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Yearly Archives: 2019
Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 11 November 2019
The latest incarnation of Steve Hackett’s “Genesis Revisited” tour swept into Liverpool’s iconic, Eric Gill-inspired, Philharmonic Hall on an absolutely filthy November evening – not that it deterred a single one of the Hackett cognoscenti who filled the hall to … Continue reading
Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks
BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, best of, classic rock, dance, Franz Ferdinand, pop, quirky, review, rock, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop
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Gig review – HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 1, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 7 November 2019
Day one proper of the HRH festivities found a change to the set up in the main arena following the awards ceremony. A VIP section had been placed directly in front of the main stage pushing back the main public barrier. This meant the vibe definitely changed from the previous day from one of frivolity and … Continue reading
News: CANCER ON THE ROCKS – charity gig at Bush Hall, London features Romeo’s Daughter, Piston and others (23/24 November 2019)
Cancer On The Rocks, a two day festival in aid of Macmillan and The Royal Marsden Hospital, takes place for the first time this year in London at Bush Hall, 23/24 November. The brainchild of Skyfire Records’ Rick Palin, … Continue reading
Gig review: MASON HILL/Keylock/Cormac Neeson – The Black Heart, Camden, London, 5 November 2019
While classic rock may no longer sit in the mainstream, the contemporary scene has continuously been improving and is now arguably at its healthiest for many years, helped by sympathetic radio stations and websites (or both in GRTR!’s case!) This … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Aaron Keylock, classic rock, Cormac Neeson, gig, James Bird, Jonnie Hodson, Keylock, Mason Hill, Scott Taylor, THE ANSWER
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Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins
BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, Christo Haydon, dance, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, pop, quirky, review, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop, Techno
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Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream
Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading
Album review: MOLLY HATCHET – Battleground
SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 29.11.19] Formed in the early 70s by guitarists Steve Holland and Dave Hlubek, Molly Hatchet released their eponymous debut on Epic in 1978, and were at the forefront of the second wave of Southern Rock. Inspired by … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Battleground, Bobby Ingram, classic rock, Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubek, live, Molly Hatchet, review, rock, southern rock
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Gig review: SARI SCHORR – Water Rats, London, 4 November 2019
2019 has been something of a breakthrough year for powerful blues rocker Sari Schorr. The New Yorker began the year with a prestigious Blues Week slot at the 100 Club then as a very well matched support for King King. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Ash Wilson, blues rock, gig, Jon Amor, Sari Schorr, Stevie Watts
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Album review: BUCK AND EVANS – Write A Better Day
Departure Records [Release date 15.11.19] Buck And Evans have called themselves a rock and soul band, but they also embrace a palpable West coast feel, especially so on Sally Ann Evans more introspective moments which recall Christine McVie. Then there’s … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, blues, Bob Richards, Buck And Evans, Chris Buck, Christine McVie, Dominic Hill, Fleetwood Mac, funk, guitar, Lindsey Buckingham, psychedelia, review, rock, Sally Ann Evans, Stevie Nicks, vocal, West Coast, Write A Better Day
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Gig review: HRH AWARDS 2019 – Great Yarmouth, 6 November 2019
For 13 years HRH has seen some of the finest bands and singers in the rock world grace its stages. This will be the third time that the HRH Awards have been held prior to the main event with a … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 6th November 2019, Chic, gig, Great Yarmouth, Hard Rock Hell, HRH, HRH Awards, Inglorious, Johnny Davies, Killcode, Liberty Lies, live, Massive Wagons, Mike Monroe, review, Spidervayne, The Quireboys, Toby Jepson, Twister, Wayward Sons
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Quick plays: WILDWOOD KIN, PAMELA SUE MANN, CATTLE & CANE, CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND
