Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: ALICE COOPER – Brutally Live

Posted on January 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Salvo (CD/DVD) [Release date] It’s ironic that as Brutally Live is about to be re-released, the whole concert has been broadcast on BBC4. So if you’ve been watching the TV schedules you’ll hopefully have had the good sense to either … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Brutally Live, CD, DVD, July 2000, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: HEART – Fanatic Live From Caesars Colosseum

Posted on January 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Ann Wilson chats about her career in the Songwriters series, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 23 March, 13:00 GMT. More information Frontiers Records (CD and DVD Deluxe Edition) [Release date 24.02.14] Heart’s 15th studio album, Fanatic, released in October … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Ann Wilson, AOR, CD, DVD, Fanatic Live At Caesars Colosseum, Heart, Nancy Wilson, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE PRETTY THINGS – London, 100 Club, 21 December 2013

Posted on January 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The brief was, I am led to believe, simple. “It’s a mod do,” promoter John Hellier had said to the band beforehand, “so keep it strictly Mod- all R’n’B, no psych.” Admittedly, that’s not how I’d have played it, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, 21 December 2013, Dick Taylor, gig, London, Phil May, review, rock, The Pretty Things | Leave a comment

Gig review: HOLY HOLY (feat. Woody Woodmansey) – The Lexington,Islington,20 December 2013

Posted on January 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Q: When is a tribute band elevated to a status beyond a mere tribute band? A: When the drummer (or indeed any former member) of the band you are paying tribute to joins your lineup, thus cementing the link between … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 December 2013, Bowie, gig, Holy Holy, Islington, James Stevenson, review, Spiders From mars, The Lexington, Woody Woodmansey | Leave a comment

Gig review: WILKO JOHNSON – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, 24 January 2014

Posted on January 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Originally only planned for two nights to celebrate the Forum’s 21st birthday, Wilko Johnson added a third night due to the other two shows being sold out so quickly. Roger Daltrey once sang that he hoped to die before he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 January 2014, gig, Norman Watt-Roy, review, rock, The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, Wilko Johnson | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL RODGERS – The Royal Sessions

Posted on January 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

429 Records [Release date 27.01.14] It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Paul Rodgers took himself off to Memphis in 2013 and recorded this homage to the golden age of soul, working with some of that genre’s legendary players. It … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Hi Records, Hi Rhythm Section, Memphis, Paul Rodgers, R&B, review, soul, The Royal Sessions | Leave a comment

Album review: CAST – reissues (All Change, Mother Nature Calls, Magic Hour, Beetroot)

Posted on January 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel Records [Release date 03.02.14] Cast embarked on their traditional low-key pre-Christmas dates in 2013 and celebrated their 20th anniversary with a new album ‘Troubled Times’. With their first four albums now expanded to deluxe editions, the time is perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged All Change, Beetroot, Cast, deluxe edition, DVD, John Power, Liverpool, Magic Hour, Mother Nature Calls, reissue, review, Shack, The Las | Leave a comment

Gig review: NOEL McCALLA/JIM MULLEN – Half Moon, Putney, 19 January 2014

Posted on January 21, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

When a vocalist begins his set by launching into a cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”, you could be forgiven for slight trepidation, or even thinking you’ve wandered into the wrong gig altogether. After all, covers gigs, such as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 January 2014, Average White Band, fusion, gig, guitar, guitarist, Half Moon, Jazz rock, Jim Mullen, Kokomo, Mezzoforte, Moon, Morrissey Mullen, Noel McCalla, Putney, review, soul | 1 Comment

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

Posted on January 21, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

February 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, GMT Photo: Noel Buckley Tuesdays 19:00 Pete Feenstra Rock & Blues NEW! In the first hour of our Tuesday blues rock marathon, Pete signposts upcoming and established artists who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged blues, Camel, Caravan, classic rock, Don Airey, February 2014, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playlist, progressive, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: FOREIGNER – I Want To Know What Love Is – The Ballads

