Author Archives: jason

Book review: QUEEN in the 1970s by James Griffiths

Posted on April 17, 2023 by jason

‎Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 30.03.23] This book scores highly on two counts. Firstly, the author is a big Queen fan and that comes through in the writing, as opposed to a dry biography written by a jobbing writer. Secondly, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brian May, Classic Albums, classic rock, Freddie Mercury, James Griffiths, John Deacon, live albums, pop rock, Queen, Queen in the 1970s, review, rock, Roger Taylor | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM ARNOLD – Super Connected

Posted on April 16, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 05.05.23] Tim Arnold returns with a concept album about social media, big tech and mental health, which culminated in Arnold’s unexpected diagnosis of autism. Arnold wrote Super Connected ‘in character’, with each song sung from the perspective of different … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, electronic, Jethro Tull, Kevin Godley, Lindsay Kemp, melodic, pop, progressive, review, Stephen Fry, Super Connected, Tim Arnold | Leave a comment

Album review: MORGANWAY – Back To Zero

Posted on April 14, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 05.05.23] Having enjoyed Morganway’s self-titled 2019 debut expectations are high for this reviewer. Since releasing their debut album they have been gaining rave reviews for their live performances, along with winning awards including BCMA (British Country Music Association) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Back To Zero, country, Harmony, melodic, Morganway, pop rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: IMAR – Awakening

Posted on April 13, 2023 by jason

www.imarband.com [Release date 21.04.23] The Scottish, Irish and Isle Of Man collective that is Imar return with their first album in five years. Imar’s line-up is Mohsen Amini (concertina), Adam Brown (bodhrán, guitar), Tomás Callister (fiddle), Ryan Murphy (flute, uilleann … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Awakening, folk, Imar, instrumental, review, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVE FOSTER BAND – Glimmer

Posted on April 9, 2023 by jason

English Electric Recording [Release date 21.04.23] Dave Foster Band features the aforementioned guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dave Foster (currently in Big, Big Train and a former member of Mr So & So) and vocalist Dinet Poortman. The other musicians involved are all top … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, Big Big Train, Dave Foster, Dave Foster Band, Dinet Poortman, Glimmer, Marillion, melodic, pop, Queen, review, rock, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

EP review: CLOBBER – Yesterday’s Heroes, Tomorrow’s Snide

Posted on April 8, 2023 by jason

CLOBBER – Yesterday’s Heroes, Tomorrow’s Snide (EP)

Venn Records [Release date 24.03.23] Already making tsunami sized waves on their recent tour opening for hotshots Grade 2, London punk combo Clobber are making enough noise to wake up the nation. With one breathless blast, this new four track … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Leave a comment

EP review: DANIELE LIVERANI – The Wheel Of Emotion

Posted on April 8, 2023 by jason

Spotify [Release date 30.03.23] After being lost for more that 30 years in old tapes, Daniele Liverani issues these four unreleased songs. Recorded back in 1992 with a 4 tracks and minimal home recording equipment tools, the tracks have been restored and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Daniele Liverani, EP, guitarist, instrumental, metal, review, symphonic, The Wheel Of Emotion | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CHRIS DUARTE, THE FLYING SYMBOLS, SANSOME & QUINN

Posted on April 5, 2023 by jason

CHRIS DUARTE Ain’t Giving Up Mascot Records [Release date 07.04.23] Blues-roots guitarist Chris Duarte releases this, his 15th studio album. It also marks the first time in 22 years Duarte has worked with producer-guitarist Dennis Herring (Buddy Guy, Modest Mouse, Elvis … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, blues, Chris Duarte, folk, George Sansome & Matt Quinn, guitarist, hard rock, review, rock, roots, the Flying Symbols | Leave a comment

Album review: THE YOUNG’UNS – Tiny Notes

Posted on April 5, 2023 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 07.04.23] The Young’uns are never one to shy away from a major musical undertaking as their last album, ‘The Ballad Of Johnny Longstaff’, proved. How do the Young’uns follow that? With this album ‘Tiny Notes’ which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 3 dads walking, album, folk, Jon Boden, review, the Youbg'uns, Tiny Notes, topical, traditional | Leave a comment

