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Marillion made several lists for their album releases and UK tour in 2022
Finally, in 2022, there was something like a return to normality for live music, although more latterly the economic crisis impacted on punters’ disposable income and therefore may have curtailed their usual gig-going gregariousness. In addition, the energy crisis was leaving venues with massive bills, in some cases three times their usual expenditure.
Again, we’re focusing this year on albums and predictions for breakthrough acts. News and Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie: “Due to the wide tastes of the GRTR! review team it’s sometimes difficult to come up with an overall Top 5 listing. However Marillion appeared in several lists and Brave Rival were mentioned in both album and breakthrough categories, along with Austin Gold.
We hope that this annual feature will encourage readers to check out albums or artists they are not familiar with or may have overlooked. In this respect, the listing becomes a useful reference tool and we are using our archive to revisit significant albums in connection with our 20th Anniversary during the coming year.”
Throughout December Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will be featuring Best of 2022 selections in the playlists including featured albums in the melodic rock and singer songwriter genres and this year’s “power plays”.
“The Best of 2022″ two-hour special was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on 18 December 2022
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Top Albums
1. MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark
2. GHOST Impera
3= JOE SATRIANI The Elephants Of Mars
3= SAXON Carpe Diem
3= BRAVE RIVAL Life’s Machine
Top Live Act
WHITESNAKE
Breakthrough Act 2023
1= AUSTIN GOLD
1= BRAVE RIVAL
A Year in ROCK!
JASON RITCHIE (News & Reviews Editor)
DEF LEPPARD Diamond Star Halos
Back in their melodic hard rock groove, another enjoyable album from the band.
More hooks than a torture chamber, Ghost released their most commercial and enjoyable album to date.
Rock meets country down a pop boulevard. This albums oozes class not only in the musicians involved – including former vocalists from Chicago and Rascal Flatts, but also in the strength of the songs and production.
There have been many excellent folk & roots albums this year with this one just taking spot ahead of the likes of Sam Sweeney, Dom Prag, Amy Goddard, Mike Vass, Spiers & Boden and Oysterband. One of the finest folk singers around today.
Jessica Lynn put together an acoustic set for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in 2021.
Perfect mix of country, pop and a healthy dose of rock.
Almost made it:
They are one of the most consistent bands around and this is another feast of superb progressive metal.
This is how you do classy, anthem filled hard rock.
Top Live Acts
Sadly the last one but what a send off with memorable sets from The Darkness (pictured), Bryan Adams, the Christians and Staks with Steve Winwood.
Tom Webber gets more confident each time I see him live and after seeing the Hawkmen at the Face Bar in Reading, I became a fan of their modern take on rock n roll.
A lively evening of music and stories provided a live folk masterclass from John Spiers and Jon Boden.
Breakthrough Act 2023
Couple of great singles released in the second half of this year bode well for this four piece rock band from Basingstoke. Few decent support dates next year and they will surely reap the success their music deserves.
Supporting the Portraits at Harwell Village Hall in March, he showed what a talent he is.
DAVID RANDALL (Managing Editor)
Riff-heavy throughout, a band re-energised and re-purposed with a sprinkle of Glenn Hughes fairy dust.
The band play UK dates 3-15 December.
JOE SATRIANI The Elephants Of Mars
Still at the top of his game, groove-laden and song-based. Once again a wholly instrumental guitar album is sustained by Satriani’s good taste and melody.
Satriani plays UK dates in May 2023.
MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark
Less “political” than its predecessor, although affected by the pandemic, Marillion return with a sumptuous album full of lusciousness and loveliness.
David Randall chatted to Timothy B.Schmit for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio discussing his career with Poco and The Eagles and the album ‘Day By Day’. First broadcast on 3 July 2022.
In a different age this would garner mainstream radio play and big sales. As it is, a decidely low key release from Eagles bassist/vocalist. Superbly retro, romantic, and really rather good.
David Randall chatted to Chuck Wright about his career and including tracks from the new album. First broadcast on 12 June 2022.
Marvellous contributions from vocalist Whitney Tai and some erudite musicianship throughout in mainly rock fusion mode and all marshalled by sometime Quiet Riot bassist/songwriter.
