Author Archives: jason

News: SPINAL TAP, PROG FOR PEART, MARTYN JOSEPH (December 2023)

Posted on November 29, 2023 by jason

Big Big Train will release their 15th studio album ‘The Likes Of Us’ on March 1 via InsideOut Music. Founding Crimson Glory members Ben Jackson (guitar), Jeff Lords (bass) and Dana Burnell (drums) are being joined by new vocalist Travis Wills and guitarist Mark “Borgy” Borgmeyer. Two new singles, ‘Triskaideka’ and ‘Indelible Ashes’, … 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, AOR, blues, folk, gigs, Martyn Joseph, melodic rock, metal, news, Prog fof Peart, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, Spinal Tap, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: KLARK KENT

Posted on November 26, 2023 by jason

Kryptone Records/BMG [Release date 17.11.23] Best known as the drummer for the rock/reggae/punk band The Police, Stewart Copeland has had a long and successful career. Aside from Curved Air and The Police, he has released several solo albums and composed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged drummer, instrumental, Klark Kent, pop, reggae, reissued, review, rock, self-titled album, Stewart Copeland, the Police | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEAD WRITERS – The Camden Assembly, Tuesday 21 November 2023

Posted on November 26, 2023 by jason

Warming up a cold November night in the twilight zone between the edge of Camden and Chalk Farm, Dead Writers are lighting up the stage on the first night of a short tour opening for South Carolina guitar-slinging sensation Hannah … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 70's rock, Dead Writers, gig, goth, review, rock, The Camden Assembly, Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Leave a comment

Album review: THREE – Rockin’ The Ritz NYC 1988

Posted on November 19, 2023 by jason

Wienerworld [Release date 24.11.23] Three were a short-lived prog supergroup, featuring keyboard player Keith Emerson, drummer Carl Palmer (both ex-Emerson Lake & Palmer) and American bassist/vocalist Robert Berry, formed after the dissolution of Emerson Lake & Powell. Under the moniker … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Carl Palmer, classic rock, ELP, Keith Emerson, prog rock, review, Robert Berry, Rockin’ The Ritz NYC 1988, Three | Leave a comment

Album review: JULIANA HATFIELD – Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO

Posted on November 18, 2023 by jason

American Laundromat Records [Release date 17.11.23] Juliana Hatfield has been making music since 1986, which has included a stint in the Lemonheads, along with numerous solo albums since 1992 and this, her third album of cover songs, following on from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt pop, classic rock, classic songs, ELO, Jeff Lynne, Juliana Hatfield, Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO, melodic, pop, review, rock, the Lemonheads | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL CATTON – Point Of No Return

Posted on November 14, 2023 by jason

Mighty Music [Release date 10.11.23] ‘Point of No Return’ is the debut release British/Danish singer Michael Catton (formerly of Tainted Lady). He is joined by renowned producer and guitarist Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes), Chris Catton (keyboards, backing vocals), Michael Gersdorff (bass) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 80's rock, album, hard rock, melodic rock, Michael Catton, Point Of No Return, review, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: SEMISONIC – Little Bit of Sun

Posted on November 14, 2023 by jason

Pleasuresonic [Release date 03.11.23] It’s only been twenty two years since Semisonic last released a full studio album (we had the EP ‘You’re Not Alone’ in 2020). Mind you, its not as if mainman Dan Wilson has been idle penning … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt pop, Dan Wilson, Jason Isbell, Little Bit of Sun, melodic, My Morning Jacket, pop, pop rock, review, rock, Semisonic, Tom Petty | Leave a comment

Album review: SHOW OF HANDS – Roots 2

Posted on November 8, 2023 by jason

Hands On Music [Release date 06.11.23] Show Of Hands, who have been around since 1986, are stopping touring “for an indefinite break”, after a trio tour this year (when Miranda Sykes joins them) and shows as a duo early next … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, best of, folk, folk rock, Miranda Sykes, Phil Beer, review, Roots 2, Show Of Hands, Steve Knightley, Track Dogs, traditional | Leave a comment

