Yearly Archives: 2015

Gig review: SNAKECHARMER – Islington Academy, 13 November 2015

SNAKECHARMER - Islington Academy, 13 November 2015

None of us knew it at the time, but Snakecharmer’s winter tour, including this London date, proved to be Micky Moody’s farewell to the band, leaving them in a state of flux. On the night however it was a night … Continue reading

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Quick plays: AMBERIAN DAWN, SUNSPOT, LUKE GASSER

AMBERIAN DAWN - Innuendo

AMBERIAN DAWN – Innuendo Napalm Records [Release date 23.1.15] Second album from the Finnish symphonic metal band to feature vocalist Capri Virkkunen and she helps lift the band from another run of the mill metal band. To be honest it … Continue reading

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DVD review: LYNYRD SKYNYRD- Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd and Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre

LYNYRD SKYNYRD- Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd and Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre

Eagle Rock [Release date 23.10.15] CD/DVD/Bluray Live DVD’s from the post reformation Skynyrd have been a dime a dozen, but this latest release has an interesting twist to justify its existence. Rather than a standard Greatest Hits show, they took … Continue reading

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Gig review: WALTER TROUT/Simo – 02 Forum, London, 21 November 2015

Perhaps only Walter Trout can transform the recollection of his own abject desperation and ill health into resonant blues-rock. Aside from completing his lengthy journey back to his rightful place in front of his adoring European fans – in this … Continue reading

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Gig review: DORO – The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 21 November 2015

DORO - The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 21 November 2015

On a cold, damp night in November it takes a damn good reason to entice ageing rockers out of their warm cocoon and weekly fix of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.  But how could you miss the legendary Doro Pesch, still celebrating … Continue reading

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Album review: SAM COULSON – Electric Classical

SAM COULSON - Electric Classical

Self-release  [Release date 20.11.15] This album is probably best described as “economical”.  From the single sheet inlay to the 25 minute playing time.  What is perhaps most surprising is that it is fashioned by young Sam Coulson who evidently feels … Continue reading

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Album review: NIK TURNER – Space Fusion Odyssey

Nik Turner - Space Fusion Odyssey

Cleopatra Records [Release date 30.10.15] Nik Turner’s biography ‘The Spirit Of Hawkwind 1969-1976′ has just been published and chronicles the earlier sorties of this enduring space cadet.  If you thought Nik Turner in Hawkwind parped away in search of a … Continue reading

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Album review: MIKA – No Place In Heaven

Republic Records/Universal [Released 13.11.15] Now a quick rant about guilty pleasures in music. For me there is no such thing, music is either good or bad and is there to be enjoyed and share. I know we like genres and … Continue reading

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Album review: PHANTASMA – The Deviant Hearts

PHANTASMA - The Deviant Hearts

Napalm Records [Release date 27.11.15] Phantasma is a project consisting of Georg Neuhauser (Serenity), Oliver Philipps (Everon) and Charlotte Wessels (Delain). Helping out are drummer Jason Gianni, bassist Randy George from Neal Morse’s band and Tom Buchberger (ex-Serenity) guests on … Continue reading

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Gig review: THEA GILMORE – Liverpool Philharmonic, 17 November 2015

THEA GILMORE - Liverpool Philharmonic, 17 November 2015

I have been following Thea Gilmore from the early days of her career when I heard her being championed by Bob Harris on his Radio 2 Saturday show back in the late nineties. I’ve seen her develop from a bile-spitting … Continue reading

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Gig review: VINTAGE TROUBLE – 02 Forum, London,17 November 2015

VINTAGE TROUBLE – 02 Forum, London,17 November 2015

While Vintage Trouble front man Ty Taylor never actually mutters the immortal phrase ‘get on up’ – he frequently uses the line ‘I can’t even hear you’- he shares much in common with late godfather of soul, James Brown. There’s … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOE JAMMER’S ALL-STAR CHICAGO BLUES REVUE – London Jazz Festival, Bulls Head, London,16 November 2015

JOE JAMMER

Joe Jammer’s All-Star Chicago Blues Revue appears in Barnes as part of the London Jazz Festival. And whatever the debate about whether jazz or blues came first, Joe Jammer makes sure that his blues show is both essential and fun! … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DOORS – Other Voices/Full Circle (reissue)

THE DOORS - Other Voices/Full Circle (reissue)

Rhino [Release date 04.09.15] 2-CD After Jim Morrison’s death in July 1971, and without their charismatic frontman, the writing was on the wall for the remaining members of The Doors.  But in the 2 years before they called it a … Continue reading

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Album review: THE GETAWAY DRIVERS – Bellatopia

THE GETAWAY DRIVERS - Bellatopia

[Release date 04.07.15] Bellatopia, their fourth release, marks The Getaway Drivers’ 10 year anniversary, although only Wisconsin folk singer-songwriter Bob Manor (guitar, piano, vocals) and bassist Ken Keeley remain from the original line up. Essentially an Americana/rock outfit, the band’s … Continue reading

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Quick plays: ADRIAN CONNER, JANE KRAMER, S-WORD-S

ADRIAN CONNER - Hush!