Almost made it…
After a long hiatus, female-fronted prog rockers return with engaging fourth studio album.
DAN REED NETWORK Let’s Hear It For The King
Disappointing that the band’s UK tours were repeatedly cancelled this year, as it seemed Dan prioritised film work. One of their best albums, possibly even edging their formative works.
David Randall chatted to Vinnie Moore for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from UFO and his solo albums. First broadcast Sunday 11 December.
50/50 vocal and instrumental, great follow-up to previous ‘Soul Shaker’, and demonstrating further that Vinnie has a life away from U.F.O. Readers should also check previous albums, especially 2009′s ‘To The Core’.
KRIS BARRAS BAND Death Valley Paradise
Really strong offering from the bluesy rocker which would give some arena-packing bands a run for their money. Consistent, gritty and memorable. Carch them on an extensive headlining tour in January/February 2023.
Breakthrough Act 2023
There are a healthy handful of hopefuls this year, but my money is on:
AUSTIN GOLD – mature, pop sensibilities grafted on to a mean riff or two when necessary and a fine return this year with ‘Those City Lights’. They were Breakthrough Act 2017 in our popular poll.
Honourable mentions to COLLATERAL (Breakthrough Act, 2019) and WOLF MOON who released an excellent album ‘How Do You See Yourself’. BRAVE RIVAL must also be contenders. Pete Feenstra’s choice in 2019. And not forgetting THE KUT, pure visceral rock referencing classic proto-punk female bands such as The Runaways and Girlschool.
Pete Feenstra chatted to Kelly Lethbridge and Jimmy Owen (Wolf Moon) with tracks from the album ‘How Do You See Yourself. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio
Top reissue
A great repackaging of their underrated 1991 album which could be called “transitional” before they got a bit more courageous. The ominously entitled ‘Brave’ followed, and so eventually did band autonomy.
Buyers should note that all the contemporaneous bonus tracks appeared on the 1998 2-CD which was 24 bit mastered. This version knocks that in to touch with a 48 bit and 5.1 mix. Whilst it’s a shame we’ve waited two decades for a definitive version, the addition of live recordings, videos, and a making of delivers the complete package.
Melodic Rock Album of the Year
ANDY NATHAN (Melodic Rock Editor)
Top Albums
1 CATS IN SPACE Kickstart The Sun
The seventies revivalists finest moment yet, an ambitious double album with Damien Edwards voice soaring, and the epic pomp elements dialled up.
The band round off 2022 with gigs 16-18 December in Swansea, Milton Keynes and London..
A perfect blend of the classic AOR of the debut and subsequent celtic-themed atmospherics, with Darren Wharton’s wonderfully warm vocals, made for their best album in a long while.
In this two hour special, David Randall chats to Dare’s Darren Wharton following his story from Thin Lizzy to the present and with a track from each of Dare’s albums. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.
Those fearful for the Swedes future after Erik Gronwall’s departure need not have worried with a brash, anthemic album in which returning singer Kenny Lekremo showed a surprisingly heavy side.
Journey, Chicago and Rascal Flatts members turn out a classy, if uneven, album that blends west coast AOR and country pop with some superb vocal arrangements.
A real grower with Gary Hughes’ songwriting at its best and an improved production making this their most satisfying album in some time.
Breakthrough Act 2023
In these troubled times, expect people to hanker after familiar, good time comforts. In which case both the USA’s Dirty Honey, who made quite an impression last year, and the very promising home grown The Karma Effect will please many with their blend of the Black Crowes, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.
Having finally progressed to headline status, a third album from Those Damn Crows early in 2023 should see them consolidate as a major act, under Shane Greenall’s charismatic command. Also from South Wales Cardinal Black offer something refreshingly different with singer Tom Hollister and guitarist Chris Buck’s deep, soulful epics.
Top Live Acts
1 FIRESTORM MCR Festival Whitebottom Farm Stockport
A new festival which instantly became my favourite one with a bucolic setting, ease of movement between stages and facilities, and friendly staffing. The 31 acts were a who’s who of the New Wave of Classic Rock and many of my favourite live acts of the year (FM, Those Damn Crows, Mason Hill and King King to name but four) also starred there.
