Author Archives: jason

Gig review: BONNIE RAITT – New Theatre, Oxford, Wednesday 7 June 2023

Posted on June 8, 2023 by jason

Bonnie Raitt, Liverpool Empire, 22 June 2013

A sold out show at Oxford’s lovely New Theatre and whilst most of the audience have doubtless been Bonnie Raitt fans since her early days, it was good to see some younger fans dotted around the audience. Support for Bonnie … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, blues, Bonnie Raitt, folk, Gareth Dunlop. New Theatre, gig, guitarist, John Prine, Oxford, Oxford New Theatre, review, singer songwriter, Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Leave a comment

Album review: RENOVATIONS – Blank

Posted on June 6, 2023 by jason

Facebook [Release date 10.06.23] Renovations are an electro-rock trio based in Edinburgh, who formed in October 2019 when the French singer and bass player, Charlotte was offered a gig opportunity, but she needed to gather a group of likeminded passionate … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blank, electro-rock, electronica, Rénovations, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: FELLOW ROBOT – Misanthropioid

Posted on June 5, 2023 by jason

ToneQuake Records [Release date 19.05.23] Fellow Robot originally started out as a concept piece in 2016, pulling lyrics from the sci-fi novel “The Robot’s Guide to Music” written by singer Anthony Pedroza. While deeply rooted to its origins, “Misanthropioid” is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, alternative, Anthony Pedroza, Fellow Robot, indie, Misanthropiod, review, sci fi, theatrical | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHN OTWAY & WILD WILLY BARRETT – West End Centre, Aldershot, Saturday 3 June 2023

Posted on June 4, 2023 by jason

Billed as the ‘Half A Sentry tour’, John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett team up again for an extensive UK tour, that as the press releases states – “celebrates 5 decades of music making animosity, splits and reunions.” First visit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Aldershot, eccentric, folk, gig, interview, John Otway, pop, punk, radio, review, rock, rock n roll legends, Saturday 3 June 2023, singer songwriter, Top Of The Pops, West End Centre, Wild Willy Barrett | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: BLACKLIST UNION

Posted on June 1, 2023 by jason

Blacklist Union have released the title track from their upcoming new album, Letters from the Psych Ward. This will be Blacklist Union’s fifth album and is slated for a September 2023 release. We catch up with singer Tony West to find out more… … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Blacklist Union, grunge, hard rock, interview, Malfunkshun, modern rock, Rising Stars, rock, Tony West | Leave a comment

News: RICK SPRINGFIELD, QUEEN, PHIL VINCENT (June 2023)

Posted on May 30, 2023 by jason

Aerosmith release a 44 track ‘Greatest Hits‘ on August 18 on various formats including 3CD and 4LP sets. Albany Down release their new album ‘Born In The Ashes’ on September 1. They have released the first single off the album … 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 albums, blues, folk, gigs, metal, news, Phil Vincent, Queen, Re-issues/special editions, Rick Springfield, RIP, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID EDWARD BOOTH – All My Days

Posted on May 29, 2023 by jason

The Recording Booth [Release date 23.06.23] Derbyshire born David Edward Booth is a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer based in rural Suffolk. David is also in-house producer and auxiliary writer/guitarist for The Knoydart Songwriting Retreat. He helped produce Kelly Bayfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, All My Days, David Edward Booth, folk, Kelly Bayfield, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: WEAPON – New Clear Power

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 19.05.23] There have been a few changes in the Weapon camp since their 2019 album ‘Ghosts Of War’, with original guitarist Jeff Summers leaving the band in 2021, and they can now revert to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Danny Hynes, hard rock, melodic metal, metal, New Clear Power, NWOBHM, review, Robert Majd, Steve Mann, Weapon | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEGANT WEAPONS – Horns For A Halo

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 26.05.23] Elegant Weapons may be releasing their debut album, however, the album’s line-up is a bit of a metal supergroup. It features Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, along with fellow Priest band mate, drummer Scott Travis. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Andy Sneap, debut, Elegant Weapons, heavy metal, Horns For A Halo, Judas Priest, metal, MSG, Nuclear Blast, Pantera, power metal, Rainbow, review, Richie Faulkner, Ronnie Romero, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: ROSS THE BOSS – Legacy Of Blood, Fire And Steel

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 28.04.23] (LP, ref vinyl, gatefold sleeve) Guitarist Ross The Boss is best known as a founder member of both The Dictators and later Manowar, and has an extensive discography with both, as well as Shakin’ Street, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album, best of, Fire And Steel, guitarist, Legacy Of Blood, Manowar, power metal, review, Ross the Boss | Leave a comment

