Monthly Archives: March 2017

Album review: C-SIDES – We Are Now

Posted on March 31, 2017 by alanjones

White Knight Records [Release date: 14.03.17] Back in the day there was a TV comedy series called ‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width’ and it’s a maxim that applies to so much of what passes for progressive rock these … Continue reading →

Gig review: HOLY HOLY – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 30 March 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by jason

“He’s fucking sacked us,” Spiders bass player, Trevor Bolder, was seen to mouth when David Bowie announced at the Hammersmith Odeon in October 1973 that it would be the final Ziggy show ever. Tragically, like Bowie, Bolder and his former … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged David Bowie, gig, glam, Glenn Gregory, Heaven 17, Holy Holy, James Stevenson, Mick Ronson, review, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Spiders From mars, Tony Visconti, Trevor Bolder, Woody Woodmansey | Leave a comment

Interview: TIM ARNOLD

Posted on March 31, 2017 by jason

Tim Arnold has just released a new single ‘Change’ and here we catch-up with Tim to learn more about the single’s video that features mime artist Lindsay Kemp, plus his musical plans for the coming months. How did you get to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged Change, interview, Kate Bush, Lindsay Kemp, music, pop, singer songwriter, Tim Arnold | Leave a comment

Album review: COLIN HARPER – Titanium Flag (Remastered & Expanded Edition)

Posted on March 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square Records [Release date 24.04.17] The sad thing about this album is that most punters will be drawn in primarily by Track 3 which features legendary Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman. In fairness, back in 2010 when this was released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, ambient, Andy Roberts, Colin Harper, Cormac O'Kane, Focus, folk, instrumental, Jan Akkerman, jazz, Liverpool Scene, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Phil Shiva Jones, Premik Russell Tubbs, Quintessence, review, Titanium Flag | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Roundhouse, London, 28 March 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Davoski

I was already a fan of this band’s eclectic mix of blues, hard rock, boogie and country before seeing one of their gigs. Afterwards, I was ready to declare them my new favourite live act. Excellent show. That said, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 28 March 2017, Blackberry Smoke, Charlie Starr, gig, Like An Arrow, live, review, Roundhouse, Whippoorwill | Leave a comment

Gig review: JFK BLUE – Old Finchleians, London, 26 March 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by petefeenstra

JFK Blue is a new band on the rock/blues circuit and tonight they take a step up by opening for the Stevie Nimmo Trio at the new ‘Spirit of the Torrington’ club at the Old Finchleians, Finchley. They immediately remind … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, Chris Elliott, gig, Iago Banet, JFK Blue, Les Victor, Paul Blount, Paul Kossoff, review, Robert Cray, rock, Rough Round The Edges, Sol Ezra, Stevie Nimmo, The Allman Brothers, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

Album review: ALBERT HAMMOND – In Symphony

Posted on March 30, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG Rights Management [Release date 16.06.17] Albert Hammond’s ‘In Symphony’ is an impressive reminder of the durability of orchestral pop. It’s a glance back to the late 60′s, when seamlessly orchestrated melodic pop was given precedence by the likes of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Albert Hammond, album, Boston Pops Orchestra, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, George Martin, Henry Mancini, In Symphony, John Barry, London Voice Choir, Lounge Music, Manuel Ponce, orchestra, Ork-Pop, review, Richard Harris, Rob Mathes, Scott Walker, singr, songwriter, The London Session Orchestra, The Trinity School Boys Choir | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE WEEKS, ABEL RAISE THE CAIN, HAPPYNESS

Posted on March 30, 2017 by jason

THE WEEKS Easy Lightning Rod Records [Release date 07.04.17] The Weeks have been around since 2006 and they consist of Cyle Barnes (vocals), Samuel Williams (guitar/vocals), Cain Barnes (drums) and Damien Bone (bass). They have toured with the likes of Kings Of Leon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Abel Raise The Cain, album, alternative, Easy, For Strangers Only, HAPPYNESS, indie, Kings Of Leon, Mercury Rev, review, rock, southern rock, the Weeks, Write In | Leave a comment

EP review: DAVE HANSON – Live!

