Yearly Archives: 2017

Album review: RICK WAKEMAN & TONY ASHTON – Gas Tank

Posted on February 11, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
Rick Wakeman & Tony Ashton - Gas Tank

Gonzo Multimedia [Release date 03.03.17] Where can you hear Rick Wakeman accompanying Rick Parfitt, Alvin Lee and  Phil Lynott  and – no – it’s not at the Pearly Gates.  Back in the early 1980s there was a Channel 4 TV … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – Heavy Fire

Posted on February 10, 2017 by david.wilson
BLACK STAR RIDERS – Heavy Fire

Nuclear Blast [Release date 03.02.17] This is album number three from Black Star Riders and it is an album which does what is says on the tin as the old saying goes. ‘Heavy Fire’ is the heaviest record yet from … Continue reading →

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Album review: PRIDE OF LIONS – Fearless

Posted on February 9, 2017 by andynathan
PRIDE OF LIONS - Fearless

Frontiers [Release Date 27.01.17] They come less frequently these days, with a five year gap between each of the last two albums, but a Pride of Lions album is always worth the wait, marking the return of veteran master songwriter … Continue reading →

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Album review: LIONVILLE – A World Of Fools

Posted on February 9, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.02.17] Lionville are back after an extended break (their second album came out in 2012) and they are on a new label as well. Lionville’s main man Stefano Lionetti is still on board, plus Work Of Art’s … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE OUTSIDERS UK – Everything’s Gone Vintage

Posted on February 9, 2017 by petefeenstra
The Outsiders UK - Everything

Planet Records UK [Release date 24.06.16] The Outsiders UK hail from Lancashire. They are a reformed band who after a 15 year hiatus take great delight in mining some of the best musical of influences of the early 70s’s. Originally … Continue reading →

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Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Change My Game

Posted on February 8, 2017 by petefeenstra
Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado - Change My Game

Ruf [Release date 27.01.17] Danish big band soulful blues/rockers Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado find themselves in uncharted waters with their new album ‘Change My Game’. Such was the critical acclaim of their last 2 albums, that ‘Change My … Continue reading →

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Book review: GEORGE HARRISON – I Me Mine (The Extended Edition)

Posted on February 8, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
GEORGE HARRISON - I Me Mine (The Extended Edition)

Genesis Publications [Publication date 21.02.17] It’s probably not a book you would want to take on holiday, fearing that Ryan Air would charge excess baggage.  Similarly it may break your coffee table.  But ‘I Me Mine  – The Extended Edition’ … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JONI’S SOUL – 606 Club, Chelsea, London, 6 February 2017

Posted on February 7, 2017 by petefeenstra
Gina Foster - Joni

How to approach the musical concept of ‘The Soul Of Joni Mitchell’? Firstly, find a versatile, but focussed singer like Gina Foster – her credits include Eric Clapton and Sinead O’Connor – with the requisite vocal range, an intuitive understanding … Continue reading →

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EP review: RAINBREAKERS – Rise Up

Posted on February 7, 2017 by jason

[Release date 07.04.17] Hailing from Shrewsbury, the Rainbreakers have released one EP previous to this one and have toured extensively, including garnering a rave review from GRTR! master of all things blues, Pete Feenstra, when the band supported Mountain’s drummer Corky … Continue reading →

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Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST – Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST - Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A

Inakustik [Release date 24.03.17] Surely, not another Michael Schenker live album and Bluray?  The propensity of live releases – including a focus on Japan where he remains popular -  is really a testament to Schenker’s great revival in recent years. … Continue reading →

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Singles review: STATUS QUO – The Vinyl Singles Collection 1972-1979

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
STATUS QUO - The Vinyl Singles Collection 1972-1979

UMC [Release date 10.03.17] The Quo reissue campaign continues with a set of singles covering the years 1972-1979.  We’ve already had a corresponding box set featuring that decade’s albums.  This is the first of five limited editions covering a decade … Continue reading →

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Album review: THUNDER- Rip It Up

Posted on February 6, 2017 by petefeenstra
THUNDER- Rip It Up

In this interview edit Pete Feenstra chats to Danny Bowes from Thunder  (3:10). Check out the full interview: earMUSIC [Release date 10.02.17] The claims that Thunder are bigger, better and harder than before are indeed born out by their new … Continue reading →

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News: VANGELIS 13-CD Box Set released via Universal on 3 February – win a copy! (Competition)

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
Vangelis - Delectus box set

