Monthly Archives: October 2016

News: An Evening For JACK – Jack Bruce Celebration – London, 25 October 2016

An Evening For JACK - A Celebration of the Life & Music of Jack Bruce, London, 25 October 2016

Pete Feenstra chatted to Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 23 October 2016. Bassist/singer/songwriter Jack Bruce is the subject of a special celebratory evening at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, … Continue reading

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Album review: THE ANSWER – Solas

THE ANSWER - Solas

Napalm Records [Release date 28.10.16] The Answer celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album ‘Rise’, an album they have struggled at times to live up to. However, on this new album ‘Solas’ (the Gaelic word for light) they have … Continue reading

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Single review: MIKE PETERS & THE ALARM – In The Poppyfields

The Twenty First Century Recording Company [Release date 11.11.16] These three songs were recorded on October 10 2015 in front of 2,000 fans at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Mike Peters and the Alarm were joined by the Welsh Pops Orchestra, … Continue reading

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Album review: WINTER MOUNTAIN – I Swear I Flew

WINTER MOUNTAIN - I Swear I Flew

Astral Fox Records [Release date 18.11.16] The sophomore album by Cornish singer songwriter Joe Francis, who otherwise goes by the name of Winter Mountain (formerly a duo with Donegal’s Marty Smyth), is a mishmash of influences. Featuring contributions from Seth … Continue reading

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Quick plays: AMANDA RHEAUME, SKYWARD, EILERA, ANDY BENNETT

AMANDA RHEAUME  Holding Patterns

AMANDA RHEAUME  Holding Patterns [Release date 21.10.16] On her last release Keep A Fire (2014) we suggested that Ottawa songstress Amanda Rheaume’s song writing is more ‘popular’ than ‘pop’ and a pleasant enough Radio 2 style listen. In that sense, … Continue reading

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Album review: ROD STEWART – Sir Rod Stewart and some of his early faces

ROD STEWART - Sir Rod Stewart and some of his early faces

The Store For Music [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD When ‘Sir’ precedes Rod’s name, and the album artwork features a Spitting Image/ Newzoid caricature of the man, it’s natural to have some doubts about the depths that have been plumbed to … Continue reading

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Album review: PETRICHOR – What We’ve Noticed

PETRICHOR - What We

[Release date 02.01.16] Written, recorded, and produced over four years – from the middle of high school to college – What We’ve Noticed is a remarkably mature debut from Massachusetts-based seven piece band Petrichor. With three vocalists and the use … Continue reading

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Album review: HOLON – The Time Is Always Now

HOLON - The Time Is Always Now

Release date [12.08.16] The Time Is Always Now is a set of proggy ‘songs’ written over ten years by Norwegian guitarist Ronny Pedersen. Not considered suitable for his existing projects, the songs are a nucleus of a collaborative concept project.  … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Like An Arrow

The Best of 2016

Earache Records [Release date 15.10.16] Blackberry Smoke are back with the follow-up to last year’s ‘Holding All The Roses’, an Album of the Year selection here at GRTR! and a rare five star album from me. So no pressure then … Continue reading

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DVD review: JOURNEY – Live In Manila

JOURNEY - Live In Manila

Eagle Vision [Release date 09.09.16] Back in 2009, when this gig was filmed, vocalist Arnel Pineda was still very much the new boy.  Recorded in Pinel’s hometown of Manila in the Phillipines the sound and visual quality is excellent and … Continue reading

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Album review: CRY OF DAWN featuring Goran Edman- Cry of Dawn

(Release Date 23.09.16) In melodic rock circles, the name of Goran Edman is spoken of in hushed terms as one of the genre’s top vocalists, in a long career ranging from singing with John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen to gracing … Continue reading

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Album review: HOW WE LIVE – Dry Land (Steve Hogarth)

HOW WE LIVE - Dry Land (Steve Hogarth)

David Randall chatted to Steve Hogarth about his career in July 2014.  In this hour special, tracks include How We Live and Marillion, plus Steve’s solo work. Esoteric [Release date 26.08.16] ‘How We Live’ is an important part of the … Continue reading

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Album review: SANTANA IV – Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas

SANTANA IV - Live At The House Of Blues Las Vegas

Eagle Rock/Universal [Release date 21.10.16] 2-CD/DVD If the classic Santana III line-up only make one ‘comeback’ album we should be thankful for this year’s ‘Santana IV’.  And back in March, ahead of its release, the band played the legendary House … Continue reading

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Album review: ESP – Invisible Din (Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki)

ESP - Invisible Din (Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki)

Sunn Creative [Release date 11.11.16] ESP is an interesting collaboration as it features producer/guitarist Tony Lowe and Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki, the latter maybe not someone you’d associate with progressive rock. Tony Lowe composed all the music and Alison … Continue reading

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News: BETH HART – New album and radio interview (October 2016)

BETH HART, The Barbican, London, 8 May 2015

Pete Feenstra chatted to Beth Hart for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, first broadcast 16 October 2016.  This hour special includes tracks from the album ‘Fire On The Floor’. Photo by John Bull/Rockrpix Grammy-nominated Beth Hart … Continue reading

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News: Win AC/DC Book and Black Sabbath ‘Ultimate Collection’ (Competitions)

AC/DC - "In Full Flight"

“In Full Flight” is a limited edition 128 page photographic account of AC/DC during the years 1978-1982.  Covering the final months with Bon Scott and earliest times with Brian Johnson, the book also features relevant quotes from contemporary magazines, memorabilia, … Continue reading

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Gig review: ERJA LYYTINEN BAND – Boom Boom Club, Sutton,14 October 2016

ERJA LYYTINEN BAND – Boom Boom Club, Sutton,14 October 2016

What a difference year makes. While Finnish guitarist Erja Lyttinen is a regular visitor to these shores for festival and select clubs dates, she’s upped her game with a revamped line-up, some excellent new songs and stellar performance levels that … Continue reading

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Quick plays: FOREST FIELD, CTP (Christian Tolle Project)

FOREST FIELD - Lonely Desert

FOREST FIELD Lonely Desert Rock Company [Release date 21.10.16] Thankfully this time the band have an album cover more suited to their prog rock leanings than last year’s ‘Angels’ cover. The band is focused around Peter Cox who wrote all … Continue reading

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Album review: SERIOUS BLACK – Mirrorworld

SERIOUS BLACK – Mirrorworld

AFM Records [Release date 09.09.16] European supergroup Serious Black return with their sophomore release “Mirrorworld” less than 2 years after debut “As Daylight Breaks” hit the racks. The backbone of vocalist Urban breed, Dominik Sebastian (guitars), bassist Mario Lochert and … Continue reading

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Album review: NO POWER NO CROWN – The Wake Up Call

NO POWER NO CROWN - The Wake Up Call

One of the most energetic and entertaining live bands out of the Charlotte, NC area also happens to be one that tends to fall under the radar. They’re called No Power No Crown and they’ve been delivering their brand of … Continue reading

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Quick plays: X-CALIBER, CHRISTILLOW, HAVOC

Havoc - Back For The Kill

If I have built a reputation as a reviewer (have I?) it would be that I tend to write about the oddball and obscure bands from the past as well as homegrown talent from my area. I’ve always sought out … Continue reading

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EP review: POWER QUEST – Face The Raven

POWER QUEST - Face The Raven

Twas a sad day when Power Quest called it a day back in 2013. Main man Steve Williams joined Eden’s Curse and now in 2016 he’s brought Power Quest back after leaving Eden’s Curse amicably. Joining him are guitarist Gavin … Continue reading

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Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – s/t

Michael Armstrong

Harbour Light Music After a quick search on the website I realised I had reviewed a single by Michael Armstrong, ‘Radio Days’, which makes this debut album. This self-titled album has been available since last year via Amazon and the … Continue reading

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Album review: EDEN’S CURSE – Cardinal

AFM Records [Release date 14.10.16] Based in Scotland, Germany, Finland and Serbia, this is the band’s fifth studio album for long time label AFM Records and with two new additions – keyboardist Christian Pulkinnen and drummer John Clelland – the … Continue reading

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Album review: BAD TOUCH – Truth Be Told

BAD TOUCH - Truth Be Told

[Release date 02.12.16] Bad Touch hail from Norfolk, yet this album sounds like the Black Crowes jamming with Free. Their debut album, 2015′s ‘Half Way Home’ received rave reviews and they have built up a reputation as a fine live … Continue reading

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