Posted on March 30, 2017 by jason

www.davehansonmusic.co.uk Six String Social Records [Release date 31.03.17] Dave Hanson was the guitarist with folk pop band the Dunwells and he’s now gone solo, releasing his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Almost Horizontal’ last year. Less than a year later he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, Dave Hanson, EP, guitarist, interview, live, reggae, review, Santana, singer songwriter, soul, The Dunwells | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALBERT HAMMOND Album Launch Party – Regent Street Cinema, London, 29 March 2017

Posted on March 29, 2017 by petefeenstra

The swish surrounding for the official launch of Albert Hammond (OBE)’s new ‘In Symphony’ orchestral album is everything you might expect for a singer songwriter who has enjoyed 30 chart-topping hits in various pop, r&b, country, adult contemporary and Latin … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Albert Hammond, Album Launch, Aswad, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, gig, In Symphony, interview, Johnnie Walker, Julio Iglesias, Leapy Lea, Leo Sayer, Mike Hazelwood, Pipkins, review, Rob Mathes, songwriter, Starship, The Hollies, Willie Nelson | Leave a comment

Album review: MALCOLM HOLCOMBE – Pretty Little Troubles

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Gypsy Eyes Music [Release date 26.05.17] As a co-reviewer pointed out to me, I have previously reviewed an album by ‘old soul and modern day southern blues poet’ Malcolm Holcombe back in 2011 (To Drink To The Rain). But, falling … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, country, folk, Malcolm Holcombe, Pretty Little Troubles, review, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HARROW FAIR, OH SUSANNA

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

HARROW FAIR Call To Arms Roraing Girl Records [Release date 19.05.17] Deploying that now familiar White Stripes, unaccompanied two piece modus operandi, Canadian duo Miranda Mulholland and Andrew Penner let loose a kick drum fuelled debut laced with rootsy guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Girl In Teen City, acoustic, album, Call To Arms, country, folk, Harrow Fair, Oh Susanna, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Suzie Ungerleider | Leave a comment

Album review: AIMEE MANN – Mental Illness

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SuperEgo/Membran [Release date 31.03.17] Not exactly an uplifting title for an album? But then Aimee Mann’s never exactly been what you might call a happy singer, or a “heaven is a place on earth” composer. No, Aimee was born looking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged acoustic, Aimee Mann, album, Mental Illness, pop, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: L.A. GUNS – The Islington Academy, London, 25 March 2017

Posted on March 28, 2017 by jason

Having recently reunited after a ten year break, L.A. Guns vocalist Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns have just finished a UK tour which found the still popular band rolling back the years and sounding as good, and fresh, as they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, glam, Islington Academy, L.A. Guns, Phil Lewis, review, rock, sleaze, Tracii Gunns | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIKE + THE MECHANICS Album Launch Party – The Imperial, London, 28 March 2017

Posted on March 28, 2017 by petefeenstra

What are we to make of this Mike + The Mechanics album launch party on the back of a nearly completed UK tour and a recent high profile Royal Albert Hall date? The answer is probably that the band wish … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries | Tagged Andrew Roachford, Crowded House, gig, Let Me Fly, Mike And The Mechanics, Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack, Paul Young, review, rock, The Eagles, Tim Howar, unplugged | Leave a comment

Album review: BERNIE TORME – Dublin Cowboy

Posted on March 28, 2017 by jason

Retrowrek Records [Release date 07.04.17] Bernie Torme I first came across via his days in Gillan and loving the band’s performance of ‘New Orleans ‘ on ‘Top Of The Pops’. Then I didn’t really take much notice of his solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Bernie Torme, blues, Dublin Cowboy, Gillan, GMT, guitar, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: ALAN REED – Honey On The Razor’s Edge

