Album review: EILEEN ROSE – Muscle Shoals

Holy Wreckords [Release date 17.04,20]

Looking back, I had my last encounter with Eileen Rose with the release of her third solo album, Come The Storm, a record I had down as a strong contender for my 2005 album of the year. Alt-country, what was I thinking?

Of course, much has changed somewhat in the intervening years, in particular with the re-emergence of Nashville, the rise of the Americana genre, and a new generation of musicians and singers. And following Come The Storm, Rose herself relocated to Nashville, but her subsequent releases have passed GRTR! by. Until now …

Boston born, of Italian-Irish extraction, Rose has self-produced her latest offering – a double album named after the studio where it was recorded – the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Alabama where icons like The Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Dylan, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, and The Allman Brothers (amongst others) recorded.

Side A (disc 1) comprises 9 new songs (including, of all things, a cover of King Crimson’s 1981 single ‘Matte Kudasai’), and Side B (disc 2) 10 re-recordings. All recorded with her band The Holy Wreck – Nashville veterans including Rich Gilbert (guitars and pedal steel), Chris Maclachlan (bass), and Steve Latanation (drums).

The appetite for Americana might have changed the musical landscape, but Muscle Shoals is still what I would describe as an alt-country album, with the opener ‘She’s Gone’ redolent of Van Morrison, and ‘Am I Really So Bad?’ laced with shades of Marianne Faithful.

Crimson’s ‘Matte Kudasai’ is less ethereal than Fripp’s version – here given a late Sixties Peter Green ‘Albatross’ groove, and ‘Get Up And A Little Too Loud ‘even have a ‘new wave’ vibe.

There are shades of rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, country, rock and everything in between. And that’s a theme that continues to the re-recordings, with the Dylan/Knocking On Heaven’s Door flavoured ‘Trying To Lose You’, and the Maria McKee infused ‘Stagger Home’, highlights.

The sheer breadth of styles Rose offers here (and elsewhere) perhaps explains why she fails to fit neatly into a genre, and as a result remains somewhat ‘under the radar’. A UK and Ireland tour was scheduled for April/May but now cancelled due to coronavirus. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

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 April 2025.

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 on 8 April 2025

How to Listen Live?

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

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.