Quick plays: KATE VARGAS, TRICK OR TREAT, CRAIG CARDIFF

KATE VARGAS For the Wolfish & Wandering Bad Reputation

This is Kate Vargas’s third album, released last year, and she has recently launched a Crowdfunding campaign to finance her next album. Her press bio has her down as a reformed wild child, now more into yoga and making music.

Pick of the album is the plaintive ‘November’ that closes the album and ‘Come Join The Show’, which features mesmerising percussion throughout. Her vocals take some plays to get used to. They are fine on the slower numbers but not appealing to this listener on some of the more upbeat songs.

It has its moments, however, it lacks any truly memorable songs and it does need that certain something to help her stand out of the musical crowd. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

TRICK OR TREAT The Unlocked Songs Scarlet Records [Release date 21.05.21]

Trick Or Treat are hard at work on their next studio album but until then they have this treat for fans, an album of unreleased songs, B-sides and a cover version.

Alessandro “Alle” Conti (he also fronts Twilight Force and designed the album’s artwork!) has the perfect vocals for Trick Or Treat’s brand of melody friendly, Euro metal. Be it on the operatic refrains of ‘Dragonborn – Skyrim’ or the galloping power metal of ‘Human Drama (Down Into Pain)’.

For fans there is the band’s 2004 demo ‘Like Donald Duck’ (maybe not their finest moment!), a live version of ‘I’m Alive’ and a cover of the Misfits ‘Scream’, power metal style.

The band have possibly been hindered from being more well known in power metal circles as they have been on a variety of record labels, although hopefully Scarlet Records will be able to get their name and music known more. Certainly enough on here to keep the band’s fans entertained until their new album is unleashed. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

CRAIG CARDIFF All This Time Running True North Records [Release date 14.05.21]

‘While All This Time Running’ is his first album of new material in six years, Craig Cardiff has independently released a staggering total of 25 albums and EPs since his debut release in 1997. Not a name I had come across before, however, he has won a number of awards in his native Canada. Indeed the first single, ‘Yellowknife’, has already received a nomination for Canadian Folk Music Award for Single of the Year.

‘Emm & May’ and ‘Decorated’ tread a path not a million miles away from Hootie & the Blowfish, whilst ‘Wyoming’ is one of those songs that is a delight to hear first time and on each subsequent play. Cardiff’s soothing vocals hit the spot on this one.

In addition to the album’s eleven songs there are six bonus songs, including a cover of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Don’t Give Up’. To be fair it is possibly the weakest song on here as he sings both vocal parts and a duet with a female singer would have suited it better. Still at least he has made his own version of the song. ‘Moon (Big Band Version)’ more than makes up for that though, making for an uplifting and stirring end to the album.

Another fine Canadian musical export and this album is perfect for that evening wind down listen. ***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.

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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 1 December 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 3 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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