Author Archives: jason

Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics

Posted on July 14, 2014 by jason
Richard Thompson - Acoustic Classics

Beeswing/Proper Records [Release date 21.07.14] Amazingly this is the first acoustic release (excluding live recordings) in over thirty years. This collection of his most famous songs newly recorded in acoustic form provides the perfect accompaniment to his solo acoustic shows. … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: PETER FRAMPTON, FRANCO AND THE DREADNOUGHT, ARCELIA

Posted on July 13, 2014 by jason
Franco And The Dreadnought

PETER FRAMPTON – Hummingbird In A Box Red/Sony Music [Released 07.07.14] Peter Frampton has seen his popularity increase of late following a couple of recent, well received studio albums backed by relentless touring (at the time of writing he’s touring … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HALL AND OATES – Hammersmith Apollo, 11 July 2014

Posted on July 12, 2014 by jason

At a sold out Apollo it was a chance to witness musical legends Daryl Hall and John Oates, the most successful duo in US chart history, even surpassing the Everly Brothers. They can still draw a crowd (all the UK … Continue reading →

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Rising Stars: enkElination interview, July 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by jason

enkElination (enkeli – meaning Angel in Finnish) was formed in November 2011 by the classically trained, former opera singer Elina Siirala. In 2012 she started working with a guitar player Shadow Venger (ex-Empyreal Destroyer) and since then they’ve been joined by … Continue reading →

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Album review: SAGA – Sagacity

Posted on July 5, 2014 by jason
Saga - Sagacity

earMUSIC [Release date 04.07.14] Saga release their latest album and the second since vocalist Michael Sadler returned to the band’s line-up a few years ago. This is not as instant as their last album ‘20/20’ taking a few plays to … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: THE REE-VAHS!, TARJA, CROWN OF GLORY, AVALON STEEL, SEVEN THORNS

Posted on July 3, 2014 by jason
The Ree-Vahs! - Geordieland

THE REE-VAHS! – Geordieland www.theree-vahs.co.uk [Released 09.06.14] The Ree-Vahs! Hail from County Durham and carry on the tradition of North Durham singing, although it’s not that heavily accented and you can listen to the lyrics easily enough. Andy Loan has … Continue reading →

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Album review: MIDGE URE – Fragile

Posted on July 2, 2014 by jason
Midge Ure - Fragile

Hypertension Music [Released 07.07.14] Midge Ure returns with his first solo album of original material in over a decade. In between he has been touring with the revived Ultravox who also released an album. I will be honest and say … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STEVIE WONDER – Calling Festival, Clapham Common, 29 June 2014

Posted on June 30, 2014 by jason

The Calling Festival continues its nomadic existence having moved from its previous home at Hyde Park to the Queen Elizabeth stadium last year and now at Clapham Common. It has also been reduced to two, one day festivals (Aerosmith headlined … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE LAST VEGAS – Sweet Salvation

Posted on June 26, 2014 by jason
The Last Vegas - Sweet Salvation

Frostbyte Media [Release date 02.06.14] Originally formed in 2003, Chicago, The Last Vegas really took off when joined by current vocalist Chad Cherry in 2008. The band beat 8,000 others to a prize which included opening for Motley Crue, a … Continue reading →

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Book review: Let It Rock: The Making of Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet by Neil Daniels

Posted on June 26, 2014 by jason
Let It Rock: The Making of Bon Jovi

Soundcheck Books [Published 2014] www.soundcheckbooks.co.uk A compact little tome that looks at Bon Jovi’s biggest selling album (a mere 28 million copies plus) ‘Slippery When Wet’ with a track by track review by the author, fellow rock journalist recollections of … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE YOUNG FOLK – The Little Battle

Posted on June 25, 2014 by jason
The Young Folk - The Little Battle

Pixie Pace Records [Released 08.09.14] Having witnessed an excellent gig by the band earlier this year in London I was looking forward to hearing their debut release. The band consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar), Tony McCaughlin (bass/mandolin/vocals), Paul Butler (keyboards/vocals) … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – Bleak Strategies

Posted on June 25, 2014 by jason
The Dowling Poole - Bleak Strategies

369 Records [Release date:  11.08.14] https://www.facebook.com/TheDowlingPoole Not a Drowning Pool tribute band but the latest poprocktastic creation from Willie Dowling (Honeycrack/Jackdaw4) and his co-collaborator Jon Poole (ex-Cardiacs). They have funded this via Pledge Music and they sing and play all … Continue reading →