Posted on January 18, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 03.02.14] You can’t help thinking this ballads collection is something of a cash-in in advance of the band’s spring tour with Europe and FM. There are no new tracks but newcomers may be interested in the note-perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, compilation, Foreigner, I Want To Know What Love Is - The Ballads, Jeff Pilson, Kelly Hansen, Mick Jones, review | Leave a comment

News: The Best of 2013 – rock albums and live acts as selected by reviewers, readers and listeners

Posted on January 13, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Deep Purple - Manchester O2 Apollo, 12 October 2013

The Top Albums of 2013 (as selected by our readers and listeners) 1. DEEP PURPLE Now What?! 2. THE ANSWER New Horizon 3. ALTER BRIDGE The Fortress 4. BLACK STAR RIDERS All Hell Breaks Loose 5. MOTORHEAD Aftershock 6. SOUND … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best Of 2013 | Tagged ALTER BRIDGE, Best of 2013, Black Star Riders, Deep Purple, Family, live acts, progressive, rock, Saxon, Steve Hackett, THE ANSWER, top albums, Wilko Johnson | Leave a comment

Rock Photography Galleries: October-December 2013 (Fleetwood Mac,Peter Gabriel,Zappa Plays Zappa)

Posted on December 29, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Dweezil Zappa - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 15 November 2013

The Year in Pictures 2013 Photography by Steve Goudie and Iain Scott Zappa Plays Zappa Photo Gallery by Steve Goudie, 15 November 2013 Alice In Chains Photo Gallery by Iain Scott, 14 November 2013 Billy Joel Photo Gallery by Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries | Tagged Alice In Chains, Billy Joel, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, gallery, Iain Scott, Peter Gabriel, photographer, photography, photos, Robert Plant, rock, Steve Goudie, Zappa Plays Zappa | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Roundhouse, London, 26 October 2013

Posted on December 24, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

The Boomtown Rats - Manchester, 1 November 2013

The amount of shows I’ve seen this year that I thought I never would is truly amazing: for every idol that dies, another seemingly resurrects themselves with unerring timing, as if suddenly aware that there may not be many such … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26 October 2013, Bob Geldof, gig, London, punk, review, rock, Roundhouse, The Boomtown Rats | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEELEYE SPAN – Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, 2 December 2013

Posted on December 24, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Cor, it’s nippy out. I’d better get inside then: after all, what could exude more warmth than an evening of electric folk? There’s a rustic, fireside pleasure inherent in the songs of our ancient heritage which some would say is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 December 2013, Aylesbury, folk rock, gig, Maddy Prior, review, Steeleye Span, Waterside Theatre | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAUL CARRACK – Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, 1 December 2013

Posted on December 24, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Sunday night in Aylesbury isn’t necessarily a term that fills one with excitement. However, any such doubts can be put aside on realising you’re going to watch one of the greatest white soul voices to have emanated from the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ace, Aylesbury, gig, Mike & the Mechanics, Paul Carrack, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter, soul, Squeeze, Waterside Theatre | Leave a comment

Album review: BEN GRANFELT – Melodic Relief

Posted on December 24, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Supersounds Music [Release date 02.11.12] Ben Granfelt used to partner Andy Powell in Wishbone Ash and it’s no surprise that fellow Finn (and former bandmate in Gringos Locos) Muddy Manninen and Powell contribute to one track, ‘New 7’. It may … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Powell, Ben Granfelt, Finland, Finnish, guitar, guitarist, instrumental, Los Bastardos Finlandeeses, melodic Rewlief, Muddy Manninen, review, rock, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: THEA GILMORE, Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 17 December 2013

Posted on December 18, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

In a week that saw Sam Bailey crowned Queen of X Factor and announcing that her first album may be one of cover versions, you can’t help feeling that the true musical troopers suffer in silence. Enter, Thea Gilmore, who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 December 2013, Chester, Christmas, festive, folk, gig, Liz Hanks, Nigel Stonier, pop, review, singer, songwriter, Telford's Warehouse, Thea Gilmore | Leave a comment