Gig review: HRH XVI – Great Yarmouth, November 2-4 2023

Posted on November 8, 2023 by jason

So if Storm Ciaran had plans to disrupt HRH, they failed dismally, whilst the storm hit and disrupted lots of travel plans, impacting arrivals on Thursday, the HRH faithful turned up in their masses ready to rock out and party. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, festival, Great Yarmouth, Gypsy Pistoleros, hard rock, HRH XVI, metal, November 2-4 2023, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, review, rock, Tyketto, Yngwie Malmsteen | Leave a comment

Album review: HONEY AND THE BEAR – Away Beyond The Fret

Posted on November 4, 2023 by jason

www.honeyandthebear.co.uk [Release date 03.11.23] Album number three from Honey and the Bear, the husband and wife duo of Lucy and Jon Hart. Like 2021′s enjoyable ‘Journey Through the Roke’, this latest album is based on Suffolk folklore and indeed ‘fret’ in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Away Beyond the Fret, folk, Honey and the Bear, Kelly Bayfield, melodic, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: EMILY WOLFE – The Blowback

Posted on November 2, 2023 by jason

Crows Feet Records [Release date 20.10.23] Third album from Emily Wolfe, with her 2021 release ‘Outlier’ still getting regular plays by this reviewer. On this album Emily Wolfe wrote or co-wrote most of the tracks with bassist Evan Nicholson, as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, alternative, Emily Wolfe, indie, punk, review, singer songwriter, The Blowback | Leave a comment

Gig review: FAIRPORT CONVENTION – The Junction, Cambridge, 31 October 2023

Posted on November 2, 2023 by jason

They started off as a band in 1967 but now, more than ever, Fairport Convention are a family, the sense of community between not just the musicians themselves but the fans too something that’s vital and heart-warming. Eternally set squarely … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Cambridge, Chris Leslie, Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention, folk, folk rock, gig, review, Ric Sanders, Simon Nicol, The Junction, Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Leave a comment

Album review: REMEDY – Something That Your Eyes Won’t See

Posted on October 31, 2023 by jason

S-Rock Music [Release date 16.12.22] Remedy hail from Sweden, home of many a fine melodic rock and AOR band, and Remedy follow on in this grand tradition. The band’s line-up is Robert van der Zwan (vocals, guitars), Roland Forsman (guitars), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, hard rock, melodic rock, Remedy, review, Scandi rock, Something That Your Eyes Won't See | Leave a comment

News: KOBRA PAIGE, FIREFEST, TRAGIK (November 2023)

Posted on October 30, 2023 by jason

GLENN HUGHES- Electric Ballroom, London, 25 October 2023

Bon Jovi have released a new song ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’. Caligula’s Horse release their new album ‘Charcoal Grace’ through InsideOut Music on January 26. Sheryl Crow will release her new album, ‘Evolution’, on March 29, 2024 via The Valory Music Group, … Continue reading →

Posted in 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, AOR, blues, Firefest, folk, gigs, melodic rock Kobra Paige, metal, news, prog rock, RIP, rock, tour dates, Tragik | Leave a comment

Gig review: LAURIE WRIGHT + THE MOLOTOVS, Underworld, Camden, 21 October 2023

Posted on October 30, 2023 by jason

A revolution is happening and there’s no stopping it. In a world full of conflict and corruption, it’s always been down to the youth to shake things up, their voices and music providing defining moments of change. It’s a testament … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Camden, gig, Laurie Wright, review, Saturday 21 October 2023, The Molotovs, Underworld | Leave a comment

Album review: DORO – Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud

Posted on October 29, 2023 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 27.10.23] Doro Pesch is one of metal’s most consistent performers, both on stage and in the studio, having lost none of her vocal range and power, as opener ‘Children Of The Dawn’ ably illustrates. The Queen … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Bonnie Tyler, classic metal, Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud, Doro, melodic metal, metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Rob Halford | Leave a comment

