Quick plays: STEVE HILL, JARED JAMES NICHOLS

STEVE HILL Solo Recordings Volume 3 No Label Records [Release date 06.10.17]

Steve Hill is a proper one-man band as his feet play bass drum, snare drum, hi-hats and with a drum stick fused to the head of his guitar, any other percussion within reach. All this and he sings and plays a mean blues guitar.

This twelve song set includes three covers including a great version of ‘Still A Fool & A Rollin Stone’. His own compositions aren’t half bad either, be it the slide infused ‘Rhythm All Over’ or the acoustic ‘Troubled Times’. Steve Hill has the talent, not only as a guitarist, singer and songwriter, but how he manages to co-ordinate his body to keep the rhythm going.

Mixing the rockier end of the blues and some sublime acoustic moments, Steve Hill has an impressive set of songs here – delve in and enjoy. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

JARED JAMES NICHOLS Black Magic Listenable Records [Release date 27.10.07]

I enjoyed Jared James Nichols debut album, 2015′s ‘Old Glory & The Wild Revival’, a right blues rock barnstormer of an album. Since then Jared James Nichols has toured extensively including appearing at the Ramblin’ Man festival and supporting the likes of ZZ Top and Zakk Wylde.

On this album he is joined by Tony Perry (son of Aerosmith’s Joe Perry) , who produces and co-wrote the album. It also features powerhouse drummers Aquiles Priester (Angra/WASP/Tony McAlpine) and Eric Sandin.

Jared James Nichols doesn’t like to overstay his welcome on any songs – only two of the ten songs on here clock in at over three minutes. In each song he packs in plenty of blues riffs, fair blasting the listener into submission on ‘Last Chance’. The throbbing bass and hand claps on ‘The Gun’ blend well into Jared’s guitar playing. An early album highlight.

Bit more variety on this one than on the debut, with the 70′s funk beat and female backing vocals on ‘Honey Forgive Me’ showing he isn’t afraid to step out of the blues rock comfort zone. Very tasty guitar solo on this one too.

Bit of up-tempo Bad Company style rock on ‘Got To Have You’ – the pounding drums a perfect accompaniment for Jared’s guitar playing. If David Coverdale ever wants a new blues based guitar slinger Jared James Nichols would be a perfect fit and he already has the hair for it!

Jared James Nichols likes his blues hard rocking and his latest album is perfect for those after a heavy dose of blues rock. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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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)