Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

DVD review: ERIC CLAPTON – Slowhand At 70 Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Posted on November 2, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 13.11.15] Eric and the ‘Albert’ have become synonymous over the fifty years since he first played the venue with The Yardbirds. Now in his 71st year he played his 200th gig there in 2015 and this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, blues, Bluray, DVD, Eric Clapton, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, Slowhand At 70 Live At the Royal Albert Hall | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – The Turn Of A Friendly Card

Posted on November 2, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Sony Music [Release date 06.11.15] Deluxe Anniversary Edition Looking for the definite version of Alan Parson’s classic 1980 release? Well, it gets the Deluxe Anniversary treatment in this expanded, re-mastered 2-CD edition. Back in the day, Alan Parsons and Eric … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Chris Rainbow, Deluxe Anniversary Edition, prog, progressive, review, rock, The Alan Parsons Project, The Turn Of A Friendly Card | Leave a comment

Album review: PANIC ROOM – Essence

Posted on November 2, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

www.panicroom.org Originally planned as an acoustic ‘retrospective’, the sessions for Panic Room’s fifth studio album metamorphosised with Dave Foster (Steve Rothery Band, Mr So & So) joining the band. An infectious spirit, it was never likely that he was going … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Anne-Marie Helder, Dave Foster, Essence, Gavin Griffiths, Jonathan Edwards, Panic Room, prog, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE SATRIANI – Manchester Apollo, 1 November 2015

Posted on November 2, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

One thing is certain with a Satriani gig. The energy levels are going to remain at 200% until the last whammy-bar whistle. I’m the same age as Satch but he makes me feel really old. This was the first date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 November 2015, Dan Patlansky, gig, guitar, guitarist, Joe Satriani, Manchester Apollo, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: GLENN HUGHES, Club Academy, Manchester, 29 October 2015

Posted on October 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK!’s Pete Feenstra chatted to Glenn Hughes shortly before the start of his UK tour in October 2015. This hour special includes a selection of tracks from Glenn’s solo and band/project albums. He’s a real trooper is … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 29 October 2015, Club Academy, Deep Purple, Doug Aldrich, gig, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, interview, Jared James Nichols, Manchester, review, rock, Trapeze, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Nottingham, Capital FM Arena, 25 October 2015

Posted on October 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

During his relatively short career – compared to his peers BB King, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton – Joe Bonamassa has become known for his relentless work ethic of touring and album releases and continues to keep blues music alive … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 October 2015, blues, blues rock, Capital FM Arena, gig, guitar, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, Nottingham, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – The Lowry, Salford, 25 October 2015

Posted on October 26, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Steve Hackett in October 2014 on the eve of his UK ‘Genesis Extended’ tour. Their conversation takes in the impact of Genesis and Steve’s own interpretation in more recent times. With tracks from the ‘Live At … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 25 October 2015, Genesis, gig, guitar, guitarist, interview, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Roine Stolt, Salford, Steve Hackett, The Lowry | 1 Comment

News: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION, Edgar Winter interview features – Sunday 25 October 2015

Posted on October 24, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Pop rock duo Geoff Downes and Chris Braide release their second album as Downes Braide Association (DBA) on 6 November. Downes is best known as the keyboard maestro with bands like Asia and Yes whilst Chris Braide has written for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 25 October 2015, Asia, blues, blues rock, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Edgar Winter, Geoff Downes, interview, pop, pop rock, progressive, radio, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAN REED NETWORK – The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 23 October 2015

Posted on October 24, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK!’s David Randall chatted to Dan Reed in April 2009 at the start of an acoustic tour and took the opportunity to explore the “golden era” of the late-1980s/early 1990s when the Dan Reed Network experienced their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FOREVER STILL, KARI RUESLATTEN, CELIA ROSE

Posted on October 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

FOREVER STILL Tied Down [Release date 15.01.16] Danish female fronted heavy rockers Forever Still’s debut release is typically ‘in your face’ mixing some bludgeoning riffs from the fret board of Mikkel Haastrup, with melodic lead vocals from Maja Schoenning. While … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, ambient, Celia Rose, Double Exposure, folk, Forever Still, Kari Rueslatten, review, rock, singer songwriter, symphonic metal, The Scars That Heal In Time, Tied Down, To The North, Zig Zag | Leave a comment

Album review: BAD COMPANY – Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy – The Very Best Of

Posted on October 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Rhino [Release date 02.10.15] Do we really need another Bad Company anthology? They were a great band that paved the way for so-called arena rock in the 1980s but haven’t we got all we need on our iPods and memory … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Company, Boz Burrell, compilation, Free, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers, review, rock, Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy, Simon Kirke, The Very Best Of | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – (DBA) – Suburban Ghosts (Geoff Downes, Chris Braide)

Posted on October 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION - Suburban Ghosts

David Randall chats to Chris Braide about his music, songwriting, and collaboration with Geoff Downes (59:25) In this hour special, Geoff Downes chats about DBA and his career which has included high profile stints in Yes and Asia. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Asia, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, interview, pop, review, rock, Suburban Ghosts, The Producers, Trevor Horn, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – All Our Yesterdays

Posted on October 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date 18.09.15] At times on this – the tenth – studio album from “the world’s number one Renaissance act” (not my words) you can a hear a Nightwish-friendly approximation of folk rock. If Blackmore’s Night ramped things up … Continue reading →

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News: MICHAEL SCHENKER interview – Sunday 11 October – on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio

Posted on October 11, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Michael Schenker, photo by Simon Dunkerley

