Tag Archives: songwriter

Gig review: BLUES CARAVAN 2019 (Ina Forsman, Ally Venable, Katarina Pejak), The Iron Road, Pershore, 13 September 2019

Posted on September 15, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BLUES CARAVAN 2019 - The Iron Road, Pershore, 13 September 2019

Friday 13th may have seemed more than ominous to the girls in the Blues Caravan with a six hour journey from Scotland taking fourteen hours. But that didn’t seem to quell their enthusiasm for the South Midlands stop on a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 13 September 2019, Ally Venable, blues, Blues Caravan 2019, blues rock, gig, Ina Forsman, Katarina Pejak, Pershore, R&B, review, rhythm and blues, roots, ruf records, singer, songwriter, The Iron Road | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PORTRAITS – For Our Times

Posted on September 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www.theportraitsmusic.com [Release date 25.10.19] The musical landscape has changed significantly since the release of Counterbalance (2012) – the last outing by The Portraits – Somerset based husband and wife duo Jeremy and Lorraine Millington. For Our Times sees the duo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, folk, For Our Times, review, singer, songwriter, The Portraits | Leave a comment

Album review: SAMANTHA FISH – Kill Or Be Kind

Posted on June 30, 2019 by petefeenstra

Rounder [Release date 20.09.19] There’s no denying the natural vivacity, or the cigar box guitar driven grooves and songcraft of Samantha Fish. Since bursting on the rock-blues scene a decade ago, she’s cut 6 solo albums of which the last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, funk, guitar, Kill Or Be Kind, Mike Zito, Mississippi Hill Country Blues, R&B, review, rock, Samantha Fish, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

News: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG showcases superior pop rock – The Water Rats, London, Tuesday 2 July 2019

Posted on June 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall previewed the London show and ‘Periscope’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 23 June. (4:06) After a 2-year hiatus and following the release of his highly-acclaimed second album #LookingForTheWorld, Michael Armstrong returns to the stage and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged 2 July 2019, classic rock, gig, London, Michael Armstrong, pop rock, singer, songwriter, The Water Rats | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BEN HEMMING

Posted on June 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BEN HEMMING The Devil Beside Me [Release date 31.05.19] ‘Nu-blues’ man Ben Hemming opens his latest release with the impressively broody/ doomy Dead Man Blues which reminds me (strangely) of PJ Harvey circa Bring Your Love To Me. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Ben Hemming, blues, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Devil Beside Me | Leave a comment

Album review: THE STEVE THOMPSON BAND – The Long Fade

Posted on June 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www.steve-thompson.org.uk [Release date 31.05.19] Steve Thompson may not be a name you’re familiar with, but after 50 years in the business, his debut ‘solo’ album pays tribute to career served largely ‘behind the scenes’ as a songwriter, producer and session … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, pop, review, singer, songwriter, The Long Fade, The Steve Thompson Band | Leave a comment

News: CORNBURY returns with headliners THE SPECIALS, KEANE and THE BEACH BOYS (5-7 July 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

The sixteenth Cornbury Music Festival is held in The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire 5-7 July. Joining headliners The Specials, Keane and The Beach Boys, artists include KT Tunstall, Elkie Brooks, Trevor Horn Band, Paul Cattack and Steeleye Span. Amongst the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged classic rock, Cornbury, Cornbury Music Festival, festival, July 2019, Keane, KT Tunstall, pop, singer, songwriter, Steeleye Span, The Beach Boys, The Specials, Trevor Horn Band | Leave a comment

Album review: RITCHIE DAVE PORTER – Fast Train Rollin’

Posted on May 15, 2019 by petefeenstra

Self Release [Release date 01.05.19] Ritchie Dave Porter is back with another slice of his unique serene calmness and emotional honesty, as he takes us on an autobiographical acoustic blues journey to the red button of the recording studio. From … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic blues, acoustic guitar, album, Fast Train Rollin, guitar, Michael Tingle, Peter Green, review, Ritchie Dave Porter, songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: HANNAH ALDRIDGE – Village Club, Thornton Hough, Wirral, 1 May 2019

Posted on May 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Could the Village Hall be the future of rock ‘n’ roll? Well, it worked for The Beatles. In years gone by we’ve seen James Grant (ex-Love & Money) in similar circumstances and Steve Tilston with full band – including Tull … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 May 2019, Americana, gig, Hannah Aldridge, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Thornton Hough, Village Club | Leave a comment

Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – The Path Into Blue

Posted on May 1, 2019 by petefeenstra

Sean Taylor Songs [Release date 12.04.19] Sean Taylor’s ‘The Path Into Blue’ is a conceptually titled album for our times. He’s political, social and emotional, and while the opening track ‘This Is England’ focuses on a fractured British identity and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Bob Dylan, guitar, John Martyn, Mark Hollman, Nils Lofgren, Pete Seeger, review, roots, Sean Taylor, singer, songwriter, Stephanie Daulong, The Path Into Blue | Leave a comment

Quick plays: UNION DUKE, AUBURN, CARRIE TREE

Posted on April 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

UNION DUKE Golden Days [Release date 14.06.19] Bridging indie rock with bluegrass and country, and laden with three, four and even five voice harmonies, Toronto-based quintet Union Duke put the pedal to the metal with their third release. With banjo, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, ambient, Americana, Auburn, Carrie Tree, country, folk, Game Of Faith, Golden days, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Canoe, Union Duke | Leave a comment

Album review: TAL WILKENFELD – Love Remains

Posted on March 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 15.03.19] If you want an album for late night listening, sustained by a favourite brew of something, this might be worthy of your attention. Australian Tal has lent her bass playing talents to any number of artists, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Love Remains, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Tal Wilkenfeld | Leave a comment

