Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

DVD review: TRANSATLANTIC – KaLiveoscope

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Inside Out [Release date: 28.10.14] I’m maybe the wrong person to review this DVD. Or perhaps the best. Because while I’m familiar with the name and the fact the band’s a side project ‘supergroup’ I couldn’t previously have told you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Bluray, Deep Purple, Dream Theater, DVD, Enchant, Flying Colors, KaLiveoscope, Marillion, Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas, prog, progressive, review, Spock's Beard, Steve Morse, Ted Leonard, Transatlantic | Leave a comment

DVD review: DEEP PURPLE with Orchestra – Live In Verona

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 30.10.14] Deep Purple and orchestras go back a long way – to 1969 when John Lord composed The Concerto for Group and Orchestra with lyrics written by Ian Gillan and which was first performed by Deep … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 2011, Bluray, Deep Purple, Don Airey, DVD, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Live In Verona, Montreux, orchestra, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

DVD review: GENESIS – Three Sides Live

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 03.11.14] Appallingly imbalanced as the recent BBC documentary was, it did reveal one thing – that Genesis weren’t a band of happy campers – more a group of individuals where individual expression and experimentation was suppressed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 1981, Bluray, DVD, Genesis, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, pop, progressive, review, rock, Three Sides Live, Tony Banks | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS, RUN BOY RUN, SUNJAY, MICHELLE LEWIS

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS Who We Are For those unaware of the charms of Chris While & Julie Matthews, their ninth studio album celebrating their 20th anniversary is unlikely to unlock any previously closed doors. Winners of the best … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Chris While & Julie Matthews, folk, Michelle Lewis, review, Run Boy Run, singer, Something To Someone, songwriter, Sunjay, The Parts Of Us That Still Remain, Who We Are | Leave a comment

Album review: BILLY IDOL – Kings & Queens Of The Underground

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

BFI records [Release date 20.10.14] What has Billy Idol ever done? Well he was a very obvious ‘gobbing’ target in his Generation X 1976 – 1981 heyday, and he was unquestionably a poster boy of choice when he dominated MTV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Idol, Kings & Queens Of The Underground, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ALVIN STARDUST – Alvin

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Conehead UK [Release date 01.12.14] It must be difficult working with an “established” artist who hasn’t made an album for 30 years. Which direction do you go in? Do you leave the past behind? Do you embrace the past? In … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alvin, Alvin Stardust, country, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Video interview: STEVE CROPPER – Stax legend, guitarist and producer – 18 October 2014

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The term legend or legendary is used perhaps too flippantly in the context of music, but the term can be firmly applied to Steve Cropper. Steve was a member of the Stax Records house band from the early-1960s and lent … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Video Interviews | Tagged 18 October 2014, Booker T & The MGs, interview, Otis Redding, R&B, soul, Stax Records, Steve Cropper, The Blues Brothers, video | 2 Comments

Gig review: STEVE CROPPER with ANIMALS & FRIENDS – Live Rooms, Chester, 18 October 2014

Posted on October 20, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Cropper - Chester Live Rooms, 18 October 2014

Interview with Steve Cropper, chatting about his career (18 October 2014) I last saw The Animals and Steve Cropper back in 2011. Sadly the setlist hasn’t changed much since then, inevitably built around the “hits” and some Colonel fans may … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 October 2014, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mick Gallagher, R&B, review, soul, Stax, Steve Cropper, The Animals & Friends | Leave a comment

News: STEVE CROPPER tour with ANIMALS & FRIENDS – Interview and Feature

Posted on October 20, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Cropper - Great British Rock & Blues, 27 February 2013

Photo: Noel Buckley Stax legend Steve Cropper heads out on the road again in October/November as special guest of Animals and Friends. Following their critically-acclaimed and hugely successful tours together in 2008, 2011 and 2012 this legendary combination of musicians … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged Blues Brothers, Booker T & The MGs, feature, interview, November 2014, October 2014, R&B, radio, soul, Stax, Steve Cropper, The Animals And Friends, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

News: BAND OF FRIENDS (feat. Gerry McAvoy, Ted McKenna) play UK dates 17-19 October

Posted on October 13, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Band Of Friends UK dates in October Band Of Friends – bassist Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher/ Nine Below Zero/ Champion Jack Dupree/ Deep Joy), drummer Ted McKenna (Rory Gallagher/ Sensational Alex Harvey Band/ Greg Lake/ Gary Moore) and guitarist-vocalist Marcel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged Band Of Friends, blues, Gerry McAvoy, Marcel Scherpenzeel, news, NINE BELOW ZERO, October 2014, rock, Rory Gallagher, Ted McKenna, Tour | Leave a comment

Album review: BRIAN TARQUIN & HEAVY FRIENDS – Guitars For Wounded Warriors

Posted on October 10, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid Records/Cleopatra [Release date 22.09.14] Brian Tarquin is a prolific producer/musician who in recent years has specialised in above-par tribute albums, such as those to Jeff Beck and Led Zep. This time he pays tribute to the ‘brave men … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alex De Rosso, Billy Sheehan, Brian Tarquin, Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends, Bumblefoot, Chris Poland, Chuck Loeb, Gary Hoey, Guitars For Wounded Warriors, Hal Lindes, Reb Beach, review, Steve Morse, The Flyin' Ryan Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: SIMON PHILLIPS – Protocol II

Posted on October 9, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Inakustik [Release date 13.10.14] It’s been fourteen years since the release of ‘Vantage Point’, Simon Phillips’ last solo album. This is understandable given that for most of that period he’s been tied up drumming for Toto. But of course in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Timmons, Danger Danger, drummer, drums, Ernest Tibbs, instrumental, jazz fusion, Protocol II, review, rock, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Steve Weingart, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: IRON BUTTERFLY – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (reissue)

