Monthly Archives: December 2021

Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

The gig was in the upstairs portion of Academy, which is more intimate than the main ground floor venue and provided for a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Something Piston appeared to thrive on. Their short, powerful set was packed with crowd … Continue reading

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Book review: On Track…ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 03.12.21] After a highly readable book on Queen a couple of years ago Sonicbond now publish a book based on my other all-time favourite band the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Wisely Barry Delve focusses solely on … Continue reading

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EP review: THIRD LUNG – Dialogues Of The Fatal Few

Third Lung

Facebook [Release date 26.11.21] We enjoyed Reading four piece Third Lung’s 2019 EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ here at Ritchie towers and I was delighted to read they have a new EP out. The EP is a compilation of singles, plus … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING – October Is Marigold

DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING - October Is Marigold

Noisy Records [Release date 03.12.21] David Cross releases fine instrumental music via his own Noisy Records imprint. Cross was with King Crimson in the 1970s whilst Keeling has scored new versions of the band’s repertoire.  You’d expect that their music … Continue reading

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Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to Christmas (rock) Music

Jethro Tull - The Christmas Album

Christmas comes but once a year, and with it the usual mixed bag of toons.  But not for us the familiar stylings of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ or ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’.  We like to dig deep, a bit like … Continue reading

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Album review : STAHLMANN – Quarz

stahlmann quarz cover

AFM Records [release date: 10.12.21] 7th album from German band, Stahlmann. When Rammstein released their first album, in 1995, the German music press coined a new phrase, Neue Deutsch Harte. NDH became a cutting edge calling card for other bands … Continue reading

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Album review: MERCURY X – Imprisoned

mercury x

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] In straddling the border between Progmetal and Symphonic Rock, Swedish band, Mercury X have staked out a fertile chunk of territory. This is their debut album (excluding two independent releases). It remains to be seen if … Continue reading

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News: The Best of 2021 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers choose their Top Albums of the Year

The Best of 2021

2021 has been another horrendous year for live music,  largely silenced by the coronavirus pandemic. In August, live events in the UK started cautiously with several festivals and, with restrictions lifting for smaller venues, some semblance of live music returned … Continue reading

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EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

Website [Release date 03.12.21] Roly Witherow is a prolific and acclaimed composer in the world of film, theatre and TV. Roly released his debut album ‘Ballads and Yarns’ in 2020, which he now follows-up with this new five-track EP. Roly … Continue reading

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Gig review: FISH – Cambridge Junction, 18 November 2021

FISH – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 15 December 2017

After four decades, four studio albums with Marillion and eleven solo albums it’s drawing close to Fish winding down a long and storied musical career that has seen the towering Scotsman touch the hearts of countless thousands around the globe. … Continue reading

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Album review: JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Live at Saffron Hall

JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Live at Saffron Hall

Facebook [Release date 19.11.21] James White & The Wild Fire formed in 2020 and musically are a blend of country, bluegrass, indie and Americana, hailing from Saffron Walden, Essex. The group consists of James White (vocals and guitar), Brooke Bond … Continue reading

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Gig review: KIP WINGER – The Black Heart, Camden, London, 27 November 2021

KIP WINGER- The Black Heart, Camden, London, 27 November 2021

Kip Winger’s acoustic shows in London at the much missed Borderline became the stuff of legend with their mixture of intimate songs and storytelling and fan participation. They even achieved the ultimate accolade of being a numbered series, so this … Continue reading

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Album review: DEEP PURPLE – Turning To Crime

DEEP PURPLE - Turning To Crime

earMusic [Release date 26.11.21] The rock legends’ 22nd studio album and it comes only a year after the critically acclaimed Whoosh (one of the band’s best albums in their 50+ years). Clearly at a loose end or two during the … Continue reading

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