Tag Archives: jazz

Gig review: BETH HART – New Theatre, Oxford, 18 April 2018

Posted on April 19, 2018 by jason

Opening for Beth Hart are the Kris Barras Band, who were performing as a three piece in acoustic mode (not sure where the fourth band member was!) and promoting the new album ‘Divine And Dirty’, which our resident blues guru … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 April 2018, acoustic, beth Hart, blues, gig, jazz, Kris Barras Band, New Theatre, Oxford, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Al Di Meola, album, fusion, guitar, jazz, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Opus, Return To Forever, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GONG EXPRESSO – Decadence

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Benoit Moerlen, Decadence, Gong Expresso, Hansford Rowe, jazz, Pierre Moerlen, review | Leave a comment

Album review: OSMOSIS (reissue)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged album, jazz, Osmosis, progressive, reissue, review | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, blues, folk, funk, jazz, Leave It Up To Me, live, Luke Jackson, pop, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter, Solo, Tom Townsend | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL LANDAU – Rock Bottom

Posted on January 16, 2018 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 23.02.18] From the free form intro of ‘Squirrels’ to the Noirish spoken word intro and melodic resolution of ‘Speak Now, Make Your Peace’, Michael Landau takes up on a complex musical journey that promises much and delivers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, BB King, blues, Brendan Perry, David Frazee, David Garfield, Dead Can Dance, fusion, guitar, jazz, Jim Morrison, John Cale, Joni Mitchell, Karizma, Michael Landau, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, review, rock, Rock Bottom | Leave a comment

Album review: TREVOR SEWELL – Calling Nashville

Posted on December 12, 2017 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 25.07.17] Singer songwriter Trevor Sewell knows the value of anchoring a song in a deep groove and with a layered sound to showcase his own gruff voice. He’s a British singer songwriter who hails from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Calling Nashville, country, interview, Janis Ian, jazz, Mark Knopfler, Mother Rarth, review, rock, Tracy Nelson, Trevor Sewell, Vickie Carrico | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GREGORY PORTER, DYED IN BLUE, KIRSTY MERRYN, JOE HENRY

Posted on October 25, 2017 by jason

GREGORY PORTER Nat King Cole & Me Decca/Blue Note [Release date 27.10.17] Gregory Porter has shot to fame from his jazz background to become a major name in the jazz and soul world. On his latest release he pays homage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Dyed In Blue, folk, Gregory Porter, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, jazz, Joe Henry, Kirsty Merryn, melodic, Moment Of Leaving, Nat King Cole, Patrick Grehan, review, rock, Show Of Hands, soul, Thrum, You & I | Leave a comment

Album review: THOMAS LANG – Scallywag Jaz (2 disc expanded edition)

Posted on October 22, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SFE/Cherry Red [Release date 10.11.17] As we learn from the informative liner notes Tom T. Jones made his first demos in a studio in Birkenhead (Lily Savage’s spiritual home) before returning to his day job as a British Rail joiner. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged 30th anniversary edition, album, expanded, jazz, pop, review, Scallywag Jaz, soul, Thomas Lang | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – Sky Trails

Posted on September 26, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 29.09.17] Who would have thought that after a 20 year gap, septuagenarian David Crosby would return to cut three of his best albums in the last few years? For all its Californian whimsy and introspection, ‘Sky Trails’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Becca Stevens, Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby, folk, funk, Greg Leisz, James Raymond, jazz, Jeff Pevar, Joni Mitchell, Mai Agan, Michael McDonald, review, rock, Sky Trails, songwriter, Steeely Dan, Steve Tavaglione | Leave a comment

Album review: DR JOHN – The Atco Albums Collection

Posted on September 12, 2017 by jason

Rhino [Release date 15.09.17] Born Malcolm John Redennack. Dr John is a renowned American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. Inspired by work with New Orleans R&B and Jazz pianist/singer Professor Longhair, Dr John’s work is often for its New Orleans … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, box set, Dr John, jazz, New Orleans, R&B, review, soul, the Atco Albums Collection | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEANOR McEVOY – The Thomas Moore Project

Posted on July 17, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

MOSCODISC [Release date o4.08.17] First the history lesson – Thomas Moore was an 18/19th century Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. Once celebrated, but largely overlooked today, Eleanor McEvoy looks to put that right by taking some of his best … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged acoustic, album, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, Irish, jazz, review, singer, songwriter, The Thomas Moore Project, Thomas Moore | Leave a comment