2 RUSS BALLARD 100 Club London
The legendary songwriter on a rare headline UK show delivered a mix of hits in his and other hands, and gems from a back catalogue I hadn’t previously fully appreciated. A measure of how good it was, was that I felt compelled to do it again in Chislehurst five days later.
Russ Ballard chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in a two-part special first broadcast 26 July 2015. In Part 1 he chats about his career, songwriting and solo work.
3 BRYAN ADAMS Royal Albert Hall
A three night stand where he played a classic album each night. The Anglophile Canadian and band seemed inspired by the august surroundings and proved he can still rock, and those songs brought back a feast of rich memories for me.
4 BLACK CROWES Brixton Academy
The two year wait was worth it to see my most satisfying Crowes gig yet, with the classic Shake Your Moneymaker played in full and their trippier tendencies largely reined in.
5 RICHARD MARX Union Chapel
An unplugged set of masterful songs and engaging storytelling, but it was the beautiful stark surroundings and his emotional response that made the show particularly special.
Pete Feenstra chatted to Emma Wilson for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from her album. First broadcast on 4 December 2022.
Blues Rock Album of the Year
PETE FEENSTRA (Blues/Rock Editor)
Top Albums
‘Wish her Well’ is a fresh groundbreaking album that is rooted in the blues, but with heartfelt songs that demand a wider musical canvas.
Emma has a warm, expressive voice and always seeks to make an emotional connection with the listener while the musical accompaniment is superb.
She evokes everyone from Bonnie Rait to Cara (from Hatfitz & Cara). She thinks nothing of getting soulful on an album that also explores rock, funk, gospel and blues.
There’s much to enjoy here from the spiky ‘Not Paying’ to the unflinching title track and the percussive and spacious ‘Rack Em Up’. Emma Wilson is the real deal!
The perfect accompaniment to the best touring period of his career, ‘Ride’ is a career hand bringing emotional honesty to his rock-blues palette; ‘Ride’ takes him further out the comfort zone with heartfelt songs, which in the case of ‘This Fertile Soil’ pushes him into Americana.
‘Better Days Ahead’ and ‘So Many Goodbyes’ counterweights optimism with poignant refection, while the exuberant title track and the after hours feel of ‘Destiny’ combine lyrical substance with musical versatility.
BUDDY GUY The Blues Don’t Lie on Silvertone
This album may be somewhat formulaic with the usual suspect involved in the songs, as was the case of James Cotton’s ‘Cotton Mouth Man’.
But if that’s what it takes along with a raft of special guests to get the best out of the octogenarian Buddy Guy, then so be it.
Highlights include the title track, the self explanatory ‘I Let My Guitar Do The Talking’ and a cover of Lennon & McCartney’s ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’
It’s hard to recall that Buddy’s career stuttered with a fallow mid-period in terms of recording output. His renaissance began in the early 90’s and this album squares the 30 year circle.
JANIVA MAGNESS Hard To Kill
She sings her blues the way she feel them, over blues stomps, infectious funk (‘Standing On The Moon’), blues ballads and sultry grooves such as the delicate ‘Comes Around’, while the closing stripped down ‘Pearl’ focuses on raw emotion and her vocal purity.
She’s a fiercely independent artist who continues to impressively tread her own path.
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY The Soulfood Store
Taking a well earned sabbatical from Voodoo Six, Matt Pearce steps out with his 2nd solo album full of good songs and confident playing on some broad based material. It’s an album which as the title suggests has a Southern feel rooted in funk, soul, a bluesy undertow and his trademark rock intensity. Standout tracks include the riff and horn driven stomp ‘King Of The World’.
Breakthrough Act 2023
The genre busting Hampshire band refreshingly put glistening harmonies and a killer live show at the forefront of what they do, which is to these aged ears is to make contemporary connection with the enduing soulful funk of Kokomo.
The band play dates 8th December (Worthing), 9th (Southampton) and 16th (Emsworth). More dates to come in February 2023.