Posted on October 7, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Salvo [Release date 27.10.14] In terms of psychedelic rock heavyweights of the late-1960s, they don’t come much heavier than Iron Butterfly. Sometimes even credited for inventing the heavy metal idiom - as epitomised by the 17 minute title track. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, bonus tracks, heavy metal, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Iron Butterfly, pop, psychedelic, reissue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE TEXAS FLOOD – Young Dogs, Old Tricks

Posted on October 6, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

To The Bone Records [Release date: 21.06.14] www.thetexasflood.co.uk Whilst relatively new-ish on the scene ‘The Texas Flood’ have done the groundwork and built up a solid fanbase by gigging and getting themselves out there. TTF entered a national competition, Highway … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Old Tricks, review, rock, The Texas Flood, Young Dogs | Leave a comment

News: CHANTEL McGREGOR, STEVE HOGARTH and JOHN ILLSLEY radio features on Sunday 5 October

Posted on October 4, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Chantel McGregor - Cambridge Rock Festival

Photo: Simon Dunkerley/GRTR! Special features on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio On Sunday 5 October, in The Pete Feenstra Feature, CHANTEL McGREGOR chats to Pete about her forthcoming album and about her career to date. (19:00 GMT) Chantel released her … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged blues, Chantel McGregor, Dire Straits, feature, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, interview, John Illsley, Marillion, prog, progressive, radio, rock, session, special, Steve Hogarth, Sunday 5 October 2014 | Leave a comment

News: STEVE HACKETT interview on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 5 October 2014

Posted on October 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Simon Dunkerley/GRTR! Bonus material not broadcast with Steve chatting about his solo career and his forthcoming album (20:17) ‘Assume The Position’, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday 5 October, 22:00 (Monday 6 October and Friday 10 October, 22:00 repeat) … Continue reading →

Posted in Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged documentary, feature, Genesis, genesis Extended, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, guitar, guitarist, interview, prog, progressive, radio, Steve Hackett, Tour | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – October 2014 Highlights

Posted on October 1, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

October 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website Check back here as we add new features throughout the month. All times, BST (GMT+1) Photo: Simon Dunkerley Tuesdays 19:00 Pete Feenstra Rock & Blues Signposting upcoming and established blues/rock artists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Chantel McGregor, Dire Straits, feature, Genesis, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, interview, Jethro Tull, John Illsley, Larry Miller, Marillion, Martin Barre, October 2014, radio, special, Steve Hackett, Steve Hogarth | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PIERCES – Creation

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Polydor [Release date 01.09.14] Sisters Allison and Catherine Pierce were on the verge of calling it a day when Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman came calling and offered to produced their chart topping You And I (2011) – an album that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Creation, pop, review, rock, The Pierces | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT PLANT – Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Robert Plant - Lullaby and...The Ceasless Roar

East West [Release date 08.09.14] Sometimes an album leaves your jaw dropped, with words incapable of doing it justice. Such is Robert Plant’s latest offering. While Jimmy Page continues to yearn for days of yore, Plant continues to look for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, electronica, Led Zeppelin, Lullaby And...The Ceaseless Roar, review, Robert Plant, rock, Sensational Space Shifters, world | Leave a comment

Album review: SLASH feat. Myles Kennedy – World On Fire

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy - World On Fire

Roadrunner Records [Release date 13.10.14] He’s a shrewd dude, Slash. You never see the whites of his eyes. A bit like The Stig, you never see the man beneath the top hat and behind the easy rider shades. Remove them, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Guns 'N' Roses, hard rock, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, review, Slash, World On Fire | Leave a comment

Album review: CLAUDIA BRUCKEN – Where Else

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Red [Release date 06.10.14] For many, Claudia Brücken will be synonymous with 80′s German synth pop band Propaganda – one of the first bands to be signed to Trevor Horn’s ZTT label and their 1985 debut A Secret Wish. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Claudia Brucken, electronica, folk, pop, Propaganda, review, Where Else | Leave a comment

Album review: LARKIN POE – Kin

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

RH Music [Release date 25.08.14] Having lost all sense of direction on their last release – The Sound Of The Ocean Sound with Thom Hell in 2013 – you wondered whether sisters Rebecca and Megan Poe were destined for obscurity. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bluegrass, blues, country, Dixie Chicks, Kin, Larkin Poe, pop, review, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: TINA DICO – Whispers

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Finest Gramophone [Release date 25.08.14] Since teaming up with Icelandic singer/trombonist Helgi Jónsson, it’s all gone a bit ‘Pete Tong’ for Danish singer songwriter Tina Dico. At least, from a creative output perspective. The perfect foil on stage, Jónsson has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, review, singer, songwriter, Tina Dico, Whispers | Leave a comment

Album review: YES – Songs From Tsongas

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 22.09.14] 3-CD It comes to something when we get an anniversary release of an anniversary release! Following Rick Wakeman’s return to the band in 2002, the classic Yes line up of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 35th Anniversary, Alan White, album, Chris Squire, DVD, Jon Anderson, prog, progressive, review, Rick Wakeman, Songs From Tsongas, Steve Howe, Yes | Leave a comment

News: MARTIN BARRE interview special on Sunday 28 September

Posted on September 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Simon Dunkerley/GRTR! Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday 28 September, 22:00 GMT Monday 29 September and Friday 3 October, 22:00 repeat) A two-hour special, replaying Martin’s recent chat about his favourite tracks and new album, plus Tull and solo … Continue reading →