Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: CLIVE MITTEN – Suite Cryptique: Recomposing Twelfth Night 1978-1983

Posted on March 20, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Bumnote Records/Twelfth Night Records [Release date 02.04.21] I have to say the band Twelfth Night have completely passed me by. I’ve known vaguely their name but never really investigated their music, that is until the arrival of a new double-CD … Continue reading →

Feature: Collectible Collections – FAMILY – Old Songs New Songs (The Definitive Box Set)

Posted on March 10, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Mystic MYSCD191 (2005) Don McKay and Martin Darvill at Mystic have done a great service to the name and legacy of Family and Roger Chapman. ‘Old Songs New Songs – The Definitive Box’ is their latest offering and, as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Collectible Collections, FEATURES | Tagged album, anthology, box set, Charlie Whitney, classic rock, collection, compilation, Family, music, Old Songs New Songs, prog, Progressive Rock, R&B, review, Roger Chapman | Leave a comment

Feature: Collectible Collections – CAMEL – Rainbow’s End An Anthology 1973-1985

Posted on March 10, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Universal/Decca 532 938-3 (2010) My biggest regret in terms of live music is failing to get my arse over to Liverpool to see Camel performing at the Lomax, a smallish venue, in October 2000*. It may well have been the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Collectible Collections, FEATURES | Tagged album, Andy Latimer, anthology, Camel, classic rock, collection, compilation, music, Pete Bardens, prog, Progressive Rock, Rainbow's End An Anthology 1973-1985, review, Richard Sinclair | Leave a comment

Quick plays: LYLE WORKMAN, CAMERON GRAVES

Posted on February 22, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Lyle Workman for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in May 2021. LYLE WORKMAN Uncommon Measures (Blue Canoe Records) Digital [Release date 19.02.21] Physical [Release date 16.04.21] Workman has recorded or toured with any number of well-known … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Cameron Graves, interview, intsrumental, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Lyle Workman, orchestral, radio, review, Seven, Uncommon Measures | Leave a comment

Feature: Collectible Collections – MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – 40th Anniversary Box Set

Posted on February 20, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Manfred Mann for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio with tracks from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. First broadcast 23 February 2021. Creature Music (2011) The rather large parcel dropped off at GRTR! Towers was like Christmas come … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Collectible Collections, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 40th anniversary, album, AOR, box set, Chris Thompson, classic rock, interview, Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Mick Rogers, Progressive Rock, review, Robert Hart | Leave a comment

Album review: TOMMY BOLIN – Shake The Devil The Lost Sessions

Posted on February 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Cleopatra Records [Release date 12.02.21] As Dave Thompson’s notes make clear, based on a recent interview with Tommy Bolin’s brother Johnnie, the latest “lost sessions” have been something of a holy grail amongst fans. After Bolin’s premature death in December … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Deep Purple, guitar, guitarist, instrumental, James Gang, review, rock, Shake The Devil, The Lost Sessions, Tommy Bolin, Zephyr | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – I Found The Sun Again

Posted on February 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Mascot [Release date 26.02.21] We are being spoilt. Neal Schon’s album slipped out before Christmas and is one of his best. The earliest indication of Luke’s forthcoming album was a Lockdown video ‘Run To Me’. It was entertaining if not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, I Found The Sun Again, jazz fusion, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…UFO (Every Album, Every Song) by Richard James

Posted on February 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Release date 26.02.21] It was a sad day when UFO announced their ‘Last Orders’ tour in 2018, even sadder when a couple of weeks after the UK leg long-standing keyboard/guitar player Paul Raymond died of a heart attack. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Every Album, Every Song, Michael Schenker, On Track, Pete Way, Phil Mogg, review, Richard James, UFO, Vinnie Moore | Leave a comment

Album review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN – The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest

Posted on February 13, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

InsideOut Music [Release date 26.02.21] There is no doubt that some of the best music is made as a result of emotional adversity. This explains why we cannot, perhaps, expect any great emotional pull from aged rockers who are more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Anneke van Giersbergen, review, rock, soft rock, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, The Gathering | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLY VENABLE – Heart Of Fire

Posted on February 11, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Ruf Records [Release date 26.02.21 ] I chatted to Ally when she toured with Blues Caravan in the autumn of 2019 when it was evident she was a sassy, talented performer from Texas. And very young! This gig was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ally Venable, blues, blues rock, Devon Allman, guitar, guitarist, Heart Of Fire, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, review | Leave a comment

Album review: OSIBISA – New Dawn

Posted on February 5, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Marquee Records/Right Track [Release date: 23.04.21] I remember Osibisa as that rather colourful outfit who squeezed into the Old Grey Whistle Test TV studio in the early 1970s with their infectious brand of soulful groove. They purveyed what we would … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afro-rock, album, funk, Gregory Kofi Brown, New Dawn, Osibisa, review, Robert Bailey, world | Leave a comment

Album review: NICK FLETCHER – Cycles Of Behaviour

Posted on February 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 26.03.21] www.hacktrax.co.uk Getting a glowing affirmation from none other that Steve Hackett, printed clearly on your album cover, may give a relatively unknown guitarist a definite leg up. Nick Fletcher is a member of brother John’s band and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cycles Of Behaviour, Dave Bainbridge, fusion, guitar, guitarist, jazz fusion, John Hackett, Nick Fletcher, prog, Progressive Rock | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…KATE BUSH, RENAISSANCE, DIRE STRAITS, JONI MITCHELL

