Yearly Archives: 2020

Album review: RORY GALLAGHER – Check Shirt Wizard – Live In ’77

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason

Chess/UMC (2CD, 3LP, 3 LP coloured vinyl) [Release date 06.03.20] Rory Gallagher is pretty much the first, last and foremost blues-rock guitarist, he was an influence on the likes of fellow Irish men Bernie Torme and Gary Moore, with the … Continue reading →

Album review: BIFF BYFORD – School Of Hard Knocks

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason

Silver Lining Music [Release date 21.02.20] One of British heavy metal’s finest icons, vocalist (and occasional bassist) Biff Byford has fronted Saxon since the mid 70s, when they were called Son Of A Bitch. And after talk of a solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, Biff Byford, classic rock, interview, metal, NWOBHM, OPETH, review, rock, Saxon, School Of Hard Knocks | Leave a comment

Album review: BYWATER CALL – Bywater Call

Posted on February 9, 2020 by petefeenstra

Gypsy Soul Records [Release date 21.11.19] Toronto is suddenly becoming a hothouse for new music with the enterprising 7 year old Gypsy Soul label at its heart. While the emphasis is on the familiar foundations of southern roots rock, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adam Hindle, album, Aretha Franklin, blues, Bywater Call, Canada, Canadian soul, Dave Branes, funk, Gypsy Soul Records, jam band, Julian Nalli, Julian Taylor Band, Meghan Parnell, New Orleans, R&B, review, rock, roots rock, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, soul, Tedeschi Trucks, The Band, Toronto, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: MARIANA SEMKINA – Sleepwalking

Posted on February 8, 2020 by alanjones

Kscope [Release date: 14.02.20] Mariana Semkina is one half of exceptional Russian “chamber prog” duo Iamthemorning whose delicate, fragile and occasionally disturbing songs have breathed new life into the quieter side of progressive music. Her long term partner in IATM, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Craig Blundell, Iamthemorning, JordanRudess, Mariana Semkina, Nick Beggs, Progressive Rock, review, Sleepwalking, Vlad Avy | Leave a comment

Album review: SAMANTHA MARTIN & DELTA SUGAR – Run To Me

Posted on February 8, 2020 by petefeenstra

Gypsy Soul Records [Release date 27.04.18] Released in Canada in 2018, but finally gaining some overdue promo in Europe now, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar’s ‘Run To Me’ is a deeply wrought album full of heartfelt lyrics (3 originals and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Canadian, Dracy Yates, funk, gospel, Muscle Shoals, R&B, review, Run To Me, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, soul, Stax | Leave a comment

Album review: HARRY CHAPIN – Live At The Bottom Line (The Bottom Line Archive)

Posted on February 7, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Store For Music [Release date 28.02.20] Harry Chapin was tragically killed some seven months after a series of gigs at New York’s legendary Bottom Line venue. In that sense, it marks a great songsmith and performer at the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 3-CD, album, expanded, folk, Harry Chapin, January 1981, Live At The Bottom Line, pop, reissue, review, singer, soft rock, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT HART – Pure

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 20.02.20] Vocalist Robert Hart sang on one of my all-time favourite albums, ‘Under The One Sky’ by The Distance, added to his solo album ‘Cries & Whispers’ is still revered in AOR circles. He has also … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, classic rock, FM, funk, Power Station, Pure, review, Robert Hart, rock, synth pop, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: THE RECORD COMPANY – Early Songs And Rarities

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jason

Snakefarm/Universal [Release date 14.02.20] (vinyl only) Such is the demand for new product from Billboard top five debuting band, The Record Company, that their old product – their “recorded in the front room” tracks, following them from the past like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Early Songs And Rarities, review, rock, roots rock, the Record Company, Vinyl | Leave a comment

Album review: GORDON GILTRAP – Woman

Posted on February 6, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Angel Air Records [Release date 28.02.20] The latest couple of Gordon Giltrap albums may appear slightly disingenuous to the hardcore fan and may even dupe the casual observer. Both Peace Will Fall and now Woman have been released without any … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, classical, compilation, folk, Gordon Giltrap, guitar, guitarist, review, Woman | Leave a comment

EP review: STONE THIEVES – Church Of The Medicine Man

Posted on February 5, 2020 by jason

3MS Music [Release date 14.02.20] Stone Thieves are a London band who have been building a solid reputation with their Americana repertoire. One might argue that the music is American rock or even Southern Rock, rather than pure Americana, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Americana, blues rock, Church Of The Medicine Man, classic rock, EP, review, rock, southern rock, Stone Thieves, The Faces, The Rolling Stones | Leave a comment

Album review: DUSTBOWL REVIVAL – Is It You, Is It Me

Posted on February 4, 2020 by jason

Medium Expectations/Thirty Tigers [Release date 31.01.20] Dustbowl Revival present their fifth album and one that sees them shift away from their original Dixieland jazz, swing and Depression-era folk songs. The band revolves around the singing talents of Z Lupetin and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Dixieland jazz, Dustbowl Revival, folk, melodic, Paul Simon, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN VERITY – Passion

Posted on February 3, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Vavoom Records [Release date 14.02.20] www.johnverity.com “A summary of my influences” is how John Verity describes his latest album in what is his 50th year as a solo artist. We saw John at Giants of Rock in January and were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Argent, blues, blues rock, Charlie, classic rock, guitar, guitarist, John Verity, Passion, Phoenix, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: BILLY LOCKETT – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, 2 February 2020