News: RAVEN, THE FIERCE & THE DEAD, CRAZY LIXX (April 2023)

Posted on March 30, 2023 by jason

Aerosmith - DOWNLOAD, Donington Park, 11 June 2017

Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder release his second solo album, ’II, on June 9 via InsideOut Music. A 40th-anniversary super deluxe edition of Black Sabbath’s ‘Live Evil’ is released on June 2 through BMG. Bonfire have re-recorded their ‘Point Blank’, ‘Fireworks’ and … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Americana, blues, classic rock, country, Crazy Lixx, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, pop, punk, RAVEN, rock, The Fierce & The Dead, tours | Leave a comment

EP review: TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Dirty Work

Posted on March 24, 2023 by jason

TYLER BRYANT AND THE SHAKEDOWN - Dirty Work

Facebook [Release date 24.03.23] Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown’s ‘Shake The Roots’ album released last year was a real treat, mixing blues rock, southern rock, country and rock n roll to great effect. The EP features Tyler Bryant’s wife Rebecca … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, blues rock, country, Dirty Work, EP, melodic, review, rock, southern rock, the Shakedown, Tyler Bryant | Leave a comment

Album review: NICK WATERHOUSE – The Fooler

Posted on March 22, 2023 by jason

Innovative Leisure/PRES [Release date 31.03.23] ‘The Fooler’ is the sixth album from Nick Waterhouse and his last album, 2021′s ‘Promenade Blue’ was a real find and musical highlight for this reviewer. Recorded in just a few days with Mark Neill … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, garage rock, Nick Waterhouse, pop, review, rhythm and blues, singer songwriter, soul, the Fooler | Leave a comment

Album review: BLUE LIGHT EFFECT – Songs From The Frontier

Posted on March 21, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 22.12.22] The pandemic has seen all sorts of creative ideas and music coming out, the latest being Blue Light Effect, a band composed of first responders, frontline workers, and a registered nurse. Hailing from Long Island, NY … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, Blue Light Effect, Collective Soul, Gina Cutillo, melodic, pop rock, review, rock, Songs From The Frontier | Leave a comment

Album review: FLOOR JANSEN – Paragon

Posted on March 21, 2023 by jason

Pias/Revamp Music [Release date: 24.03.23] Floor Jansen’s addition as a permanent member to the Nightwish family back in 2013 found most of the fans of the Finnish outfit in total agreement, as the three-octave ranged soprano was already a singer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged After Forever, album, Anneke van Giersbergen, Floor Jansen, melodic, Nighwish, Paragon, pop, pop rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Book review: FLEETWOOD MAC IN THE 1980s by Don Klees

Posted on March 20, 2023 by jason

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 27.01.23] During the 1980’s Fleetwood Mac only released two albums, 1982’s ‘Mirage’, which topped the US album charts, and 1987’s ‘Tango In The Night’, which saw the band top the UK album charts with sales to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 1980's, AOR, book, Christine McVie, Don Klees, Fleetwood Mac, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, melodic rock, Mick Fleetwood, pop, pop rock, review, Stevie Nicks | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANA POPOVIC – Islington O2 Academy, London, 10 March 2023

Posted on March 17, 2023 by jason

The last vestiges of winter still had its cold tendrils curling around the country, falls of snow and a chill wind was everywhere, even in the midst of London town. Things though in Islington had rapidly heated up, the arrival … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10 March 2023, Ana Popovic, blues, blues rock, funk, gig, guitarist, Islington O2 Academy, jazz, London, review, soul, Stax, Toby Lee | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FLOOD – Hear Us Out

