Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Quick plays: NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One You might well ask why GRTR! is reviewing a Celtic / Breton fiddle album? And it would be a reasonable question to ask.  But there are ‘rock’ connections.  Firstly, one half of the main … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
ROBIN TROWER - The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Forty years might separate Robin Trower’s biggest success and Joanne Shaw Taylor’s latest album, but both tap into that deep vein of soulful, heart-felt blues rock.  Only this month Trower has become a fully certified elder statesman of rock, celebrating … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Posted on March 29, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Day 3 Despite two hard days of partying the wasted souls came out to play early today and made it for the first band on the Stoner stage.  At every festival you can usually find a new band that really … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Kamelot, HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 Friday starts with a much drier morning with a bit of sun to burn those retinas open, also no doubt some massive hangovers as the over-indulgent among us get over their first night adrenaline/drinking sessions.  Theycan be no … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

So once again it’s time for the Pirate hordes to invade and take over the Hafan-Y-Mor site and by the amount of water falling out of the sky arriving on the Black Pearl wouldn’t have been out of place. This … Continue reading →

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Gig review: WILKO JOHNSON – Ritz, Manchester, 18 March 2015

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Wilko Johnson, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

For the second time in as many years I have the pleasure of watching a show by Wilko Johnson, by now I’m sure everyone knows of his incredible journey in the past two years which has taken him from being … Continue reading →

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News: ANTHONY PHILLIPS, ANNIE HASLAM and STEVE HACKETT interviews, Sunday 29 March 2015

Posted on March 27, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Renaissance in concert

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio has a “prog” theme on Sunday 29 March, with three special features including interviews with some of the genre’s significant movers and shakers. Original Genesis guitarist and founder member Anthony Phillips chats about his career … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Nightranger - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 After a paltry 5 hours sleep and searching the little town of Criccieth for match sticks to keep my eyes open, and copious amounts of Pro Plus, I made my way back to the arenas where I like … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 1)

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Dare - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015

After an early start and a four and a half hour drive, I arrived at Hard Rock Hell  and was immediately struck by how well organised the event was.  The site was immaculate and the staff were friendly and helpful. … Continue reading →

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News: Prog Rockers Renaissance return with UK tour in April

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Renaissance in concert

Annie Haslam chats to David Randall about Renaissance and the forthcoming tour.  This is an un-broadcast extract from a longer interview that will form the basis of an hour special on Sunday 29 March at 22:00 on Get Ready to … Continue reading →

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Album review: GILLAN – The Albums Collection

Posted on March 16, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
GILLAN - The Albums Collection

Edsel [Release date 16.03.15] Boxed set, limited edition, 6-disc It is evident from these albums that singer Ian Gillan had an amazing band that, for whatever reasons, worked incredibly well.  Several top 10 albums and singles for a start.  As … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SICK OF IT ALL – Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

Posted on March 15, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SICK OF IT ALL - Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

Headliners Sick Of It All are Lou, Pete Koller (guitar), Craig Setari (bass) and Armand Majidi (drums) and have been around the scene since 1986.  While having plenty of success they may not be known to many outside of the … Continue reading →

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Album review: IAN DURY/& THE BLOCKHEADS – Reissues

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Ian Dury - New Boots And Panties!!

Edsel [Release date 02.03.15] To most, Ian Dury will always be remembered as the cheeky chappy who – in 1978 – had a massive hit with ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’. Dury’s Blockhead-related albums are now collected and re-formatted … Continue reading →

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
EUROPE - Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

I am still not convinced that two- or three-way bills are the best way forward for some of our premier bands.  The last time I saw Europe was a three-way with FM and Foreigner and notwithstanding poor sound (for the … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KING KING – The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

A Sunday night can be a tricky one for any gig but thankfully  the fans came out in their droves for an almost full house at The Globe in what I can only describe as a masterclass in musicianship.  This … Continue reading →

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Gig review: LEVELLERS – Opera House, Buxton, 5 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Levellers - Buxton Opera House, 5 March 2015

Walking up to the majestic Buxton Opera House it was noticeable that the crusty old tour vans of years gone by have been replaced by posh tour coaches but were Levellers still true to their roots?  Well tonight we were … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Eleanor McEvoy - Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Ten years ago we asked Eleanor McEvoy if she would continue in “acoustic” mode for the foreseeable future and whether she would ever consider going back to the more ‘electric’ format that she followed in the mid to late 1990s.  … Continue reading →

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Album review: SIMPLE MINDS – Sparkle In The Rain (box set)

Posted on March 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SIMPLE MINDS - Sparkle In The Rain (box set)

Universal [Release date 16.03.15] 5-disc box set If New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) marked the beginning of Simple Minds departure from their new waves roots, Sparkle In The Rain – their 6th album, released in 1984 and produced by Steve Lillywhite … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALICE DiMICELE – Swim

Posted on March 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
ALICE DiMICELE - Swim

Alice Otter Music [Release date 04.05.15] www.alicedimicele.com It comes as little surprise that Alice DiMicele has been on the scene for almost 30 years as her sound – described as ‘groove folk’ and ‘acoustic soul’ -  echoes back to Joni … Continue reading →

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DVD review: SHANIA TWAIN – Still The One Live From Vegas

Posted on March 6, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SHANIA TWAIN - Still the One Live From Vegas

Eagle Rock [Release date 02.03.15] For the original country/pop crossover queen, and best-selling female country artist of all time who has shipped over 75 million albums worldwide – thanks primarily to the Mutt Lange trilogy of releases The Woman in … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: TRISTAN MACKAY, THE KENNEDYS, VANESSA PETERS

Posted on March 6, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Tristan Mackay - Wire & Wood

TRISTAN MACKAY Wire & Wood The clue, as they say, is in the title – Wire & Wood is a pared back acoustic follow-up to singer songwriter Tiverton, Devon-born Tristan Mackay’s debut release Out Along The Wire (2012). Originally ‘discovered’ … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANTHONY PHILLIPS – The Geese & The Ghost

Posted on March 5, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Anthony Phillips - The Geese & the Ghost

Anthony Phillips chats about the reissues (9:07)  This is un-broadcast material from a special feature about Anthony on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 29 March 2015, 16:00 GMT. Esoteric [Release date 09.03.15] Anthony Phillips’ debut album was some 8 years … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KARNATAKA – The Met, Bury, 27 February 2015

Posted on February 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Karnataka - The Met, Bury, 27 February 2015

Two years ago, at this very venue, Karnataka made a very bold move by recording a full show with a very new line-up.  It paid off, quite clearly a credit to new girl Hayley Griffiths who we described as bringing … Continue reading →

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News: ROBIN TROWER interview and feature, Sunday 1 March 2015

Posted on February 27, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Robin Trower

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday 1 March 2015, 16:00 GMT Robin Trower releases his latest studio album – ‘Something’s About To Change’ – in March and he’s touring in the UK later in the month. David Randall chatted to … Continue reading →

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Album review: KIKI DEE – reissues

Posted on February 26, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Kiki Dee - reissues

Kiki Dee chats to David Randall about her 1970s albums. (6:24)  The full version of this interview is featured in two parts on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  Part 1 on Sunday 5 April 2015 at 16:00 and Part 2 … Continue reading →

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