Posted on January 30, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication dates: December 2020; January/February 2021] The On Track volumes from Sonicbond come thick and fast. I can’t help thinking that in the rush certain standards are being compromised or, at least, opportunities missed. Firstly there are a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Derek Taylor, Dire Straits, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, On Track, pop, prog, Progressive Rock, Renaissance, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ZED MITCHELL – Route 69

Posted on January 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Zed Mitchell for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in January 2021 and playing tracks from ‘Route 69′. Timezone Records [Release date 15.12.20] Zed Mitchell may only be known to his loyal coterie of blues aficionados but, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitar, guitarist, interview, review, Route 69, Zed Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PROG COLLECTIVE – Worlds On Hold

Posted on January 23, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Cleopatra Records [Release date 16.12.20] The latest iteration of The Prog Collective is ever more relevant in these times of artist lockdown and lack of live. A project started in 2012, and spearheaded by Yes bassist Billy Sherwood, the idea … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Sherwood, Derek Sherinian, GEOFF TATE, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hackett, The Prog Collective, Todd Rundgren, Worlds On Hold, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: FANCY – The Complete Recordings

Posted on January 23, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio features a series of interview specials to tie in with the Fancy release and the forthcoming Ray Fenwick compilation. Mo Foster: Sunday 31 January 18:00 GMT Mo Foster Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists: Monday 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Annie Kavanagh, box set, compilation, Fancy, Les Binks, Mo Foster, pop rock, Ray Fenwick, The Complete Recordings | Leave a comment

EP review: RAY FENWICK – Going Large

Posted on January 12, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Ray Fenwick “goes large” in this promotional audio for the new EP (Singsong Music) (11:29) A Ray Fenwick interview special will be broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 14 February 18:00 GMT. Singsong Music [Release date 15.01.21] … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, funk, Going Large, guitar, guitarist, Jazz rock, Ray Fenwick, review, rock | 1 Comment

Album review: MO FOSTER & FRIENDS – In Concert

Posted on January 12, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Mo Foster chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about his career, illustrated with a selection of session and solo tracks. First broadcast 31 January 2021. Right Track Records [Release date 21.03.21] Mo Foster is best known … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, fusion, Gil Evans, In Concert, instrumental, interview, jazz, Mike Gibbs, Miles Davis, Mo Foster & Friends, Ray Russell, review | Leave a comment

Album review: TED & MAJELLA – Divine Timing (Ted Turner, ex-Wishbone Ash)

Posted on December 30, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

www.tedturnerandmajella.com [Release date 21.12.20] Ted Turner is best known as the one time original guitar slinger in Wishbone Ash with whom he remained until 1974 and then on and off until 1994. Ted reappeared in 2018 together with his partner … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, chill-out, Divine Timing, guitar, guitarist, new age, pop, review, Ted & Majella, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Feature: Albums that time forgot … NATIVE CAIN – The Primitive Soul

Posted on December 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

ProActive (1999) Chatting to Pete Feenstra for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in 2020 vocalist/songwriter Lee Small commented about his love of Glenn Hughes. And it is Hughes vocal influence that permeates the 1999 album ‘The Primitive Soul’. Small has … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Leave a comment

Album review: ANDY SUSEMIHL – Alienation

Posted on December 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

SM Noise [Release date 21.01.21] Andy Susemihl’s last album ‘Elevation’ was my “Best of 2018″ – perhaps it should have been called “revelation” such was the surprise at a seasoned pro – and a relatively unknown one albeit with an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alienation, Andy Susemihl, AOR, guitar, guitarist, melodic rock, review, U.D.O. Sinner | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! announce Best of 2020 Popular Poll winners

Posted on December 21, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Rock music website Get Ready to ROCK! has announced the results of the Popular Poll for Best of 2020. Readers and listeners could vote in two categories this year: Top Albums and Breakthrough Act. Snake Oil & Harmony (aka Dan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2020 | Tagged 20/20, AC/DC, album, best of, Blue Oyster Cult, breakthrough act, Collateral, Deep Purple, Hollowstar, Jessica Lynn, Legacy Pilots, music, poll, rock, Snake Oil & Harmony, vote | Leave a comment

Album review: NEAL SCHON – Universe

Posted on December 15, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 11.12.20] Neal Schon pops up in my Twitter feed every so often, his guitar emoting against a frequently funky undertow in his latest home video. He remains both enthusiastic and engaging. Even if the camera position and the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitar, guitarist, instrumental, melodic rock, Narada Michael Walden, Neal Schon, review, Universe | Leave a comment

News: Vote for your favourite albums and artists in our Best of 2020 Popular Poll

Posted on December 11, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Every year the GRTR! Reviewers choose their top albums/reissues, live acts and breakthrough artists. With the decimation of live music this year they have focused on three categories and you can vote for: Top Albums Breakthrough Act We’ve reduced their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2020 | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (October 2020 – December 2020)

Posted on December 9, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

FISH – Weltschmerz (Fish Music) …this is a rich, accessible, profound album invested with heaps of integrity, passion and insight. ‘Weltschmerz’ stands as the best album of Fish’s solo career, and easily amongst the best of the year by anyone… … Continue reading →