Quick plays: LUKE JACKSON, TOM TOWNSEND

LUKE JACKSON Solo, Duo, Trio First Take Records [Release date 09.02.18]

Luke Jackson has been steadily building a name for himself since his debut album ‘More Than The Boys’ was released in 2013. Indeed, he has been nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and picked up rave reviews from the press.

This live album was recorded in Canterbury last October and the set builds gradually from just Luke and his guitar, to a six song run as a trio that completes this live album. It works well and highlights the undoubted vocal and songwriting talents of Luke. Highlights include ‘Last Train/Blowin’ In The Wind’ – the segue into the Bob Dylan classic works seamlessly from Luke’s haunting tale of war – and the funky/pop vibe on ‘Is It Me?’. Proof if any was needed, that he has the ability to transcend genres with his musical ideas be it folk, blues or more straight ahead pop fuelled songs.

Luke Jackson impresses greatly on this live recording and he is certain to gain in popularity and recognition as he has the songs and talent in abundance. Impressive. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

TOM TOWNSEND Leave It Up To Me Village Records [Release date 23.02.18]

Tom Townsend plies his musical trade across the jazz, pop and soul genres, granted not your typical GRTR! listening, however he has a smooth vocal and the songs are painstakingly arranged. Take the horn filled, jazzy flavoured title track with a delicate guitar solo midway through, wouldn’t look out of place on a Jamie Calum album. Elsewhere, the upbeat ‘Good God!’ brings to mind the Spin Doctors and the mellower ‘Familiar Words’, would fit nicely onto a daytime radio playlist.

Tom Townsend releases this album on his own label, Village Records and his aim is make this label and its artists household names. A bold ambition, but he is putting in the graft via gig and has the tunes on this album to go some way to that goal. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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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 7 April 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 2 April 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


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