THE CINELLI BROTHERS
In fact The Cinelli’s have already broken through in terms of generating a sizeable following and picking up deserved awards. Their boundless energy and the way they have tapped into Chicago blues with an Anglo Italian style all of their own means bigger things beckon for them.
A change of name and just a slightly significant push towards crossover commercial songs with sweeping hooks should mean bigger things for the duo formerly known as Lethbridge Owen.
Their scintillating band locks into West Coast harmonies, undulating melodies and an all round uplifting feel.
Kelly Lethbridge’s Americana feel is the perfect foil for Jimmy Owen‘s guitar chops, while the latter’s cool set of ears gives ‘How Do You See Yourself’ a sonic tonic.
Top Live Acts
A hard call this year given the live scene has taken such a hiding in the post covid months
This Californian band were the hardest working band in Europe in the post Covid days, bringing joy, musical excellence and Californian sunshine to bear across Europe
This vibrant New York based performer and her excellent band came, saw and conquered with her ability to draw an audience into songs with a universal core. She got the charisma, the sensuality, the songs and a kicking band – in fact the full package.
Whether in solo, duo or band mode, the ubiquitous TR never gives less than 100%. 2022 also saw him add to his versatility by moulding his shows to a bewildering number of different crowds to great effect. The net result should be a well deserved break-out niche all of his own.
WALTER TROUT
Probably the most popular festival and club band last summer, leading into a breathtaking European Autumn tour full of sold out shows with a communal atmosphere, an array of special guests topped by a memorable appearance at Sweden Rocks.
With a staggering amount of gigs topping 300 in a calendar year, South Wales’s king of Twang effortlessly straddles rockabilly, old school r&b, swing and blues, and jokes that he’s running out of drummers.
He’s already been booked in for a repeat USA tour and he’d destined to be all over Europe in 2023, showing that hard work and raw talent can still pay off in a hyped-up world..
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
A huge band with a huge set list and a breath taking ability. Their London Palladium show fully justified their very expensive ticket price.
DAVE WILSON (Live Editor)
Top albums
Papa and the Nameless Ghouls returned with a melodic rock masterpiece that has quite rightly earned the band many awards over the course of the year. Laden with huge hooks and great melodies, this album has helped push the band to festival headline status and sold out tours across Europe and the US.
SABATON The War To End All Wars
A further study on some of the lesser known stories of World War One through the medium of power metal. History has never sounded so good!
D’VIRGILLO, MORSE & JENNINGS Troika
This album proved to be a real joy. Acoustic led with harmonies and melodies to die for, the trio managed to distil a beautiful sunny day into 11 songs.
RAMMSTEIN Ziet
With the band on lockdown hiatus, they used their time well to return to the studio to record Ziet. Time well spent in my book!
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Afterlife
They may have recruited a new drummer and guitarist since their last album, but the music hasn’t changed thankfully. Another metal masterpiece from Las Vegas finest.
Top Live Acts
David Coverdale’s final farewell to the faithful Glasgow crowd was a lesson in how a rock show should be done. All the hits, a fantastic band and one of the best frontmen in rock provided a great night and a perfect end to the Whitesnake legacy. Hearing Coverdale and the crowd singing ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’ together one last time was a special moment.
STEVE HACKETT Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Steve and his excellent band were out on tour once again this time celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ‘Nursery Cryme’ album. The set included the album played in full along with other Genesis and Hackett solo classics and went down a storm with the capacity crowd.
Another great line up from Chris and the Stonedead crew, the highlight being an amazing headline set from Michael Schenker. The sun shone and both the music and the organisation were spot on.
Progressive Rock Album of the Year
ALAN JONES (Progressive Rock Editor)
There are some albums that are just of their time – that have the capacity, to not only entertain, but also to provide a catharsis for the soul.
The sophomore album from Norwegian post prog/art rock trio Dim Gray is an essential antidote to all that’s going on in the world at the moment – its strangely uplifting melancholia has the power to calm everything down and, together with its outstanding songwriting and musicianship, lift the heaviest of hearts.
My album of the year by a country mile.
2. JOE SATRIANI The Elephants Of Mars
How does he do it?
