Album review: POWWOW ORCHESTRA – Everybody Powwow!

[Release date 15.06.15] www.facebook.com/powwowthealbum

This double CD is the work of composer and musical arranger Simon Webb. The story centres around Thomas Christian, a miner from the north of England, who travels to America where he falls in love with Rosie, a native American from the Oglala Sioux tribe. The songs follow their story and to help tell this tale there are some name guests including former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, drummer Jimmy Copley (Paul Rodgers/Magnum) and the Kick Horns. Best of all is hearing vocalist Robert Hart again, he of The Distance, Bad Company and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band fame.

Aside from a possible 80′s sounding album title, Simon Webb certainly takes the subject of the native American Indians seriously and one of the most famous books, ‘Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee’ gets recognition in a song of the same title.

The music has some funk, soul and pop elements, like on ‘Gold Fever’ or ‘Crazy Horse’. Other songs recall Asia (the John Payne-fronted version) on ‘Chase The Sun’ and the single in waiting, ‘Amerikaye’.

Robert Hart still has his emotive vocals intact and Emma Pears sings the parts of Rosie with the passion required to lift a song out of the ordinary into the memorable as can be heard on ‘Don’t Leave Me’. Surprisingly for a concept album there is only one epic song, ‘Chase The Sun (Reprise)’ where the sax playing of Alan Stewart takes centre stage.

Those who enjoy a good story told through music, with that big production/West End feel this will be right up your street. For me, worth it just to hear Robert Hart’s vocals on an album again! ****

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 24 November 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 26 November 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)