Quick plays: JULIA FORDHAM (1988 reissue), UNDERHILL ROSE

JULIA FORDHAM

Cherry Pop [Release date 29.01.16]

Julia Fordham is one of those artists who could only really flourish in the 1980s when there were expansive label budgets, solid production values, and exposure on national radio. Her exquisite blend of self-penned pop is perhaps best illustrated on this 1988 debut now given a new lease of life with bonus tracks and a bonus disc of live material (recorded by Radio Clyde in November 1988).

If greater success in the States never materialised, (a couple of alternate mixes here were intended for the US market) neither did enduring success in the UK although the follow-up album ‘Porcelain’ (also available in expanded form on Cherry Red) won more plaudits.

Julia’s jazz-inflected vocal style is easy on the ears and her register reminds me a little of Alison Moyet – also a child of the ’80s. This self-titled debut is a little of its time but a reminder that here is an artist worth re-investigating. She now lives in California although in recent years has occasionally toured in the UK, most recently celebrating the 25th anniversary of ‘Porcelain’. ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

UNDERHILL ROSE The Great Tomorrow [Release date 25.03.16]

Underhill Rose – a partnership of Eleanor Underhill (vocals / banjo), Molly Rose (vocals/ guitar) and Salley Williamson (bass and harmony vocals), stand just to the left of the Americana/mainstream crossover divide.

Formed by Underhill and Rose (naturally) in 2007 with Williamson joining 2 years later, the North Carolina trio struck a chord with their 2013 sophomore release Something Real which spent 22 weeks in the Americana Music Association Airplay Chart was named one of the top 100 albums of that year.

Kick starter funded, The Great Tomorrow – a charming blend of folk, old country, rhythm and blues, and bluegrass has already followed suit back home reaching the top 30 of the AMA charts.

Released in the UK to coincide with a brief UK tour (with further dates planned in the autumn), the purity of the vocals and a bewitching blend of playing mark Underhill Rose out from their contemporaries, with Underhill’s banjo playing and the subtle contributions made my Matt Smith on pedal steel, and Nicky Sanders on violin being particularly worthy of note.

Not yet aiming for Dixie Chicks territory (although give them time) The Great Tomorrow is a quality Americana release that will appeal to fans of Nickel Creek, and the like. ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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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 3 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 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)