BURNT OUT WRECK Swallow Cherry Red Records [Release date 24.03.17]

Gary Moat was the drummer with Scottish rockers Heavy Pettin’ and for his new band, Burnt Out Wreck, he leaves his drum kit behind to head for the mic stand. His singing with its throaty, gravelly sound recalls AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Krokus’s Marc Storace, with the band’s sound not unlike either of those bands as it is meat ‘n’ potatoes, no frills hard rock.

Obviously not taking himself to seriously Gary Moat has fun on the title track and on ‘Pullin’ It Out’. The latter has a innuendo filled lyric AC/DC would be proud of I am sure, plus there is a tasty guitar solo from Adrian Dunn. ‘Your Love (Is All I Need)’ is a heavy ballad, again the guitars of Adrian Dunn are all over this one.

It can feel a little one paced at times but overall if you are after straight ahead hard rock, with lots of guitar solos, Burnt Out Wreck are here for you. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

VARIOUS Just Go Wild Over Rock ‘N’ Roll Spectrum/Universal

A two CD, 40 song collection covering the rock ‘n’ roll output of Chess Records between 1951 and 1972. Chess was possibly better known for its R ‘n’ B output during the 50′s and 60′s, however they had some of rock ‘n’ roll’s leading lights signed to their label including Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.

It is interesting to listen to the originals on here like Dale Hawkins’ ‘Suzie Q’, covered since by the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Susie Quatro amongst others. How the songs have such a sparse production and sound, yet still sound vibrant some sixty years later. Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry feature heavily as you’d expect and Berry’s risqué 1972 hit ‘My Ding-A-Ling’ rounds off the collection. Most of the big Chuck Berry hits are on here too like ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘No Particular Place To Go’.

A good collection as any to start with if you don’t have any of the early rock ‘n’ roll tunes in your collection. Well illustrated CD booklet and informative notes by Russell Beecher make for a good all round package. All hail rock ‘n’ roll! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

SOUND OF THE SIRENS For All Our Sins

DMF Record [Release date 26.05.17]

Sound of the Sirens – Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood – release this their debut album having garnered praise for their music from the likes of BBC Radio 2′s Chris Evans and Jeremy Vine. They have also been busy on the live front playing their own headline shows as well as the Isle of Wight festival and supporting 80′s pop star Rick Astley.

Sound of the Sirens mix folk, country and pop influences with ease, and with their harmonious voices you can see why they are popular on radio. Songs like ‘Smokescreen’ and ‘Mr. Wilson’ are made for daytime radio or TV dramas. That’s not meant as a slight, merely that they have an uncanny knack of melding a catchy melody around a serious lyric, like ‘Smokescreen’ which deals with darkness others create and how to turn this around to something more focussed and positive. They deal with mental health on the moving ‘The Voices’, where they delve into an almost Two Tone/ska beat for much of the song.

It is a relatively short album clocking in at just over thirty minutes, however Sound of the Sirens pack a lot of music and thought into their songs in this time. Highly recommended. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

ANNA COOGAN The Lonely Cry of Space and Time

Anna Coogan has released a couple of albums prior to this one and also been a member of alt-country band North 19. Anna Coogan sings and plays guitar on all the songs, as well as writing them all with a few co-writes and is joined by Willie B (Brian Wilson) on drums and Moog bass. There are a coupe of other guest musicians including JD Foster, who has worked with many artists including Lucinda Williams and Dwight Yoakum.

An album that is certainly of the moment, with her take on the current political climate and she has a phenomenal vocal range. Listening to ‘Sylvia’ and ‘Burn For You’, she shows her love of opera and recalls Kate Bush in her late 70′s/early 80′s pomp. Musically it includes some alt country she is known for, but adds in more variety such as the dance beat on ‘Meteor’. Then there is the cinematic feel on the guitar instrumental ‘Last Exit’, proving not only is she a great singer but is no slouch when it comes to well crafted and memorable guitar playing.

Not an easy listen at times, however that’s more down to personal taste and fans of her previous music will enjoy her new musical adventures on this album. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

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

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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 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.

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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)