Yearly Archives: 2017

Gig review: SLAM CARTEL – Carlisle, Hastings, 27 March 2017

Posted on April 7, 2017 by jason

“It’s quite overwhelming having all these people singing these songs back at us,” lead singer, Gary Moffat, tells the audience at the Carlisle at one point during tonight’s gig. Clearly, the Kent-based hard rock outfit, Slam Cartel, have something of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27 March 2017, Carlisle, gig, Hastings, live, melodic, review, rock, Slam Cartel | Leave a comment

Album review: AS LIONS – Selfish Age

Posted on April 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Better Noise [Release date 20.01.17] We first heard As Lions when they released a four track EP featuring tracks from their forthcoming debut album. Immediately, as with the opener here ‘Aftermath’, you knew this was something special. Strong on melody, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, As Lions, Austin Dickinson, electro, pop, review, Rise To Remain, rock, Selfish Age | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL MENEL AND THE ESSENTIALS – Spare Parts For Broken Hearts

Posted on April 6, 2017 by jason

www.paulmenelessentials.co.uk [Release date 14.02.17] Paul Menel will be known to many prog rock fans as the lead singer with IQ between 1985 and 1990. However, since then and on this album in particular, he takes a few prog leanings and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, IQ, Paul Menel, Paul Menel and the Essentials, pop, prog, review, rock, Spare Parts For Broken Hearts | Leave a comment

EP Review: MARK DUDA – Month Of Sundays

Posted on April 6, 2017 by jason

www.markdudamusic.com [Release date 14.04.17] Must admit not a name I have come across before, although Mark Duda has been the frontman of New York based rockers the Handful. This solo EP features Mark Duda on vocals and guitars, joined by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Blue Oyster Cult, Cheetah Chrome, EP, Mark Duda, Month Of Sundays, punk, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Dead Boys | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO – Bush Hall, London, 5 April 2017

Posted on April 6, 2017 by jason

Alejandro Escovedo is playing his first European shows with a full band in over five years and tonight’s London show sees him roughly two thirds if the way through the tour. Support comes from his back-up band for these dates, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5 April 2017, Alejandro Escovedo, Americana, blues, Bush Hall, Don Antonio, gig, London, punk, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: PROCOL HARUM – Novum

Posted on April 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Records [Release date 21.04.17] What do you think of when you hear the words “Procol Harum”? “Whiter Shade Of Pale”? Symphonic rock, maybe? Robin Trower was in an early incarnation? Perhaps this demonstrates the band’s eclectism over 50 years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Gary Brooker, Geoff Whitehorn, jazz, Novum, Procol Harum, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAY RUSSELL 70TH BIRTHDAY SHOW – 606 Club, London, 03 April 2017

Posted on April 4, 2017 by petefeenstra

Ray Russell’s 70th birthday bash is a reminder of a bygone era when creativity, improvisation and inspiration met musical virtuosity full on, in an unfettered fashion. Tonight might be Ray’s milestone birthday, but there’s not a slack musical moment in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Billy Cobham, Bonnie Rait, Chris Biscoe, Denny McCaffrey, fusion, Geoff Castle, George Russell, gig, Gill Evans, jazz, Jazz rock, Jeff Beck, Linda Hayes, Mark Mondesir, Miles Davis, Mo Foster, Phil Hilborne, Ralph Salmins, Ray Russell, review, RMS, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

Posted on April 4, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] House Of Lords return with their eleventh studio album and a new bassist, Chris Tristram, who replaces the departing Chris McCarvill, who has been in the band since 2005. The other thing to note is that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, melodic, melodic rock, review, Robin Beck, rock, Saint Of The Lost Souls | Leave a comment

Album review: NIGHT RANGER – Don’t Let Up

Posted on April 4, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] Night Ranger, unlike many of their fellow 80′s melodic hard rock bands, have been consistently releasing new music and of a high quality. In fact for me they are one of the few bands who I … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brad Gillis, Don't Let Up, Frontiers, Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, melodic, Night Ranger, review, rock | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, C-Sides, Magenta, Progressive Rock, review, Rob Reed, We Are Now | Leave a comment

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 →