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Tag Archives: rock
Rising Stars: BLACKLIST UNION

Blacklist Union have released the title track from their upcoming new album, Letters from the Psych Ward. This will be Blacklist Union’s fifth album and is slated for a September 2023 release. We catch up with singer Tony West to find out more… … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars
Tagged Blacklist Union, grunge, hard rock, interview, Malfunkshun, modern rock, Rising Stars, rock, Tony West
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Album review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS – Strangers

Self release [Release Date 22.03.23] Lazarus Heights is an experienced Anglo-French quartet based in South West France, who put the emphasis on undulating melodies, memorable hooks and fine musicianship that always supports the song. The band comprises the rock … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Calvin Russell, Chanson Francaise, Christophe, David Bowie, David Gilmour, Dick Grisdale, Fanny Lassagne, French, Jean Michel Jarre, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Jeff Gautier, Lazarus Heights, Michale Stipe, Paul Mouradian, Paul Personne, prog, REM, review, rock, Simon Pearson, Simple Minds, U2
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Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, 14 May 2023

Joe Bonamassa is a regular visitor to these shores. Having wrapped up a short tour last Spring, he was back with his band for another five UK dates playing venues he skipped last time. Indeed this was his first gig … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 14 May 2023, Birmingham, blues, blues rock, gig, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, live, Reese Wynans, review, rock, Utilita Arena
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Album review : V/A Let’s Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969) 3 CD set

Cherry Red [Release date: 26.05.23] Heavily influenced by US Blues and Rock, Merseybeat was a sixties pop music phenomenon, originating in Liverpool, that swept all before it. First the UK, then Europe, ultimately invading the USA and the ROTW. Across … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS
Tagged albums, Beatles, Billy J Kramer, Cilla Black, Doc Pomus, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Jackie DeShannon, Joe Meek, Lennon & McCartney, Let's Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969), Liverpool, Merseybeat, Mojos, Mort Shuman, pop, review, rock, Shel Talmy, Swinging Blue Jeans, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Searchers, The Sixties, US Blues
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Album review: MIKE ROSS – Third Eye Open

Taller Records [Release date 28.04.23] This latest album Mike Ross certainly hits the listener like the proverbial musical freight train. Joining Mike Ross (vocals, guitar, organ) on engine’s footplate are Derek Randall (vocals, bass) and Darren Lee (drums). Jack Hutchinson adds … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitarist, hard rock, Jack Hutchinson, Mike Ross, review, rock, Third Eye Open
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Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 23 April 2023

It’s hard to believe that Kenny Wayne Shepherd was a mere 18 years old when he wrote and released ‘Trouble Is..’. A mature, complex blues rock album launched into the world as part of an exciting vanguard of fresh-faced US … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 23 April 2023, BB King, blues, Bob Dylan, concert, country, gig, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Krown, Kenny McCormack, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, live, London, Noah Hunt, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Trouble Is..
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Album review: IVY GOLD – Broken Silence

A1 Records [Release date 26.05.23] Ivy Gold’s ‘Broken Silence’ is a step up from their debut ‘Six Dusty Winds’ album. It’s built round the same muscular rock antecedents, but features stronger songs which are unafraid to let the funk, blues … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Anders Olinder, blues, Broken Silence, funk, gospel, Ivy Gold, Kevin Moore, Manou, review, rock, Sebastian Eder, soul, sprechgesang, Tal Bergman
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Album review: REDBONE – A’s And B’s

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 17.03.23] For most readers of a certain age (i.e. ancient, this writer included) Redbone may be best known for their one big hit single ‘Witch Queen Of New Orleans’ which made No.2 in the UK … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged 1970-1977, A's and B's, album, compilation, funk, pop, Redbone, review, rock, singles, soul, swamp rock
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Album review: THE BALLADMONGRELS – Trouble

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 12.05.23] Whether it be his work with the Dogs D’Amour, his solo albums or here in new project The Balladmongrels, there is a warmth and familiarity to the vocals of Tyla J Pallas, a man whose lyrics … Continue reading
Album review: JIM KIRKPATRICK – Dead Man Walking

US One Records [Release date 21.04.23] Second solo album from FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick, who is joined by fellow FM band member Jem Davis on keyboards and Status Quo’s rhythm section of bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and drummer Leon Cave. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Dead Man Walking, FM, guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, review, rock, Solo
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Album review: KORITNI – Long Overdue

