Album review: STEVIE JONES & THE WILDFIRES – Getting There

Website [Release date 16.08.24]

Stevie Jones (vocals, acoustic guitar) is joined by the three piece Wildfires – Alfie Dabrowski (guitar), Bob Dabrowski (bass) & Dave Carter (drums) – for album number three under this name. They are joined by special guests guitarist Mark Gill and vocalist Jodie Erica.

As with their two previous albums ‘Getting There’ was recorded at Deadline Studios, Leicester with producer and musical collaborator Adam Ellis.

Initially intended as an acoustic solo EP the ideas expanded in the studio and took them in a slightly different direction, resulting in this eight song conceptual album.

As Stevie Jones explain: “It’s a roller coaster journey through romance, anxiety and recovery – anyone who has been through that cycle will be able to relate it. Some of the most emotional songs I’ve ever put down.”

The stand out is the opening song, ‘So Far East’, from the beautiful acoustic and electric guitar playing through to the sound effects, it makes for compelling listening. Totally different in tempo and style is the next song, ’14 Days That Followed A Supermoon’, is a upbeat piece of alt pop rock. Little wonder it was released as the single off the album.

The spoken word/poetry of ‘Threshold’ leads into another upbeat moment, ‘Skeleton Trees’ and again the guitars are spot on. Reminded me a little of New Model Army and the Levellers.

The album features two covers. First up ‘Trumpets’, originally by the Waterboys and a band whose sound can be heard at times throughout the course of the album. The other cover is ‘Waiting’, which was originally recorded by City and Colour, a Canadian artist, new to this reviewer, who has released seven studio albums to date and worthy of further investigation based on this cover version.

An engrossing listen and one that resonates more with the listener after each repeated listen. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Album review (Clarity In Dusk, 2023)

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 1 December 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 3 December 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)