Album review: JFKBlue – Rough Round The Edges

Posted on June 8, 2017 by petefeenstra

Busy B [Release date: 05.05.17] ‘Rough Round The Edges’ is an impressive debut album with plenty of depth. It’s born of 11 strong and original tracks that jump out the grooves on the back of emotive vocals and fine band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Al Wilson, album, Andy Fraser, blues, Canned Heat, Chris Elliott, Free, funk, Iago Banet, jazz, Jerry Garcia, JFKBlue, Jim Darby, leslie Fleischman, Paul Blunt, review, rock, Rough Round The Edges, Sol Ezra, The Faces, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

EP review: INDIA ELECTRIC CO. – ECM1

Posted on April 18, 2017 by jason

www.indiaelectricco.com [Release date 05.05.17] India Electric Co. are Cole Stacey and Joseph O’Keefe, who released their debut album, ‘The Girl Left Behind Me’ in 2015 and gained rave reviews for it, including airplay on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6. … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cole Stacey, ECM1, electronic, EP, folk, India Electric Co., jazz, Joseph O'Keefe, review, world music | Leave a comment

Album review: PROCOL HARUM – Novum

Posted on April 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Records [Release date 21.04.17] What do you think of when you hear the words “Procol Harum”? “Whiter Shade Of Pale”? Symphonic rock, maybe? Robin Trower was in an early incarnation? Perhaps this demonstrates the band’s eclectism over 50 years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, blues, Gary Brooker, Geoff Whitehorn, jazz, Novum, Procol Harum, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAY RUSSELL 70TH BIRTHDAY SHOW – 606 Club, London, 03 April 2017

Posted on April 4, 2017 by petefeenstra

Ray Russell’s 70th birthday bash is a reminder of a bygone era when creativity, improvisation and inspiration met musical virtuosity full on, in an unfettered fashion. Tonight might be Ray’s milestone birthday, but there’s not a slack musical moment in … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Billy Cobham, Bonnie Rait, Chris Biscoe, Denny McCaffrey, fusion, Geoff Castle, George Russell, gig, Gill Evans, jazz, Jazz rock, Jeff Beck, Linda Hayes, Mark Mondesir, Miles Davis, Mo Foster, Phil Hilborne, Ralph Salmins, Ray Russell, review, RMS, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: COLIN HARPER – Titanium Flag (Remastered & Expanded Edition)

Posted on March 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square Records [Release date 24.04.17] The sad thing about this album is that most punters will be drawn in primarily by Track 3 which features legendary Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman. In fairness, back in 2010 when this was released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged acoustic, album, ambient, Andy Roberts, Colin Harper, Cormac O'Kane, Focus, folk, instrumental, Jan Akkerman, jazz, Liverpool Scene, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Phil Shiva Jones, Premik Russell Tubbs, Quintessence, review, Titanium Flag | Leave a comment

Album review: TERRY BOZZIO – Composer Series

Posted on March 1, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 25.11.16] Traditionally, drummers have received bad press or no press. They sit at the back keeping time but very rarely come forward to articulate their wider musical visions. Terry Bozzio is perhaps best known for his work … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, All Posts | Tagged album, Composer Series, Frank Zappa, fusion, instrumental, jazz, Jeff Beck, review, Terry Bozzio | Leave a comment

Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – This Is The Life I Choose

Posted on February 27, 2017 by petefeenstra

33 Jazz [Release date 10.03.17] From the way she attacks the opening note of ‘Hold On’, to a sultry Nina Simone style finish on ‘Feeling Good’, Zoe Schwarz dominates a diverse album rooted in the blues but not bound by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged Anthony Newly, blues, funk, Jack Bruce, jazz, Nina Simone, Paul Robinson, Pete Whittaker, Phil Coles, Rob Koral, rock, This Is the Life I Choose, vocals, Zoe Schwarz, Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion | Leave a comment

Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Change My Game

Posted on February 8, 2017 by petefeenstra

Ruf [Release date 27.01.17] Danish big band soulful blues/rockers Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado find themselves in uncharted waters with their new album ‘Change My Game’. Such was the critical acclaim of their last 2 albums, that ‘Change My … Continue reading →