Quick Plays: DONOVAN’S DEVILS, SAKLIF KEITA, WILD ROSE, HEIDI TALBOT

DONOVAN’S DEVILS – Brothers Above All www.donovansdevils.com

Formed in 2011, Donovan’s Devils consists of Teddy Venezia (vocals/guitar), Austin Martinez (lead guitar), TJ Bernhard (bass) and Michael Gangino (drums). Their debut album is an acoustic driven one and despite on their website declaring themselves as blues influenced they reminded me a lot of Green Day in their acoustic moments. The songs are enjoyable with ‘Strongest Stones’ and ‘What Dreams May Come’ the stand out songs. Give them a listen on their website particularly if you enjoy blues flavoured acoustic rock.

***1/2

Jason Ritchie

SALIF KEITA ‘Tale’ UMC

Malian singer Salif Keita is very well known and regarded in African and world music circles. This may not be your usual fare for a reader of GRTR! but if like me you are a music fan who likes all forms of music then do give this a listen. Salif Keita has a soothing, soulful voice as can be heard on ‘Natty’ and the title track. Do check out the wonderful ‘Simby’ with Bobby McFerrin guesting on the most amazing vocal effects. Not so keen on the reggae/rap of ‘C’est bob, C’est bon’ with Roots Manuva guesting. For a musical treat and something different this album is just the ticket.

****

Jason Ritchie

WILD ROSE ‘Dangerous’ AOR Heaven (Released 22nd February)

Second album from this AOR band featuring guitarist Andy Rock and the band’s new vocalist David A Saylor (check out his cracking solo album ‘City Of Angels’ released last year on the same label or the Push UK album).

If this album didn’t feature the wonderful vocal talents of David A Saylor this album would be bypassed by many as the music whilst well played, is very much ‘heard it all before’. Also you can play cut ‘n’ paste with the song titles – ‘Hold On’, ‘Dream On’, ‘Is This Love’- you get the picture. Saylor does put in a fine performance and that’s what saves this album. It’s safe AOR/melodic rock with a good vocalist and although it won’t win any year end best of awards many lovers of melodic rock will enjoy this album.

***

Jason Ritchie

HEIDI TALBOT – Angels Without Wings Navigator Records (Released 18th February)

This is Heidi Tablot’s fifth solo album to date and one of her most star studded with guest appearances from Mark Knopfler, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Anderson (King Creosote) and legendary accordion player Phil Cunningham to name but a few.

Heidi has a lovely high and wistful voice as deftly illustrated on the title track. ‘Button Up’ features Kenny Anderson on co-vocals, one of the album’s stand out songs along with ‘Wine and Roses’ (which features Knopfler’s distinctive guitar playing).

If i had one criticism it is that although she has a lovely voice some of the songs lack that certain something to make them stand up to repeated plays. There is no doubting her talent and it is a good album, just not quite as spectacular as the guest list would have you expecting it to be.

***1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 3 November 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 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)