Quick plays: KRISTINA STYKOS, DANNI NICHOLLS

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

KRISTINA STYKOS River Of Light Thunder Ridge Records [Release date 05.04.19] With many of the songs delivered in an enforced semi-spoken style (in 2017, she was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a disorder that makes speaking and singing difficult or even … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, country, Danni Nicholls, folk, Kristina Stykos, Nashville, review, River Of Light, singer, songwriter, The Melted Morning | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MICHAEL McDERMOTT, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MICHAEL McDERMOTT Orphans Pauper Sky Records [Release date 12.04.19] In Orphans, a set of songs that while not making earlier records refused to be left to collect dust, Michael McDermott has come up with perhaps his best album yet – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, Danny Schmidt, Louise Lemon, Michael McDermott, Orphans, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Standard Deviation | Leave a comment

Album review: SIMON TODD – Half Empty/Half Full

Posted on February 11, 2019 by petefeenstra

Ginger Tom Music [Release date 21.09.18] Produced by the esteemed songwriter Boo Hewerdine, Northumberland singer/songwriter Simon Todd’s ‘Half Empty/Half Full’ is an aptly titled album that keeps the listener guessing until very end. The title might be interpreted as a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged a cappella, album, Americana, Boo Hewerdine, Boy George, Clive James, folk, Half Empty/Half Full, Nick Cave, Northumberland, Pete Atkin, review, rock, Simon Todd, singer, songwriter, Tony Hadley | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE EGGS – We Humans

Posted on February 7, 2019 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 08.02.19] The Steve Eggs Band is a Brit-Americana into country rock outfit with strong songs, sparkling harmonies and a significant Tom Petty influence. ‘We Humans’ showcases ten original Eggs songs and one co-write with bassist Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Brooks, ballads, Brit Americana, Celtic, country, David Surkamp, Jon Kershaw, Mark Taylor, Neil Young, Pavlov's Dog, Peter Wass, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Sonny Landreth, Steve Eggs, Steve Eggs Band, The Beatles, Tom Petty, We Humans | Leave a comment

Album review: HELEN ROSE – Trouble Holding Back

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Monkey Room Music [Release date 21.01.19] I’m not sure what I was expecting from this sax toting singer songwriter debut produced by Marvin Etzioni (Lone Justice bassist and a founder member). Perhaps, a cross between Maria McKee and Rindy Ross … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Helen Rose, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Trouble Holding Back | Leave a comment

Gig review: THEA GILMORE – The Met, Bury, 8 December 2018

Posted on December 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Thea Gilmore is becoming something of a fixture in our seasonal despatches. As traditional as decking the halls of GRTR! HQ with boughs of holly. This time last year The Counterweight was winning our readers’ album of the year vote … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 December 2018, acoustic, Bury, Christmas Party, festive, gig, Nigel Stonier, review, seasonal, singer, songwriter, The Met, Thea Gilmore | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BEN DE LA COUR, SAM LEWIS

Posted on November 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BEN DE LA COUR The High Cost Of Living Strange Flour Sack Cape Records [Release date 06.04.18] Having trodden a path from NYC to Europe, and then back to LA, to New Orleans and now (yes, somewhat predictably it would … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Ben De La Cour, Loversity, Nashville, R&B, review, roots, Sam Lewis, shoegaze, singer, songwriter, soul, Superdrone, The High Cost Of Living Strange | Leave a comment

Album review: LUNA ROSSA – Atropa

Posted on November 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Firefly Music [Release date 19.11.18] Three albums in, and the latest chapter in Panic Room acoustic side project of Jonathan Edwards (keyboards) and Anne-Marie Helder (vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute) finds them at a crossroads. The main stay of both … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Anne-Marie Helder, Atropa, Jonathan Edwards, Luna Rossa, Panic Room, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BETH HART – Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Posted on November 20, 2018 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date: 30.11.18] The double set ‘Live At The Albert Hall’ squares the circle of Beth Hart’s roller coaster career. The former wild child and rock chick has matured into a stellar performer who delivers a career defining live … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, beth Hart, live, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, review, rock, singer, songwriter, vocal | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI – The Met, Bury, 26 October 2018

Posted on October 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Kiki Dee in March 2015 for a two-part special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Part 2 covers the 1970s including her work with Elton John and her partnership with Carmelo Luggeri, bringing the story up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 26 October 2018, acoustic, Bury, Carmelo Luggeri, Elton John, gig, interview, Kiki Dee, pop, review, singer, songwriter, The Met | Leave a comment

Album review: GALEN AYERS – Monument

Posted on October 25, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bombinate [Release date: 27.07.18] A confident debut here from this British US/Greece-based singer-songwriter, ‘Monument’ births short/sharp essays in personal values and beliefs in a swell of acoustic ambience. Cool to the point-of-chilly opener, ‘You Choose’ sets out her stall with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, ambient, folk, Galen Ayers, Kevin Ayers, Monument, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Forgotten Dreams

Posted on October 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Chasing The Dragon Audiophile Recordings [Release date: 08.18] available at chasingthedragon.co.uk We’ve had Alone (2011) and its companion release Naked Music (2016) – albums that saw Irish singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy retire to the sanctuary of a sleepy Norfolk studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, audiophile, Chasing The Dragon, classical, direct cut, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, Forgotten Dreams, hi-fi, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN HIATT – The Eclipse Sessions

Posted on October 15, 2018 by jason

New West Records [Release date 12.10.18] Doing anything consistently well for nigh on 45 years is a near impossibility, especially when it comes to artistic endeavor. Many artists simple aren’t around for 45 years in the first place and those … Continue reading →