Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Quick plays: SONIC TOOLBOX, THE MAGNETIC SOUTH

Posted on December 2, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SONIC TOOLBOX A Space In Time Double Dutch, anyone? Sonic Toolbox, a fairly grizzly pair of old proggers (?) from Denmark who – on the cover art – look like Boris Becker and Robert Plant after a night on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Space In Time, album, Lars Boutrup, Mary Gauthier, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Rifles & Rosary Beads, Sea level, Sonic Toolbox, The Magnetic South | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! announce Best of 2017 – top albums, live acts

Posted on November 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Pop rock revivalists Cats In Space and their second album ‘Scarecrow’ has been selected as Top Album of 2017 by popular music website Get Ready to ROCK! Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie wrote “Cats In Space have succeeded in taking their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Best of 2017, Black Star Riders, blues rock, Cats In Space, classic rock, Eliza Neals, Get Ready to ROCK!, melodic rock, poll, Progressive Rock, reviewer, singer songwriter, survey | Leave a comment

The Best of 2017: top albums, top live acts – the reviewers’ choice

Posted on November 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 17 December on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, David Randall announced the popular poll results. This two-hour special includes artists voted for in the various categories: Top Albums, Top Live Acts, Top Breakthrough Acts. Every year we ask … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged albums, Best of 2017, blues, blues rock, breakthrough acts, gigs, heavy rock, listing, live acts, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, reissues, reviewer, rock, selection, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

News: WIN! BLACK SABBATH The End DVD (Competition starts 27 November)

Posted on November 25, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Here’s your chance to win a copy of the BLACK SABBATH ‘The End’ DVD. Filmed on 4 February 2017 at their final show in Birmingham, the concert is captured in its entirety, plus The Angelic Sessions feature the exclusive final … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Competitions, NEWS | Tagged Black Sabbath, competition, DVD, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, The End, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH PROG VI – Pwllheli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017

Posted on November 20, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Edgar Broughton - HRH PROG VI - Pwllheli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017

David Randall writes… Friday Edgar Broughton opened the proceedings on Stage 1 without his band but with tales of daring-do over a career spanning nearly 50 years and since his signing to the Harvest label in 1968. Apparently he presided … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Caravan, Carl Palmer, Focus, Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park, Hawklords, Heather Findlay, HRH Prog VI, Magenta, Magnum, North Wales, November 2017, Pwllheli, The Far Meadow, Uriah Heep, Von Hertzen Brothers | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017

Posted on November 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

The release of Killer in 1971 was a defining moment in my love affair with rock and I’ve waited 40 plus years to see Alice perform with what remains of the original Alice Cooper band, Glen Buxton having passed away … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 15 November 2017, Alice Cooper, Fee Waybill, Manchester Arena, metal, rock, shock rock, The Mission, The Tubes, Wayne Hussey | Leave a comment

Album review: ACQUA FRAGILE – A New Chant

Posted on November 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date: 13.10.17] Italy does progressive rock very well even if the indigenous talent struggled to broach export markets until front-runners Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) got picked up in 1973 by Emerson Lake & Palmer’s vanity label Manticore … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANTHONY PHILLIPS – Invisible Men

Posted on November 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date 13.10.17] The former Genesis guitarist’s solo career has been enjoying a boom courtesy of Esoteric Recordings and their expansive reissue programme of his back catalogue. We’ve had the 70s – acoustic, analogue, much meditative melancholy resonating nicely … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, Anthony Phillips, electronic, Genesis, Invisible Men, pop, review, Richard Scott | Leave a comment

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 →