Album review: NICOLE ATKINS – Goodnight Rhonda Lee

Single Lock Records [Release date 21.07.17]

Nicole Atkins returns with her fourth album and one recorded against a backdrop of personal issues as she stopped drinking and finding out her dad as lung cancer. Often such life changing events can help an artist dig deep and come out with some of their best work, as has happened for Nicole Atkins on this album. From the album’s opening song ‘A Little Crazy’ - a perfect piece of pop with a country air – you know you are in for a good listen.

What I like about the album is the musical variety, one minute we have the soul/funk of ‘Listen Up’ (which picks up on an album theme of picking yourself up and learning from past mistakes), then the fantastic 50′s feel of the title track (you can hear on this one where her musical friend Chris Isaak may have had an influence).

‘Colors’ is deeply personal song, with the heartfelt vocals of Nicole backed by piano and mournful strings. ‘I Love Living Here (Even When I Don’t)’, many can relate to as where they live may not be great, but its home and not that bad, well unless you live in say Feltham… A song that keeps on giving out little musical nuances every time you listen to it, be it the backing vocals, swirling organ or the soulful brass.

Nicole Atkins is back on track and with her latest album she will hopefully gain the plaudits and success her singing and songs deserve. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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 16 November 2025.

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 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.