Yearly Archives: 2021

Album review: BONFIRE – Roots

bonfire roots400

AFM Records [Release date 26.02.21] Bonfire‘s continued popularity and success confounds critics, of the genre at least, if not the band. And you could hardly describe each new album as a reinvention. They have constantly returned to their home territory … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: LESZEK CICHONSKI AND FRIENDS – Thanks Jimi Symphonic

Ledzek Cichonski And Friends - Thanks Jimi Symphonic

Pete Feenstra chatted to Leszek Cichonski for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, including the background to his album, world record-breaking and the Hendrix festivals.  First broadcast 21 February 2021. Luna Music [Release date 26.06.2o] From the guitar and orchestral intro … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Feature: Collectible Collections – MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – 40th Anniversary Box Set

MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND - 40th Anniversary Box Set

Pete Feenstra chatted to Manfred Mann for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio with tracks from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.  First broadcast 23 February 2021. Creature Music (2011) The rather large parcel dropped off at GRTR! Towers was like Christmas come … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Collectible Collections, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: MAXIMO PARK – Nature Always Wins

MAXIMO PARK – Nature Always Wins

PIAS, Prolifica [Release date 26.02.21] Maximo Park have been around since 2001, now releasing their seventh album ‘Nature Always Wins’. Although I had heard of Maximo Park I had not heard much by them and that I have swiftly rectified … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: EVERGREY – Escape Of The Phoenix

Evergrey-Phoenix

AFM Records [Release date 26.02.21] Evergrey, led by the formidably talented writer/producer/guitarist/vocalist, Tom Englund, are now on their 12th album. Escape Of The Phoenix once again revisits the band’s idea of adult contemporary metal. It’s a dark, sinewy sound, braced … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: JOSEPH WILLIAMS – Denizen Tenant

JOSEPH WILLIAMS – Denizen Tenant

The Players Club/Mascot Records [Release date 26.02.21] Toto’s Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams both release solo albums on the same date and label, with both artists including a few cover versions on their respective albums. Joining Joseph Williams on his … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: TOMMY BOLIN – Shake The Devil The Lost Sessions

TOMMY BOLIN - Shake The Devil The Lost Sessions

Cleopatra Records [Release date 12.02.21] As Dave Thompson’s notes make clear, based on a recent interview with Tommy Bolin’s brother Johnnie, the latest “lost sessions” have been something of a holy grail amongst fans. After Bolin’s premature death in December … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – I Found The Sun Again

STEVE LUKATHER - I Found The Sun Again

Mascot [Release date 26.02.21] We are being spoilt.  Neal Schon’s album slipped out before Christmas and is one of his best.  The earliest indication of Luke’s forthcoming album was a Lockdown video ‘Run To Me’.  It was entertaining if not … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…UFO (Every Album, Every Song) by Richard James

On track...UFO (Every Album, Every Song) by Richard James

Sonicbond Publishing [Release date 26.02.21] It was a sad day when UFO announced their ‘Last Orders’ tour in 2018, even sadder when a couple of weeks after the UK leg long-standing keyboard/guitar player Paul Raymond died of a heart attack.  … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ELECTRIC BLUES MATES – Electric Blues Mates

Electric Blues Mates

Timezone [Release date 18.12.20] Given the recent number of lockdown and remotely recorded albums, ‘Electric Blues Mates’ is by no means a unique project.  But when it comes down to the spirit of cooperation, focus, intensity and sheer exuberance, this … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS – Oh! You Pretty Things Glam Queens And Street Urchins

oh you pretty things

Cherry Red [Release date 26.02.21] Oh! You Pretty Things is a 3 disc, 66 track Glam (and more) boxfest, which disappointingly, despite its title, doesn’t feature the late David Bowie song. And ironically, nothing from Hermans Hermits, who turned it … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: IVY GOLD, BLACK PISTOL FIRE

IVY GOLD - Six Dusty Winds

IVY GOLD Six Dusty Winds A1 Records/Golden Ivy Records [Release date 12.03.21] Ivy Gold is built around singer Manou and guitarist Sebastian Eder (Avalon). Rounding out Ivy Gold are drummer Tal Bergman (Joe Bonamassa, Billy Idol, Rod Stewart, Simple Minds, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SCARDUST – Strangers

