Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: GLEB KOLYADIN – s/t

Posted on February 25, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

KScope [Release date 23.02.18] Gleb Kolyadin is one half of the highy-rated (and award-winning) Russian progsters iamthemorning. This, his first solo album, reveals his inspirations no more so than on the breezy opener ‘Insight’, ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Echo Sigh Strand’. These … Continue reading →

Album review: RICHIE KOTZEN, IAN GILLAN (reissues)

Posted on February 19, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

RICHIE KOTZEN - Telecasters & Stratocasters - Klassic Kotzen

The Store For Music [Release date 17.11.17/23.02.18] A welcome outing for three late-1990s solo albums from the underrated Richie Kotzen, repackaged as Telecasters & Stratocasters: Klassic Kotzen. Kotzen might be best known for his stints in Poison and Mr.Big and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged Accidentally On Purpose, album, Break It All Down, compilation, Deep Purple, funk, Gillan, Ian Gillan, Ian Gillan Band, Naked Thunder, R&B, reissue, review, Richie Kotzen, rock, Roger Glover, Something To Say, soul, Telecasters & Stratocasters: Klassic Kotzen, What Is | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVEY LANE – I’m Gonna Burn Out Bright

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Capgun [Release date 16.03.18] Introspective opener ‘Hell (A Prelude)’ hardly prepares the listener for what’s to come on Davey Lane’s second solo album. Before you know it, the belting synth epic ‘Taurus All Apart’ swirls into your head – sonically … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Davey Lane, I'm Gonna Burn Out Bright, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS HILLMAN – The Asylum Years

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 09.02.18] This new CD brings together Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums, from 1976 and 1977 respectively. Hillman had a fine pedigree as a member of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Manassas. Immediately prior … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, Chris Hillman, Clear Sailin', country, Manassas, reissue, review, rock, Slippin' Away, The Asylum Years, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band | Leave a comment

Album review: THE INNOCENTS – Teardrop Kiss

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Public Records [Release date 02.04.18] Tasmania’s The Innocents have previous form. In their original guise of Beathoven, they released one of the finest (and obscure) slices of 1970s power pop in ‘Please Don’t Go’ – check it out on YouTube … Continue reading →

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

Album review: MARILLION – Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 19.01.18] Curious ‘mainstream’ releases for these two double CD sets, that fans will know were originally released on the band’s own Racket Records label (in fact, Size Matters is still currently available, albeit with a different sleeve), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Holidays In Eden Live, live, Marillion, progressive, review, rock, Size Matters, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, weekend | Leave a comment

DVD review: YES – The New Director’s Cut

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

The Store For Music [Release date 16.02.18] Talk about milking it. It may have been a major event when Wakeman reunited with Anderson, Squire, Howe and White in time for the band’s 35th anniversary tour in 2004, but there continues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 2003, Alan White, Birmingham, Chris Squire, concert, DVD, Jon Anderson, live, review, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, The New Director's Cut, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18] Outlaws, modern hillbillies? The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind. And regrettably, not Elly May. No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bluegrass, folk, Illusion & Doubt, review, rock, The Dead South | Leave a comment

Album review: MISSISSIPPI STOMP – Shine

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 22.04.17] Mississippi Stomp are an Americana outfit from, yes, you guessed it [northeast] Mississppi. Tupelo, to be precise the home of the King. Shine is their sophomore release. Together since the early nineties, with the focal point husband … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Mississippi Stomp, review, rock, Shine | Leave a comment

Album review: FRACTAL MIRROR – Close To Vapour

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bad Elephant Music [Release date 26.01.18] My heart sinks when I see a shallow Press Release signposting a band as being of the ‘Progressive/Art Rock’ genre, and then sinks several degrees further when I see the only other information (apart … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, art rock, Close To Vapour, Fractal Mirror, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: KORBY LENKER – Thousand Springs

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 16.03.18] Nashville singer songwriter Korby Lenker chose to record his seventh album, not in the studio, but in places that resonated with him his guitar and vocals being captured in places as diverse as the edge of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Korby Lenker, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Thousand Springs | Leave a comment

Album review: TAUTOLOGIC – Re:Psychle

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 18.01.18] If you’re into ‘prog’ and looking for something, well, ‘different’, then this release from Chicago-based sextet Tautologic could be worth exploring. It’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before, at least not on a single album. Formed back … Continue reading →

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

Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18] Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever. After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons. His … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Di Meola, album, fusion, guitar, jazz, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Opus, Return To Forever, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GONG EXPRESSO – Decadence

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Gong Expresso [Release date 20.02.18] Once upon a time there was a band called Gong. They were hippy, trippy and certainly dippy. In their ranks was percussionist Pierre Moerlen who evidently saw an eye to the main chance. Pierre established … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benoit Moerlen, Decadence, Gong Expresso, Hansford Rowe, jazz, Pierre Moerlen, review | Leave a comment

Album review: OSMOSIS (reissue)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] If the ‘assimilation of ideas’ inherent in the meaning of the term osmosis is also a process of ‘almost unconscious gradualism’, it is not reflected in the 1970 debut (and only) release by this US Bostonian … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, jazz, Osmosis, progressive, reissue, review | Leave a comment

Album review: STRAY – Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] Regulars on the 70s’ gigging circuit in the UK, Stray harnessed consistently strong and varied repertoire with colourful performances supporting the likes of Black Sabbath and Ten Years After. But they were also signed to indie … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues rock, classic rock, compilation, DEL BROMHAM, Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976), review, Stray | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Chantel McGregor - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 3)

Day 3 – Sunday As the final day started we wouldn’t have been surprised to see Bobby Kimball sliding out of the curtains reminiscing about his appearance on Toto IV but … instead Chantel McGregor got the juices flowing with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28 January 2018, blues rock, Butlins, Chantel McGregor, classic rock, Deborah Bonham, festival, Giants Of Rock, jazz fusion, Larry Carlton, Minehead, Nazareth, Slade, Snakecharmer, Somerset | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

John Verity - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 2)

Day 2 – Saturday John Verity opened up shop on a damp Saturday with a thoughtful blues rock set, not overplaying his own solo material (new album: Blue To My Soul) and treating us to some familiar standards including ‘Cocaine’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 27 January 2018, blues, Bobby Kimball, Boston, Butlins, classic rock, festival, Fran Cosmo, Giants Of Rock, Hawkwind, John Verity, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, melodic rock, Minehead, progressive, Somerset, space rock, Toto, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018 (Day 1)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

FM - GIANTS OF ROCK - Butlins, Minehead, 26 January 2018 (Day 1)

News during the week that Wetherspoons had taken steak off their menu may not have been of great interest until we learn that Butlins also get their meat from the same source that is currently “under investigation”. The loss of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 26 January 2018, Butlins, classic rock, Curved Air, festival, FM, Giants Of Rock, Magnum, Martin Turner, melodic rock, Minehead, progressive, Somerset, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOANOVARC, HELL’S GAZELLES, KILLIT, BLACK WHISKEY – Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

KILLIT - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

A spotlight on some of the upcoming bands that graced the Giants of Rock stages in 2018… Dubbed the ‘new queens of rock’ JoanovArc immediately impressed with an energetic and high-quality performance. Big drums, powerful bass, nice heavy guitar and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26-29 January 2018, Black Whiskey, blues rock, Giants Of Rock, gig, hard rock, Hell's Gazelles, Joanovarc, Killit, Minehead, review | Leave a comment

News: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR announce first headliner for two day event (30 June/ 1 July 2018)

Posted on January 25, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Gun - Giants of Rock, Minehead, January 2017

Ramblin’ Man Fair have announced their first headliner for the event taking place 30 June – 1 July. British rock legends The Cult will play an exclusive festival set. Scottish rockers Gun (pictured) have been added to the main stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 1 July 2018, 30 June 2018, blues rock, classic rock, festival, Fish, Gov't Mule, Gun, Kent, line-up, Maidstone, Mote Park, news, Progressive Rock, Ramblin' Man Fair, Steve Earle, The Cult | Leave a comment

News: HRH PROG VII features Hawkwind, Pendragon, The Strawbs amongst others (15-18 November 2018)

Posted on January 25, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Hawkwind - GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL - Skegness 22-24 January 2016

Hawkwind (pictured) will headline this year’s HRH Prog event, 15-18 November 2018 at the Hafan y Môr holiday park, near the seaside village of Pwllheli, in North West Wales. Prog rockers Pendragon celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2018 and also … Continue reading →

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

Gig review: KING KING – Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Posted on January 24, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bath has never been a hot bed for rock/blues gigs but tonight the temperature rose to fever pitch when King King arrived in town and shook the Georgian buildings to their very foundations. After the issues that Alan Nimmo has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 January 2018, Alan Nimmo, Bath Forum, blues, classic rock, gig, King King, review, rock, Wayne Procter | Leave a comment

Gig review: OPERATION: MINDCRIME (Geoff Tate) – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

Posted on January 20, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

OPERATION: MINDCRIME - Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 14 January 2018

I won’t bore you with the details of the acrimonious Queensryche break up and fall out that followed, but in summary after a court case in 2012/14 Geoff Tate is the only person that can perform the classic Operation Mindcrime … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 January 2018, GEOFF TATE, gig, hard rock, Muni Arts Centre, Operation: Mindcrime, Pontypridd, progressive metal, Queensryche, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARK ELEMENT (featuring Anette Olzon & Jani Liimatainen)

Posted on January 16, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers Records [Release date 10.11.17] After Anette Olzon’s unceremonious departure from Nightwish in 2012 she took stock, brushed herself down, and fashioned the beginnings of a solo career. ‘Shine’ was released in 2014 and was one of my favourite albums, … Continue reading →