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Album review: SEVEN – 7

Posted on June 21, 2014 by jason
Seven - 7

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Out now] Back in the late 80’s and into the early 90’s the AOR/melodic rock scene was thriving and record labels were signing up UK based acts like FM, Airrace, Little Angels, Dare and this band Seven … Continue reading →

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Interview: PAUL MENEL

Posted on June 20, 2014 by jason

Paul Menel is a former singer with prog rockers IQ and released a very enjoyable solo album ‘Into Insignificance I Will Pale’, and he has an unofficial England World Cup song out now with the Essentials… Hi Jason Firstly, thanks … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: RAINBOWS ARE FREE, ROBIN GEORGE, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, SALIVA, AMANDA RHEAUME

Posted on June 17, 2014 by jason
Rainbows Are Free - Waves Across The Ocean

RAINBOWS ARE FREE – Waves Ahead Of The Ocean www.rainbowsarefree.com [Released 04.08.14] This is the second album by Oklahoma based rockers Rainbows Are Free and if you like Stoner rock and big Sabbath riffs you will love this album. Even … Continue reading →

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Interview: PAUL LOGUE of EDEN’S CURSE

Posted on June 14, 2014 by jason
Paul Logue of Eden

Paul Logue has been a busy man as his band Eden’s Curse have just finished their first full UK tour which was a great success and the band plan a summer break before more UK dates planned for November. He … Continue reading →

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Interview: 10Q’s with author ROBERT SHORE

Posted on June 12, 2014 by jason

Robert Shore  is the author of the rather good book on the Midlands ‘Bang In The Middle’ published by the Friday Project/Harper Collins. What’s more he is a big fan of metal and the NWOBHM and if you read his … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – Amos Southend, Charlotte, NC, 5 June 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 by jason
Black Star Riders - Liverpool, 3 December 2013

Thin Lizzy, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is one of the greatest rock bands that have ever walked the Earth. So many people are quick to praise the songwriting abilities of folks like Springsteen, Dylan, and even James Hetfield, … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JAKE E LEE’S RED DRAGON CARTEL – Islington Academy, 6 June 2014

Posted on June 10, 2014 by jason

Red Dragon Cartel performed a stunning set in London on Friday night to mark a remarkable return to form for guitar hero Jake E. Lee. The legendary riff-master, best known for providing Ozzy Osbourne with some of his finest 80’s … Continue reading →

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Gig review: POLYPHONIC SPREE Clapham Grand, Friday 6th June 2014

Posted on June 7, 2014 by jason

First time at the Clapham Grand, a regal Victorian theatre that was refurbished back in 2010 (although the carpets have that student union feel underfoot) and has seen legends like Charlie Chaplin grace its stage. Impressive venue and a good … Continue reading →

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Singles reviews: VOLBEAT, RECKLESS LOVE, THE TREATMENT

Posted on June 6, 2014 by jason

VOLBEAT – Doc Holiday/Lonesome Rider (10” gold vinyl with innersleeve) Spinefarm /Universal It’s so good to see some decent modern metal given a quality vinyl release. Danish band Volbeat mix metal with modern alternative and also rockabilly/psychobilly. Both tracks are … Continue reading →

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Album review: ELECTRIC BOYS – Starflight United

Posted on June 5, 2014 by jason

Universal [Out now] The good news is that “Starflight United” is the newly released 5th album form Sweden’s funk rock friendly Electric Boys. The bad news is that it is currently only being released in Sweden and Finland (fear not … Continue reading →

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Album review: PICTUREHOUSE – Evolution

Posted on June 4, 2014 by jason
PictureHouse - Evolution

Cherry Red Records [Release date 04.08.14] Irish band PictureHouse enjoyed success in their homeland during the 1990’s and early 2000’s, reuniting recently after a ten year break. This album was released in Ireland last year and now gets a UK … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: ASTRA, DEAD END HEROES, ROXIE 77, THE GHOST WOLVES

Posted on June 3, 2014 by jason

ASTRA – Broken Balance Scarlet Records [Released 15.04.14] Progressive metallers Astra  return on the scene with their third album with their last album being 2009′s ‘From Within’ (Lion Music). The  band are centered around keyboard wizard Emanuele Casali (DGM) although … Continue reading →

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DVD review: ELP – Special Edition (Pictures At An Exhibition, Isle Of Wight Festival 1970, Live At Montreux 1997)

Posted on June 3, 2014 by jason
ELP - Special Edition

Eagle Vision [Release date 14.10.13] If you like Emerson, Lake & Palmer  (ELP) then you are gonna love this new three DVD box set, comprising of “Pictures At An Exhibition”, “The Birth Of A Band- Isle of Wight Festival 1970” … Continue reading →

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