Album number God-knows-what from the fretboard genius and it’s still a mystery how he manages to sustain not only interest in guitar instrumental albums, but also the sheer creative ability to make every one of them sound fresh.
And he’s excelled himself here with a clutch of jaw-dropping tracks that feature finger-snapping guitaring from a different planet that most of his contemporaries could only dream of emulating.
In a genre where “who’s the best player” has always been a rallying point for aficionados - from the early days of Robert Johnson, through Buddy Guy, Clapton and Bonamassa – another blues guitar slinger has been on a kick-ass trajectory of late.
“Crown” heralds Eric Gales’ acceptance into the firmament of blues guitar Gods with an album of staggering guitar dexterity – not only the Hendrix-like, fuzz-box fuelled bangers but also a more soulful and even funky style that complements the mayhem brilliantly.
Martin Barre chats to Pete Feenstra for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in 2020. (This is an edited version of the original broadcast).
4. MARTIN BARRE BAND Live At The Wildey
A live recording capturing the ex-Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre and his rather fine band in fine form on their, er, ‘Play The Music Of Jethro Tull’ tour.
I saw the band on this tour and it was a gig that will live long in the memory, both for the chance to hear a classic Tull set and to hear such an outstanding band of musicians – Dan Crisp on vocals is a shoo-in for Anderson and it was great to see Dee Palmer and Clive Bunker from the early days.
This recording does the tour justice – an excellent gig and a reminder, as if one was needed, just what an integral part of Tull’s sound Martin Barre was.
Progressive rock of the highest order from one of those bands whose talent is in inverse proportion to their commercial success.
Essentially the brainchild of rock journeyman and keyboard maestro John Young, he has gathered together an exceptional band of musicians which includes the go-to plank-spanker of the moment, Dave Bainbridge, to realise his project.
Great songs, great playing.
Top Reissue
Sumptuous 3CD+BluRay remixed and remastered ‘book’ edition of Marillion’s criminally underrated ‘Holidays In Eden’ – replete with all sorts of bonus material.
This was Steve Hogarth’s second album with the band and it took a fair bit of slagging off at the time – very unfairly I thought.
Yes, it’s a bit poppy in places (‘No One Can’, ‘Dry Land’) but there’s also some Marillion classics: ‘Cover My Eyes’, ‘The Party’ and the glorious opener ‘Splintering Heart’.
This wasn’t just a stop-gap between ‘Season’s End’ and ‘Brave’ – this was a top album and fully deserving of the treatment it’s been given here.
Brian McGowan (Metal Editor)
A remarkably lean and confident collection of songs on which the underlying soundtrack to the band’s worldview rings out loud and clear.
The band play UK dates in December 2022.
Grand are as good an AOR/Melodic Rock band as we’ve heard on Frontiers for some time now. They make it sound effortless, and you’ve got to work damn hard to achieve that.
Their epic, keyboard driven symphonic/melodic metal just bursts with energy and invention, pushing them streets ahead of every other band in this genre.
SORO COSENTINO The Road To Now
You almost feel like you only need to put the album’s studio line up down on paper and the album speaks for itself, no review required.
JANI LIIMATEINAN : My Fathers Son
On the title track, he avoids the kind of sentimentality that often weighs down heavy metal, choosing instead to take us with him on an epic, 11 minute journey of self discovery, looking back on his life.
KAREN CLAYTON
Top Albums
1. JAMIE’S GUNS Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War
This band have been on my radar since their debut album and this second steps things up a notch or ten! The tracks on the album continue as the debut album, to be split vocally between Cameron and Gregory, which adds real depth and interest to the songs.
It is clear that this band have moved to a new level of maturity and established ‘Jamie’s Guns’ unique sound, gravelly, blues rock. My personal stand out tracks are ‘Anymore’, ‘Good n’Gone’, ‘The Road’, and ‘For You’ – but it was tough to choose, they’re all so good! I’ve listened to this album so many times, it feels like a classic.
2. RIOT ACT Closer To The Flame
As soon as this album started, I knew I was onto an absolute winner, there’s no messing about, there’s no self-indulgence, this is classic rock at its finest, delivered with passion and it needs to be played loud!