Verycords [Release date 14.04.23] Koritni, the band formed around vocalist & guitarist Lex Koritni, are now on their seventh studio album (and first in five years) since first appearing back in 2006. Lex Koritni is joined by guitarist Tom Fremont and drummer Daniel … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged AC/DC, album, blues rock, hard rock, Koritni, Lex Koritni, Long Overdue, review, rock, rock 'n' roll
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Album review: ARIELLE – ’73

ww.iamarielle.com [Release date 20.04.23] Arielle has had a stop-start career which has involved record label issues and rehab. Now an independent artist, the new album ’73 is her true second coming. It’s suitably titled because (whilst referencing her classic VW … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged '73, album, Arielle, blues, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, roots
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Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Argus (50th Anniversary Edition 1972-2022)

Madfish/Snapper Music [Release date 14.04.23] In his Best of two decades listing our Melodic Rock Editor Andy Nathan (and big Wishbone Ash fan) included the gig at a country house in Buckinghamshire in 2012. Andy wrote: “Given the enmity between … Continue reading
Album review: ROB ORLEMANS & HALF PAST MIDNIGHT – Shake Them Down

Metal Horse Records & Media [Release date 21.04.23] It’s just over 20 years since Rob Orlemans struck out on his own with his Half Past Midnight band after being mentored by the late Curtis Knight (he of Jimi Hendrix fame). … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Alvin Lee, Billy Gibbons, Black Sabbath, blues, boogie, Bukka White, Canned Heat, Curtis Knight, Ernst van Ee, Furry Lewis, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin Hopkins, Michael Katon, Ozzy Osbourne, Piet Tromp, review, Rob Orleman & Half Past Midnight, Rob Orlemans, rock, Rose Tattoo, Shake Them Down, Uriah Heep, ZZ Top
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Album review: THE MEL OUTSIDER REFORMATION – Miss Victory V

Planet UK [Release date 11.22] The Mel Outsider Reformation’s ‘Miss Victory V’ is an excellent album full of uniquely original songs, Mel Outsider’s cinematic phrasing and his band’s musical swagger. Its a musical arc that spans rock, soul, funk, rhythm and … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Adrian Melling, album, Alex Harvey, Americana, Andy Morell, Bruce Springsteen, Ellie Coast, funk, Hayley Gaftarnick, Ian Hunter, Karl Francis, Mark Jones, Matt Pawson, Miss Victory V, review, rhythm and blues, rock, soul, Supersonic Blues Machine, The Mel Outsider Reformation, The Outsider's UK
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Book review: QUEEN in the 1970s by James Griffiths

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 30.03.23] This book scores highly on two counts. Firstly, the author is a big Queen fan and that comes through in the writing, as opposed to a dry biography written by a jobbing writer. Secondly, in … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged book, Brian May, Classic Albums, classic rock, Freddie Mercury, James Griffiths, John Deacon, live albums, pop rock, Queen, Queen in the 1970s, review, rock, Roger Taylor
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Album review: MORGANWAY – Back To Zero

Bandcamp [Release date 05.05.23] Having enjoyed Morganway’s self-titled 2019 debut expectations are high for this reviewer. Since releasing their debut album they have been gaining rave reviews for their live performances, along with winning awards including BCMA (British Country Music Association) … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Americana, Back To Zero, country, Harmony, melodic, Morganway, pop rock, review, rock
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Album review: DAVE FOSTER BAND – Glimmer

English Electric Recording [Release date 21.04.23] Dave Foster Band features the aforementioned guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dave Foster (currently in Big, Big Train and a former member of Mr So & So) and vocalist Dinet Poortman. The other musicians involved are all top … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, alternative, Big Big Train, Dave Foster, Dave Foster Band, Dinet Poortman, Glimmer, Marillion, melodic, pop, Queen, review, rock, Steve Rothery
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Book review: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE ROCK SOUND SYSTEMS – Volume 3 by Chris Hewitt

Deeply Vale.com [March 2203] If ever there was ever a niche left to be explored in the annals of rock and rock and roll, ‘The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems’ – Volume 3’ fills it with plenty to spare. … Continue reading







