Monthly Archives: May 2024

Album review: RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS – The Hits Keep Coming

Posted on May 31, 2024 by petefeenstra

Alligator Records [Release date 08.03.24] It’s five years since Rick Estrin & the Nightcats cut an album signifantly called ‘Contemporary’. And as if too illustate his almost unique standing as a conduit between old school blues and his current groundbreaking … Continue reading →

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Posted on May 31, 2024 by andynathan

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD). I thought that was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Bryan Adams, Gary Breit, gig, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Pat Steward, Reckless, Sol Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

Posted on May 30, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album. First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour. Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Focus, Focus 12, Jazz rock, Pierre van der Linden, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Thijs van Leer | Leave a comment

Album review: PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

Posted on May 30, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Decca/Universal [Release date 21.06.24] This 64-song 3-CD/2LP collection highlights a halcyon period for British psych rock and folk stretching from the mid sixties to the early 1970s. During that time Deram was the leading purveyor of the genre and this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

News: AL ATKINS, NEONFLY, HEART (June 2024)

Posted on May 30, 2024 by jason

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS- Wembley Arena, London, 5 April 2024

The Angels have announced their first album in a decade. Entitled ‘Ninety Nine’ it will be released via Bloodlines on June 28. Former Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins has revealed a 50th anniversary edition of Judas Priest’s ‘Rocka Rolla’, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Al Atkins, albums, classic rock, EP, festivals, folk, gigs, Heart, metal, Neonfly, New releases, news, punk, rock, singles, tours | Leave a comment

Album review : NIGHTMARE – Encrypted

Posted on May 29, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date: 06.06.24] Formed in 1979, French Power Metal band, Nightmare have been worshipping the mighty riff for 11 albums now. Their 12th album, Encrypted, sees ex Songbird songbird, Barbara Mogore (a smart bit of recruitment by Yves … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, Barbara Mogore, Death Metal, DGM, Encrypted, French, Nightmare, power metal, review, Simone Mularoni | Leave a comment

Album review: McCOY – The Sound Of Thunder (3 CD set)

Posted on May 27, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 31/05/24] CD1: 1985: McCoy : Hard Thinking (incorporates 1982 EP) CD2: 1998: McCoy : Brainstorm CD3: 1977: McCoy : Live 1977 The real (John) McCoy, bass player extraordinaire, was as much known for his fearsome, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Romano, Bernie Torme, boxset, Brainstorm, Fleetwood Mac, Ian Gillan, John McCoy, Mile Sciotto, Paul Samson, review, Think Hard, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Gig review: YES – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 May 2024

Posted on May 26, 2024 by david.wilson

Tonight’s show was another date in the current ‘Classic Tales Of Yes’ tour, a celebration of 50 plus years of Yessong with an emphasis on the band’s ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ opus which turn 50 in 2023. You could argue … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th May 2024, Billy Sherwood, Geoff Downes, gig, Glasgow, Jay Schallen, Jon Anderson, Jon Davison, live, progressive, Rick Wakeman, rock, Roundabout, Royal Concert Hall, Steve Howe, Tales of Topological Oceans, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review : RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Challenge The Wind

Posted on May 25, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 31.05.24] Fans of the Symphonic Metal genre will know ROF is a band big on concept. This new album, Challenge The Wind, is the third in their “Nephilim Empire Saga”. The second, Glory For Salvation, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alex Staropoli, Bro Firetribe, Giacomo Volli, Magnum, review, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, Robi DeMicheli, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: CASEY MAUNDER – Get Out and Push

Posted on May 25, 2024 by jason

Facebook [Release date 13.05.24] Casey Maunder is back with the follow-up to his enjoyable debut album ‘Until Your Heart Stops Beating’. That album was jammed packed with riff led hard rockers and pleasingly ‘Get Out and Push’ follows on nicely. Opener … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey Maunder, Get Out and Push, guitarist, hard rock, melodic rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Old Habits Die Hard

Posted on May 24, 2024 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.05.24) FM appear to be constantly on tour, and yet between that activity they somehow find time to consistently write and release a new album every two or three years. ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ actually marks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Old Habits Die Hard, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: REMEDY – Pleasure Beats Pain

Posted on May 24, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 24.05.24] Remedy released their debut album at the tail end of 2022 and it earned rave reviews (including from this reviewer!), although being independently released it didn’t get the full coverage it deserved. Enter Escape Music … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Erik Martensson, Escape Music, hard rock, melodic rock, Pleasure Beats Pain, Remedy, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Are You The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be / Photoshoot

Posted on May 22, 2024 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 29.09.23] Richard Townend is an indefatigable singer-songwriter, guitarist and band leader of The Mighty Bosscats, who never let rust sleep. His consistent output has the feel of a diarist who needs to get the minutiae of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Are You The Person You've Always Wanted To Be, Billy Preston, funk, JJ Cale, Johnny Cash, Latino, Mark Hall, Mark Knopfler, Matt Gillam, Paul Simon, Photoshoot, Pink Floyd, review, Richard Townend, Roy Orbison, singer, songworter, The Beatles, The Mighty Bosscats, Tony Sales, Webb Wilder | Leave a comment

