Tag Archives: acoustic

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

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

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Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – ELEANOR McEVOY (March 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

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

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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

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Single review: DUST RADIO – Problem & Remedy

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

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Gig review: DANNY VAUGHN – The Grace, London, 4 December 2022

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

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Album review: GUN – The Calton Songs

gun calton cd 500

Cherry Red [Release date 14.10.22] Gun trade in emotions – nostalgia, melancholy and ultimately, optimism. Always have, and they have become expert. The title of their new album, The Calton Songs, confirms this. Born and brought up in “The Calton”, … Continue reading

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Gig review: RICHARD MARX – Union Chapel, London, 3 October 2022

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

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Album review: ALISON O’DONNELL – Hark The Voice That Sings For All

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

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Album review: JAMES LABRIE – Beautiful Shade Of Grey

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

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Gig review: HALESTORM – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 13 March 2022

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

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Album review: SONATA ARTICA – Acoustic Adventures: Volume One

SONATA ARTICA - Acoustic Adventures - Volume One

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 21.01.22] After Sonata Artica toured in 2016 with an acoustic set and then again in 2019. From these two successful tours the idea was born to capture these versions on two acoustic albums, the second … Continue reading

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EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

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

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Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Black Heart, Camden, London, 27 November 2021

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

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Album Review: AFTERLIGHT (Thea Gilmore) – Afterlight

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

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Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Best Of

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

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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY – Cambridge Junction 2, Tuesday 23 November 2021

ELLES BAILEY Road I Call Home

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

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Gig review: TOM WEBBER – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021

tom webber

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

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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS- Boileroom, Guildford, 1 October 2021

P1200473 - Copy

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

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Album review: ERIC BIBB – Dear America

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

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EP review: JESSICA LYNN – Reimagined

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

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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Shed Sessions Volume One & Two

CHANTEL McGREGOR - Shed Sessions Volume One

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

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Gig review: SPIKE- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 15 July 2021

P1190066 - Copy

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

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Album review: ERIC McFADDEN – Starving At The Feast

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

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Album review: IAGO BANET – Iago Banet

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

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Album review: THUDWAIL – Ignition

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

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