Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: CHAS CRONK – Liberty

CHAS CRONK - Liberty

Renaissance Records [Release date 11.02.22] It’s only when you look at the Discography in the liner note that you may realise that Chas Cronk has been a long-time member of The Strawbs but also worked with Steve Hackett and Rick … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) January 2022 – June 2022

BITE THE BULLET - End of the Line

Compiled by Jason Ritchie October-December 2021 July 2022 – December 2022 To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, or Linux system), or Command+F (on a Mac) on the keyboard. The “F” stands … Continue reading

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Album review: TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT – Day By Day

TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT - Day By Day

Timothy B. Schmit chatted to David Randall about his music with tracks from the new album.  First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 3 July 2022 [Release date: Digital - 06.05.22; CD/Vinyl 02.09.22] Best known as one of the … Continue reading

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Book review: On track…JIMI HENDRIX – every album, every song (Emma Stott)

On track...JIMI HENDRIX - every album, every song (Emma Stott)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 27.05.22] It was my childhood friend Colin Cheesman who introduced me to Jimi Hendrix’s music c.1970.  I was particularly impressed with the screen print he’d made of a classic image used on the Voodoo Chile picture … Continue reading

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Book review: On track… OPETH, PETER HAMMILL, LITTLE FEAT, LAURA NYRO

On track ... Opeth (Book)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication dates February-May 2022] You tend to think of Opeth as one of the “newer” prog metal outfits and then you realise they started out in the late 1980s.  Since that time they’ve released 13 studio albums. Jordan … Continue reading

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News: Get Ready to ROCK! adds to interview archive via podcasts (June 2022)

JOE BONAMASSA – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 May 2022

In the run-up to its 20th anniversary year Get Ready to ROCK! will be releasing a selection of interviews collected over two decades.  These will be available as podcasts via the usual podcast channels. Get Ready to ROCK! Managing Editor … Continue reading

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Album review: CATS IN SPACE – Kickstart The Sun

CATS IN SPACE - Kickstart The Sun

Harmony Factory [Release date 29.07.22] www.catsinspace.co.uk For the past few years, Cats in Space have been one of my favourite ‘new’ bands, offering something very different to the norm. These seasoned musicians have created a lavishly arranged sound inspired by … Continue reading

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Book review: On track – BADFINGER, WARREN ZEVON, Sessions – ERIC CLAPTON

On track...Badfinger (book)

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 29.04.22] The tomes from Sonicbond Publishing come thick and fast.  The “On track…”series aims to cover all of an artist’s song/album output, condensed into around 150 pages, and relying heavily on secondary sources. Badfinger were nurtured … Continue reading

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Album review: NICK FLETCHER – The Cloud Of Unknowing

NICK FLETCHER - The Cloud Of Unknowing

Rough Draft Audio [Release date 02.09.22] Nick Fletcher’s latest album is a departure from the previously reviewed ‘Cycles Of Behaviour’  It gives free rein to his jazz rock tendencies whereas its predecessor added a bit more prog in the mix, … Continue reading

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Album review: CHUCK WRIGHT – Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky

CHUCK WRIGHT - Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky

On Sunday 5 June, David Randall chatted to Chuck Wright about the new album.  On Sunday 12 June – as part of ‘The Eclectic Mix’ – there was a more in-depth look at Chuck’s career based on the recent interview … Continue reading

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Album review: BRAVE RIVAL – Life’s Machine

BRAVE RIVAL - Life's Machine

www.braverival.com [Release date 06.05.22] The debut album from Portsmouth rockers Brave Rival places them in a trajectory from Abba via Heart and Fleetwood Mac to Zeppelin.  This should mean at least that the band will appeal to a wide age … Continue reading

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Album review: ART GRIFFIN’S SOUND CHASER – The Seven Ages Of Starlight

ART GRIFFIN'S SOUND CHASER - The Seven Ages Of Starlight

Artsounds Music [Release date 08.04.22] A self-confessed sucker for a bit of jazz rock/fusion, I couldn’t really resist the latest offering from Canadian bassist Art Griffin. Ably assisted by his band including violinist Victoria Veh and Saga drummer Steve Negus, … Continue reading

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Album review: LIV KRISTINE – Enter My Religion (bonus tracks)

LIV KRISTINE - Enter My Religion (bonus tracks)