Posted on February 3, 2020 by jason

We have ventured into the Academy a few times but have never been to the more compact upstairs Academy 2, which was the venue for Billy Lockett’s show. He’s certainly taking a big step and gamble by going out on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 February 2020, acoustic, Billy Lockett, gig, live music, Mabes, melodic, Oxford, piano, pop, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – A Pilgrim’s Tale

Posted on February 3, 2020 by jason

BMG [Release date 07.02.20] The latest album from folk singer Seth Lakeman marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower setting sale from Plymouth for north America. While A Pilgrim’s Tale showcases his distinctive vocal style and delivery precisely as his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Pilgrim's Tale, album, Benji Kirkpatrick, Cara Dillon, Dr Who, folk, Mayflower, Paul McGann, Plymouth, review, Seth Lakeman, songwriter | 1 Comment

Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Coat Of Arms

Posted on February 3, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 28.02.20] I think it fair to say that, more recently, you’re not going to get a really duff album from Andy Powell and his men. Patchy maybe, but never dipping like some of the quality control in … Continue reading →

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Album review: REVOLUTION SAINTS – Rise

Posted on February 2, 2020 by jason

Frontiers (Release date 24.01.20) Frontiers Records’ AOR superhero assembly is working like a dream. The Revolution Saints – Deen (Journey) Castronovo, Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Doug (Whitesnake) Aldrich – are on their third album now, so that confirms it. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Delvecchio, Deen Castrova, Doug Aldrich, Frontiers, Jack Blades, Journey, melodic rock, Night Ranger, review, Revolution Saints, Rise, rock, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, 30 January 2020

Posted on February 1, 2020 by david.wilson

This was my first visit to the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and on arrival at the venue prior to the doors opening I was greeted with massive queues waiting to get into the sold out venue. Thankfully local boy and crack photographer Darren Griffiths was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30th January 2020, Bad Wolves, Cardiff, Dave Ellefson, Dave Mustaine, Dolores O'Riordan, F8, Five Finger Death Punch, gig, Ivan Moody, Jason Hook, Megadeth, metal, Motorpoint Arena, Peace Sells, rock, The Cranberries, Wrong Side Of Heaven, Zoltan Bathory, Zombie | Leave a comment

News: MARILLION, NICK MASON, STYX, BLUE OYSTER CULT (February 2020)

Posted on February 1, 2020 by jason

MARILLION - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 4 November 2019

Marillion release an expanded version of ‘Script For A Jester’s Tear’ on April 3 as a 4CD/Blu-ray package and on 4LP. Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets will release ‘Live At The Roundhouse’ (2LP, 2CD/DVD and Blu-ray) on April 17 through … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged Blue Oyster Cult, February 2020, Marillion, melodic rock, metal, news, Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets, rock, Styx, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014

Posted on February 1, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] “Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014” is Blue Oyster Cult’s sixth live album. Not many in a 50 year career. Maybe that’s why it’s a sumptious, 2 CD + DVD affair, housed in a sturdy gatefold … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Buck Dharma, classic rock, DVD, Eric Bloom, Frontiers, hard rock, Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014, live, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DECARLO – Lightning Strikes Twice

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] DeCarlo are Tommy DeCarlo (who has been a member of Boston since 2008) and co-founder (and son) Tommy DeCarlo Jr., along with drummer Dan Hitz. The songs have been written over a number of years, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 70's rock, album, Boston, classic rock, debut, DeCarlo, Frontiers, hard rock, Lightning Strikes Twice, melodic rock, review, Tommy Decarlo | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – High Times, Live In Italy

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Michael Thompson’s reputation as the rock world’s original “go to guitarist” is unassailable. Though none is needed, he provides ample proof of his skill and virtuosity here. And understandably cashing in his cultural stock in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, AOR, Boston, DVD, Foreigner, Frontiers, guitarist, High Times Live In Italy, Larry King, live, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, review, Soleil Moon, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20] Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian. Sons Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Billy Sheenan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Guns 'N' Roses, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic metal, metal, Mike Portnoy, MMXX, prog metal, progressive, review, Sons Of Apollo | Leave a comment

Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

SOLD ‘Empty Words’ Seemingly making quantum leaps with each new release, Estonia band Sold have really hit things out of the ballpark with ‘Empty Words’. A snarling wildcat of a song, its mix of growling male and clean female vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged False Hearts, Halestorm, Hellz, melodic metal, metal, new bands, review, singles, Sold | Leave a comment

Album review: ALUNAH – Violet Hour

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Heavy Pysch Sounds [Release date 29.10.19] Midlands four-piece Alunah show that, without doubt, you can take something primal and brutal but turn it into a thing of beauty. Their 60’s tinged doom metal follows in the footsteps of pioneers Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alunah, Black Sabbath, Doom Metal, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, metal, psychadelic, review, Violet Hour | Leave a comment

Album review: ALBERT CUMMINGS – Believe

Posted on January 28, 2020 by petefeenstra

Provogue Records [Release date 14.02.19] ‘Believe’ is Albert Cummings debut album for Provogue records. It’s a surprisingly understated affair full of quality musicianship, but a few songs short of being a definitive album. Indeed, some of the best moments are … Continue reading →