This album may be a debut, but it is clear from the opening title track, just how tight the musicianship is. Every track is action packed, pure rock and I love it. I was only half-way through the album, foot-tapping, singing along (already to a song I’ve never heard before!) when it was obvious that this is an absolute belter and I immediately added it to my albums of 2022 list.
3. THE PETAL FALLS – Everything About You
The album has 10 tracks of Petal Falls signature catchy rock, which doesn’t fit neatly into any category, it stands proudly out from anything else. This whole album is an absolute gift to anyone who loves their rock a little lighter, with a classic feel, it’s a belter! The Petal Falls, your music rocks and I am looking forward to what comes next. As the band say, “Let The Music Do The Talking”, give them a listen, you’ll be in for a treat.
Fozzy have been present on the rock scene for over two decades and their pedigree is clearly demonstrated on this latest album – it’s a master class in pure Rock ‘n’ Roll! I started a list of highlights but quickly realised that the list would pretty much be the whole
album. Of course, Rich Ward has been doing this for 30 plus years now so it’s no surprise he’s at the top of his game, but it would be unfair not to call out the class musicianship throughout, this band are on fire and the passion is clear!
5. THE DARKER MY HORIZON When Two Worlds Collide
This latest album from TDmH delivers 12 tracks and 3 bonus recordings, including 2 charity singles. The album literally has been a work of blood, sweat and tears with a reflection on relationships, this is what happens when 2 people’s worlds collide, be it good or bad, there’s some songs that will resonate with us all. If you like heavy, melodic rock this album is for you.
Breakthrough Act 2023
1. KING KRAKEN
A 5 five piece from South Wales, who have been together since 2018, their warm Welsh tones bely the heavy Kraken sound that is about to be unleashed! Their debut album, ‘MCLXXX’ is due out in January – get to see them live, they bring one hell of a party delivering full-on, high-octane rock, played by accomplished musicians.
Formed the end of 2019, they released their first single ‘Over and Over’ in February 2020 at just about the worst time to launch a new band, but that gave the band plenty of time to write and their debut self-titled album (released July) is getting a lot of interest. They have played the festival circuit this year, catch them if you can. Plans are afoot to record their second album in December.
3. BAD ACTRESS
Bad Actress are a Scottish 5 piece, formed in 2018, with a shared love of the rock music they grew up listening too. Their band mantra band is ‘be the band you’d want to go and see’. They certainly weren’t born in the 1990s, however their original material all sounds like pure classic rock, and they perform it with gusto, simply put, they’re absolute crowd pleaser! Catch them on tour, you won’t regret it.
Top Live Acts
1. RAMMSTEIN – what a show, what pyrotechnic insanity, how loud? A must-see IMHO.
2. THE TREATMENT - high voltage, master class in rock and performance live, what a band!
3. SONS OF LIBERTY – from Bristol, with their southern rock style are such a good time, feel good, rock band to see, they always deliver.
NIKK GUNNS
SKID ROW The Gang’s All Here
This is more than a band re-energised, this is a band reborn. Great songs and easily their best record in 30 years. This album will no doubt have resulted in a load of “Sebastian who?” type comments.
MICHAEL MONROE I Live Too Fast To Die Young
Monroe has released consistently good albums throughout his lengthy career and this one is no different. Featuring his long-time band, you would not think this is a man that recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
THE CULT Under The Midnight Sun
Anyone who saw the band on their 30th anniversary of Sonic Temple tour (just pre-pandemic) or caught their recent shows supporting Alice Cooper may have been fooled into thinking their new album would be a return to that era of the band’s sound (I was). However, The Cult have taken a different route and released an album that will please fans of every era of their career.
ANDY McCOY Jukebox Junkie
ex-Hanoi Rocks guitarist McCoy has released a collection of covers that, unusually for him, feature other people on vocals. The album has some great tracks on it and encompasses a number of musical styles. This is a fun record and one to be played very loudly.
This album is a reworking of their debut album, and if they had released this in the early ’90′s, they would have been huge.
