Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

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 →

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 November, Black Heart, blues, Camden, Colleen Rennison, gig, London, No Sinner, review, rock, showcase | Leave a comment

Album review: ANXTRON – Brainstorm

Posted on December 6, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anxtron, Brainstorm, Brazil, Brazilian, instrumental, prog, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: SUSAN CATTANEO – Haunted Heart

Posted on December 3, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, country, folk, Haunted Heart, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Susan Cattaneo | Leave a comment

Album review: EILEEN ROSE – Be Many Gone

Posted on December 3, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt country, Be Many Gone, Eileen Rose, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 3, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 1977-1984, A Tonic For The Troops, Bob Geldof, box set, Classic Album Selection, In The Long Grass, Mondo Bongo, The Boomtown Rats, The Fine Art of Surfacing, V Deep | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 1, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, NEWS, The Best Of 2013 | Tagged albums, artists, Best of 2013, Get Ready to ROCK!, live act, poll, vote | 1 Comment

Single reviews: STEVE BLOOD, TESS CUNNINGHAM

Posted on November 27, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Andrew Lee, Christmas, festive, remix, review, Scarey Men, single, Steve Blood, The Last Xmas, Wide Receiver, Woof Records | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 25, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Albany Down, Dani Wilde, David Coverdale, December 2013, Fay & Latta, features, Federal Charm, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, Ian Anderson, interviews, Jethro Tull, Joey Tempest, JUSTIN HAYWARD, Magenta, Martin Barre, Michael Schenker, radio, Rory Gallagher, Russ Ballard | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE UNION – Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

Posted on November 20, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

There was definitely no doubt who the crowd were here for tonight as the sea of Union T-shirts was clear to see, midway through their UK tour The Union are touring after the release of their DVD ‘Live in Guildford’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 8 November 2013, Chris Childs, gig, Jim Adama, Luke Morley, Manchester Academy 3, Pete Shoulder, review, rock, Tax The Heat, The Union, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: CRYSTAL GRENADE – Lo! And Behold

Posted on November 19, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Gonzo [Release date 14.10.13] A wonderful name, Crystal Grenade. One that belongs to Mancunian songstress Carol Hodge, described as ‘Shakespears Sister fighting Amanda Palmer and Tori Amos in a dimly lit Victorian pub’. If that conjures up images of heavily … Continue reading →