Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

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

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

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

Don Airey

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

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

Foreigner - The Ballads

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steeleye Span

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

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

Paul Carrack - photo by Steve Goudie

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

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Album review: BEN GRANFELT – Melodic Relief

Ben Granfelt - Melodic Relief

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

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

Thea Gilmore setlist, 17 December 2013

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

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

Cherry Red Records

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

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

Area 51 - Hard Rock Hell, November 2013

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

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Album review: BRUCE BOUILLET – The Order Of Control

Bruce Bouillet - The Order Of Control

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

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

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

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Album review: JAY FERGUSON – Reissues

Jay Ferguson - reissues

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

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Album review: JOSH TAERK – Josh

Josh Taerk - Josh

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

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

New Dance Orchestra - Electronica (feat. Geoff Downes/Anne-Marie Helder)

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

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

No Sinner - Black Heart, Camden, 25 November 2013

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

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Album review: ANXTRON – Brainstorm

Anxtron - Brainstorm

Self-release www.anxtron.com I guarantee if you heard this album playing in the background of your local wine bar, you’d find it strangely addictive as you got progressively inebriated.  That’s not being disrespectful to Anxtron, it could be the perfect antidote … Continue reading

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Album review: SUSAN CATTANEO – Haunted Heart

SUSAN CATTANEO - Haunted Heart

Jersey Girl Music [Release date 20.01.14] We’ve been impressed at GRTR! by Cattaneo’s previous releases, and her fourth album Haunted Heart continues the good work. The warm honeyed vocals of previous releases are still there, as is range of styles … Continue reading

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Album review: EILEEN ROSE – Be Many Gone

Eileen Rose - Be Many Gone

Rarely have I seen a PR sheet so devoid of information about an album.  And the absence of sleeve and associated credits, lyrics etc doesn’t help either.  But here goes. A few year’s back singer songwriter Eileen Rose’s album – … Continue reading

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Album review: THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Classic Album Selection 1977-1984

THE BOOMTOWN RATS - Classic Album Collection

Universal [Release date 21.10.13] The latest record company wheeze to squeeze the last vestiges of profit out of dusty back catalogues seems to be the ‘reasonably priced’ box set.  Which can be very good news for the discerning punter, but … Continue reading

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The Best Of 2013 – top albums, top live acts – the reviewers’ choice

Best of 2013

Every year we ask the GRTR! Team to list their favourite albums and gigs of the year.  As ever, it is a very eclectic mix and reflects the very broad and all-embracing tastes of our reviewers. How have we arrived … Continue reading

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Single reviews: STEVE BLOOD, TESS CUNNINGHAM

The Last Xmas

STEVE BLOOD The Last Xmas [Release date 8.12.13] www.thelastxmas.com Christmas songs.  Bah.  Humbug.  Who’d have ‘em?  Frequently cheesy, easily forgotten.  Here at GRTR! Towers we get our share.  This offering is refreshingly different. Steve Blood has an interesting career plying … Continue reading

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News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – December 2013 Highlights

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio

December 2013 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, GMT Throughout December, a chance to hear again highlights from some of our 2013 shows. We’ll also be inviting listeners (and readers!) to vote for their favourite album and … Continue reading

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