Top Live Acts
BILLY IDOL Wembley Arena
He doesn’t appear to age, sounds as good live as he did 30 years ago and has a great stage show
SKID ROW @ The Forum
With a great new singer, a great new album and an ability to take their career back to the arenas, this was a great gig.
WHITESNAKE @ The O2
Great line-up that included Foreigner and Europe, we all knew this was David Coverdale’s last hurrah and yes, the band acted as the Whitesnake Choir, this was a slightly better show then we saw at Nottingham a few days later, purely down to the banter with the crowd. Unfortunately, it looks like DC has now retired early from the road.
Singer Songwriter Album of the Year
PETE WHALLEY
MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark
Like a fine wine, Marillion just get better with age. Their best outing since Marbles? Quite possibly.
Classic Eighties rock brought bang up to date with a superb production. What’s not to like?
Tremendous blues/rock debut. Let’s hope they stick around longer than many of the new bands in this genre.
As Brian Mc said ‘a bit of mixed bag of delights’, but there’s plenty to enjoy here.
Patchy, for sure. But when he hits that ‘sweet spot’, nobody does it better.
DAVE ATKINSON
Top Albums
In an unpredictable world of turbulence and chaos, it is reassuring to know that Alter Bridge bring regular and dependable quality. ‘Pawns and Kings’ continues a sequence of outstanding multi-tiered, intense rock and metal that began with ‘One Day Remains’ in 2004. Often copied, never bettered.
The band are on tour in the UK 5-12 December 2022.
MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark
This excellent album is full of longform pieces of immersive, cinematic and lyrically conscious music. Arguably better than its predecessor ‘F.E.A.R.’ in the way its moods and textures are given a jolt of power and energy on tracks that are engrossing and edgy with dollops of sparkle and shine.
One of their best albums in years. As heavy as anything from their vintage days, but consistent and energetic and punchy as well. And anthemic, of course. Familiar lyrical themes are belted out with passion by eternal frontman, Biff Byford. By Jove, I think the band are enjoying themselves.
This first Feelgood’s album of predominantly original material since 1993 is a fine addition to the canon. It’s immediate, bristling with sharp and wiry, sometimes low and dirty guitar riffs across a set of livewire well-played, well-sung, well-produced tracks by a band who still do it their own way.
CATS IN SPACE Kickstart The Sun
I can’t remember the last time I put up unashamedly melodic rock album in my ‘best of the year’ selections. It might have been this lot on a previous outing. Because they have consistently found a an infectious, slick, bright, powerful formula. And this one is even better than the others.
Breakthrough Act 2023
I last saw this lot at Ramblin’ Man Fair in 2019 and was impressed. They have been quiet since, but have roared back with their second full length album ‘Those City Lights’. Classic rock with gritty riffs, keyboard fills and great vocals. 2023 should be big for Austin Gold.
TOBY LEE
A prodigious talent, spotted supporting Joanne Shaw Taylor in April. At 17 years old he is touring his own four-piece band with two albums and an EP already on the racks. ‘Hotly-tipped blues guitarist’ might be an understatement after garnering 350 million views of his appearance as a 10-year-old at BB King’s blues club and being anointed by that ubiquitous saviour of blues-rock, Joe Bonamassa.
The band hail from the home counties and bring an eclectic mix of powerful blues, hard rock, soul washes and touches of folk. Debut album ‘Life’s Machine’ has garnered significant praise. Ed Clarke provides delicious loud and proud guitar, but it is the pairing of Chloe Josephine and Lindsay Bonnick on lead vocals that gives the band a point of difference.
Top Live Acts
Bonamassa is getting better. Previously the songs could feel like they were mere platforms for another face-melting solo. At the Royal Albert Hall in May, the depth of material, thoughtful arrangements, quality of the musicians and respectful inter-play between them gave a rounded, intense and fully-immersive experience. Absolutely stunning.
Joe Bonamassa returns to the UK for dates 9-14 May 2023.
Always a joy to see live, the material on Marillion’s latest studio album has elevated the band’s show even in comparison to their own lofty standards. The album demands to be played end-to-end and the quality shines through in the live arena. After 40-odd years, maybe Marillion are still getting better.
