Yearly Archives: 2013

Album review: SPARKS – New Music For Amnesiacs – The Essential Collection

Posted on November 27, 2013 by jason

Lil Beethoven Records (2CD) This two CD, 40 song best of is a condensed version of the recent box set, which features 83 songs. Sparks may be masters of pop yet they have had an influence in the rock world … Continue reading →

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Single reviews: STEVE BLOOD, TESS CUNNINGHAM

Posted on November 27, 2013 by GRTR! HQ
The Last Xmas

STEVE BLOOD The Last Xmas [Release date 8.12.13] www.thelastxmas.com Christmas songs.  Bah.  Humbug.  Who’d have ‘em?  Frequently cheesy, easily forgotten.  Here at GRTR! Towers we get our share.  This offering is refreshingly different. Steve Blood has an interesting career plying … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANGELICA – Thrive

Posted on November 27, 2013 by jason
Angelica - Thrive

Frontiers www.frontiers.it Murder of My Sweet front woman Angelica Rylin has moved away from their symphonic metal sound for her debut solo release – Thrive is another one of Frontier’s all-star melodic rock records. Angelica has brought fellow band members … Continue reading →

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Interview with OLI BROWN – 25 November 2013

Posted on November 26, 2013 by petefeenstra
Oli Brown

Having worked most of his career as part of his own band – including a UK tour with John Mayall and a recent high profile European tour with Joe Satriani – the multi-award winning guitarist and singer, Oli Brown takes … Continue reading →

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DVD review: JON ANDERSON – Tour Of The Universe

Posted on November 26, 2013 by jason

Store For Music www.thestoreformusic.com Although this is released this year by Store For Music, this DVD first saw the light of day back in 2005 when it was released by Classic Pictures. A word of caution for fans as the … Continue reading →

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Single review: JOSH TAERK – Casie

Posted on November 26, 2013 by petefeenstra

Josh Taerk, aircheck (Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 26 November 2013)  Misty Creek Records [Release Date 9.12.13] We live in the age of the self expressive singer songwriter, whose hegemony of the air waves must make the more enduring folkies … Continue reading →

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Album review: BADHOVEN – Obsession

Posted on November 25, 2013 by david.wilson

        ATS Records (Release date – out now) The last group I can think of that broke out of Austria were the Von Trappe Family Singers who went on to find success in America. With the right … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: HANZEL UND GRETYL, SASQUATCH, HIDRIA SPACEFOLK, TOMAS BERGSTREN. JAMES McMORROW

Posted on November 25, 2013 by jason
Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

HIDRIA SPACEFOLK Astronautica (Hidria Records) http://hidriaspacefolk.st/ This Finnish band formed in 1999 and their first album ‘Symbiosis’ came out in 2002.  The band seem to have evolved organically, and slowly, as band members have come and gone sometimes to have … Continue reading →

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News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – December 2013 Highlights

Posted on November 25, 2013 by GRTR! HQ
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio

December 2013 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, GMT Throughout December, a chance to hear again highlights from some of our 2013 shows. We’ll also be inviting listeners (and readers!) to vote for their favourite album and … Continue reading →

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Album review: REO SPEEDWAGON – Live At Moondance Jam

Posted on November 25, 2013 by andynathan

CD/DVD – Frontiers Records [Release Date 29.11.13] It’s a strange feeling to be reviewing a CD of a gig I have fond memories of attending, especially as it was nearly four years ago and the band are scheduled to play … Continue reading →

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DVD Review: SPRINGSTEEN AND I

Posted on November 25, 2013 by andynathan
Springsteen & I

Eagle Vision [Release Date 28.10.2013] Bruce Springsteen is an artist who seems to inspire a unique awe and affection among his fans, so it somehow seems appropriate that he is the subject of a music film with a difference. Concert … Continue reading →

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Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUES COMMOTION – The Blues Don’t Scare Me

Posted on November 24, 2013 by petefeenstra

33 Jazz [Release date 04.11.13] Zoe Schwarz’s clarity of diction and unique phrasing mark her out as a special singer capable of making any song exclusively her own. She’s equally happy as a sultry, soulful blues singer or as a … Continue reading →

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DVD review: MOVE ME BRIGHTLY – A Documentary Concert Film Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday

Posted on November 24, 2013 by petefeenstra

Eagle Vision [Release date 28.1013] ‘Move Me Brightly’ is a trimmed version of an original 5 hour web cast of a concert organised by Bob Weir to celebrate what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 70th birthday. The 2 hours and … Continue reading →

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Album review: BOSTON – Life, Love & Hope

Posted on November 23, 2013 by jason
Boston - Life, Love & Hope

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 09.12.13] Relatively quick in Boston terms at just over ten years since the last album ‘Corporate America’ and some songs of that album get reworked by Tom Scholz on this album, a man always on a … Continue reading →

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Album review: MICK FARREN AND ANDY COLQUHOUN – Black Vinyl Dress

Posted on November 23, 2013 by petefeenstra

Gonzo [Release date 28.1013] Mick Farren once said: ‘I’m a lousy singer, but a brilliant rock star’. And while that may be true, the rock scene has all but dissipated and our anti heroes need to do more than come … Continue reading →

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Album review: FUGHU – Human – The Tales & Human – The Facts

Posted on November 22, 2013 by petefeenstra

Fughu [Release date 2013] Argentinean prog-metal band Fughu don’t do things by halves. Apart from releasing two separate albums as a double album, their complex music also wraps itself round two nightmarish librettos, the full drama of which is emoted … Continue reading →

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Album review: DEF LEPPARD – Viva Hysteria!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by jason
Def Leppard - Viva Hysteria

Frontiers (2CD/DVD) www.frontiers.it One of Britain’s best and hardest working rock bands, Def Leppard have always been at the melodic end despite growing up with the NWoBHM scene. After the classic third album ‘Pyromania’ (which went diamond in the USA), the … Continue reading →

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Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Dark Wings Of Steel

Posted on November 21, 2013 by jason
Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel

  AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Release date 25.11.13] Rhapsody of Fire return with their first studio album since the amicable split of main songwriters Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli in 2012 – Luca has his own version of the band called … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE UNION – Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

Posted on November 20, 2013 by GRTR! HQ
The Union - Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

There was definitely no doubt who the crowd were here for tonight as the sea of Union T-shirts was clear to see, midway through their UK tour The Union are touring after the release of their DVD ‘Live in Guildford’ … Continue reading →

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DVD review: VARIOUS – The Sunflower Superjam 2012

Posted on November 20, 2013 by jason
The Sunflower Superjam 2012

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2DVD) www.thesunflowerjam.com The Sunflower Jam was started back in 2006 by Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and sister-in-law to the late Jon Lord, as a charity event to raise funds … Continue reading →

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Album review: CRYSTAL GRENADE – Lo! And Behold

Posted on November 19, 2013 by GRTR! HQ
CRYSTAL GRENADE - Lo! And Behold

Gonzo [Release date 14.10.13] A wonderful name, Crystal Grenade.  One that belongs to Mancunian songstress Carol Hodge, described as ‘Shakespears Sister fighting Amanda Palmer and Tori Amos in a dimly lit Victorian pub’.  If that conjures up images of heavily … Continue reading →

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Album review: PAUL GUZZONE – Chasing The Moon

Posted on November 19, 2013 by petefeenstra

Triple Z Music [Release date 2013] New York based Paul Guzzone describes himself as ‘an electronic troubadour’.  He’s big on sonic textures, wry narratives, catchy hooks and songs that draw you in. ‘Chasing The Moon’ is an unlikely but successful … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MOTT THE HOOPLE – London O2 Arena,18 November 2013

Posted on November 19, 2013 by jason
Mott The Hoople - London O2 Arena, 18 November 2013

After a successful reunion tour back in 2009 Mott The Hoople where they only played in London, they were back for a UK tour culminating at the O2 Arena which had a very good turnout especially as it was a … Continue reading →

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Album review: GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS– Live At Montreux 2013

Posted on November 19, 2013 by petefeenstra

Eagle Rock[Release date 18.11.13] Having paid his dues through relentless road work – including a 50 states in 50 nights tour – and his self titled debut album in 1976 – George Throrogood made his major label breakthrough on Capital … Continue reading →

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DVD review: FRANK ZAPPA – The Torture Never Stops/The Dub Room Special/Baby Snakes

Posted on November 18, 2013 by petefeenstra

Eagle Rock [Release date 14.10.13] Some familiar FZ material finds its way into to a 3 DVD box set which represents three different snapshots of a career that was moving into the audio visual domain. Of course Frank had already … Continue reading →

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