Album review: THE MAGPIE ARC – Glamour In The Grey

Collective Perspective [Release date 07.07.23]

Now here’s a listen. I didn’t quite know what to expect from this band. From the name, it could be an alt-rock band couldn’t it? From the opening track ‘All I Planted’ it is immediately apparent that this could be a heavied up Steeleye Span, a rumbustious blend of power chords and fol-de-rol.

The vocals are from the very capable Nancy Kerr and she immediately brings to mind a Maddy Prior crossed with Annie Haslam. The other band members are also seasoned folkies (three of them share vocals) and include guitarist Martin Simpson who has worked with Albion Band and solo.

After the initial excitement of that opening track, the truth is this debut might be a bit too folk for some rockers and too rocky for some folkies and therefore may satisfy neither. In this context a track like ‘Pans Of Biscuits’ and the closing ‘I Ain’t Going Nowhere’ may be a little incongruous.

I had this issue with Home Service’s latest album which at times wanted to rock out but for the most part played safe with traditional folk, especially in the vocal department.

The wonderful ‘Wassail’ is almost the thrusty sibling of the track of the same name by Big Big Train. Similarly it will certainly make our seasonal playlists (along with their take on Mike Waterson’s ‘Jack Frost’).

‘Tough As Terry Gardner’ rattles along and keeps with the rockier side whilst ‘Long Gone’ has more of a proggy (Annie Haslam) Renaissance feel (or even Fleetwood Mac/The Chain) whilst ‘The Gay Goshawk’ has a rather appealing and insistent folk-rock groove.

There is no doubt that more of the All I Planted/Wassail/Gay Goshawk vibe and this album would have been a real killer.

By mixing it up they continue a folk fusion tradition that stretches back to at least Fairport Convention in the late 1960s. More power to their vision. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

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 24 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 26 November 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)