VARIOUS ‘Working Class Dogs – A Tribute To Rick Springfield’

Melodic Rock Records 2012 www.melodicrockrecords.com

This tribute album has been through some hoops to finally get a release but at last it will see the light of day. The album was compiled in two different stages, with the original tracks recorded under the supervision of the album’s architect Shawn Lane and Fastlane Records and later, the second stage was five more tracks added under the guidance of Andrew McNeice of MelodicRock.com fame.

Twenty songs in all mean you have VFM straight away and as the songs were either recorded by Rick Springfield or written by him for other artists you know the song quality will be there. Great to hear Waltham again romping through ‘Light Of Love’ and American Anthem have great fun with ‘Jessie’s Girl’.

Gary Schutt is a one man band on ‘Carry me Away’, not that you’d notice whilst ‘Human Touch’, possibly Springfield’s most recognisable song, is given the Steve Newman touch with Vinny Burns (Ten/Dare) on guitar, great stuff. Some interesting collaborations with the pomp master Thom Griffin (Trillion) hooking-up with Hardway and James Christian (who will always deliver no matter what he is singing) joining eff Silverman for a stunning run through ‘Right Planet Wrong World’.

The emphasis on the album has been fun and that comes across in most of the songs. A couple don’t float my boat but as a whole one of the best tribute albums in a long time and one that will get repeated plays.

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the second show broadcast on 25 October Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

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 18 October 2026.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026

BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 26 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.