WILDWOOD KIN Wildwood Kin Silvertone/Sony [Release date 04.10.19] Alt-folkies Wildwood Kin – sisters Beth and Emillie Key, and cousin Meghann Loney follow up their 2017 debut (Turning Tides) with an altogether more ‘grown up’ sounding sophomore self-titled release. Majoring on … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, alternative, Americana, Break, Cattle & Cane, Christopher Holland, electronica, folk, Golden Hour, Navigator, Pamela Sue Mann, pop, review, Rundown, Scratches, singer, songwritrer, Wildwood Kin
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Album review: KING OF HEARTS
MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast
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Album review: RINGO STARR – What’s My Name
Universal Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] The world’s most famous drummer doesn’t need to keep bringing out new albums and could rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his past labour but no, here is a man who … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, classic rock, Colin Hay, drummer, Edgar Winter, Joe Walsh, John Lennon, Paul McArtney, review, Ringo Starr, rock, Steve Lukather, The Beatles, The Eagles, Toto, What's My Name
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Album review: EMPYRE – Self Aware
Self Release [release date 05.07.19] This is the debut album from Empyre who hail from Northampton. The band formed in 2016 and have had a run of high profile outings including featuring on ‘BBC Introducing’ and recording a session for the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, CD, Did Coles, Disturbed, Empyre, Northampton, Pearl Jam, review, rock, Self Aware
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Gig review: MARILLION – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 4 November 2019
Rightly acknowledged as one of the bands at the forefront of crowdfunding, I’m beginning to think Marillion should also be given credit as pioneers in recycling. Because whilst I’ve been a fan since Fish jumped ship 30 years ago, I … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 4 November 2019, Bridgewater Hall, gig, Ian Mosley, Manchester, Marillion, Mark Kelly, orchestra, Pete Trewavas, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery
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Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Seize The Day
Winkelrant Records [Release date 01.11.19] The Darker My Horizon are back with their third album and one that sees them produce their best album to date. The core duo of Paul Stead (lead vocals, guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars, backing … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, hard rock, melodic, review, rock, Seize The Day, the Darker My Horizon
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Album review: GRAND SLAM – Hit The Ground
Marshall Records [Release date 22.11.19] Great things should have happened for Grand Slam when they emerged in 1984 from the dust that settled after the tangled and anti-climactic end of the great Thin Lizzy, who themselves were just seeing a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, classic rock, Grand Slam, hard rock, Hit The Ground, Laurence Archer, Mark Stanway, Phil Lynott, review, rock, Stampede, Thin Lizzy, UFO
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Album review: LARRY MILLER – The Sinner And The Saint
Code7 – Big Guitar Records [Release date 06.09.19] Just given Larry Miller’s serious health issues alone, ‘The Sinner And The Saint’ double album is a remarkable achievement. Released exactly three years since his last self-titled album, it’s arguably his most … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, ballads, blues, Gary Moore, guitar, Larry Miller, review, rock, Rory Gallagher, The Beatles, The Saint And The Sinner
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Gig review: GOODBYE JUNE – Colours, Hoxton, London, 29 October 2019
There seems to be a never ending series of hirsute young bands, influenced by their parents’ record collections, coming out of the USA, and the southern states in particular. One such is Goodbye June who first appeared on my radar … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged blues rock, gig, Goodbye June, Landon Milbourn, Tom Leighton, Tyler Baker, Wolf Jaw
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Gig review: INGLORIOUS – 02 Academy, Oxford, 28 October 2019
After their much publicised line up changes 2019 has been a year of inglorious putting in the hard yards to regain career momentum. A February tour and well-received festival appearances were followed by this second tour of the year, covering … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Dan Stevens, Danny Delacruz, gig, hard rock, Inglorious, Nathan James, Phil Beaver, review, Ride to Nowhere
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Gig review: FOCUS/Chantel McGregor – Under the Bridge, London, 25 October 2019
This show in one of London’s more enjoyably upscale venues was an opportunity for me to kill two birds with one stone, as well as bringing together two contrasting acts in an interesting pairing. Chantel McGregor has been a rising … Continue reading