Album review: JOHN BLEK – Until The Rivers Run Dry

Bandcamp [Release date 17.02.23]

This is John Blek’s eighth album and an artist that had not crossed my musical radar until now. The album was recorded over ten days and features Cathy Davy (vocals) – who has appeared on albums from the Duckworth Lewis Method & the Divine Comedy, the Frames’ Colm Mac Con Iomaire (strings), BBC Jazz Award winner Kit Downes (piano), Davie Ryan (drums) and Chris McCarthy (double bass). Brian Casey produced the album with Blek, as well as mixing & mastering the album. Credit to both as the production on the album is top notch, be it the soothing string arrangements or gently picked guitar, an album perfect for headphone listening.

Hard to sinlge out individual songs as the whole album lends itself to a listen in one go. If push came to shove, ‘Restless Sea’ is a fine example of the album as a whole. The soothing singing of John Blek is easy on the ear, yet never bland, whilst the musical arrangements are a thing of beauty. Maybe it’s advancing age but this reviewer really appreciates the music and lyrics more, than say a instant, riff filled tune that would have appealed to my younger self.

‘Raven’s Cry’ and ‘Once In A While (21/07)’ follow close behind, where the piano and strings create a pefect accompaniment to Blek’s vocals and the ethereal vocals of Cathy Davey.

John Blek has produced an album that is a balm for the current times. The listener can loose themselves in the wonderous music within, aided greatly by the vocals of Cathy Davey. ***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.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 3 November 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 29 October 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 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)