Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: BEN REEL – 7th

BEN REEL - 7th

[Release date 22.06.15] www.benreel.com With each new release Northern Ireland songsmith Ben Reel steps inexorably closer to becoming the home soil torchbearer of American heartland rock.  That is, the mantle occupied across the pond by the likes of The Boss … Continue reading

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Album review: LISA RONSON – Emperors Of Medieval Japan

LINDA RONSON - Emperors Of Medieval Japan

Maniac Squat Records [Release date 09.11.15] Back in 1974 David Bowie, regaled us with tales of a skeletal post-apocalyptic landscape of Diamond Dogs.  By then, Mick Ronson was no longer his trusted foil, but 40 years later Ronson’s daughter seems … Continue reading

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Album review: DANA IMMANUEL – Dotted Lines

DANA IMMANUEL - Dotted Lines

Self-release [Release date 23.10.15] Eight tracks over 32 minutes isn’t the most expansive of albums.  But in the case of banjo-toting, whiskey-drinking north London-based singer-songwriter Dana Immanuel, the quality that oozes through every track on the follow up to her … Continue reading

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Gig review: IAN ANDERSON (JETHRO TULL) – The Lowry, Salford, 14 September 2015

IAN ANDERSON (JETHRO TULL) - The Lowry, Salford, 14 September 2015

It’s Jethro Tull, but not as we have known them.   ‘The Rock Opera’ continued the format of previous outings with a large screen and a theme.  A few things have grated in recent years, not least the use of Ryan … Continue reading

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Gig review: Cambridge Folk Festival, 30 July-2 August 2015

Cambridge Folk Festival, 30 July-2 August 2015

Any festival with a continuous run of 51 years must be doing something right! Over that time the acts have constantly been of the highest quality and offered a diverse and eclectic mix of music from all corners of the … Continue reading

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News: DEBORAH BONHAM plays Bolanesque and John Otway gig this autumn

Deborah Bonham

Photo: MHP Studios Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Featured Artist Deborah Bonham plays UK dates this autumn. Deborah is a special guest at the “Bolanesque” event in aid of Marc Bolan Music School in West Africa, on 15 September.  Her … Continue reading

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Gig review: Breaking Bands Festival – 22-24 May 2015

Haerken - Breaking Bands Festival - 22-24 May 2015

Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club, Worcestershire With the glut of festivals out there at present and certainly those of sub-1000 capacity you have to wonder is there space for more? Well, whilst the few big festivals continue to charge … Continue reading

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Gig review: CROPREDY – Oxfordshire, 13-15 August 2015

Cropredy - Oxfordshire, 13-15 August 2015

My 21st consecutive year attending the festival and the event is so much more than the music.  Kids, once clinging to parents midway up the field, are now grown up and dancing at the front. Last year the festival had … Continue reading

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DVD review: TASTE – What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight

TASTE - What

In this exclusive interview edit (17:49) Rory Gallagher’s brother and custodian of his legacy, Donal, tells David Randall about Taste’s tour with Eric Clapton/Blind Faith in the USA in 1969 and Rory’s growing frustration with tour/label management.  Donal also talks … Continue reading

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Album review: MARTIN BARRE – Back To Steel

Martin Barre - Back To Steel

Assume The Position – Martin Barre Special (20 September 2015) by Get Ready To Rock! Radio on Mixcloud Garage Records www.martinbarre.com [Release date 18.09.15] Described by Martin Barre as the “most important work in my career as a musician” sets … Continue reading

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Album review: THE MANIC SHINE – Trial And Triumph

THE MANIC SHINE - Trial & Triumph

Pledge Music [Release date 11.15] The Manic Shine are one of those bands that – after several years – have finally hit proverbial  paydirt with their latest Pledge-funded album.  We came across them via the radio station with much airplay … Continue reading

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News: Win 10 disc Status Quo vinyl boxed set and authorised book

STATUS QUO - The Vinyl Collection 1972-1980

Win Status Quo Vinyl Collection 1972-1980 boxed set! Our latest competition running throughout September offers a chance to win the highly collectible 10-LP boxed set which features remastered 180gm vinyl with original covers, inserts and an exclusive poster in each … Continue reading

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Album review: EAT THE GUN – Howlinwood

