Magic in The Air *****
Back and Fourth ***
There really was magic in the air for the Geordie folk rockers when they reunited for a much-celebrated Christmas Eve gig taped at Newcastle City Hall in 1977, released the following year and precipitating the band’s return to the studio with “Back And Fourth”. This originally 2-LP set showcases their prime, its 19 songs backtracking into the band’s Charisma heyday and prising from it top-notch renditions of hits such as Alan Hull’s celebrated ‘Lady Eleanor’, ‘Fog on The Tyne’, ‘Clear White Light’ and Rod Clements’ equally- totemic ‘Meet me On The Corner’. One of five sell-out performances that Christmas by the band, this well re-mastered reissue conjures up readily the spirit of the night and Jim Henderson’s booklet notes afford real insight into how and why it all came to pass. While “Magic In The Air” could not have been a better calling card for the live Lindisfarne experience, its studio successor was a surprising disappointment yielding few songs to match it but for Hull’s exemplary ‘Run For Home’ which popped them back into the charts, at least. It’s not that it’s a bad album, but that its tries too hard for America, its big budget diluting the deftness, ethnicity and sly Tyneside humour of forebears filtered through Newcastle Brown and scoffed hungrily as hot chips heavy on vinegar, in a fug of Players No. 6, on a cold street corner. They put a plaque up for Hull at City Hall this year – quite right too.
Peter Muir
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)