Album review: BALFLARE – Downpour
Balfare are a Japanese power metal band who have been around since 2004 and this is their fourth studio album. The music is keyboard led and keyboards player Tommy is the star of the show, as his synth swirls and grandiose backing lift the basic power metal backbeat. They remind me of Power Quest, although not as good unfortunately. The drawback for me is the drums which are very one paced and lack much variety and the guitar solos are few and far between. Best song on the album is ‘Before The Dawn’ where the guitar solos get a chance in the limelight.
Maybe for the power metal completist, however there are better bands out there and perhaps the band need to focus on a few melodies, rather than too many instrumental solos.
**1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
CHRIS NORMAN – There And Back
www.chris-norman.co.uk [Release date 15.09.13]
Chris Norman is best known as the vocalist in 70’s soft rockers Smokie, of ‘Living Next Door To Alice’ fame. This is his first UK solo album in over five years and the lead single, ‘Gypsy Queen’ is released to mark his 45 years in the music business.
Good choice of single as it has a decent beat to it and sure to please the Radio 2 audience. The flamenco/Spanish flavour extends itself into the ballad ‘Wish You Well’, a song that highlights the strength and emotion Chris Norman puts into his music.
The rockier moments work well, from the opener ‘I’m Gone’ through to ‘My Jenny’, where Chris Norman’s vocal takes on a rougher edge and reminded me of Nazareth and Rod Stewart.
‘Whisky & Water’ taps a Status Quo boogie riff and is great fun. Another change of tempo and musical style comes with the gospel flavoured ‘Hard Road To Cross’, a song that also features a female duet.
Sure to find a place in his fans’ CD collections and given the right airplay here in the UK could help him get back onto people’s musical radars again. If you think Chris Norman is all about Smokie, think again, this album will surprise you. ***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)
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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 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)
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