Monthly Archives: September 2016

Album review: TILT – Hinterland

TILT - Hinterland

Tilt Music Some albums come out of nowhere with no expectations and simply blow you away musically. Tilt’s debut ‘Hinterland’ is one of those albums and I was hooked from the first playing of this album. The album itself has … Continue reading

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Album review: THIRSTY – Albatross

THIRSTY - Albatross

Thirsty Music [Release date 07.11.16] A fine extension to 2015’s self-titled debut album, ‘Albatross’ finds Thirsty exactly as we left them. With 11 tracks coming in at bang on 33 minutes, the band are sticking to their formula of great … Continue reading

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Gig review: KEE MARCELLO – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 21 September 2016

KEE MARCELLO - The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 21 September 2016

30 years ago, just as Europe’s The Final Countdown went stratospheric, John Norum left the band and it was Kee Marcello who went on to be the guitarist during their commercial heyday. However, while his erstwhile bandmates milk that milestone … Continue reading

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Album review: AYNSLEY LISTER – Eyes Wide Open

AYNSLEY LISTER - Eyes Wide Open

www.aynsleylister.co.uk [Release date 07.10.16] Aynsley Lister seems to be forever on the road touring, however he does manage to get some recording in as this album is his eight studio album (plus three live albums). What attracts me to Aynsley … Continue reading

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Quick plays: MARION, HANA PIRANHA

MARION This World And Body/The Program

MARION This World And Body/The Program (reissues) Edsel [Release date 16.09.16] Marion were formed in Macclesfield in 1993 by then students Jamie Harding and Phil Cunningham, who had previously been in various bands together. The band’s first album, 1996’s This … Continue reading

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Gig review: MITCH MALLOY – Camden Underworld, 18 September 2016

MITCH MALLOY - Camden Underworld, 18 September 2016

Ever since the release of his classic self-titled debut in 1992, chock full of memorable anthems and heartfelt ballads, Mitch Malloy has been one of AOR and melodic rock’s cult figures. However despite several appearances at Firefest it has been … Continue reading

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Album review: PETE TOWNSHEND’s DEEP END – Face The Face

PETE TOWNSHEND

Eagle Rock [Release date 16.09.16] CD/DVD Back in 1985/86 Pete Townshend played a number of promotional/benefit gigs on the back of his 1985 solo concept album White City: A Novel – a bleak cultural observation of life on a West … Continue reading

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Album review: EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – Reissues (2)

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Trilogy

BMG [Release date 30.09.16] To many Emerson, Lake & Palmer represented the worst excesses of prog rock  – a genre that was destined to have its collective arse kicked in the late-1970s.  This latest tranche of remasters does demonstrate why … Continue reading

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Album review: KONGOS – Egomaniac

KONGOS - Egomaniac

RCA [Release date 10.06.16] When your Dad is the hit single selling Lennon-lookalike John Kongos (He’s Gonna Step On You Again, Tolokoshe Man) there’s a double-edged sword to potentially fall on with your (third) album release.  Firstly unfair bunk up … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – The Bungalow, Paisley, 18 September 2016

THE QUIREBOYS – The Bungalow, Paisley, 18 September 2016

Rock gigs in Paisley are not the most frequent of occurrences but The Bungalow venue is trying to rectify that situation. It is the first time I have been in the venue which has gone under a few different names … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Greek Theatre

JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Greek Theatre

Provogue  [Release date 23.10.16] CD/DVD/Bluray The key element in Joe Bonamassa’s ‘Live at the Greek Theatre’ DVD/CD release is his integral role in ‘blues heritage’ music, as reflected in the DVD’s strap line ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’. The broad based … Continue reading

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Album review: MECCA – III

MelodicRock Records [Release date 14.10.16] It seems ages since the last Mecca album came  out, ‘Undeniable’, although in fact it came out in 2011 and not that long in some bands eyes. However, this third album has been recorded over … Continue reading

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DVD review: TOTO- Live At Montreux 1991

