Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Gig review: THUNDER – St.David’s Hall, Cardiff, 1 February 2019

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

When the Please Remain Seated album and tour was announced, it brought a mixed response from myself: on the one hand, it was interesting to see Thunder doing something different from their usual electric shows. What I was fearful of: … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 February 2019, acoustic, Cardiff, Danny Bowes, gig, Luke Morley, Please Remain Seated, review, rock, St.David's Hall, Thunder | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Zal Cleminson - GIANTS OF ROCK, Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Three more days of rock, roll and roast pork and “last man standing” is becoming an ever more recurring theme. “Last man” might mean, literally, the last remaining member of a particular touring band or maybe a sole representative plying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Atomic Rooster, blues rock, Butlins, Carl Palmer, Cats In Space, Chris Slade, classic rock, Dare, Elliot Randall, festival, FM, Focus, Giants Of Rock, gig, H.E.A.T., January 2019, Martin Barre, melodic rock, Minehead, review, Skid Row, Sweet, Udo Dirkschneider, Vega, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS ARTISTS – Yesterday And Today (A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Yes)

Posted on January 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

RecPlay [Release date: 02.11.18] I once read of a Genesis tribute band that released an album in tribute to another Genesis tribute band. The only step up is to tribute yourself and in essence that’s what this is all about. … Continue reading →

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

Album review: JESS KLEIN – Back To My Green

Posted on January 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Blue Rose Records [Release date 22.02.19] With 11 albums over two decades to her name, native New York singer songwriter Jess Klein will have no better opportunity to broaden her appeal than with the seemingly insatiable current demand for Americana. … Continue reading →

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News: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Cheap Trick added to Saturday line-up (19-21 July 2019)

Posted on January 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

FOREIGNER - Manchester Apollo, 12 May 2018

In this festival preview, tracks from Foreigner, Austin Gold and Elles Bailey. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 21 April 2019 (13:03) Ramblin’ Man Fair have announced their Saturday main stage headliners at this year’s event (19-21 July … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged Black Stone Cherry, blues, classic rock, country, festival, Foreigner, July 2019, Maidstone, Mote Park, Progressive Rock, Ramblin' Man Fair, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Album review: EXCALIBUR (Alan Simon) – Ladies Of The Lake

Posted on January 12, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Babaika [Release date: 02.11.18] Girl Power: albeit nary a Spice in sight, but the whiff of joss hangs pendulously over this female vocalist-fronted compilation trawl through the four Excalibur sword-and-sorcery releases by French composer Alan Simon. Alan explains in his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Simon, album, Celtic, Excalibur, Karan Casey, Ladies Of The Lake, Maddy Prior, Moya Brennan, new age, prog, progressive, review, Sonja Kristina | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WINDMILL – Tribus

Posted on January 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Apollon Records [Release date 15.11.18] ‘Tribus’ may be somewhat derivative as a lot of prog is these days. But you can’t deny the musicianship. This is the Norwegian band’s third studio album and it gets mixing and mastering treatment from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Norway, Norwegian, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Windmill, Tribus | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUM – Live At The Symphony Hall

Posted on December 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

SPV [Release date 18.01.19] Magnum started 2018 in shaky form when we saw them at Giants Of Rock. With great expectations that we’d hear a smidgeon of the new album, they appeared for a few songs and disappeared due to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Barrow, album, Birmingham, Bob Catley, classic rock, Lee Morris, Lee Small, live, Live At Symphony Hall, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp, Rebecca Downes, review, Rick Benton, Tobias Sammet, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

News: A Year in ROCK! 2018 – photographed and reviewed by Get Ready to ROCK!

Posted on December 27, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Each year during the festive period Get Ready to ROCK! publishes a selection of photographs reflecting their gig reviews during the previous twelve months. Says Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie: “Once again the review team have shown their eclectic tastes with … Continue reading →

Posted in A Year in ROCK!, ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2018 | Tagged 2018, blues, blues rock, festivals, gigs, melodic rock, music, phoographs, prog, progressive, reviews, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM MORSE – Tim Morse III

Posted on December 22, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Cymbalick Music [Release date 5.10.18] As you might guess from the title, this is the third solo album from Tim Morse, a keyboard /guitarist from California. My initial reaction on hearing the opening refrains of ‘Wake Up’, was ‘Yes’. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, melodic rock, prog, progressive, review, rock, Tim Morse, Tim Morse III, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: PHENOMENA – reissues

Posted on December 22, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Explore Rights Management Ltd [Release date 09.11.18] www.phenomenaproject.co.uk Phenomena was a concept developed by Tom Galley with brother Mel who had featured in Whitesnake and had previously worked with Glenn Hughes in Trapeze.. It brought together various rock alumni including … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, AOR, concept, Cozy Powell, Dream Runner, Innervision, Mel Galley, melodic rock, Neil Murray, Phenomena, review, Scott Gorham, Tom Galley | Leave a comment

News: Heavy rockers MASSIVE WAGONS, IRON MAIDEN and THOSE DAMN CROWS named in popular poll (December 2018)

Posted on December 17, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

On 16 December, David Randall presented a two hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio reflecting the reviewer and popular choices for “Best of 2018″ Readers and listeners have had their say in the annual ‘Best of 2018′ popular … Continue reading →

Posted in NEWS, The Best of 2018 | Tagged album, best of 2018, breakthrough, December 2018, Full Nelson, Get Ready to ROCK!, heavy rock, Iron Maiden, live, Massive Wagons, popular poll, Those Damn Crows | Leave a comment

Album review: SALVA – Off The Deep End

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

White Knight Records [Release date 26.10.18] Not another band pillaging the vaults of pioneer classic rock acts such as Genesis Yes, Genesis, Tull, Floyd, Sabbath, Purple and the like? Yes, Swedish proggers Salva, are back with their ‘own’ brand of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Off The Deep End, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Salva | Leave a comment

Album review: HELEN ROSE – Trouble Holding Back

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Monkey Room Music [Release date 21.01.19] I’m not sure what I was expecting from this sax toting singer songwriter debut produced by Marvin Etzioni (Lone Justice bassist and a founder member). Perhaps, a cross between Maria McKee and Rindy Ross … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Helen Rose, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Trouble Holding Back | Leave a comment

Album review: THE C SIDES PROJECT – 10 Days

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

White Knight Records [Release date 26.10.18] Fellow reviewer Alan Jones gave ‘both barrels’ to South Wales proggers C Sides last release – We Are Now (2017) – suggesting that the band, featuring ex Magenta members guitarist Martin Rosser and drummer … Continue reading →

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Album review: TIGER MOTH TALES – Story Tellers Part Two

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

White Knight Records [Release date 26.10.18] We were absolutely blown away this year by Pete Jones’ performances as part of Camel on their Moonmadness tour. His keyboards and vocals were perfect, but it was his sax playing on ‘Another Night’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Genesis, Peter Jones, progressive, review, Story Tellers Part Two, Tiger Moth Tales | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MOODY BLUES – In Search Of The Lost Chord (50th Anniversary edition)

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Universal [Release date 02.11.18] I’ll be honest, I was never a big Moodies fan. And this 3 CD/2DVD wallet busting re-visitation is clearly aimed at their most ardent followers i.e. those only too ready to meet the hefty £41.99 price … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 50th anniversary, album, classic rock, In Search Of The Lost Chord, John Lodge, JUSTIN HAYWARD, Micjael Pinder, progressive, Ray Thomas, reissue, review, The Moody Blues | Leave a comment

Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2019)

Posted on December 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

HEART - O2 Apollo, Manchester - 30 June 2016

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 03/11/2019 BLACK STONE CHERRY 11/5 Anaheim, CA The Parish at House of Blues 11/6 San Diego, CA Soma Sidestage 11/14 Mobile, AL Soul Kitchen 11/15 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS | Tagged 2019, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January 2019 – March 2019

Posted on December 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

STEVE HACKETT - Under The Edge Of The Sun

Compiled by Jason Ritchie April – June 2019 July – September 2019 2019 January 1st FATES WARNING ‘Awaken the Guardian Live’ 4th LEGION OF THE DAMNED ‘Slaves of the Shadow Realm’ Napalm Records 11th BRING ME THE HORIZON ‘Amo’ SOILWORK … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2018, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, DVD, February, heavy rock, January, March, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THEA GILMORE – The Met, Bury, 8 December 2018

Posted on December 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Thea Gilmore is becoming something of a fixture in our seasonal despatches. As traditional as decking the halls of GRTR! HQ with boughs of holly. This time last year The Counterweight was winning our readers’ album of the year vote … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 December 2018, acoustic, Bury, Christmas Party, festive, gig, Nigel Stonier, review, seasonal, singer, songwriter, The Met, Thea Gilmore | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLE AND THE BANDITS – Paths

Posted on December 8, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Farm Hand Records [Release date 01.01.19] Last time we caught up with Wille And The Bandits it was at Giants Of Rock 2017 when they were touring Steal (2017) – a stormer of a blues /rock roots album. So it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, classic rock, Paths, review, roots, wille and the bandits | Leave a comment

News : THE BEST of 2018 – Vote for your favourites! Top rock albums and live acts! Win a £50 Amazon Voucher!

Posted on December 3, 2018 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 the top choices of each reviewer. Vote for your own favourite from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Competitions, NEWS, The Best of 2018 | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – The Tivoli, Buckley, 28 November 2018

Posted on November 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

It was good to see “The Tiv” nearly full tonight, in stark contrast to our last visit and Wishbone Ash. This has more to do with Wishbone’s more extensive itinerary and accessibility and Black Star Riders’ more modest – and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 28 November 2018, Black Star Riders, Buckley, Damon Johnson, gig, hard rock, North Wales, review, Ricky Warwick, Scott Gorham, The Tivoli | Leave a comment

News: The Best of 2018 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewer top albums and live acts of the year

Posted on November 26, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

On 16 December, David Randall presented a two hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio reflecting the reviewer and popular choices for “Best of 2018″ The Get Ready to ROCK! end of year ‘Best of’ fully reflects the reviewers’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2018 | Tagged albums, best of 2018, blues rock, breakthrough act, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, reissue, rock, singer songwriter, tive acts | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BEN DE LA COUR, SAM LEWIS

Posted on November 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BEN DE LA COUR The High Cost Of Living Strange Flour Sack Cape Records [Release date 06.04.18] Having trodden a path from NYC to Europe, and then back to LA, to New Orleans and now (yes, somewhat predictably it would … Continue reading →