Album review : LINDISFARNE – Brand New Day The Mercury Years 1978-79 (3 CDs)

Posted on May 22, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 24.05.24] This is one of Cherry Red’s finer moments. A concise snapshot of Lindisfarne when they were at their best. CD1: Magic In The Air (1978) CD2: Back And Fourth (1978) CD3: The News (1979) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Alan Hull, Back And Forth, Fog On The Tyne, Lindisfarne, Magic In The Air, Newcastle, review, The News | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

Posted on May 21, 2024 by andynathan

Midnite City gigs used to be quite rare down south, as the melodic rockers concentrated on the north and Midlands where that particular scene always seems more established. Yet in relatively short order, 11 months after they played Camden’s Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, Josh 'Tabbie' Williams, melodic rock, Midnite City, Rob Wylde, Ryan Briggs, Shawn Charvette | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE – Stormy Monday – The Blues Years 1985-2008 (3CDs)

Posted on May 20, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 24.05.24] Born to sing the blues, Chris Farlowe recorded genre standard, ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ in 1965, to huge critical acclaim. With his band, the Thunderbirds, he became a lightning rod for blues fans, continually burning down … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Farlowe, Clem Clempson, Elkie Brooks, Humble Pie, Mike Vernon, Solomon Burke, Stormy Monday, The Blues Years, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

Posted on May 20, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24] Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Anam Cara, classic rock, Hayley Griffiths, Oliver Wakeman, prog, Progressive Rock, Troy Donockley | Leave a comment

Album review: MIRACLE MILE – East of Ely

Posted on May 19, 2024 by jason

Order link [Release date 31.05.24] ‘East of Ely’ is Miracle Mile’s first album since 2012, so to say this was eagerly anticipated is an understatement! Miracle Mile comprise of Trevor Jones and Marcus Cliffe, where this record was largely written … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, 18 May 2024

Posted on May 19, 2024 by jason

To quote Led Zeppelin, “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled”, and as much as I love music my live mojo has been in retirement, bar supporting local folk gigs. However, when a band as classy as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Arlington Arts Centre, classic rock, Collateral, FM, gig, melodic rock, Newbury, review, rock, Saturday 18 May 2024, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Single review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Addicted

Posted on May 18, 2024 by jason

Website [Release date 17.05.24] Kent based metal muthas Spreading the Disease have been on hiatus since late 2019, whilst undergoing a major line up, change, then Covid, Brexit and other reasons the band had to deal with. Now Spreading the Disease are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews | Tagged Addicted, metal, nu-metal, review, screamo, single, Spreading The Disease | Leave a comment

Album review: ROCKY ATHAS – Livin My Best Life

Posted on May 17, 2024 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Rocky Athas for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from the album ‘Living My Best Life’. First broadcast 12 May 2024. Cherryburst Records [Release date 10.03.24] ‘Living My Best Life’ is Rocky … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Bob Dylan, Buddy Miles, Don Nix, Double Trouble, Freddie King, Free, Gary Moore, Glenn Hughes, guitar, Jared Watson, Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Larry Samford, Leon Russell, Leslie West, Lightning, Livin My Best Life, Mick Jagger, Paul Kossoff, Peter Green, review, Robin Trower, Rocky Athas, Roky Athas11, Walter Watson | Leave a comment

Album review: MANDOKI SOULMATES – A Memory Of Our Future

Posted on May 16, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Red Rock Music/Inside Out Music [Release date 10.05.24] I think it fair to say that Leslie Mandoki doesn’t do things half-arsed. Several years ago a couple of reissues were accompanied by an expansive press kit, a real thick tome that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Memory Of Our Future, Al Di Meola, album, AOR, Bill Evans, Ian Anderson, Jazz rock, Mandoki Soulmates, Mike Stern, prog, Progressive Rock, Randy Brecker, review, Simon Phillips | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIRA MAC – Camden Underworld, London, 10 May 2024

Posted on May 15, 2024 by andynathan

Kira Mac have been making quite a name for themselves- for a new band they seem to have attracted a substantial following in a relatively short time, to the extent that by show time of this London date, the last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, Jayler, Joe Worrall, Kira Mac, New Wave of Classic Rock, Rhiannon Kira Hill | Leave a comment

Album review: T BEAR – The Way Of The World

Posted on May 15, 2024 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to T Bear for his feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio and featuring tracks from the new album ‘The Way Of The World’. First broadcast 19 May 2024. Quarto Valley Records [Release date 22.03.24] ‘Way … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, blues, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Dr John, funk, interview, Laurence Juber, Leon Russell, Paul Rogers, radio, Randy Newman, review, Richard T Bear, rock, singer, songwriter, Steely Dan, T. Bear, The Beatles, Tony Braunagel, Walter Trout, Way of the World | Leave a comment

Album review: THESE WICKED RIVERS – Force Of Nature

Posted on May 14, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Fat Earth Records [Released date 01.03.24] This is a perfectly formed second album from Derby’s finest. Formed in 2014, the band combine elements of southern, classic and heavy rock. The title track is a great calling card and guaranteed to … Continue reading →