Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: POCO – The Sony/BMG A’s and B’s

Posted on June 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records [Release date 31.03.23] Poco were the nearly-men of country rock and whilst achieving a modicum of chart success in their early incarnation are perhaps better known for supplying luminaries to other bands. Enter (or exit) Timothy B. Schmit … Continue reading →

Album review: FASTWAY – A’s and B’s (The Sony Years)

Posted on June 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records [Release date 09.12.22] You might think that the combination of Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie), Pete Way (UFO) and “Fast” Eddie Clarke (Motorhead) was a marriage made in heavy rock heaven. But this original triumvirate only lasted weeks before … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, As And Bs (The Sony Years), Fast Eddie Clarke, Fastway, hard rock, Jerry Shirley, Pete Way, review | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – FM (June 2023)

Posted on June 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: David Randall The nearly-men of melodic rock returned as the now-men in the millennium… In the twenty years of Get Ready to ROCK! one phenomena has been the renaissance of bands who “back in the day” never fully realised … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Leave a comment

Album review: FURY WEEKEND – Afterglow

Posted on May 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

FiXT Music [Release date 25.05.23] Presenting ‘New to GRTR!’ each week for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio I have become aware of the increasing number of bands combining electronica and rock. I have to say the FiXT label has much … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, ambient, Ars Nikonov, Fury Weekend, new age, Ollie Wride, review, synth pop, synthwave, The Anix | Leave a comment

Gig review: WINGER – Bristol Academy, 21 May 2023

Posted on May 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Back in 2010 I reviewed Winger at Manchester Academy and took my son the guitarist Ben Randall. Ben is a big fan of the band but I couldn’t entice him to see their latest tour supporting Steel Panther. Whether it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 May 2023, AOR, Bristol Academy, gig, hair metal, hard rock, Kip Winger, melodic, Reb Beach, review, Winger | Leave a comment

News: Melodic Rockers FM enter The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness in June 2023

Posted on May 21, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The latest inductees to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” are melodic rockers FM. A major retrospective tracking FM’s comeback in the millennium will be published on 1 June by rock website Get Ready to ROCK! and throughout the month Get … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged AOR, classic rock, feature, FM, Grotto, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, retrospective, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – Bridges

Posted on May 6, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The Player’s Club/Mascot [Release date 16.06.23] Early despatches suggested that Steve Lukather’s latest solo album might merely be a continuation of Toto especially with the contributions of several band members. Sure, we have writing and vocal back up contributions from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bridges, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMSEY LEWIS – Legacy/ Ramsey/ Live At The Savoy/Chance Encounter (Remasters)

Posted on May 5, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 30.03.18] In the fourth of our series of reviews summarising the Ramsey Lewis reissues (see links below) here are four late-1970s/early 1980s Ramsey Lewis albums on two CDs. Once again reproducing the original credits and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Chance Encounter, classical, Grover Washington Jr., jazz funk, Legacy, Live At The Savoy, Ramsey, Ramsey Lewis, reissue, review, soul jazz, Wayne Henderson | Leave a comment

Album review: REDBONE – A’s And B’s

Posted on May 4, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 17.03.23] For most readers of a certain age (i.e. ancient, this writer included) Redbone may be best known for their one big hit single ‘Witch Queen Of New Orleans’ which made No.2 in the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1970-1977, A's and B's, album, compilation, funk, pop, Redbone, review, rock, singles, soul, swamp rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE 69 EYES – Death Of Darkness

Posted on May 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 21.04.23] There’s an element of “Eurovision” in this album, and I reckon The 69 Eyes should ready themselves for Australia 2024. Australia? Yes, I have high hopes for Voyager this year. There is a definite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Death Of Darkness, glam, glam metal, hard rock, review, The 69 Eyes | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – WALTER TROUT (May 2023)

Posted on May 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: John Bull/Rockrpix Walter Trout has consolidated his solo career, overcome major health issues, and remained relevant at the forefront of blues rock… Damn right Walter’s got the blues! But he’s thrown out the clichés, blown away the cobwebs, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged anniversary, blues, blues rock, feature, GRTR!@20, guitar, guitarist, history, overview, summary, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: ANGEL – Once Upon A Time

Posted on April 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.04.23] Whilst it is good to see a seventies band re-appear (in white suits) to capture former glories ‘Once Upon A Time’ isn’t the album to achieve modern notoriety. The problem is the inconsistent production. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Angel, glam, metal, Once Upon A Time, pop | Leave a comment

Album review: ARIELLE – ’73

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

ww.iamarielle.com [Release date 20.04.23] Arielle has had a stop-start career which has involved record label issues and rehab. Now an independent artist, the new album ’73 is her true second coming. It’s suitably titled because (whilst referencing her classic VW … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged '73, album, Arielle, blues, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL GILBERT – The Dio Album