Posted on March 27, 2017 by alanjones

White Knight Records [Release date: 14.03.17] You can take the boy out of Pallas but you can’t take Pallas out of the boy… Alan Reed, unceremoniously dumped from Scottish progsters Pallas a few years back, returns with his second studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Reed, album, Christina Booth, Honey On The Razor's Edge, Jeff Green, Magenta, Pallas, Pendragon, Progressive Rock, review, Scott Higham, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANDERSON RABIN AND WAKEMAN – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 March 2017

Posted on March 26, 2017 by david.wilson

For anyone who has seen my profile picture on the site it may come as something of a surprise to find that I was too young to appreciate Yes during their 70’s heyday. No, for me my interest was piqued … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th March 2017, 90125, Anderson Rabin and Wakeman, ARW, Chris Squire, Closer To The Edge, gig, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Jon Anderson, Lee Pomeroy, live, Louis Molino, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, review, Rick Wakeman, Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HACKETT – The Night Siren

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Yiannis

Inside Out [Release date 24.03.17] Those who were lucky enough to call themselves Genesis fans back in 1977 would most certainly think that guitarist Steve Hackett had made the worst career decision of his life by leaving the ranks of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Genesis, Nick D’Virgilio, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Steve Hackett, The Night Siren, Troy Donockley | Leave a comment

EP reviews: WAITING FOR TITOR, BEYOND RECALL, MALLEN

Posted on March 24, 2017 by jason

MALLEN Jack Of Cards Mallen released their debut ‘Ignition’ back in 2015 and have toured with the likes of Motley Crue on their UK farewell dates, plus Toseland and Funeral For A Friend. This new song was produced by David … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged All Time Low, alt rock, Beyond Recall, Bring Me The Horizon, Depeche Mode, EP, hard rock, Jack Of Cards, Mallen, pop punk, pop rock, prog, reviews, rock, rock 'n' roll, Scuzz TV, Waiting For Titor | Leave a comment

Album review: DOYLE BRAMHALL II – Rich Man

Posted on March 24, 2017 by jason

Concord Music [Release date 30.09.16] Doyle Bramhall II has worked with many bands and artists including Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Roger Waters and the Tedsechi Trucks Band. ‘Rich Man’ is only his third solo album and the first since 2001 and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Concord Music, Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, r n b, review, Rich Man, soul | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDER – Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, 22 March 2017

Posted on March 23, 2017 by david.wilson

I have been a Thunder fan for more years than I care to remember, in fact I was a fan of the guys right back in the big trousered and big haired days of Terraplane, which is showing my age … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 22 March 2017, blues, Cats In Space, Clyde Auditorium, Danny Bowes, gig, Glasgow, live, Luke Morley, Paul Manzi, pop, review, Rip It Up, rock, Terraplane, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRTY WHITE BOYZ – Down And Dirty

Posted on March 23, 2017 by jason

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Release date 24.03.17] Not the classic one album band from the late 80′s featuring Earl Slick and David Glenn Eisley, this is a new band and they have a ‘z’ on the end of their name. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, DEMON, Dirty White Boyz, Down And Dirty, Escape Music, Kiss Of The Gypsy, LAWLESS, melodic, Nigel Bailey, review, rock, Tony Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: TROY REDFERN – Dirt Blues Ritual

Posted on March 23, 2017 by petefeenstra

RED7 Records [Release date 27.02.17] What’s the significance of an album title? In Troy Redfern’s hands a ‘Dirt Blues Ritual’ might be interpreted as an artistic way of life for a contemporary bluesman with a penchant for musical landscapes that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, dirt blues, Dirt Blues Ritual, dirty blues, Gary Clark Jr, Jack White, Little Hurricane, review, rock, slide guitar, The Black Keys, The Imperial Crowns, Troy Redfern | Leave a comment

Album review: ELIZA NEALS – 10,000 Feet Below

Posted on March 22, 2017 by petefeenstra

E-H Records LLC [Release date 17.02.17] Eliza Neals’ brand of rock-blues shifts from hard edged noir narratives to emotive, heartfelt and spontaneous moments that you might call blues expressionism. It’s an album full of hard hitting colourful lyrics, unique phrasing … Continue reading →