ADRIAN CONNER – Hush! Adrian Conner may not be a name you’re familiar with.  Hush! her eighth release is unlikely to change that. For the past 15 years Conner has been the lead guitarist in Seattle, Washington based all-girl AC/DC … Continue reading

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Gig review: FM/Vega – Guildhall, Gloucester, 7 November 2015

FM - Guildhall, Gloucester, 7 November 2015

A Saturday night gig with two of the best melodic rock bands in the country, a two hour drive away but totally worth it. A four date trot around the country playing in some venues that you don’t often hear … Continue reading

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Gig review: CORKY LAING BAND /Rainbreakers – 100 Club, London,15 November 2015

CORKY LAING BAND /RAINBREAKERS – 100 Club, London,15 November 2015

Tonight, Mountain drummer Corky Laing looks like a man who is prospering without the combined egos of Leslie West and Jack Bruce in front of him (think Mountain and West Bruce & Laing). Pitching up at the 100 Club at … Continue reading

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Quick plays: OTHERKIN, BEARDED YOUTH QUEST, MAJOR INSTINCT

OTHERKIN – The 201 https://www.facebook.com/otherkinOK/ Irish band Otherkin release this rather good four song EP. They have four indie disco floor fillers on this EP that’s for sure’ ‘AY AY’ is a like a bouncy child with it’s relentless, yet … Continue reading

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Album review: CURLY WOLF – Calling Your Bluff

CURLY WOLF – Calling Your Bluff

The Curly Wolf  [Release date 07.08.15] ‘Our aim is to show that there is more to country music than radio pop lets you believe’. Curly Wolf hammers home their sense of purpose with a defining mission statement and from the … Continue reading

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Album review: MOJO ASSASSINS – Mojo Assassins

MOJO ASSASSINS – Mojo Assassins

Artwork Media, Inc. [Release date 24.11.15] The Mojo Assassins are a power trio comprising Ronny Griffin drums, Tony Calhoun on bass and vocals and David Zychek on guitar and vocals. Their collective pedigree includes Night Ranger, Stallion, Frankie Lee and … Continue reading

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Album review: ERIC CHARLES BAND – 2015 Exclusive Limited Release

ERIC CHARLES BAND – 2015 Exclusive Limited Release

Self release [Release date 22.05.15] Eric Charles Band’s ‘2015 Exclusive Limited Release’ is a high energy, swaggering album full of confident songs that have been road tested before the band channeled their energy into this 12 track album. The songs … Continue reading

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Gig review: KING KING – Islington Academy, London, 11 November 2015

KING KING - Islington Academy, London, 11 November 2015

It takes time to be an overnight sensation but King King, and singer guitarist Alan Nimmo in particular, have enjoyed a spectacular rise to fame recently.  Having paid his dues for a long time with the Nimmo Brothers and now … Continue reading

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Album review: JEFF LYNNE’S ELO – Alone In The Universe

JEFF LYNNE

Colombia/Sony [Release date 13.11.15] To say I was looking forward to this is an understatement! It has been fourteen years since the last album under the ELO name, 2001′s ‘Zoom’ and there was the album of cover versions of long … Continue reading

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Gig review: JUDIE TZUKE – The Met, Bury, 12 November 2015

JUDIE TZUKE - The Met, Bury, 12 November 2015

Six months on since we last caught up with her – at The Lowry in Salford – Judie Tzuke’s Songs And Stories tour continues to wend it’s way happily around the UK.  It’s her most extensive tour for decades, crisscrossing … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 30 October 2015

MARTIN TURNER, Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 30 October 2015

Ten years ago, it was in this very Football Club clubhouse in suburban South London that Wishbone Ash founder bassist and vocalist Martin Turner came in from the cold and launched a new line-up playing Wishbone’s catalogue. His return here … Continue reading

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