Modern music visionary Vangelis has announced the release on 3 February of a new 13-disc box set entitled ‘Delectus,’ featuring a chosen selection of his early discographic work.  The mammoth collection will include all of his albums on Vertigo and … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BLACK SABBATH – 02 Arena, London, 31 January 2017

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Davoski
Black Sabbath - DOWNLOAD, 10-12 June 2016

Gloomy, doom-laden and portentous. And that was just the weather at North Greenwich station. A busker was smashing out ‘War Pigs’ in the ticket hall on his Gibson SG. Quite a crowd of gig-goers had gathered and he finished with … Continue reading →

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News: New website for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio launches 10 February

Posted on February 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
New website for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio launches 10 February

Friday 10 February sees the launch of an exciting new website for the internet-based radio station Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. The station was launched in late-2008 as an audible companion to the popular reviews-based website www.getreadytorock.com The station has … Continue reading →

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News: THUNDER – New album, tour and radio interview (February 2017)

Posted on February 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Melodic hard rockers Thunder release a new studio album ‘Rip It Up’ on 10 February via earMUSIC. The band’s eleventh studio album follows the successful ‘Wonder Days’ and last year’s performances at Ramblin’ Man and Steelhouse Festivals. The band ‘s … Continue reading →

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Album review: ERJA LYYTINEN – Stolen Hearts

Posted on February 4, 2017 by petefeenstra
ERJA LYYTINEN – Stolen Hearts

Tuohi Records [Release date 07.04.17] Given the rigorously defined nature of the blues scene in some people’s eyes, Erja Lyytinen probably wouldn’t thank anyone for suggesting that over the course of the last few years she’s become a beacon on a … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: CLAP YOUR HEADS SAY YEAH, MINUS THE BEAR

Posted on February 1, 2017 by jason
CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH - The Tourist

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH The Tourist [Release date 24.02.17] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY) are the brainchild of Alec Ounsworth, who writes and composes all the music, although he used a bass and drummer for the album, playing … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARCUS MALONE – A Better Man

Posted on February 1, 2017 by petefeenstra
MARCUS MALONE – A Better Man

Redline Music [Release date 30.03.17] ‘A Better Man’ is UK based, Detroit blues rocker Marcus Malone’s 8th album. And in his journey from being a West Coast Metal star, via Motown, to becoming a 5 star soulful blues/rocker , he’s … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BLUESCLUB – Eel Pie Club, Twickenham, London, 26 January 2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Davoski

I had wanted to see Robbie McIntosh play live ever since I was spellbound by his scintillating playing on The Pretender’s ‘Learning To Crawl’ album back in 1984. Tracks like ‘My City Was Gone’ and ‘Time The Avenger’ are still … Continue reading →

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News: JOHN WETTON 1949-2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In this interview extract from April 2009 John Wetton tells David Randall about his early influences, and the immediate aftermath of his departure from Asia in 1991 which led to the release of his second, and favourite, solo album ‘Battle … Continue reading →

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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 27-30 January 2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ
Steve Hackett - Giants of Rock, Minehead, January 2017

David Randall sets the scene… Giants of Rock.  Geriatrics of Rock?  It’s where we’ve ended up.  The bracing sea air, the faded resort town, the surfeit of hand-wash.   These events as much remind us of our own mortality as that … Continue reading →

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Album review: DANKO JONES – Wild Cat

Posted on January 31, 2017 by jason
DANKO JONES - Wild Cat

AFM Records [Release date 03.03.17] Danko Jones have been around since 1996 and this is the band’s eighth album. They have a good live reputation, regularly touring the UK and Europe. For me this is my first time listening to a whole album … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JUST SAY YES/ARFM MELODIC ROCK FUNDRAISER – The Spot, Derby, 28 January 2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by andynathan
VEGA - Melodic Rock Fundraiser - The Spot, Derby, 28 January 2017

From initially modest ambitions,  the ‘Just Say Yes’ fundraiser is rapidly establishing itself as a must on the festival calendar for melodic rock fans, sandwiched between Autumn’s Firefest and latterly Rockingham, and Spring’s HRH. I hugely enjoyed my first festival … Continue reading →

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Album review: GERRY JABLONSKI & THE ELECTRIC BAND – Live Trouble

Posted on January 30, 2017 by petefeenstra
GERRY JABLONSKI & THE ELECTRIC BAND – Live Trouble

Gerry Jablonski [Release date 02.12.16] The fact that Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band chose Poland to cut a live album tells you all you need to know about the relentless road work that this Scottish band have undertaken in … Continue reading →

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