the sort of voice that could make angels weep and this combination is like a siren draw into her endlessly colourful and wonderful world. Back on the road now after an extended … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, blues, blues rock, Cambridge Junction 2, country, Elles Bailey, gig, review, Tuesday 23 November 2021
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Gig review: TOM WEBBER – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021

First in a series of gigs promoted by the Music Box and tonught was a three solo artist showcase, headlined by local lad Tom Webber. Nicely staged with round tables and chairs providing a relaxed atmosphere, especially as appearing solo … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, alt pop, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021, Genevive Miles, gig, John Otway, NINE BELOW ZERO, pop, review, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, Thom Lucas, Tom Webber
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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS- Boileroom, Guildford, 1 October 2021

Quireboys gigs come in all shapes and sizes- including those rescheduled orchestral shows next year- but some of my most enjoyable have been their acoustic shows. Lead singer Spike also made the format work when I saw him on his … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, gig, Keith Weir, Matt Mitchell, Quireboys, Spike
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Album review: ERIC BIBB – Dear America

Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group [Release date 10.09.21] Eric Bibb returns with possibly his most timely release to date, as Bibb explains the album “…a love letter, because America, for all of its associations with pain and its bloody history, has … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, blues, Dear America, Eric Bibb, gospel, Lisa Mills, review, Shaneeka Simon, singer songwriter, soul
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EP review: JESSICA LYNN – Reimagined

www.jessicalynnmusic.org/music [Release date 17.09.21] This new four song EP from Jessica Lynn is influenced by her weekly livestreams during the pandemic. “Since the pandemic started,” Jessica reflects, “I have been performing piano livestreams every week, where my fans have challenged … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged acoustic, country, EP, Jessica Lynn, melodic, pop, Reimagined, review, singer songwriter
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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Shed Sessions Volume One & Two

www.chantelmcgregor.com [Release date 12.07.21] Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3. In Chantel McGregor’s case, parts 1 and 2 aka Shed Sessions. Gather together the fish tank, an acoustic guitar and a tame keyboard player (Jamie Brooks) and you have a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, blues rock, Chantel McGregor, classic rock, Facebook, guitar, guitarist, review, Shed Sessions, Volume One, Volume Two
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Gig review: SPIKE- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 15 July 2021

There can hardly be a rock fan who has not seen the Quireboys at some point in the last 35 years and whatever their view of the band, warmed to the bibulous, twinkly, laddish charms of singer Spike. The Quireboys’ … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged acoustic, Cavern, Christian Heilmann, gig, Quireboys, Spike
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Album review: ERIC McFADDEN – Starving At The Feast

Bad Reputation [Release date: 01.06.2021] Known far better on the US western seaboard than in the UK, singer, songwriter and guitarist Eric McFadden is enjoying a diverse career. Alongside output with Bay Area bands such as Liar, Alien Lovestock, Angry … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, blues, Eric McFadden, latin, rock, singer songwriter, Solo
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Album review: IAGO BANET – Iago Banet

Razor Edge Records [Release date 07.11.2o] Anglo-Spanish guitarist Iago Banet has all the right credentials for an acoustic guitarist. He’s Galician born (in the North West of Spain) and is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar, though this … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, blues, Carlos Núñez, Chet Atkins, Colorcolour, country, Deep Blue Sea, folk, Galicia, guitar, Iago Banet, JFK Blue, Merle Travis, review, The Boo-Hoos, The Chieftains, Tommy Emmanuel, Van Morrison
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Album review: THUDWAIL – Ignition

Self release [Release date 30.10.20] ‘Ignition’ is a reflective, ambient, acoustic album full of subtle moods, textures and grooves that drip with feel. It’s acoustic guitar driven music with a meditative and contemplative feel that is predicated on intricate dynamics, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, ambient music, Andy Summers, Danny Tongeman, David Sylvian, didgeridoo, Eberhart Weber, EBow, ECM records, Eno, guitar, instrumental, John Abercrombie, Jonas Hellborg, Martin Finlayson, Paul Cruikshank-Inns, Ralph Towner, Robert Fripp, Shawn Lane, Thudwail, Will Pike
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