Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: DAN REED NETWORK – Let’s Hear It For The King

Posted on January 19, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
DAN REED NETWORK - Let's Hear It For The King

Drakkar Entertainment [Release date 17.06.22] In 2022 all we need is some live music and a Dan Reed Network album. This is the band’s third album of their more recent renaissance following 2018′s ‘Origins’ which sprinkled some new stuff along … Continue reading →

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Album review: JETHRO TULL – The Zealot Gene

Posted on January 7, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
JETHRO TULL - The Zealot Gene

InsideOut Music [Release date 28.01.22] Some, like me, haven’t quite recovered from Martin Barre’s departure from Tull in 2011/12.  And, more recently, it appears his replacement Florian Ophale has given way to Joe Parrish-James although Ophale appears on the new … Continue reading →

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Album review: MAGNUM – The Monster Roars

Posted on January 3, 2022 by GRTR! HQ
MAGNUM - The Monster Roars

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 14.01.22] 50 years on, and studio album number 22, there’s no keeping Magnum down – not even a pandemic.  Whilst the band will be frustrated by the tour cancellations following the release of ‘The Serpent Rings’ they … Continue reading →

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Album review: SARAH PERROTTA – Blue To Gold

Posted on December 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
SARAH PERROTTA - Blue To Gold

7D Media/Third Star Records [Release date  15.10.21] Sarah Perrotta released her debut album – ‘Drink The Sky’ (2000) – with the band Outland Dreamer when 19 and it received rave reviews.  Since that time she has worked with Garth Hudson … Continue reading →

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Album review: ORLEANS – New Star Shining

Posted on December 17, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
ORLEANS - New Star Shining

Sunset Blvd Records [Release date 22.10.21] The 2021 Christmas offering from Orleans is something of a welcome surprise.  The band have existed in some shape or form since their glory days in the late 1970s on the Asylum label, although … Continue reading →

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News: Albums of the Month (October 2021 – December 2021)

Posted on December 9, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Albums of the Month (October-December 2021)

DEEP PURPLE Turning To Crime (earMUSIC) While the production is big, solid and bright, there’s also a live-in-the-studio feel, like it was recorded quickly and spontaneously. Listen with open ears and the album shows the band on great form, and … Continue reading →

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Album review: DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING – October Is Marigold

Posted on December 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING - October Is Marigold

Noisy Records [Release date 03.12.21] David Cross releases fine instrumental music via his own Noisy Records imprint. Cross was with King Crimson in the 1970s whilst Keeling has scored new versions of the band’s repertoire.  You’d expect that their music … Continue reading →

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Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to Christmas (rock) Music

Posted on December 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Jethro Tull - The Christmas Album

Christmas comes but once a year, and with it the usual mixed bag of toons.  But not for us the familiar stylings of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ or ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’.  We like to dig deep, a bit like … Continue reading →

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News: The Best of 2021 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers choose their Top Albums of the Year

Posted on December 3, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
The Best of 2021

2021 has been another horrendous year for live music,  largely silenced by the coronavirus pandemic. In August, live events in the UK started cautiously with several festivals and, with restrictions lifting for smaller venues, some semblance of live music returned … Continue reading →

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Album review: DEEP PURPLE – Turning To Crime

Posted on December 1, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
DEEP PURPLE - Turning To Crime

earMusic [Release date 26.11.21] The rock legends’ 22nd studio album and it comes only a year after the critically acclaimed Whoosh (one of the band’s best albums in their 50+ years). Clearly at a loose end or two during the … Continue reading →

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Book review: On track – Decades – ERIC CLAPTON, PORCUPINE TREE, LED ZEPPELIN, GENESIS, YES

Posted on November 30, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
On track...ERIC CLAPTON SOLO

Sonicbond Publishing The On Track series continues unabated and this – and the companion series ‘Decades’ – to a large extent reflects the enthusiasm of the publisher Stephen Lambe and his band of individual authors. Whilst we are frequently critical … Continue reading →

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Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to GIANT

Posted on November 20, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Giant 1989

Giant are rightly revered in melodic rock circles, another of those bands who for a short period at the turn of the 1980s delivered two of the finest albums in the genre. The band formed in 1987 after the two … Continue reading →

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Album review: ESKINA – We Were The Moon

Posted on November 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
ESKINA - We Were The Moon