TOTO- Live at Montreux 1991

Eagle Vision [Release Date 16.09.16] Few bands can have had such a revolving cast of musicians, many joining and rejoining, as Toto, which makes the history of the AOR giants such a fascinating one. One interesting period of their career … Continue reading

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Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Borderline, London, 17 September 2016

KIP WINGER- The Borderline, London, 17 September 2016

Kip Winger’s acoustic shows at the Borderline, now billed as the 5th Annual Evening with Kip Winger, have become legendary events, not just from an ever growing number of diehard fans, but from the artist himself, who bounded on stage … Continue reading

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Album review: THE LIVESAYS – Hold On…Life Is Calling

THE LIVESAYS - Hold On...I

[Release date 03.10.16] This is a highly likeable album from a long-time sideman with Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen’s sax player. I half expected some reflected, fist-pumping material  in the All-American way.  But no, Billy Livesay follows his own path and, … Continue reading

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Interview: THE DARKER MY HORIZON

Here we catch-up with the Darker My Horizon who released their second album, ‘No Superhero’ this summer and have been out touring including supporting legendary rockers Nazareth. Over to the band’s Paul Stead… Have you been pleased with the reaction … Continue reading

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Interview: BRIJITTE WEST

Brijitte West & the Desperate Hopefuls  have just released their new album, ‘From NY With Love’ and GRTR!’s Nikk Gunns finds out more about the album and the most memorable shows to date… 1.    You’ve been making music for a … Continue reading

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Quick plays: THE NEW 52, MIKE HURST, ORFILA

THE NEW 52 - Let Me Sleep

THE NEW 52 Let Me Sleep www.thenew52music.com [Release date 16.09.16] The New 52 is the brainchild of Darragh Cullen, and he is joined by drummer Sean O’Connor, guitarist Connor McLoughlin and bassist Mikey Deasy for live shows – on the … Continue reading

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Album review: STEFAN BERGGREN – Stranger In A Strange Land

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 28.10.16] Stefan Berggren has fronted a few bands in his time, most notably Snakes In Paradise (who return next year with a new album on the Frontiers label) and Company Of Snakes, plus he … Continue reading

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DVD review: DEEP PURPLE – Live At The NEC

Eagle Rock [Release date 26.08.16] In September 2002 Deep Purple took to the stage at the Birmingham NEC to bid a fond farewell to legendary keyboard player Jon Lord, who had earlier that year retired for health reasons. Having previously … Continue reading

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Album review: THE RADIO SUN – Outside Looking In

MelodicRock Records [Release date 30.09.16] The Radio Sun return with album number three and again Paul Laine (ex-Danger Danger) handles production duties and sings co-lead vocal on ‘Wink & Smile’ (one of the album’s stand out songs). There is a … Continue reading

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Interview: Jeremy Cunningham (LEVELLERS) – August 2016

Jeremy Cunningham - Levellers

On a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon at Watchet Live Music Festival, bass player for The Levellers, Jeremy Cunningham, was kind enough to interrupt his lunch for a quick chat with me.  Headliners at Watchet Live, this was the second date … Continue reading

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Gig review: WATCHET FESTIVAL – 27-28 August 2016

WATCHET FESTIVAL - 27-28 August 2016

Watchet Festival – The small festival with a huge heart… Saturday 27th August After spending what felt like half my lifetime sitting in the giant car park that is the M5, he beautiful scenery as we drove along the winding … Continue reading

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DVD review: STYX – Live at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas!

Eagle Rock [Release date 02.09.16] Another live Styx DVD and this one was recorded on the band’s 2014 US tour with Def Leppard. Slightly different style this time around as the main featured concert has interviews with the band and … Continue reading

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Album review: ANGELS OR KINGS – Go Ask The Moon!

AOR Heaven [Release date 30.10.16] Angels Or Kings started out back in the 1980′s but it wasn’t until 2014 when the band got back together that they actually got to finally release their debut album. That was a corker, chock … Continue reading

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