Liv Kristine chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in June 2022.  This hour special includes a track from each of her solo albums.  First broadcast 10 July 2022.   Allegro Talent Media [Release date 19.08.22] There … Continue reading

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Album review: JAMES LABRIE – Beautiful Shade Of Grey

JAMES LABRIE - Beautiful Shade Of Grey

InsideOut Music [Release date 20.05.22] The latest solo offering from James LaBrie stems from his involvement on the Eden’s Curse track “No Holy Man’ (a real highlight on their 2011 album ‘Trinity’) and a subsequent support slot for the band … Continue reading

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Album review: WINTER IN EDEN – Social Fake

WINTER IN EDEN - Social Fake

Firestreak Media [Release date 25.03.22] This is Winter In Eden’s fourth studio album and you may well be thinking: “I’ve never heard of them before”.  You’re not alone.  Although to be fair we were aware of their previous release ‘Court … Continue reading

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Album review: LETTUCE – Unify

LETTUCE - Unify

Round Hill Records [Release date 03.06.22] I have to again confess a weakness for jazz funk and fusion.  And when I sometimes wrestle with the possible ignominy of such a statement on a rock-oriented website I recognise that it probably … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE TREATMENT, Piston – Robin 2, Bilston, 2 May 2022

THE TREATMENT - Robin 2, Bilston, 2 May 2022

It’s a Bank Holiday Monday in Bilston and it’s the final night of this 18 date tour, that’s 18 consecutive gigs, no breaks for all 3 bands, are they flagging or have they cracked it? I am super excited for … Continue reading

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Gig review: STONE BROKEN, Mason Hill, The Fallen State – The Marble Factory, Bristol, 25 April 2022

STONE BROKEN - The Marble Factory, Bristol, 25 April 2022

Opening  their set with the rather epic ‘For My Sorrow’ the atmosphere is rocking, and there are clearly some fans in the audience and it’s a reflection that actually this tour celebrates three bands that are all on their ascendancy, … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE SATRIANI – The Elephants Of Mars

JOE SATRIANI - The Elephants Of Mars

earMUSIC [Release date 08.04.22] A new Satch album. Energy levels high.  Check.  Weird titles.  Check.  Stellar guitar.  Check.  Shades on.  Check. In fact guitar nerds are being spoilt, because this album comes hot on the heels of Steve Vai’s latest … Continue reading

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Album review: NANAUE – 281F

NANAUE - 281F

Rattsburg Records [Release date 26.11.21] www. nanaue.com Based on the liner note, it seems this project has been some 11 years in the making. Evidently one of those internet phenomenons with recording bounced across Italy, Spain and Belgium. The main … Continue reading

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Album review: HELD BY TREES – Solace

HELD BY TREES - Solace

Tweed Jacket Music [Release date 22.04.22] The opening piece on this instrumental album sounds like an outtake from Inspector Morse c.1988.  It was one of the great TV detective series, punctuated by Barrington Pheloung’s superb orchestrations.  I digress, perhaps the … Continue reading

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Album review: TWELFTH NIGHT – Smiling At Grief…Revisited

TWELFTH NIGHT - Smiling At Grief...Revisited

Twelfth Night [Release date 01.04.22] The cottage industry that is Twelfth Night continues.  The band haven’t been active live since 2014 and some would say that their best work was done with vocalist/lyricist Geoff Mann in the early 1980s. The … Continue reading

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Album review: DANNY BEARDSLEY – Chase The Sun

DANNY BEARDSLEY - Chase The Sun

www.dannybeardsley.com [Release date 24.06.22] I think the first thing to say about this release.  Isn’t eco-friendly packaging s—e?  The album arrives dog-eared and bendy.  Surely we can do better than this? Sorry, now the music.  We reviewed Beardsley’s previous album … Continue reading

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Album review: FASHION – fashion music

FASHION - fashion music

Easy Action [Release date 01.05.22] This double CD is a great opportunity to hear a proto Fashion, the Birmingham band who made some impact in the early 1980s with their blend of electro funk.  They signed to Arista in 1981, … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVE EDWARDS – Many Rivers

DAVE EDWARDS - Many Rivers

Cadiz [Release date 24.06.22] It would be an interesting exercise to identify those “nearly men” (or women) of rock that for whatever reason failed to realise their ambitions (if they had any).  This might be due to the musical climate, … Continue reading

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