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Music Theories Recordings/Mascot [Release date 07.04.23] Six string wizard Paul Gilbert reinterprets some of RJD’s finest moments from his time with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, substituting the master’s vocals with his own guitar lines. It’s a hugely brave move … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitar, guitarist, Paul Gilbert, review, Ronnie James Dio, The Dio Album | Leave a comment

Album review: L.A.GUNS – Black Diamonds

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date 14.04.23] Since Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis buried the hatchet back in 2016 they have released four studio and two live albums in what can only be described as somewhat of a purple patch. The latest, ‘Black … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Diamonds, hard rock, L.A. Guns, review, sleaze | Leave a comment

Album review: BALDASSARRE – Grand Boulevard

Posted on April 26, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Carl Baldassarre Music [Release date 28.04.23] The first thing this over-stressed reviewer thought when opening up the promo package was “what the hell will I play it on?” But it turns out that the album is on a USB stick … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carl Baldassarre, classic rock, Grand Boulevard, pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMSEY LEWIS – Hang On Ramsey!/Wade In The Water/Don’t It Feel Good/Salongo/Tequila Mockingbird/Love Notes (Remasters)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

RAMSEY LEWIS - Don't It Feel Good/Salongo/Tequila Mockingbird/Love Notes

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date: various] Many readers’ first experience of Ramsey Lewis would have been the 1965 hit ‘The In Crowd’. This evokes happy times, stretched out with a transistor radio in the summer sunshine tuned in to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Don't It Feel Good, Earth Wind & Fire, Hang On Ramsey!, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Love Notes, Maurice White, Ramsey Lewis, review, Salongo, soul jazz, Stevie Wonder, Tequila Mockingbird, Wade In The Water | Leave a comment

Book review: MAGIC The David Paton Story (David Paton)

Posted on April 25, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 28.04.23] It seems to be a trend for musicians – some of whom aren’t exactly thrust centre stage in the pantheon of rock – to write their biographies. Perhaps it’s a Lockdown thing or a sense … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Parsons Project, autobiography, bass, book, Camel, classic rock, David Paton, Elton John, guitar, Magic, Pilot, review, The David Paton Story | Leave a comment

Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Argus (50th Anniversary Edition 1972-2022)

Posted on April 24, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Madfish/Snapper Music [Release date 14.04.23] In his Best of two decades listing our Melodic Rock Editor Andy Nathan (and big Wishbone Ash fan) included the gig at a country house in Buckinghamshire in 2012. Andy wrote: “Given the enmity between … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 50th anniversary, Andy Powell, Argus, box set, classic rock, folk, Limited Edition, Martin Turner, progressive, rock, Steve Upton, Ted Turner, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

News: WALTER TROUT enters The Grotto of Greatness in May 2023

Posted on April 24, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The latest inductee to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” is blues/rock guitarist Walter Trout. A major retrospective following Trout’s career in the millennium will be published on 1 May by rock website Get Ready to ROCK! and throughout the month … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged anniversary, blues, blues rock, GRTR!@20, guitar, guitarist, history, news, overview, summary, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Blues and Blues Rock – Primer

Posted on April 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

They say “popular” music goes in cycles and fifteen years after the latest blues/rock revival spearheaded by the likes of Jeff Healey and Gary Moore, the genre received a boost from the arrival of Joe Bonamassa, especially in Europe which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Primer | Tagged blues, blues rock, Joe Bonamassa, Pete Feenstra, primer, summary, survey, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: WINGER – Seven

Posted on April 16, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Kip Winger chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, featuring tracks from the new album. First broadcast Sunday 7 May 2023. Frontiers [Release date 05.05.23] It’s a sign of the times that Metallica have apologised to Winger … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, interview, Kip Winger, melodic, radio, Reb Beach, review, Seven, Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: LAST IN LINE – Jericho

Posted on April 15, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 31.03.23] As far as recent ‘superbands’ go I think it is fair to say that Last In Line come from the heavier bluesy rock end of the spectrum when say compared to a band like Revolution Saints. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andrew Freeman, Dio, hard rock, heavy rock, Jericho, Last In Line, Phil Soussain, review, Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell | Leave a comment

Album review: DEXTER WANSEL – Life On Mars / What The World Is Coming To / Voyager / Time Is Slipping Away

Posted on April 12, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 31.03.23] Back in the day (mid to late 1980s), I was a closet listener to Robbie Vincent’s BBC Radio 1 show when he would frequently implore his audience to “open the fridge and freezer door” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Dexter Wansel, disco, funk, fusion, George Howard, jazz funk, Jean Carn, Life On Mars, reissue, The Jones Girls, Voyager and Time Is Slipping Away, What the World Is Coming To | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMSEY LEWIS – Les Fleurs / Fantasy / Keys To The City (Remasters)

Posted on April 12, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 31.03.23] BGO have done a great job releasing back catalogue from a number of big name artists and labels and packaging several albums on a couple of discs together with extensive liner notes in a … Continue reading →