SCARDUST - Strangers

M-Theory Audio [Release date 30.11.20] Progressive Rock’s most famous unknown band, Scardust, released their second album, Strangers, to widespread critical acclaim in November last year. It was an unauspicious time to be releasing new product. Consequently, the label has “re-released” … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: NINEBARROW – A Pocket Full Of Acorns

NINEBARROW – A Pocket Full Of Acorns

www.ninebarrow.co.uk [Release date 05.03.21] Ninebarrow – the duo of Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere – were planning to carry on their impressive and relentless series of gigs up and down the country last year. Of course the pandemic put paid … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : KREEK – Kreek

KREEK - Kreek

Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] Debut album from Kreek, a new band built around ex Bigfoot vocalist, Antony Ellis. It’s produced by Night By Night & Passion vocalist/guitarist, Dan Rosall. It’s surprising that this one got past Frontiers generally on-the-ball quality … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN PAUL KEITH – The Rhythm of the City

JOHN PAUL KEITH - The Rhythm of the City

Wild Honey Records [Release date 19.02.21] The over-riding descriptor of John Paul Keith’s fifth solo album is, “Vintage”. With twelve years’ experience as part of the Memphis music scene, plugging away as a session player and live act, there is … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN – The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest

ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN - The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest

InsideOut Music [Release date 26.02.21] There is no doubt that some of the best music is made as a result of emotional adversity.  This explains why we cannot, perhaps, expect any great emotional pull from aged rockers who are more … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HOLD STEADY – Open Door Policy

THE HOLD STEADY – Open Door Policy

Thirty Tigers [Release date 19.02.21] The Hold Steady return to action with eighth album which as vocalist Craig Fin explains – “This album was written and almost entirely recorded before the pandemic started, but the songs and stories explore power, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book review: OFF THE CHARTS by KAT GOLDMAN

Off The Charts

  Sutherland House [Publication date 09.02.21] Canadian singer songwriter Kat Goldman has made four critically acclaimed albums and her songs have been covered by Grammy-nominated band, The Duhks, Dar Williams, among many others. I will be honest I had not … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: RADAR – Lost In The Atlantic

RADAR – Lost In The Atlantic

Escape Music [Release date 19.02.21] Escape Music have a knack of uncovering long lost albums, or in the case of Radar, one that has never had a proper release until now. Radar was formed in 1981 by David West (keyboards, … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : GEORGE LYNCH & JEFF PILSON – Heavy Hitters

GEORGE LYNCH & JEFF PILSON - Heavy Hitters

Cleopatra Records [Release date 15.01.21] Two of Dokken’s original members who left and developed into marquee names themselves are guitarist, George Lynch and bass player/vocalist, Jeff Pilson. The prediction that all rock bands will eventually do a covers’ album might … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLY VENABLE – Heart Of Fire

ALLY VENABLE - Heart Of Fire

Ruf Records [Release date 26.02.21 ] I chatted to Ally when she toured with Blues Caravan in the autumn of 2019 when it was evident she was a sassy, talented performer from Texas.  And very young!  This gig was a … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : DURBIN – The Beast Awakens

Durbin

Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] By spinning a fourth place finish on American Idol into 4 solo albums and a stint fronting Quiet Riot, singer/guitarist James Durbin clearly had more than TV celebrity on his side.The Beast Awakens is the next … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: INGLORIOUS- We Will Ride

INGLORIOUS- We Will Ride

Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.02.21] It has been a rocky road for Inglorious since they burst onto the scene as one of the great hopes of classic rock. For a while their huge potential, not least in the powerful vocals … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EP review: TEMPERANCE – Melodies Of Green And Blue

TEMPERANCE - Melodies Of Green And Blue

Napalm Records [Release date 19.02.21] Italian melodic metal band Temperance have been around since 2013, releasing their latest studio album ‘Viridian’ last year. They also feature three vocalists, namely Alessia Scolletti, Michele Guaitoli and Marco Pastorino (although he is credited … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment