Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: ALAN SIMON – Excalibur IV The Dark Age Of The Dragon

Posted on November 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Babaika Productions [Release date 03.11.17] The first reference I saw to Alan Simon was the credit on Sonja Kristina’s recent anthology – it’s the track that’s also included here called ‘The Passion’. Then an Alan Simon compilation arrives to add … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Simon, album, Celtic, Clannad, Excalibur IV, Jethro Tull, John Helliwell, Martin Barre, Moya Brennan, prog, progressive, review, Sonja Kristina, Supertramp, The Dark Age Of The Dragon | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARILLION – Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

Posted on November 9, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Ok, so I did say the new album would be a grower when reviewing it last August! Don’t lynch me, it’s just that I do like the more straight-ahead romantic side of Marillion which is a little obscured on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 8 November 2017, FEAR, gig, Ian Mosley, Manchester Academy, Marillion, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Album review: BARBARA BLACK – Ad Libitum

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 18.09.17] Barbara Black (not a very Spanish name) is, by all accounts, one of the best female voices on the Spanish female singer/songwriter, rock/metal scene. A classically trained singer, as well a pianist, and make-up artist and hairdresser … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Ad Libitum, album, Barbara Black, metal, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KISS THE GUN – Nightmares

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] No ‘new kids on the block’, Kiss The Gun are a bunch of seasoned players. Sort of. Formed in Salisbury when a pair of old duffers playing in local covers bands – Dave South a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, classic rock, hard rock, Kiss The Gun, Nadin Zakharian, Nightmares, review | Leave a comment

Album review: SAM KELLY’S STATION HOUSE – No Barricades

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 24.11.17] Sometimes, the unlikeliest of releases just tick the right boxes. Last week, the metal infused debut from Scream Serenity, pronounced itself essential listening. And now Sam Kelly’s Station House have done the same with a blues release, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND, ARC, Stockton-on-Tees, 2 November 2017

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Martin Barre - Great British Rock & Blues Festival 2015

Despite a 4am collective jet-lagged wake-up call – no doubt nudged on by their just-closed nine week US tour – the Martin Barre Band opened the first date of a short UK tour with a swift instrumental, followed by crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 November 2017, Alan Thomson, Arc, Dan Crisp, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre Band, review, rock, Stockton-on-Tees | Leave a comment

Album review: WHEN MARY – Tainted

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond [Release date 10.11.17] The second album from Norwegian art rock band When Mary – Trude Eidtang (vocals, synth, percussion, glockenspiel), Christian Paulsen (guitars, programming, synth, bass) and Vidar Uthaug (synth, organ, korg, Rhodes) is a rather enchanting affair. That … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, art rock, electronica, pop, review, Tainted, Trude Eidtang, When Mary, White Willow | Leave a comment

Album review: SCREAM SERENITY – Eye Of The Storm

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] A suitably named debut from a suitably named band. I feared I might be the wrong person to review this humungous slice of unbridled power combining the weight of Maiden, Metallica and Sabbath, but with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eye Of The Storm, metal, review, rock, Scream Serenity | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE TILLING – CIRCU5

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Steve Tilling for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (January 2018) [Release date 15.09.17] Pronounced ‘Circa-5′ (so why not call it that?) this debut album from Swindon based songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged ABC, album, Big Big Train, CIRCU5, Dave Gregory XTC, Johnny Warman, Matt Backer, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Tilling | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’ We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

DVD review: PANIC ROOM – Screens Live In London

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! have followed Panic Room’s progress from the very start and many gig and album reviews have been featured. David Randall from Get Ready to ROCK! chatted to Jon Edwards shortly before the release of Panic Room’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Anne-Marie Helder, Dave Foster, DVD, Gavin Griffiths, Jon Edwards, Live in London, Panic Room, prog, progressive, review, rock, Screens, Yatim Halimi | Leave a comment

Album review: ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY – The Groove Cubed

Posted on October 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

J & R Adventures [Release date 20.10.17] A quick glance at the track listing and you get the impression that the assembled musical heavyweights don’t take themselves too seriously. There’s also a sense of relief that this is nearly all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, fusion, jazz funk, Joe Bonmassa, Mahalia Barnes, review, Rock Candy Funk Party, soul, The Groove Cubed, Ty Taylor | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN HACKETT BAND – We Are Not Alone

Posted on October 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 29.09.17] Let’s be honest. John Hackett has for too long laboured in the shadow of his better known older brother. He’s guested on Steve’s classic seventies albums and appeared in his live band. He’s made two … Continue reading →

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Album review: STRAWBS – The Ferryman’s Curse

Posted on October 28, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 03.11.17] What do we know about Strawbs? Well, their origins go back to the mid-1960s, they’ve covered folk, prog and pop stylings and are perhaps best remembered for the song ‘Part Of The Union’ which was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dave Bainbridge, Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, folk, Iona, prog, progressive, review, rock, Strawbs, The Ferryman's Curse | Leave a comment

Album review: SONJA KRISTINA – Anthology

Posted on October 26, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Sonja Kristina in May 2015 for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio for a two-part career overview. Part 2 is available here Curved Air Records [Release date 06.10.17] 2-CD In a review several years ago I referred … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Acid Folk, album, anthology, Cloud 10, compilation, Curved Air, interview, Paul Sax, progressive, review, Robert Norton, rock, Sonja Kristina | Leave a comment

Album review: THOMAS LANG – Scallywag Jaz (2 disc expanded edition)

Posted on October 22, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SFE/Cherry Red [Release date 10.11.17] As we learn from the informative liner notes Tom T. Jones made his first demos in a studio in Birkenhead (Lily Savage’s spiritual home) before returning to his day job as a British Rail joiner. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 30th anniversary edition, album, expanded, jazz, pop, review, Scallywag Jaz, soul, Thomas Lang | Leave a comment

Album review: EUROPE – Walk The Earth

Posted on October 21, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Hell & Back Recordings [Release date 20.10.17] Europe returned to our shores, and our record racks, in 2005 on the back of an excellent comeback album. During the last decade they’ve consolidated their revival with a succession of generally well-received … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Cobb, Europe, hard rock, Joey Tempest, John Norum, melodic rock, review, Walk The Earth | Leave a comment

Gig review: JARROD DICKENSON – St Pancras Old Church, London, 19 October 2017

Posted on October 20, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

JARROD DICKENSON - Kings Cross Old Church, London, 19 October 2017

Win a vinyl copy of Jarrod Dickenson’s new album! Listen in to the singer songwriter sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (Mon-Fri, 14:00- 16:00 GMT) until Wednesday 25 October. ‘Ready The Horses’ is the Featured Album. Set to the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 October 2017, Americana, country, gig, Jarrod Dickenson, Kings Cross Old Church, London, review, roots, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (September 2017 – November 2017)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month September 2017 BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION BCCIV (Mascot) “…a set of tunes that rock up, for my money, a significant cut above ‘Afterglow’ and stand shoulder to shoulder with anything on the band’s first two albums…This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2017, albums of the month, AOR, melodic, metal, November, October, progressive, review, rock, September | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JIM BYRNES, INTASTELLA, THE JAMIE PORTER BAND, BILL FEEHELY

Posted on October 18, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

JIM BYRNES Long Hot Summer Days Black Hen Music [Release date 27.10.17] Sixty nine year old, multiple Canadian Juno and Maple Blues Awards winner, Jim Byrnes turns the clock back to his St Louis high school days for inspiration on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Bill Feehely, blues, dub, Intastella, Jah Wobble, Jamie Porter Band, Jim Byrnes, Long Hot Summer Days, Money & Love, reggae, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Sonic Smile, The Rise And Fall Of A Northern Dubstar | Leave a comment

Album review: SHADOWQUEEN – Living Madness

Posted on October 8, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 14.09.17] Shadowqueen, from Melbourne, Australia, caught our ears in 2013 with their debut album ‘Don’t Tell’. Great vocals from Robbi Zana and piledriving riffs and an irresistible urgency characterised that debut and thankfully the band have retained all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Australia, hard rock, Living Madness, Melbourne, review, Shadowqueen | Leave a comment

Album review: NIK TURNER – Life In Space

Posted on October 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 22.09.17] Whilst many of his contemporaries are struggling – creatively – Nik Turner’s best work may still to be done. The one-time Hawkwind space cadet has been working consistently if quietly over the last couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Hawkwind, Life In Space, Nik Turner, Paul Rudolph, progressive, review, Simon House, space rock, The Pink Fairies | Leave a comment

DVD review: JEFF BECK – Live At The Hollywood Bowl

Posted on October 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Vision [Release date 06.10.17] Also available: CD/DVD, Bluray When I saw Jeff Beck in Birmingham in 2014 I was somewhat underwhelmed. In spite of an audience of a certain age hanging on every note the performance came across as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 50th anniversary, Aerosmith, beth Hart, Billy F. Gibbons, blues, Buddy Guy, DVD, fusion, Jan Hammer, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Hall, Live At The Hollywood Bowl, review, rock, Steven Tyler, Wet Willie, Yardbirds, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Gig review: INGLORIOUS – Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, 30 September 2017

Posted on October 1, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

A rainy South Wales valley in autumn can be a bleak miserable place but today a special double bill rolled into town and brightened up the weekend, the first date of a national tour. The venue – Pontypridd Muni(cipal) Arts … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30 September 2017, classic rock, gig, hard rock, Inglorious, Little Angels, melodic, Muni Arts Centre, Nathan James, Pontypridd, review, Toby Jepson, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES WARREN – Innocent Bystander

Posted on September 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to James Warren in June 2017 about his career. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 25 June 2017. Angel Air Records [Release date 13.10.17] It’s a good time at the moment for eighties-based music. With … Continue reading →