Album review: THE STEEL WOODS – Old News

Thirty Tigers [Release date 18.01.19]

The Steel Woods released their debut album ‘Straw In The Wind’ in 2017. ‘Old News’ (for that retro feel it is also released as a double vinyl) sees the band’s main songwriters Wes Bayliss (vocals, guitars) and Jason ‘Rowdy’ Cope (guitars) joined by the rhythm section of drummer Jay Tooke and bassist Johnny Saunton in the song writing duties.

Wes Bayliss has that classic slow, drawling vocal that makes southern rock/country so fine. He pours plenty of emotion into ‘Wherever You Are’, backed by fine guitar playing and a groove filled rhythm. Their version of Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’ is another stand out. There are six covers out of the fifteen songs on the album, however they give each one their own unique touch and they all fit well with the overall sound of their original music.

The title track is a song of hope, again the singing is a stand out, along with the guitars. Totally different is the upbeat bluegrass of ‘Anna Lee’, a real toe tapper, whilst ‘Rock That Says My Name’ is a six minute musical manifesto that sets out what the Steel Woods do – southern rock with a distinct country air.

They pay homage to four of their musical heroes that have passed including a simply stunning version of Tom Petty’s ‘Southern Accents’. The others are Greg Allman via ‘Whipping Post’, Wayne Mills’s ‘One Of These Days’ and Merle Haggard on ‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’.

The Steel Woods have set 2019′s bar very high for southern rock/country rock with ‘Old News’, a glorious set of songs that carry on the spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. ****

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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 6 October 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 8 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)