Quick plays: DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS, 19th STREET BAND, PHIL VINCENT

DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS Strangers No More Magnolia Music [Release date 09.06.23]

Ninth studio album from Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors who have been gaining critical plaudits and fans in the Americana field since they formed back in 2005.

The uptempo numbers are the ones that impress the most, be it the rock n roll of ‘That’s On You, That’s On Me’ – complete with a simmering guitar solo by Nathan Dugger – or ‘Dance With Everybody’ (a co-write with Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor), a surefire one to be added to their setlist.

‘Possibility’ is the album stand out, with the meldious vocals of Drew, backed by steel guitar and piano/keys, you can see why with songs like this the band do so well when touring the US.

Like fellow GRTR! scribe Pete Whalley has commented on past releases from Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, it is well played, arranged and produced, however, it just lacks that bit of magic to make it an album you will keep coming back to. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE 19TH STREET BAND Near Perfect website [Release date 28.07.23]

The 19th Street Band consist of Caolaidhe ‘Cally’ Davis (guitar/harmonica/vocalist), Meghan Davis (fiddle/mandolin/vocals), Greg Hardin (bass) and Patty Dougherty (drums), with ‘Near Perfect’ being the band’s third studio album.

Shades of Old Crow Medicine Show on jaunty ‘Crystal Ball’, with ‘Promises’ having a country air with a lead vocal from Meghan. Cally’s vocals have a Bob Dylan lilt to them at times, none more so than on the album’s title track.

They do a good cover of ‘Livin’ In These Troubled Times’, written by Sam Hogin, Roger Cook and Philip Donnelly and a hit for Crystal Gayle.

The 19th Street Band have made a lively album, built around the vocals of Cally and the fiddle playing of Meghan. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

PHIL VINCENT Divine Intervention Rock Company Records [Release date 23.08.23]

For an artist who has released over twenty solo albums to date, plus numerous albums under the Legion, D’Ercole etc. names, Phil Vincent never seems to run dry in his musical songs well. On his latest solo effort he produced and wrote the whole album, with Jacob Hansen once again on mastering duties. Music wise Phil plays guitars, synths, piano, organ & bass with Max Piccolo On drums & percussion and long-time musical collaborator Vince O’Regan on lead guitars.

The earlier part of the album has the metal side of his music as both ‘Grit’ and ‘Systems Fall’ are jam packed with riffs. ‘Running Away From Love’ is a good old fashioned melodic rock ballad, complete with piano and an instant chorus.

The album’s other ballad, ‘Into the Setting Sun’ – complete with an extended guitar solo – rounds the album off nicely.

Hard to summarise a Phil Vincent album as if you’ve not heard one yet, why not? And if you have, you will be sure to enjoy this one. Why he is not widely known more is one of the music world’s many mysteries… ***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”

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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)