Album review: BARNEY BENTALL – Flesh & Bone

Three independent and seven studio albums into a career that kicked off in 1978, it’s a wonder that the name Barney Bentall – a Vancouver based singer songwriter – has never registered on the GRTR! radar.

Those with an encyclopaedic knowledge may have heard of The Legendary Hearts whose self-titled debut reached platinum status, generated three hit singles and garnered a Juno Award. But I have to confess, Bentall’s a new name to me.

His latest release, the self-produced Flesh & Bone, is a timeless collection that strikes a chord with the storytelling work of the likes of Springsteen and Mellencamp.

Inspired by life on his ranch, and recorded under no industry pressure, Flesh & Bone is relaxed and easy on the ear, with a moderate bluegrass twist accentuated by guitarist Eric Reed’s mandolin and banjo playing and a number of guesting fiddle players.

It’s an album , influenced by an array of genres from folk to roots, blues-rock to pop, and even a hint of Celtic, but the bottom line is that it’s packed with great playing and some big hooks, with Bentall’s gruff vocals the icing on the cake. Haunting, emotional and effortless. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

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

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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 20 October 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 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse 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)