Challenge Records [Release date 19.11.21] www.eskinamusic.com Has the music world gone all reflective?  Or maybe it is just a coincidence that in the past few weeks we have received several releases that seem to chime with the times.  Or maybe … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: BREMER McCOY, L.SHANKAR, PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE, FREEDOM TO ROAM

Posted on November 16, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
BREMER McCOY Natten

BREMER McCOY Natten Luaka Bop [Release date 29.10.21] We all need some chill-out music, perhaps the more so as we enter the festive season.  A perfect antidote (and respite from socks, Scotch and smellies) could be found in the hands … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2021)

Posted on November 1, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy - HRH Prog, November 2017

Compiled by Jason Ritchie All dates are subject to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.   Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your tour not listed? Contact us! UK Festivals 2021 2022 Tour Dates (UK & Ireland) 2021 Tour Dates … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: UK Rock and Music FESTIVALS in 2022

Posted on November 1, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Bearded Theory Festival

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Events may be subject to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions or cancellations. Please check artist and venue websites for latest information. Your festival not listed? Contact us! 2022 Tour Dates (UK and Ireland) 2022 Tour Dates (Europe, USA, … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022)

Posted on October 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Rammstein - DOWNLOAD, 10-12 June 2016

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 05/10/2022 Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2023) UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022) To search quickly within … Continue reading →

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Album review: BURNTFIELD – Impermanence

Posted on October 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
BURNTFIELD - Impermanence

Progressive Gears [Release date 12.11.21] Hands up all those feeling reflective and romantic?  This band – a Dutch/Finnish hybrid – will provide your soundtrack. Skip to ‘Trust In You’ an early single/video to give you an idea of the vibe.  … Continue reading →

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Album review: MISHRA – Reclaim

Posted on October 29, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
MISHRA - Reclaim

Shedbuilt Records [Release date 29.10.21] Described as a “global folk collective” Mishra brings together banjo player Kate Griffin (The Magpies) and flautist Ford Collier (The Drystones) who fashion a contemporary take on folk fusion.  Together with their cohorts tabla player … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARCO MATTEI – Out Of Control

Posted on October 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
MARCO MATTEI - Out Of Control

7D Media/Third Star Records [Release date 19.11.21] There seems to be a trend amongst aspiring proggers to acquire the services of the “prog-whores” who – in the nicest way possible – lend their talents to any number of albums.  In … Continue reading →

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Album review: ORGAN FAIRCHILD – Brewed In Buffalo

Posted on October 27, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
ORGAN FAIRCHILD - Brewed In Buffalo

Organ Fairchild Records [Release date 15.09.21] Here at GRTR! Towers we are privileged to receive any number of albums from aspiring or jobbing musicians, some obviously hitting the mark more than others.  Occasionally a real gem emerges and in Organ … Continue reading →

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Album review: AVAWAVES – Chrysalis (Anna Phoebe/Aisling Brouwer)

Posted on October 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
AVAWAVES - Chrysalis

One Little Independent Records [Release date 08.10.21] The return of Anna Phoebe!!   She contributed a track to our Rising Stars sampler in 2007.  She has performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  She was special guest of Jethro Tull (2009) and gave Ian … Continue reading →

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Album review: RACHEL FLOWERS – Bigger On The Inside

Posted on October 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
RACHEL FLOWERS - Bigger On The Inside

www.rachelflowersmusic.com [Release date 01.10.21] For an artist influenced by Coltrane and Zappa you may think that Rachel Flowers’ music will be a bit abstract, quirky and at times inaccessible.  But, Rachel was mentored by Herbie Hancock and infuenced by the … Continue reading →

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News: Albums of the Month (July 2021 – September 2021)

Posted on September 29, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
Albums of the Month (July-September 2021)

EDGE OF PARADISE The Universe (Frontiers) It’s passionate, articulate symphonic metal, occasionally conducting lightning raids onto hard rock terrain… ****1/2 Review by Brian McGowan AMANDA LEHMANN Innocence And Illusion (indie) Lehmann is not afraid to explore different moods on this … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE PAT McMANUS BAND – Full Service Resumed

Posted on September 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ
THE PAT McMANUS BAND - Full Service Resumed

David Randall chatted to Pat McManus for his show ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio,  Sunday 3 October.  The interview includes tracks from the new album. The Store For Music [Release date 01.10.21] Pat McManus is the … Continue reading →

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