Old school metal played by a band who mean it. It was heaving, sweaty and enthusiastic in the Black Heart with a mixture of old and new fans lapping up a NWOBHM original. Assured, loud, riff-heavy and northern. Brilliant.
JOE GEESIN
Top Album
RIffs, tunes, power, heavy as a neutron star, it’s all here. A purple patch that’s been powering for 20 years and more
Top Reissues
Along with Mob Rules, two game changers that, albeit not consistent with the bonus tracks, show us the importance of the Dio-era Sabbath at every level.
Cherry Red completing the Atco years in this clamshell combining studio albums and bonuses with live sets – this is how it should be done.
PAUL MONKHOUSE
Top Albums
Thrilling and rammed full of great songwriting, great blues licks and the incredible voices of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick. If they aren’t as big as Fleetwood Mac within a couple of years, there’s no justice in the world.
2) THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA Hotel Utopia
Another beautiful album from the duo. Darker and more emotional than ever before but still shot through with a radiant light.
3) SILENT SKIES Nectar
See above. Stunning.
4) MAGGIE ROGERS Surrender
Great songs, well performed and a total delight to listen to. A very adult album that you feel smarter after listening to.
5) AMY BIRKS In Our Soul
Some people have cited Kate Bush as a touchstone but Amy Birks has her own identity that brings its own wonder.
Top Live Acts
GHOST supreme gothic pop metal at the O2. TRIBE OF GHOSTS Bloodstock’s hottest unsigned band. BRAVE RIVAL Phenomenally good at the 100 Club WARD XVI An arena show in a Norwich pub. BLOODYWOOD World changing Indian metallers at Bloodstock. BUTCHER BABIES The visceral power of metal at Bloodstock. DOM LAWSON Stripped down, brilliant blues, More soul than James Brown. BRITISH LION Steve Harris’s other band showing how it’s done at Download in a rammed Dogtooth Stage. THE DAMN TRUTH Canada’s finest soulful retro rockers absolutely blazing in Camden. FOO FIGHTERS Playing through the tears at Wembley Stadium.
Breakthrough Act 2023
TRIBE OF GHOSTS Young Brighton quartet who already have cornered the market with their own, thoroughly modern metal style. Big riffs, even bigger emotions.
TEIGER Prog Metal Folk from a bedsit as written by Jane Austen, Jeff Buckley, Patti Smith and Maynard James Keenan.
FEED THE WOLF Classic rock, blues, soul and indie influences instruct this most individual of bands. The party is here.
THE KUT Already very well known, but Princess Maha’s crew of hard rocking Riot Girls deserve to be huge. A band to change the world and cause a revolution.
LOZ CAMPBELL (pictured) She has the songs and the style to make her one of the hottest names on the scene. A compelling live act, girls with loud guitars are going to rule the world.
BORSTAL The London crew with their roots deeply in Oi and sounding as wildly ferocious as Motorhead at their most feral, there’s a sense of family here that few bands achieve. See one show and you’ll want to join the crew.
Top Reissues
BLACK SABBATH Heaven and Hell / Mob Rules
The two albums that saved Black Sabbath and still sounding as great today. Some great extras and shows just what they could do with Ronnie replacing Ozzy, defeating the odds and the naysayers.
SLADE Slade Alive! / Old New Borrow Blue / In Flame / Slayed / All The Worlds A Stage
The crown princes of Glam, they were an incredible live band but also wrote some of the best songs of 20th century rock ‘n’ roll.
THESE ANIMAL MEN Too Sussed/ Taxi For These Animal Men
Two releases from the NWONW scallywags that have outlasted all the other trendsetters at the time. Full of snotty attitude and great riffs, these boys were top of their class.
THE BEATLES Revolver
The Fab Four’s best album. Enough said.
KISS Creatures Of The Night Super Deluxe Edition
Still one of the greatest things the band did and can stand alongside of ‘Alive’ and ‘Destroyer’. Heavier and hungrier than before, all with added bells and whistles.
“The Best of 2022″ two-hour special was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on 18 December 2022
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.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
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)
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