Album review: HEY HELLO! – Hey Hello! Too!

Round Records [Release date 23.09.16]

I am sure that everyone is aware of the legend concerning blues man Robert Johnson meeting the devil at the crossroads and signing his soul away in return for his musical ability. I always imagine that being a dark, overcast day with an intense negotiation with auld Nick. However the day Ginger Wildheart stopped off at the crossroads must have been a warm summer’s day with blue skies and Beelzebub playing The Monkees in the background. How else can you explain the man’s seemingly unstoppable ability to write the catchiest pop rock on the planet with apparent ease?

Hey Hello! are one of Ginger’s many side projects (does the man ever sleep?) and allow him to indulge in the lighter side of rock. Take opener ‘All Around The World’ for example, if this was sung by one of the many teen sensations churned out by the X Factor it would be the ‘feel good’ hit of the (late) summer. As it is the song is as catchy as norovirus on a cruise ship and will have you singing along with the refrain as soon as you hear the opening bars.

‘This Ain’t Love’ continues the pop onslaught and the cover version of Sailor’s ‘Glass Of Champagne’ is a genius move, the song is perfectly suited to the Hey Hello! sound. Ginger never takes himself or his lyrics too seriously as demonstrated in ‘Kids’. His choice of words in the middle eight section had me laughing out loud!

As with the previous Hey Hello! album, Ginger is happy to take a backseat and let others take the lead vocal role. Following the departure of frontwoman Hollis Malhady from the band, vocal duties were handled by an array of guest vocalists on the recording, however there is no loss of quality from one to another, all put in a great performance.

Other tracks to look out for are ‘Loud And Fucking Clear’ which does get it’s point across and ‘Let’s Get Emotional’, another song with excellent harmonies and melody. Another aspect of the album is the great mix and production, the thump from Toshi’s bass really packs a punch to counter the sweetness of the tracks.

This album is the perfect antidote to all the bad news constantly flying at you via TV and social media. It’s good to laugh and smile occasionally and Hey Hello! Too! will make you do just that. ****

Review by Dave Wilson

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)