Yearly Archives: 2023

Gig review: ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK – The Junction, Cambridge, 22 September 2023

ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK- The Junction, Cambridge, 22 September 2023

Their sound may be the most American imaginable, but it seems Robert Jon and the Wreck have made Europe and the UK in particular their second home. At a time when many US acts are pulling out of European tours … Continue reading

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Album review: GREGG WRIGHT – Big Dawg Barkin’

Gregg Wright - Big Dawg Barkin cover

Left Hook Music [Release date 01.12.22] It’s 45 years since Gregg Wright the self proclaimed ‘King of the rockin Blues’ cut his debut solo album back in Louisiana called ‘Khamsin’. Since then he’s established himself as an international rock blues … Continue reading

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News: THUNDER are the latest entrants in The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (October 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Classic rockers Thunder are the latest entrants to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” a year long promotion to tie in with rock website Get Ready to ROCK!’s 20th anniversary. During Get Ready to ROCK!’s lifetime the band has been put … Continue reading

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Album review: 38 SPECIAL – Special Forces and Wild Eyed Southern Boys (Remasters)

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Rock Candy Records [Release date: 08.09.23] In 2008, a major fire in Universal Studios’ Hollywood Warehouse devastated the company’s music archives. 38 Special were one of the bands to suffer a significant loss…and if nothing else, that gives these remasters … Continue reading

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Album review: DIO – The Studio Albums 1996–2004

DIO - The Studio Albums 1996–2004

BMG [Release date 22.09.23] Ronnie James Dio’s eponymous band have quite a legacy, released a long string of solid and well received metal albums, from their formation in 1982 (following Dio’s departure from Black Sabbath) until his death in 2010. … Continue reading

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Album review : SHAKE THAT THING ! The Blues In Britain 1963-73

shake that thing image 150

Cherry Red [Release date 22.09.23] Without the blues, there would be no rock’n’roll. That’s the history. This 73 track, 3 CD package is an extensive collection of recordings by British bands and solo artists, all heavily influenced by American Blues. … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA – Talbot Hotel, Oundle, 21 September 2023

THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA - Talbot Hotel, Oundle, 21 September 2023

Reputed to be haunted by the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots, the upstairs room of this Northamptonshire hotel has its own magic, the delicate lighting and warmth more welcoming than unsettling. With their ethereal and involving soundscapes, The Blackheart … Continue reading

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EP review: LITTLE LORE – Seven Stories part one

LITTLE LORE - Seven Stories part one

Bandcamp [Release date 22.09.23] Tricia Duffy, aka Little Lore, is back with a new EP, with the follow-up EP, ‘Seven Stories part two’, due out in February next year. A CD version, featuring all seven songs from both parts one and … Continue reading

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Album review: UNCLE FRANK – Diablo

Uncle Frank - Diablo

Last Man Media [Release date 06.10.23] Uncle Frank were formed in 2003 by Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ drummer (and vocalist with Uncle Frank) Frank Benbini and guitarist Naim Cortazzi and ‘Diablo’ is the band’s fourth album. They are joined by Darryl … Continue reading

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Album review : BONFIRE – MMMXXIII

bonfire mmmxxiii cover 150

AFM [Release date : 22.09.23] MMMXXIII is a suite of three albums re-recorded by German Rock giants, Bonfire. The band’s continued popularity and success through the decades confounds critics, of the genre at least, if not the band. That of … Continue reading

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Album review: STEVE HACKETT – Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live In Brighton

STEVE HACKETT - Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live In Brighton

David Randall chatted to Steve Hackett in September 2023 as part of the GRTR!@20 promotion when Steve was the September “Grotto of Greatness” inductee.  This is an edited version of the radio show that will be broadcast in its entirety … Continue reading

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Album review: RENAISSANCE – The Legacy Tour 2022

RENAISSANCE - The Legacy Tour 2022

Symphonic Rock Recordings [Release date 15.08.23] Back in 2015 we saw Renaissance performing at a small venue in North-West England, The Citadel, which remains something of a mecca for prog bands.  Since that time they have played several tours in … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARTIN TURNER – 100 Club, London, 16 September 2023

