Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: ALEX HART – On This Day

Posted on November 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Right Track [Release date: 10.11.14] I was hoping, having heard Alex Hart’s debut single ‘Orange Van’, with its subtle ‘folktronic’ beat, that the Devon based singer songwriter may be the next Beth Orton. But while she describes her style as … Continue reading →

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – November 2014 highlights

Posted on October 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

November 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website Check back here as we add new features throughout the month. All times, GMT We are posting selected shows to our Mixcloud page. Photo: Simon Dunkerley Tuesdays 19:00 Pete Feenstra Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Andy Powell, Euphoria Audio, feature, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, interview, November 2014, Paul Rodgers, PictureHouse, Roger Mayer, sessions, Steve Cropper, the Rising | Leave a comment

Album review: DIXIE DREGS – Dregs Of The Earth, Unsung Heroes, Industry Standard (reissue)

Posted on October 28, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records [Release date 06.10.14] www.bgo-records.com OK. I own up. I thought Dixie Dregs might have been another Poco or Flying Burrito Brothers. Yes, I knew that this was Steve Morse’s first major calling card, but even though liking his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, classical, country, Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Dregs Of The Earth, fusion, Industry Standard, review, rock, Rod Morgenstein, Steve Morse, Unsung Heroes, Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: LUNA ROSSA – Secrets & Lies

Posted on October 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Luna Rossa – the ‘side-project’ of keyboard maestro Jonathan Edwards and singer / songwriter and vocalist Anne-Marie Helder, is fast becoming in danger of usurping their main band, Panic Room. The creative force behind both bands, Luna Rossa is a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE STORY OF UFO – Too Hot To Handle (1969-1993)

Posted on October 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Wienerworld [Release date 29.09.14] One of the great mainstays of British hard rock for nearly 50 years, UFO have never been properly commemorated in terms of a video documentary. Some fans may complain that this 60 minute overview (really from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged concert, Danny Peyronel, documentary, DVD, gig, hard rock, Michael Schenker, Mick Bolton, Paul Raymond, Pete Way, Phil Mogg, review, The Story Of UFO, Too Hot To Handle, UFO | Leave a comment

News: WINTER ROCKS in Sheffield on 6 December with THE ANSWER

Posted on October 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Winter Rocks - Sheffield Corporation, 6 December 2014

Sheffield Corporation will play host to the first annual WinterRocks Festival in December. This extravaganza will mix international artists with some of Sheffield’s finest rising talents over two stages. THE ANSWER will deliver their stunning live show as festival headliners … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged 6 December 2014, Black Spiders, event, festival, Heavens Basement, rock, Sheffield Corporation, THE ANSWER, Winter Rocks, WinterRocks | Leave a comment

Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – Runt, Initiation, Hermit Of Mink Hollow (reissues)

Posted on October 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Todd Rundgren - Runt & The Alternate Runt

Edsel [Release date 08.09.14] Can the market really stand further reissues of three Todd albums from the 1970s? Looking back at our GRTR! archive, Edsel reissued the albums as part of their Rundgren reissue campaign in 2011/2. So what’s new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, bonus tracks, deluxe edition, Hermit Of Mink Hollow, Initiation, pop, progressive, psychedelic, reissue, review, rock, Runt, Todd Rundgren | Leave a comment

DVD review: ARETHA FRANKLIN – The Legendary Concertgebouw Concert 1968

Posted on October 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Wienerworld [Release date: 28.07.14] One has to wonder at the justification of a full price DVD release – unique footage, or no – when the running time is only 42 minutes, including an interview. At the peak of her powers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Aretha Franklin, DVD, review, soul, The Legendary Concertgebouw Concert 1968 | Leave a comment

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 →