Gig review: SAMANTHA FISH & JESSE DAYTON – Junction, Cambridge, 25 October 2023

Posted on October 29, 2023 by jason

The fact that the Junction is wall to wall with people is testament to not just the rise of Samantha Fish but also how the revival of blues has never been stronger. With its blue-collar honesty and everyman appeal, this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 October 2023, blues, blues rock, Cambridge, gig. Samantha Fish, guitarist, Jesse Dayton, Junction, review, the Commoners | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDERSTICK – Lockdown

Posted on October 29, 2023 by jason

Roulette [Release date 20.10.23] Renowned Samson (and former Iron Maiden) drummer is not one to rest on his laurels, and since resurrecting his eponymous band in 2017, he’s kept rocking and entertaining. And this new album has kept the standards … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, drummer, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, lockdown, metal, NWOBHM, review, Samson, Thunderstick | Leave a comment

Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Spooky Action At A Distance

Posted on October 27, 2023 by jason

InsideOut Music [Release date 27.10.23] Fourth album from Pattern-Seeking Animals who comprise of multi-instrumentalist John Boegehold, Spock’s Beard duo Ted Leonard (vocals, guitars) and Dave Meros (bass, vocals), and former Spock’s Beard drummer Jimmy Keegan. What makes Pattern-Seeking Animals rather … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Insideout Music, melodic, Pattern-Seeking Animals, progressive, review, rock, Spock's Beard, Spooky Action at a Distance | Leave a comment

Album review: SKINNY KNOWLEDGE – Twenty Two

Posted on October 27, 2023 by jason

Facebook [Release date 27.10.23] Skinny Knowledge release ‘TwentyTwo’ as the notoriously tricky second album, following on from their debut in 2021 with ‘Don’t Turn Out the Lights’. On producing Andy Smooth states, “The overall sound of the album has taken … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dinosaur Pile-Up, hard rock, review, rock, Skinny Knowledge, Twenty Two | Leave a comment

Album review: GYPSY PISTOLEROS – Duende A Go Go….Loco

Posted on October 25, 2023 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 03.11.23] Gypsy Pistoleros are a 4-piece, hailing from Worcester, that have exploded as a ball of energy onto the Rock scene, bringing Flamenco Punk Glam Rock n Roll to the masses. They are now serving up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Duende A Go Go….Loco, flamenco, Gypsy Lee Pistolero, Gypsy Pistoleros, melodic, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: DANDELION CHARM – Scream Inside The Tear

Posted on October 15, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 20.10.23] Dandelion Charm, the husband and wife team consisting of Clare Fowler (vocals) and John Fowler (vocals, acoustic drums, guitars, bass, keys & producer), have seemingly been quiet release wise since releasing their excellent ‘Maybe Dreamers’ back … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dandelion Charm, folk rock, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, Scream Inside The Tear | Leave a comment

Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Weekender 2023 -The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville, October 6 & 7 2023

Posted on October 14, 2023 by jason

Quarantune Rocks was created by friends Karen Clayton and Pamela Hinchliffe, during COVID-19 to support rock fans and live music in an online group. The not-for-profit festival is in its third year, run by music lovers and aims to support … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged classic rock, Coalville, Gypsy Pistoleros, hard rock, metal, Music Venue Trust, October 6 & 7 2023, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Quarantune Rocks Weekender 2023, The Victoria Bikers Pub | Leave a comment

Album review: ANN WILSON & TRIPSITTER – Another Door

Posted on October 12, 2023 by jason

Dualtone [Release date 29.09.23 US, 13.10.23 ROW] Ann Wilson, best known for Heart with her sister Nancy, decided that prior to starting the 2023 tour with her band Tripsitter, they would record an album of all-original material. This album also … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ann Wilson & Tripsitter, Another Door, hard rock, Heart, melodic rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HASSAN BIN RASHID, LOUIS DE BERNIERES, RYAN YOUNG

Posted on October 7, 2023 by jason

HASSAN BIN RASHID My 21 Grams [Release date 06.10.23] Not everyday you get offered to review an album by a proper prince, in this case Bahraini Prince, Hassan bin Rashid. ‘My 21 Grams’ is his fifth studio album as he … Continue reading →