Esoteric/Cherry Red [Release date 31.03.14]
Matt Stevens (Fierce & the Dead) releases his latest solo album which has been three years in the making and features a whole host of guest musicians. These include drummer Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson); bass guitarists Lorenzo Feliciati (Naked Truth) and Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld); keyboard player Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and violinist Chrissie Caulfield (Helicopter Quartet/Crippled Black Phoenix).
I have only just started to discover the wonderful music of Matt Stevens, first through the excellent latest album from the Fierce & the Dead and now this varied and enjoyable collection of eleven new instrumentals. What I love about this album is the sheer musical variety, be it the riff heavy ‘Oxymoron’ that fair pummels the listener into submission or the gentle acoustic refrain of ‘The Other Side’, that has a faint folk air about it.
‘The Ascent’ is all stop/start and key changes, fellow musicians will love this I am sure, and for the non-muso like me marvel at the soundscapes created. At times it almost sounds discordant and there are guitar solos flying in from all over the place.
Must mention ‘Coulrophobia’ sounding like some 1960′s sci-fi theme and featuring the vibe playing of Jon Hart – this is an album highlight for me.
Nothing short of an amazing musical journey and the question is why the heck isn’t Matt Stevens a more well known name? Here’s hoping this album gets him the exposure and success his music deserves. ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
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
