Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: DAVID CROSS & PETER BANKS – Crossover

Posted on March 8, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Noisy Records [Release date 17.01.20] David Cross will be best known for his time with King Crimson in the 1970s. His more recent solo works and collaborations (with the likes of one-time Van Der Graaf sax player David Jackson and … Continue reading →

Album review: GRAHAM GOULDMAN – Modesty Forbids

Posted on March 2, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Graham Gouldman in the first hour of his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 5 April 2020. Lojinx [Release date 20.03.20] Graham Gouldman is a real trooper. In recent years he has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 10CC, album, Graham Gouldman, interview, Modesty Forbids, pop, review, Ringo Starr, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Book review: STEVE ROTHERY – Postcards From The Road

Posted on February 27, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Astral Horizon Press [Publication date 21.05.20] Steve Rothery’s photo book was first published in 2016 when it was sold via a pre-order campaign and then at gigs and the band website. Now it gets a full release. Rothery was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Fish, Marillion, photography, Postcards From The Road, review, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL SAATCHI – Sun Come Up

Posted on February 25, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Jobbing Brighton musician , singer, and writer Phil Saatchi’s main claim to fame seem to be collaborations with Sam Brown on her 1990 debut Stop!, and with Phil Manzanera on And The Beat Goes On in 1991. Oh, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Phil Saatchi, pop, review, rock, Sun Come Up | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JEFFREY FOUCAULT, AMBERLY CHALBERG, DANIEL STEER

Posted on February 24, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

JEFFREY FOUCAULT Blood Brothers Blueblade Records [Release date 27,03.20] No question, Americana is the new rock n roll. And the opening number – ‘Dishes’ – on Jeffrey Foucault’s follow up to his critically acclaimed 2015 album Salt As Wolves – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Amberly Chalberg, Americana, Blood Brothers, country, Daniel Steer, Hi-Line, Jeffrey Foucault, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HARLEY – Uncovered

Posted on February 24, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Absolute [Release date 21.02.20] While Cockney Rebel never really made the A grade, The Psychomodo – an album that languished amongst my 1970s LP collection – has always been one that I’ve always felt a strange affinity for, even if … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Cockney Rebel, cover versions, Covers, review, singer, songwriter, Steve Harley, Uncovered | Leave a comment

Quick plays: LARS BOUTRUP, AL DI MEOLA

Posted on February 23, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

LARS BOUTRUP’S MUSIC FOR KEYBOARDS The Great Beyond Ex’cess Records (Release date 02.03.20) Danish keyboard wiz Lars Boutrup evokes organ grinders of a bygone age. In doing so he also fashions his own version of classic keyboard-led rock. ‘The Great … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Across The Universe, Al Di Meola, album, guitar, guitarist, Hammond, instrumental, keyboards, Lars Boutrup, Lars Boutrup's Music For Keyboards, organ, progressive, review, rock, The Beatles, The Great Beyond | Leave a comment

Book review: ON TRACK…Toto/The Solo Beatles/Steely Dan (“Every album, every song”)

Posted on February 19, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Pubishing [Publication date January/February 2020] Liked and loathed in equal measures by the music press in the 1970s and 1980s, ultimately the band may have had the last laugh. As author Jacob Holm-Lupp reiterates, their latest offering – XIV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, classic rock, Donald Fagen, fusion, George Harrison, Jazz rock, John Lennon, melodic rock, On Track, Paul McCartney, pop, review, Ringo Starr, Steely Dan, The Solo Beatles, Toto, Walter Becker | Leave a comment

Album review: HARRY CHAPIN – Live At The Bottom Line (The Bottom Line Archive)

Posted on February 7, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Store For Music [Release date 28.02.20] Harry Chapin was tragically killed some seven months after a series of gigs at New York’s legendary Bottom Line venue. In that sense, it marks a great songsmith and performer at the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 3-CD, album, expanded, folk, Harry Chapin, January 1981, Live At The Bottom Line, pop, reissue, review, singer, soft rock, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: GORDON GILTRAP – Woman

Posted on February 6, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Angel Air Records [Release date 28.02.20] The latest couple of Gordon Giltrap albums may appear slightly disingenuous to the hardcore fan and may even dupe the casual observer. Both Peace Will Fall and now Woman have been released without any … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, classical, compilation, folk, Gordon Giltrap, guitar, guitarist, review, Woman | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN VERITY – Passion

Posted on February 3, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Vavoom Records [Release date 14.02.20] www.johnverity.com “A summary of my influences” is how John Verity describes his latest album in what is his 50th year as a solo artist. We saw John at Giants of Rock in January and were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Argent, blues, blues rock, Charlie, classic rock, guitar, guitarist, John Verity, Passion, Phoenix, review | Leave a comment

Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Coat Of Arms

Posted on February 3, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 28.02.20] I think it fair to say that, more recently, you’re not going to get a really duff album from Andy Powell and his men. Patchy maybe, but never dipping like some of the quality control in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 24-27 January 2020

Posted on January 28, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Praying Mantis - Giants Of Rock, Butlins, Minehead, 27 January 2020

