Angel Air Records [Release date 11.02.13 ]
Another interesting release from revival specialists Angel Air.
Widowmaker were a short-lived ‘70’s supergroup of sorts. Guitarist Luther Grosvenor was fresh out of a profitable stint with Mott The Hoople (and Spooky Tooth before that) when he put this band together with frontman Steve Ellis from Love Affair (‘Everlasting Love’. Yes, that one!) Grosvenor at the time went by the name of Ariel Bender, apparently at the suggestion of pop singer Lynsey de Paul!
The line up was completed by Bob Daisley on bass, previously of Chicken Shack and Mungo Jerry (and subsequently a hired gun with Rainbow, Ozzy, Uriah Heep, Gary Moore and Sabbath); Huw Lloyd Langton from Hawkwind on second/lead guitar; and Paul Nicholls from Lindisfarne on drums.
The material is a mixed bag and reflects the band’s diverse heritage. There are some juicy slabs of power-chording from Grosvenor on ‘Ain’t Telling You Nothing’, where Ellis opens up his vocal chords to good effect. ‘On The Road’ and ‘Running Free’ highlight the twin guitar approach where Lloyd Langton’s slide lines are the light to Grosvenor’s shade. ‘Shine A Light On Me’ is built around a joyful gospel hook with colourful splashes of Hammond organ thrown into the mix.
Some of it is pretty tame stuff though, ploughing a pleasant but unchallenging pop-blues genre. ‘Pin A Rose On Me’, and ‘Straight Faced Fighter’ don’t do much for the pulse rate. Given that Ellis has a fine rock/soul voice, it’s a shame his written output is much less ballsy here. ‘Leave The Kids Alone’ is the kind of mid-‘70’s pop pap that gave rock bad name. Punk couldn’t come soon enough.
The album didn’t chart when released in April 1976 and it is very much of its time. Infact the best tracks here by far are the bonus live recordings of non-album material recorded at the BBC’s Paris Theatre. These showcase the band’s rockier side, with plenty of riffage and gorgeous, fluid playing from Grosvenor on ‘Come Up’ and Ellis in fine voice on the excellent ‘Too Late’. El Doomo’ from Ellis’s previous self-monickered band is a beautiful power ballad, delivered with style and substance. This material hints at what might have been possible under different circumstances. ***
Dave Atkinson
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)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