News: CHERRY PICKIN’: Win six albums in our Xmas competition

Posted on December 12, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Sunday 15 December, 18:00 (GMT) Tuesday 17 December, 16:00 (repeat) Thursday 19 December, 21:00 (repeat) Saturday 21 October, 17:00 (repeat) The latest of our Cherry Red Records showcases is broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio This hour long sequence … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Competitions, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Cherry Red Records, New releases, pop, prog, psychedelic, R&B, rock, soul | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL 7 – Pwllheli, Wales, 28-30 November 2013

Posted on December 10, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Roll Up, Roll Up, Roll Up (Rizlas? ed.) for the greatest show on earth, this certainly encompasses the feeling around the HRH community as “Hard Rock Hell 7 – Cirque De Rock” rolls into its now well established new home … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28-30 November 2013, AIRBOURNE, Alunah, Arthur Brown, Attica Rage, Bernie Torme, Black Spiders, Black Star Riders, Blaze Bayley, Cage The Gods, festival, Hard Rock Hell 7, heavy rock, Kyrbgriner, metal, Michael Monroe, Pat McManus, Paul Di'Anno, Phil Campbell, Pwllheli, Skindred, THE ANSWER, THE JOKERS, The Screaming Eagles, The Treatment, Wales | Leave a comment

Album review: BRUCE BOUILLET – The Order Of Control

Posted on December 9, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 21.01.14] Instrumental guitar albums are a “difficult” genre to do well. At GRTR! Towers we are subjected to all manner of offerings; most are over-indulgent, unoriginal and badly produced. Bruce Bouillet may hold more of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Bouillet, G3, guitar, guitarist, metal, Paul Gilbert, Racer X, review, shred, The Order Of Control, The Scream | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – Club Academy, Manchester, 22 November 2013

Posted on December 9, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

The Temperance Movement - Manchester, 22 November 2013

Tonight was always going to be a special night, back in Manchester for the first time since The Temperance Movement (TTM) won “Best New Band” at the planet rock awards and also the last night of their current tour. What … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 November 2013, Club Academy, gig, Joshua James, Manchester, review, rock, Temperance Movement | Leave a comment

Album review: JAY FERGUSON – Reissues

Posted on December 8, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel Records [Release date 02.12.13] 2-CD From a personal point of view, these three albums from the late-seventies are perhaps best recalled from their place in the racks of many a vinyl seller at record fairs. I don’t really remember … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, All Alone In the End Zone, AOR, Eagles, Jay Ferguson, Jo Jo Gunne, Joe Walsh, Real Life Ain't This Way, reissue, review, rock, Spirit, Thunder Island, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: JOSH TAERK – Josh

Posted on December 7, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Absolute [Release date 14.10.13] The latest release by young Canadian singer/songwriter Josh Taerk is something of a throwback. Even his mop of curls shouts ‘1980s’, although I’m guessing it’s not a perm! The opening number – ‘I’ll Live For You’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Josh, Josh Taerk, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: NEW DANCE ORCHESTRA – Electronica (feat. Geoff Downes/Anne-Marie Helder)

Posted on December 6, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

NDO Records [Release date 04.11.13] This is an intriguing release from the highly-talented Geoffrey Downes, or Geoff Downes as you know him, erstwhile keyboard tinkler from Asia and Yes. New Dance Orchestra is an ongoing project but to my knowledge … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anne-Marie Helder, Asia, electronica, Geoff Downes, Geoffrey Downes, keyboards, Mostly Autumn, New Dance Orchestra, Panic Room, review, The Buggles, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: NO SINNER – Black Heart, Camden, 25 November 2013

Posted on December 6, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Many a significant rock career can trace its origins to shows in the back room of Camden’s various boozers so it was appropriate that hotly tipped Vancouver blues rockers No Sinner should have their UK showcase in one of the … Continue reading →