MARTIN TURNER- 100 Club, London, 16 September 2023

After a number of tours celebrating classic Wishbone Ash albums, founder member Martin Turner and band have now spent most of 2023 marking the 50th anniversary of ‘Live Dates’-  their first live album and the swansong for the first era … Continue reading

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Gig review: STRAY – 100 Club, London, 14 September 2023

STRAY- 100 Club, London, 14 September 2023

He may be – according to the title of his own memoirs –  a rock’n’roll survivor but Stray founder member Del Bromham has not lost his musical  creativity. The band have just released a very welcome first studio album in … Continue reading

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Album review: ROBIN TROWER Featuring SARI SCHORR – Joyful Sky

Robin Trower - Joyful Sky

Pete Feenstra chatted to Robin Trower for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  First broadcast 30 June 2024. Provogue Records [Release date 27.10.23] The Robin Trower and Sari Schorr pairing looks great on paper, while in real time it’s … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRAHAM NASH – Theatre Royal, London, 11 September 2023

GRAHAM NASH- Theatre Royal, London, 11 September 2023

The sad loss of David Crosby earlier this year was a reminder that the number of stars from the first wave of classic rock still alive, or at least active, diminishes by the year. That in part was my motivation … Continue reading

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Album review : RONNIE ROMERO – Too Many Lies Too Many Masters

ronnie romero too many 150

Frontiers [release date : 15.09.23] Ronnie Romero’s third “solo” album is delivered by a pretty cool hard rock trio rounded out by guitarist Jose Rubio and drummer, Andy C. The label make a point of telling us that this is … Continue reading

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Album review : SEVENTH WONDER – Become, Waiting In The Wings, Mercy Falls, Great Escape

seventh wonder great escape art 150

Frontiers [Release date : 15.09.23] Unsurprisingly, after the commercial and critical success of Seventh Wonder’s most recent album, The Testament, released May 2022, the band’s previous, much lower profile albums have been given a new lease of life. Frontiers Music … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEBORAH BONHAM – Pizza Express Live, Holborn, London, 6 September 2023

DEBORAH BONHAM- Pizza Express Live, Holborn, London, 6 September 2023

Photo: Michele Kostiner Part of a rock dynasty, Deborah Bonham has quietly over the years become a force in her own right. I’d only really vaguely followed her career, though seen support slots for the likes of Paul Rodgers and … Continue reading

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Album review: PARDON THE INTERRUPTION – Hot N’ Fresh

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION - Hot N' Fresh

ptimusic.com [Release date 14.04.23] It would be easier, some months following release, to pass over this album and regret a missed review opportunity. But not here at GRTR! The truth is that this album may have provided a soundtrack at … Continue reading

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Album review: HEADCAT – Reissues

Headcat

Walk The Walk …Talk The Talk, Live In Berlin, Dreamcatcher BMG [Release date 15.09.23] Motorhead did not play rock ’n’ roll, but The Head Cat certainly did. Bassist/vocalist Lemmy’s side project, with drummer Slim Jim Phantom (The Stray Cats) and … Continue reading

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Gig review: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Newark Showground, 25-26 August 2023

P1070581 - Copy

Festivals come and go but Stonedead, initially started by some fans reminiscing on social media about the original one day one stage Monsters of Rock at Donington, looks to have staying power. This was a celebration of its fifth year … Continue reading

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Album review : JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR – Metal Generation 1985-2017

JackStarr_BurningStarr_GRCR7BX125-150

Cherry Red [release date 08/09/23] It seems like Jack Starr’s bands have been playing gigs and cranking out albums ever since Heavy Metal became a thing. And yet, from his beginnings with Virgin Steele in 1982, to his primary music … Continue reading

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Album review: ALBANY DOWN – Born In The Ashes

Albany Down_Born In The Ashes

        AD Recordings [Release date: 01.09.23] Back after too long away and with a changed band membership, Paul Turley’s Albany Down hit the racks with a fourth album, ‘Born In The Ashes’. And very fine it is … Continue reading

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EP review: ROB TOGNONI – Product Of A Southern Land, BBC Paul Jones Session

Rob Tognoni - Product of a Southern land BBC Paul Jones Session

Pete Feenstra chatted to Rob Tognoni for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  First broadcast 10 September 2023. Movin Music [Release date 04.09.23] It’s been said of Rob Tognoni that you could drop into any part of his extensive … Continue reading

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