Posted on March 14, 2023 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 24.03.23] The Flood are an interesting proposition featuring vocalist Chris Ousey (Heartland/Virginia Wolf/Snakecharmer), FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick and former FM keyboards player Didge Digital. So far, so melodic hard rock and blues rock. However, it is the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Sheenan, blues rock, Chris Ousey, Didge Digital, FM, hard rock, Hear Us Out, Heartland, Jim Kirkpatrick, Mr Big, Nigel Glockler, review, rock, Saxon, Snakecharmer, The Flood, Winery Dogs | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ANSWER – Sundowners

Posted on March 12, 2023 by jason

Golden Robot Records [Release date 17.03.23] After a long wait, 7 years to be exact, Northern Irish rockers, The Answer return with a new album, releasing it on St Patricks day (of course!) and this fan girl gets to review … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Cormac Neeson, hard rock, review, rock, Sundowners, THE ANSWER | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK BEAR KISS – Black Bear Kiss (and album launch – 3 March 2023)

Posted on March 10, 2023 by jason

[Release date 03.03.23] Black Bear Kiss are a 4 piece upbeat rock band, who formed in 2016 by long term collaborators and good friends Rob Jones (guitar) and Chris Leech (vocals), with drummer Chris Bagnall and bassist Rich Sach coming … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Album Launch, Black Bear Kiss, Cannock, funk rock, gig, hard rock, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, review, rock, self-titled album, the Station | Leave a comment

Quick plays: RYAN HAMILTON, RURA, RACHEL BAIMAN

Posted on March 9, 2023 by jason

RYAN HAMILTON Haunted By The Holy Ghost Wicked Cool [Release date 10.03.23] Texan singer-songwriter Ryan Hamilton is back with his third album and he has been hailed by Spin magazine as one of the ‘35 Best Lesser Known Artists of The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Americana, b;uegrass, country, folk, indie pop, Quick Play, Rachel Baiman, reviews, Rura, Ryan Hamilton, singer songwriter, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review: THE COLD STARES – Voices

Posted on March 8, 2023 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 10.03.23] This album comprising of 13 tracks was recorded almost entirely over the course of just two days with producer/engineer/mixer Mark Needham (Taj Mahal, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Walk the Moon, Fleetwood Mac), the album stands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, hard rock, review, rock, The Cold Stares, Voices | Leave a comment

Album review: ICARUS FALLS – Hollow

Posted on March 6, 2023 by jason

Facebook [Release date 03.03.23] Icarus Falls hail from West Sussex in the UK, consisting of Doug Hay (vocals), Harvey Wigg (guitar, vocals), Lawrence Trousdale-Smith (guitar), Vinnie Denton (bass) and Josh Harris (drums). As well as having the pandemic hit their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, hard rock, Hollow, Icarus Falls, interview, melodic, metal, modern metal, review, Rising Stars | Leave a comment

News: WHITESNAKE, POWER QUEST, DEMON (March 2023)

Posted on February 27, 2023 by jason

Bryan Adams has finished work on his latest album which is due for release later this year or early 2024. The Alarm release their latest album ‘Forwards’ on June 2. The title track and ‘Next’ have been released ahead of … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, Listening Post, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged classic rock, folk, gigs, metal, New releases, news, Power Quest, punk, rock, tours. Demon, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: D’ERCOLE – Mass Formation

Posted on February 25, 2023 by jason

Rock Company Records [Release date 03.03.23] Back again with album number nine from D’Ercole who feature Damian D’Ercole (bass, guitars), Phil Vincent (vocals, guitars, keys) and B.F. D’Ercole (drums). They are a prolific bunch, although that is no surprise as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, D'Ercole, hard rock, Mass Formation, melodic hard rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock, Rock Company Records | Leave a comment

Album review: WILL POUND & JENN BUTTERWORTH – Volume 1

Posted on February 21, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 24.02.23] Two of the finest instrumentalists in traditional music combine to produce an album full of musical wonders. Jenn Butterworth won the 2019 Scots Trad Music Awards Musician of the Year accolade while Will Pound has been … Continue reading →