Another Cold January and another Giants Of Rock. Enough to warm the cockles following a respectable respite after Christmas and New Year. This was our fourth Giants, although intrepid GRTR! reviewers have reported since the festival’s inception in 2014. After … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 24-27 January 2020, Bernie Marsden, Butlins, classic rock, Diamond Head, Hawkwind, heavy rock, Hollowstar, Minehead, Quireboys, Review of Giants of Rock festival, Rock Goddess, space rock | Leave a comment

EP review: MOLLY KARLOFF – Supernaturalation

Posted on January 17, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

MOLLY KARLOFF – Supernaturalation Coming on with the force of a wrecking ball, Molly Karloff play the sort of gloriously scuzzy rock ‘n’ roll that your mother warned you about. With an excitement not seen since the early days of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, hard rock, heavy rock, Molly Karloff, review, Supernaturalation | Leave a comment

Album review: CAMEL – Live At The Royal Albert Hall (CD/DVD/Bluray)

Posted on January 7, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

www.camelproductions.com [Release date 18.11.19] DVD/Bluray It seems ages since Camel played a special gig at the Royal Albert Hall as the climax of their ‘Moonmadness’ outing in September 2018. It marked a return to the hallowed portals after a gap … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Andrew Latimer, Bluray, Camel, CD, Colin Bass, Denis Clement, DVD, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, Peter Jones, prog, Progressive Rock | Leave a comment

News: 2019: A Year in Rock as seen and heard by the Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers and photographers

Posted on December 31, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! has published its annual photographic review of the year. The website’s gig reviews feature a wide range of activity from heaving stadia to less populated village halls. Says Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie: “As with our end … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2019 | Leave a comment

News: Top albums, live acts and breakthrough act named in popular poll (December 2019)

Posted on December 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Hackett - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 11 November 2019

In this two hour special, first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 22 December, David Randall plays ‘The Best of 2019′ and announces the results of the popular poll. The results of the Best of 2019 Popular … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2019 | Tagged best of 2019, blues rock, breakthrough acts, Chasing The Monsoon, classic rock, December 2019, poll, Progressive Rock, Rainbreakers, Steve Hackett, top albums, top live acts, vote | 1 Comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – The Tivoli, Buckley, 20 December 2019

Posted on December 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

As we near the end of 2019, and indeed another decade, Cats In Space should be cherished. In fact, our year was bookended by the band, an appearance at Giants Of Rock in January and a “Christmas in Narnia” tour … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 December 2019, Buckley, Cats In Space, classic rock, gig, pop, pop rock, review, The Tivoli | Leave a comment

News: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Scottish hard rockers Gun added to line-up (29 August 2020) with Black Star Riders

Posted on December 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Scottish rockers Gun have been added to the one-day Stonedead event, taking place 29 August at the Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire. They join headliners Black Star Riders with Terrorvision and Tyketto together with Kris Barras, Blaze Bayley and Tygers Of Pan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 29 August 2020, Black Star Riders, classic rock, Gun, hard rock, melodic rock, Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, Stonedead Festival, Terrorvision, Tyketto | Leave a comment

News: RAMBLIN MAN FAIR announce more acts: LYNYRD SKYNYRD, CLUTCH headliners (17-19 July 2020)

Posted on December 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Manchester Apollo, 22 April 2015

Ramblin Man Fair have announced further additions to the 2020 line-up. The event takes place in Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, 17-19 July. Headlining on the main stage on Saturday 18th July will be Lynyrd Skynyrd (pictured). This show will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Leave a comment

Album review: MOON HALO – Chroma

Posted on December 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 13.01.20] available at moonhalomusic.co.uk and bandcamp.com The tide may have ebbed for the final time on Riversea – a band who produced two quite outstanding albums that somehow failed to get the exposure they deserved – but Moon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Breathing Space, Chroma, melodic rock, Moon Halo, Mostly Autumn, pop rock, prog, prog pop, Progressive Rock, review, Riversea, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUM – The Serpent Rings

Posted on December 15, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Tony Clarkin for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 20 December 2020. Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 17.01.20] You have to admire Magnum. They deliver a new studio album every two years almost like clockwork. Maybe Tony … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Bob Catley, Dennis Ward, hard rock, interview, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp, radio, review, The Serpent Rings, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

News: THE BEST OF 2019 – Vote for your favourites in our popular poll (albums, live acts, breakthrough acts)

Posted on December 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Every year the GRTR! Reviewers choose their favourite albums, live acts and breakthrough artists. We reduce this selection to a list of ten in each category, reflecting also the top choices of each reviewer. Vote for your own favourite from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2019 | Tagged best of 2019, breakthrough acts, classic rock, melodic rock, poll, Progressive Rock, singer songwriter, top albums, top live acts, vote | 1 Comment

News: The Best of 2019 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewer top albums and live acts of the year

Posted on December 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

In this two hour special, first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 22 December, David Randall plays ‘The Best of 2019′ and announces the results of the popular poll. The Get Ready to ROCK! end of year … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2019 | Tagged best of 2019, breakthrough acts, classic rock, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, reissue, singer songwriter, top albums, top live acts, top reissues | Leave a comment

Gig review: LAST IN LINE/Vega – The Tivoli, Buckley, 27 November 2019

Posted on November 28, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

LAST IN LINE - The Tivoli, Buckley, 27 November 2019

This gig was nearly, but not quite, ring out the old ring in the new. With some gigs rearranged from early December, this was a chance to see a band of essentially old stagers with two of the “nu-breed” of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Leave a comment