Quick plays: MURRAY McLAUCHLAN, SEAN CHAMBERS, MARK GERMINO

MURRAY McLAUCHLAN Hourglass True North Records [Release date 09.07.21]

Folk and country artist Murray McLauchlin has been recording and touring since the early 70’s. In his native Canada he is an eleven-time Juno award winning artist, received the Order of Canada, has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and is soon to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

McLauchlan began with a deeply personal series of poems and then married them to rootsy guitar licks and riffs, to create one of his most political and personal albums. Despite the gentle music on the album, songs like ‘The One Percent’ and ‘America’ really hit hard lyrically. ‘Pandemic Blues’ is a song of hope, despite the song’s title!

Throughout the album the sublime pedal steel playing by Burke Carroll is key ingredient to the album’s sound and success.

Folk meets country with pleasing results on this fine album from Murray McLauchlan. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

SEAN CHAMBERS That’s What I’m Talkin’ About Quatro Valley Records [Release date 09.7.21]

Blues/rock guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Sean Chambers pays tribute to his friend and mentor Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf’s lead guitarist) on his new album.

The album contains ten songs Chambers regularly performed during his more than four years backing up Sumlin in the late 90s and one Chambers original.

There are some serious blues guitar workouts dotted throughout the album, none more so than ‘Goin’ Down Slow’. Then there is the superlative Hammond playing of both Bruce Katz and John Ginty throughout the album. Their respective playing underpins the guitar playing of Chambers nicely. Vocally Chambers has that classic mournful blues sound, which he really shows off to good effect on ‘Sittin On Top of the World’.

A fitting tribute to Hubert Sumlin, with plenty on here to satisfy fans of traditional blues. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

MARK GERMINO Midnight Carnival Red Parlor Records [Release date 06.08.21]

Mark Germino has released several major label albums being signed to RCA and Zoo Entertainment (BMG) and his songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Kenny Chesney amongst others.

Germino is joined on this album by bassist Tom Comet, drummer Rick Lonow (Burrito Brothers), guitarist Kenny Vaughan and Michael Webb on accordion, piano, mandolin & organ. Poco’s Rusty Young guest on pedal steel on ‘Carolina In The Morning’.

This album has been a long time coming as his previous album was released back in 2006. Musically it is a good mix of Americana, folk and country, with songs like ‘Peace Train’ (loving the solo switch from accordion to guitar on this one) and ‘Ettress Rolls On’ recalling the Hooters, especially given the prominence of the accordion in the mix.

His background as a poet can be heard on ‘The Greatest Song Ever Written’. Possibly not, but still a damn fine tune!

It may have taken awhile to get to this point for Mark Germino to release his latest album but it has been worth it. Fourteen songs, plenty of variety from foot tappers through to melancholy ballads and wonderful playing from all those involved. ***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.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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 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)