Photo: Simon Dunkerley In his weekly feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (Sunday 11 October) Pete Feenstra chats to legendary guitarist Michael Schenker about his album ‘Spirit On A Mission’. Schenker and his band – which includes one-time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 11 October 2015, Doogie White, Francis Buchholz, guitar, guitarist, Hermann Rarebell, interview, Michael Schenker, radio, rock, Spirit On A Mission, Temple Of Rock, Tour | Leave a comment

News: STEVE HACKETT – UK tour starts 6 October

Posted on October 3, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Simon Dunkerley/GRTR! Steve Hackett celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of his debut solo album – ‘Voyage Of The Acolyte’ – with an extensive UK tour starting in Guildford on Tuesday 6 October. The set-list will take in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged box set, Charisma, Genesis, Genesis Revisited, gig, interview, October 2015, Premonitions, prog, progressive, radio, Steve Hackett, Tour, uk, Voyage Of The Acolyte, Wolflight | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HACKETT – Premonitions – The Charisma Recordings 1975-1983

Posted on October 3, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

On 25 October, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio replays a 2012 feature when Steve Hackett chose and chatted about ‘Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists’ – tracks that have inspired and influenced him over the years. Sunday 25 October, 16:00 More … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, BBC radio, box set, concert, Cured, Defector, Highly Strung, live, Please Don't Touch, Premonitions - The Charisma Recordings 1975-1983, prog, progressive, review, Spectral Mornings, Steve Hackett, Voyage Of The Acolyte | 1 Comment

Gig review: LAURENCE JONES – The Tunnels, Bristol, 22 September 2015

Posted on September 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Young blues guitarists come and go but every so often one stands out from the crowd and makes heads turn, a young Laurence Jones burst onto the scene with his debut album ‘Thunder In The Sky’ and since then has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 September 2015, blues, blues rock, Bristol, gig, guitar, guitarist, Laurence Jones, review, The Tunnels, Victoria Klewin | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LIZARDS – Reptilicus Maximus

Posted on September 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Hyperspace Records [Release date 01.09.15] The Lizards may leave us waiting far too long between albums but when they do appear they are invariably worthy of attention. We reviewed their last “proper” 2006 release ‘Against All Odds’ noting that it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Bobby Rondinelli, Deep Purple, Frank Marino, Glenn Hughes, heavy rock, Mahoghany Rush, Rainbow, Reptilicus Maximus, review, rock, The Lizards, Trapeze, UFO, Vinnie Moore | Leave a comment

News: Blues rockers JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR and MARTIN BARRE interviews – Sunday 20 September 2015

Posted on September 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Darran Griffiths/GRTR! Joanne Shaw Taylor is featured in an hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 20 September at 19:00 GMT. On the eve of her UK tour, Joanne chats to Pete Feenstra about her favourite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged blues rock, feature, guitar, guitarist, interview, Jethro Tull, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Martin Barre, radio | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID GILMOUR – Rattle That Lock

Posted on September 19, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Columbia [Release date 18.09.15] We should be grateful for this latest album from one of rock’s distinguished elder statesman and, who knows, back in 2006 we may have even thought ‘On An Island’ was the ‘swansong’. Like Iron Maiden’s ‘The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, David Gilmour, guitar, guitarist, Pink Floyd, prog, progressive, Rattle That Lock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Single & EP reviews: KITCHEN WITCH, SHIRAZ LANE, NAT2RAL BORN KILLERS

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

KITCHEN WITCH Trouble EP [Release date 31.10.15] https://kitchenwitch.bandcamp.com/album/trouble-ep First glance at the retro art nouveau sleeve for the debut release from Aussie female fronted rockers Kitchen Witch, with its topless female form, the immediate first thought is – is this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged All Messed Up (And Nowhere To Go), Be The Slave Or Be The Clown, Blues Pills, EP, Finland, glam metal, Kitchen Witch, Nat2ral Born Killers, review, Shiraz Lane, Talk-Show, Trouble, Unhandled Exception | Leave a comment

Album review: AMY HELM – Didn’t It Rain

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Membran [Release date 02.10.15] Amy Helm reminds me of Joss Stone. An unquestionable vocal talent. But lacking in material to exploit it commercially. First a member of the post 9/11 alt-country collective Ollabelle, and subsequently working extensively with her late … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Amy Helm, Bill Payne, Didn't It Rain, Levon Helm, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GEORGIA SOUND, BOB BRADSHAW

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

GEORGIA SOUND Love Can Change [Release date 20.02.15] If you like a decent soft rock singer/songwriter tune, look no further than self-released indie folk / pop debut from Georgia Sound – Ryan Roy and Shannon Magee, a duo from Calgary, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Bob Bradshaw, folk, Georgia Sound, Love Can Change, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Whatever You Wanted | Leave a comment

Album review: DANNI NICHOLLS – Mockingbird Lane

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Danni Nicholls Music [Release date 23.10.15] You’d never guess Danni Nicholls was from Bedford. Mockingbird Lane, her second album, is an album that has the hallmarks of classic American folk, county and splashes of rock ‘n’ roll. Re-uniting with producer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Danni Nicholls, folk, Mockingbird Lane, review, singer, soft rock, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BETTYSOO – When We’re Gone

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 30.10.15] I was rather taken with Bettysoo’s last album – Heat Sin Water Skin (2009). But a lot happens in five years. For a start, the singer songwriter, and the Americana market in particular, has exploded. For an … Continue reading →