The Cousins Project Steve Mayone & Kristina Stykos – Beautiful Blood

In 2006 singer songwriters Steve Mayone and Kristina Stykos met by chance at a gig and discovered they were second cousins. Fate had led them down similar paths – songwriters, producers, and independent artists. ‘Beautiful Blood’ – an Americana blend of folk / rock, ballads and blues, recorded at their home studios charts the combining of their different styles into a single tapestry.

Mayone dominates vocal proceedings in a James Taylor sort of way, although Stykos provides harmony vocals and takes the lead on several tracks. Hers is maybe a less accomplished delivery but it has a Marianne Faithful style charisma. In fact the whole set has a retro, West Coast Laurel Canyon acoustic, soft rock feel.

And while that’s rather pleasant it doesn’t exactly cut new ground and is unlikely to significantly raise their collective profiles. That said, there’s much to be enjoyed, in particular the rather lovely ‘South Of The Chelsea Line’, and the swamp bluesy ‘Sugar’ and ‘Deep Deep Baby’. ***

Kevin Doherty – Seeing Things

The fourth solo outing from Donegal native and Dublin resident Kevin Doherty – a member of the folk ‘super group’ Four Men & A Dog – is, for the most part a mellow and melancholic affair with sparse arrangements – mainly guitar, piano and backing vocals.

Lyrically and melodically occupying the same space as the likes of Leonard Cohen, Tom Wait and Randy Newman it focuses on soul searching, introspection and social commentary. As such it’s not an album to be enjoyed in the company of others – more one for consumption in isolation when you’re feeling like weeping into the bottom of an empty whisky glass.

Beautifully recorded and with Doherty’s rich Chris Rea/Johnny Cash style vocals the centrepiece, a mournful, reflective set for those whose life is heading off the rails. You also get a ‘free’ pencil, although I’m not sure it’s wise to supply the album with a sharp object. **1/2

Christopher Paul Stelling – False Cities

Acoustic troubadour Stelling’s rootsy Americana debut – Songs Of Praise And Scorn – was released to a flurry of critical acclaim last year, and having spent the majority of 2012 on the road his follow-up is relentless in both angst and tenderness. It’s an album that bares its teeth, spits and snarls.

The tenderness comes from Stelling’s campfire finger acoustic picking style that at times strays into almost flamenco style. His vocals, on the other hand spill out like a pent up volcanic eruption – you can almost visualise the spittle, sweat and protruding veins and eyeballs as they are forcibly expelled.

It all adds up to an incendiary meeting of Gothic folk and punk. A strange brew indeed, and not one for the faint hearted or casual listener. **

Review by Pete Whalley

JJ GREY & MOFRO – This River

Alligator/Proper Records (Released 24^th June)

JJ Grey is a blues/soul singer/songwriter who released his debut album back in 2001 and this album is his seventh overall (and fifth for his current record label).

The album does drift away to be honest and although his guitar playing is soulful, it is not an album I would honestly see myself playing many more times in the future. That said, ‘Your Lady, She’s Shady’ with its cheeky lyric recalls Taj Mahal. ‘Tame A Wild One’ reminding you of Robert Cray, being a well crafted and compact song.

***

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

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 2 March 2025.

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 on 4 March 2025

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 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (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.