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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
Latest Gig Reviews
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Gig review: CARDINAL BLACK – Sub 89, Reading, 15 November 2024
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Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 13 November 2024
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Gig review: HRH XVII, Great Yarmouth, 7-9 November 2024
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Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET, CHANTEL MCGREGOR, XANDER AND THE PEACE PIRATES – Dingwalls, London, 7 November 2024
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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024
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Gig review: ELLES BAILEY- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 2 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
Features
Single & EP Reviews
DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
News
Features
Author Archives: GRTR! HQ
Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to Christmas (rock) Music
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, Call Collect, FEATURES
Tagged Alan Davey, album, carols, Christmas, feature, Hawkestrel, Hawkwind, instrumental, Jethro Tull, playlist, review, Rick Wakeman, Thea Gilmore, Thijs van Leer, Xmas
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News: The Best of 2021 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers choose their Top Albums of the Year
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2021
Tagged albums, Best of 2021, blues rock, breakthrough acts, classic rock, hard rock, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, reissues, singer songwriter
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, classic rock, Covers, Deep Purple, Don Airey, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, Turning To Crime
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Book review: On track – Decades – ERIC CLAPTON, PORCUPINE TREE, LED ZEPPELIN, GENESIS, YES
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged book, Cardiacs, Decades, Eric Clapton, Genesis, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, MORRISSEY, On Track, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, review, Sonicbond, Tangerine Dream, The Bee Gees, The Damned, THE DOORS, the Smiths, Tori Amos, Yes
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Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to GIANT
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, Call Collect, FEATURES
Tagged Dan Huff, feature, Giant, hard rock, melodic rock, review
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, ambient, chill-out, classical, Eskina, instrumental, review, We Are The Moon
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Quick plays: BREMER McCOY, L.SHANKAR, PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE, FREEDOM TO ROAM
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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Animals Reimagined; A Tribute to Pink Floyd, Bremer McCoy, chill-out, Christmas From India, classic rock, folk, Freedom To Roam, instrumental, L.Shankar, Natten, prog, progressive, review, The Rhythms Of Migration, world music
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2021)
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
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
Tagged 2021, AOR, gigs, Ireland, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, tour dates, tours, uk
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Upcoming: UK Rock and Music FESTIVALS in 2022
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS
Tagged 2021, Bloodstock, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge Rock Festival, classic rock, Cornbury, Cropredy, Download, festivals, folk, HRH, music, progressive, Ramblin' Man, rock, Stonedead Festival, uk, Weyfest
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2022)
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
Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS
Tagged 2022, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Burntfield, Impermanence, pop, prog, progressive, review
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Celtic, folk, folk fusion, Ford Collier, Indian, Kate Griffin, Mishra, Reclaim, review, The Drystones, The Magpes
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Chad Wackerman, Jerry Marotta, Marco Mattei, Out Of Control, prog, progressive, review, Tony Levin
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Brewed In Buffalo, funk, instrumental, jazz fusion, Organ Fairchild, review, soul jazz
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Album review: AVAWAVES – Chrysalis (Anna Phoebe/Aisling Brouwer)
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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Aisling Brouwer, album, ambient, Anna Phoebe, Avawaves, chill-out, Chrysalis, instrumental, piano, review, violin
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Bigger On The Inside, instrumental, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Rachel Flowers, review
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News: Albums of the Month (July 2021 – 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
Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS
Tagged albums, Amanda Lehmann., August 2021, blues rock, classic rock, Edge Of Paradise, heavy rock, Iron Maiden, July 2021, melodic rock, metal, Progressive Rock, review, September 2021, Steve Hackett, symphonic metal, the Petal Falls, Tommy Castro
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Album review: 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
Feature: Albums that time forgot…THE STORM (Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, Steve Smith)
Interscope/Atlantic 1991 The Storm is very much a case of “what we did in our down time”. With Journey on hiatus in the late eighties Neal Schon formed Bad English then Hardline (debut album Double Eclipse in 1992) whilst Journey … Continue reading
Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES
Tagged album, AOR, feature, Gregg Rolie, Josh Ramos, Journey, Kevin Chalfant, melodic rock, review, Ross Valory, Steve Smith, the Storm
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Album review: GUS G – Quantum Leap
AFM Records [Release date 08.10.21] When I interviewed Gus G back stage in Manchester in 2012 all the talk was how he had fared with Ozzy. He contributed to the album ‘Scream’ (2010) and there were high hopes of a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Firewind, guitar, guitarist, Gus G, instrumental, metal, Quantum Leap, review
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Quick plays: JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE, LEGENDS PLAY THE BEATLES, ACROSS THE SEA
JACK RUSSELL’s GREAT WHITE Great Zeppelin II Deadline Music/Cleopatra [Release date 13.08.21] There can be few reasons for revisiting Zeppelin back catalogue unless you can bring something new to the party. And, in truth, something more radical and it might … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged Across The Sea, Air Supply, album, Andrew Gold, Ann Wilson, classic rock, concept album, Glenn Hughes, Great White, Great Zeppelin II, Howard Jones, Jack Bruce, Jack Russell, John Wetton, Judy Collins, Led Zeppelin, Legends Play The Beatles, Molly Hatchet, prog rock, review, space rock, Steve Morse
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Album review: THREE COLOURS DARK – Love’s Lost Property
Firefly Music [Release date 10.09.21] www.threecoloursdark.com 2020 marked the musical reunion of Rachel Cohen and Jonathan Edwards founder members of long-standing prog rockers Karnataka. In the hiatus following The Reasoning (Cohen) and Panic Room (Edwards) they released an exquisite debut … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, classic rock, Dave Gregory, Jonathan Edwards, Karnataka, Love's Lost Property, Luna Rossa, Panic Room, prog, progressive, Rachel Cohen, review, singer, songwriter, Steve Balsamo, The Reasoning, Three Colours Dark
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Album review: THE GRAFENBERG DISCIPLES – Johnny On The Spot
The Highlander Company Records [Release date 02.07.21] The opening track of this album really sets the scene and the influences. Sounding like a mash up of something by Level 42, Phil Collins’ ‘Another Day In Paradise;’ and Roachford the controls … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Shed Sessions Volume One & Two
www.chantelmcgregor.com [Release date 12.07.21] Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3. In Chantel McGregor’s case, parts 1 and 2 aka Shed Sessions. Gather together the fish tank, an acoustic guitar and a tame keyboard player (Jamie Brooks) and you have a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged acoustic, album, blues rock, Chantel McGregor, classic rock, Facebook, guitar, guitarist, review, Shed Sessions, Volume One, Volume Two
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Album review: AMANDA LEHMANN – Innocence And Illusion
www.amandalehmann.co.uk [Release date 20.08.21] It must be nice to have such close supporters as Steve Hackett and, via his connections, Nick Magnus, Rob Townsend and Roger King. All heavyweights who will assure the sonic qualities of any enterprise. But it … Continue reading