EAT THE GUN - Howlinwood

SPV www.spv.de [Release date 28.08.15] Who doesn’t love a good threesome ? German threesomes are even better – allegedly!  Right from the almost QOTSA staccato-riff opening to title track “Howlinwood” (cool video too), I thought “’Allo, what have we here?” … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DELTA SAINTS – Bones

THE DELTA SAINTS - Bones

earMUSIC/Loud And Proud Records [Release date 04.09.15] Nashville-based The Delta Saints’ new album Bones, strips the band’s roots/blues sound down to its essence, blending rock ‘n’ roll, country, R&B, soul and gospel, exploring territory not unfamiliar with that trodden by … Continue reading

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DVD review: STEVE HACKETT – The Man, The Music

STEVE HACKETT The Man The Music

Wienerworld [Release date 07.09.15] He may not be the most charismatic of narrators, but this documentary about the life and career of Steve Hackett – running out at a very generous 140 minutes – leaves no stone unturned from his … Continue reading

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Quick plays: THE GRAHAMS, MAURA KENNEDY, GILLIAN GLOVER

THE GRAHAMS Glory Bound

THE GRAHAMS Glory Bound 12 South Records [Release date 02.10.15] Husband and wife Americana duo Alyssa and Doug Graham follow up their 2013 debut Riverman’s Daughter with the dual release of their studio album Glory Bound, and Rattle The Hocks … Continue reading

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News: MAGGIE BELL, KEVIN GODLEY interview features – Sunday 23 August 2015

Maggie Bell

On Sunday 23 August, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio chats to two influential artists, but with widely differing musical styles. Maggie Bell has been described as “the UK’s Janis Joplin’ and she lent her gritty, soulful vocal to influential blues … Continue reading

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Album review: GREG LAKE – London ’81

GREG LAKE - London

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.08.15] Now here’s an interesting find from the back pages of Greg Lake’s illustrious career.  Recorded in 1981 with Gary Moore on guitar it is more than just a curios.  Two years after ELP split, … Continue reading

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Album review: STATUS QUO – The Vinyl Collection 1972-1980

STATUS QUO - The Vinyl Collection 1972-1980

Universal [Release date 14.08.15] If  classic Status Quo were personified by denim rather than leather, they were also defined by vinyl rather than CD.  It may be somewhat bizarre that 40 plus years after the original release of the earliest … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE TUBES – Club Academy, Manchester, 8 August 2015

THE TUBES - Club Academy, Manchester, 8 August 2015

I really hope The Tubes don’t leave it another decade before their next UK tour.  I mean the 50th anniversary will be in 2025 and their oldest member will be nearly 80.  The band have always had a soft spot … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOS FESTIVAL – Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 17-19 July 2015

SOS FESTIVAL - Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 17-19 July 2015

It’s that time of year when the Civic Hall, Radcliffe gets its roof well and truly raised as the hordes of rockers and metal-heads gather for the annual SOS festival. Organized by Rocksector Records it showcases not only their own … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Dee Snider - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Photo: Simon Dunkerley What a difference twelve hours can make, from beautiful blue skies to masses of mud, the lovely Welsh rain has made an appearance but, no matter, the show goes on. Skam had the unenviable task of starting … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 1 – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 25 July 2015

STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 1 - Ebbw Vale, S.Wales, 25 July 2015

Steelhouse is celebrating its fifth anniversary and I am proud to say I was there at the inaugral event on a cold and rainy windswept mountain … not a lot has changed weatherwise since then. In fairness to the Steelhouse … Continue reading

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Album review: STONE THE CROWS – Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law (reissues)

Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law

This is an exclusive extract from a longer interview with Maggie Bell which is featured in an artist special broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 23 August  (5:00).  This is now available via Mixcloud (see above) Part 2 … Continue reading

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Album review: TEN YEARS AFTER, THE BLUE AEROPLANES (Access All Areas)

Ten Years After - Access All Areas

Edsel [Release date 29.06.15] CD/DVD Right up until his untimely passing in March 2013, Alvin Lee always bemoaned that he’d been typecast after Woodstock.  And this 1990 TV concert demonstrates that he still carried the albatross of ‘Good Morning Little … Continue reading

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