Album review: RAVEN – Faster Than The Speed Of Light

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Cherry Red Records [Release date 26.05.23] One of the finest speed metal bands to come out of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, three piece were formed in the early 70s and grew up listening to (and playing) classic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, athletic rock, box set, Faster Than The Speed Of Light, metal, RAVEN, review, speed metal, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE SATRIANI – London Palladium,17 May 2023

Posted on May 20, 2023 by jason

There’s never been much doubt that Joe Satriani is from another solar system, his skill with a guitar like nothing on this Earth. Always one the most outstanding players out there, his literally jaw dropping skills have been the envy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 May 2023, Deep Purple, gig, guitar instrumental, guitarist, Joe Satrian, Kenny Aronoff, London Palladium, metal, review, rock, The Elephants Of Mars | Leave a comment

Album review: KRIS DREVER – Best Of

Posted on May 18, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 19.05.23] Kris Drever has now made five solo albums (debuting in 2006 debut with ‘Black Water’), as well as five studio albums with the folk trio Lau, and recordings with various collaborators including Fine Friday, Roddy Womble … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, best of, Boo Hewerdine, folk, Kris Drever, Lau, review, Roddy Womble, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Wonderworld, High And Mighty

Posted on May 14, 2023 by jason

BMG [Release date 26.05.23] BMG are continuing their fine picture disc reissue campaign by Uriah Heep, and what lovely items they are too. These British prog legends have had their catalogue reissued more times than I care to imagine, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, BMG, coloured vinyl, David Byron, High And Mighty, John Wetton, Ken Hensley, Mick Box, reissues, review, Uriah Heep, Wonderworld | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE ROSS – Third Eye Open

Posted on May 10, 2023 by jason

Taller Records [Release date 28.04.23] This latest album Mike Ross certainly hits the listener like the proverbial musical freight train. Joining Mike Ross (vocals, guitar, organ) on engine’s footplate are Derek Randall (vocals, bass) and Darren Lee (drums). Jack Hutchinson adds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitarist, hard rock, Jack Hutchinson, Mike Ross, review, rock, Third Eye Open | Leave a comment

Album review: GNOSS – Stretching Skyward

Posted on May 8, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 12.05.23] Gnoss – Aidan Moodie (vocals, guitar), Graham Rorie (fiddle, mandolin), Connor Sinclair (flute, whistles) and Craig Baxter (bodhrán, percussion) – released their last album ‘The Light of the Moon’ in 2021. On the subsequent tour supporting … Continue reading →

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

Album review: RICHIE RAMONE – Live To Tell

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 21.04.23] If you think of the famed Ramones logo, amongst the four names around the outside you wouldn’t find Richie, however, a Ramone he was, on drumming duty between 1983 and 1987. In fact, the story is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Live To Tell, pop rock, punk pop, punk rock, review, Richie Ramone, rock 'n' roll, The Ramones | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BALLADMONGRELS – Trouble

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 12.05.23] Whether it be his work with the Dogs D’Amour, his solo albums or here in new project The Balladmongrels, there is a warmth and familiarity to the vocals of Tyla J Pallas, a man whose lyrics … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dogs D'Amour, Matty James Cassidy, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, sleaze rock, the Balladmongrels, Trouble, Tyla J Pallas | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM KIRKPATRICK – Dead Man Walking

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

US One Records [Release date 21.04.23] Second solo album from FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick, who is joined by fellow FM band member Jem Davis on keyboards and Status Quo’s rhythm section of bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and drummer Leon Cave. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Dead Man Walking, FM, guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, review, rock, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: KORITNI – Long Overdue

Posted on May 2, 2023 by jason

Verycords [Release date 14.04.23] Koritni, the band formed around vocalist & guitarist Lex Koritni, are now on their seventh studio album (and first in five years) since first appearing back in 2006. Lex Koritni is joined by guitarist Tom Fremont and drummer Daniel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, blues rock, hard rock, Koritni, Lex Koritni, Long Overdue, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

News: ALICE COOPER, OASIS, TRIUMPH, (May 2023)

Posted on May 2, 2023 by jason

BLACK STONE CHERRY- Royal Albert Hall, London, 29 September 2021

Bryan Adams has released a new anti-war song titled ‘What if There Were No Sides at All.’ Black Label Society are starting work on their next studio album. Black Stone Cherry (pictured) release their latest album ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ on … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged Alice Cooper, blues, folk, metal, news, Oasis, prog, rock, Triumph | Leave a comment

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 →