Author Archives: jason

Gig review: BLACK SABBATH 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYBACK – Number 10, Hackney, 11 February 2020

Posted on February 13, 2020 by jason
Black Sabbath 50th

Most of us listen to music while distracted by other things. Commute to work, at home or live venue. But what if there were no other distractions around you? Just you and the music, in the dark – would you … Continue reading →

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Album review: RICHARD MARX – Limitless

Posted on February 12, 2020 by jason
RICHARD MARX - Limitless

BMG [Release date 07.02.20] Richard Marx returns with his first new album in over five years, produced in part by himself and featuring co-writes with Sara Bareilles, Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Darrell Brown (Dolly Parton, Keith Urban), his son Lucas and … Continue reading →

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Album review: LEAGUE OF LIGHTS – In The In Between

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason
LEAGUE OF LIGHTS – In The In Between

Website [Release date 27.09.19] Second album from League Of Lights, who are the husband and wife duo Farrah and Richard West – the latter best known for being a member of Threshold. Their self-titled debut album released back in 2011, … Continue reading →

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Album review: SQUIRE – Get Ready To Go!/September Gurls

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason
SQUIRE - Get Ready To Go!

Hi-Lo Records [Release date 26.10.19] Squire formed around the time of the Mod revival in the late 70’s and were fronted by Anthony Meynell. They went on to release five studio albums, before relocating to the US in 1985 and … Continue reading →

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Album review: HEAT – II

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason
HEAT - II

earMUSIC [Release date 21.02.20] That difficult sixth album? Should that have been HEAT 2.0? The motive behind the title is not clear, even when reading explanation from the band. When a band uses its name in the album title this … Continue reading →

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Album review: RORY GALLAGHER – Check Shirt Wizard – Live In ’77

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason
RORY GALLAGHER - Check Shirt Wizard – Live In ’77

Chess/UMC (2CD, 3LP, 3 LP coloured vinyl) [Release date 06.03.20] Rory Gallagher is pretty much the first, last and foremost blues-rock guitarist, he was an influence on the likes of fellow Irish men Bernie Torme and Gary Moore, with the … Continue reading →

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Album review: BIFF BYFORD – School Of Hard Knocks

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jason
BIFF BYFORD - School Of Hard Knocks

Silver Lining Music [Release date 21.02.20] One of British heavy metal’s finest icons, vocalist (and occasional bassist) Biff Byford has fronted Saxon since the mid 70s, when they were called Son Of A Bitch. And after talk of a solo … Continue reading →

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Album review: ROBERT HART – Pure

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jason
ROBERT HART - Pure

Escape Music [Release date 20.02.20] Vocalist Robert Hart sang on one of my all-time favourite albums, ‘Under The One Sky’ by The Distance, added to his solo album ‘Cries & Whispers’ is still revered in AOR circles. He has also … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE RECORD COMPANY – Early Songs And Rarities

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jason
THE RECORD COMPANY – Early Songs And Rarities

Snakefarm/Universal [Release date 14.02.20] (vinyl only) Such is the demand for new product from Billboard top five debuting band, The Record Company, that their old product – their “recorded in the front room” tracks, following them from the past like … Continue reading →

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EP review: STONE THIEVES – Church Of The Medicine Man

Posted on February 5, 2020 by jason
STONE THIEVES - Church Of The Medicine Man

3MS Music [Release date 14.02.20] Stone Thieves are a London band who have been building a solid reputation with their Americana repertoire. One might argue that the music is American rock or even Southern Rock, rather than pure Americana, but … Continue reading →

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Album review: DUSTBOWL REVIVAL – Is It You, Is It Me

Posted on February 4, 2020 by jason
DUSTBOWL REVIVAL – Is It You, Is It Me

Medium Expectations/Thirty Tigers [Release date 31.01.20] Dustbowl Revival present their fifth album and one that sees them shift away from their original Dixieland jazz, swing and Depression-era folk songs. The band revolves around the singing talents of Z Lupetin and … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BILLY LOCKETT – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, 2 February 2020

Posted on February 3, 2020 by jason

We have ventured into the Academy a few times but have never been to the more compact upstairs Academy 2, which was the venue for Billy Lockett’s show. He’s certainly taking a big step and gamble by going out on … Continue reading →

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Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – A Pilgrim’s Tale

Posted on February 3, 2020 by jason
SETH LAKEMAN - A Pilgrim

BMG [Release date 07.02.20] The latest album from folk singer Seth Lakeman marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower setting sale from Plymouth for north America. While A Pilgrim’s Tale showcases his distinctive vocal style and delivery precisely as his … Continue reading →

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Album review: REVOLUTION SAINTS – Rise

Posted on February 2, 2020 by jason
REVOLUTION SAINTS - Rise

Frontiers (Release date 24.01.20) Frontiers Records’ AOR superhero assembly is working like a dream. The Revolution Saints – Deen (Journey) Castronovo, Jack (Night Ranger) Blades and Doug (Whitesnake) Aldrich – are on their third album now, so that confirms it. … Continue reading →

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News: MARILLION, NICK MASON, STYX, BLUE OYSTER CULT (February 2020)

Posted on February 1, 2020 by jason
MARILLION - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 4 November 2019

Marillion release an expanded version of ‘Script For A Jester’s Tear’ on April 3 as a 4CD/Blu-ray package and on 4LP. Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets will release ‘Live At The Roundhouse’ (2LP, 2CD/DVD and Blu-ray) on April 17 through … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014

Posted on February 1, 2020 by jason
BLUE OYSTER CULT - Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] “Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014” is Blue Oyster Cult’s sixth live album. Not many in a 50 year career. Maybe that’s why it’s a sumptious, 2 CD + DVD affair, housed in a sturdy gatefold … Continue reading →

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Album review: DECARLO – Lightning Strikes Twice

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason
DECARLO - Lightning Strikes Twice

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] DeCarlo are Tommy DeCarlo (who has been a member of Boston since 2008) and co-founder (and son) Tommy DeCarlo Jr., along with drummer Dan Hitz. The songs have been written over a number of years, the … Continue reading →

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Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – High Times, Live In Italy

Posted on January 30, 2020 by jason
MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND - High Times, Live In Italy

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Michael Thompson’s reputation as the rock world’s original “go to guitarist” is unassailable. Though none is needed, he provides ample proof of his skill and virtuosity here. And understandably cashing in his cultural stock in the … Continue reading →

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Album review: SONS OF APOLLO – MMXX

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason
SONS OF APOLLO - MMXX

Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20] Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian. Sons Of … Continue reading →

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Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

SOLD ‘Empty Words’ Seemingly making quantum leaps with each new release, Estonia band Sold have really hit things out of the ballpark with ‘Empty Words’. A snarling wildcat of a song, its mix of growling male and clean female vocals … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALUNAH – Violet Hour

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jason

Heavy Pysch Sounds [Release date 29.10.19] Midlands four-piece Alunah show that, without doubt, you can take something primal and brutal but turn it into a thing of beauty. Their 60’s tinged doom metal follows in the footsteps of pioneers Black … Continue reading →

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Album review: BLUE OYSTER CULT – Cult Classics

Posted on January 27, 2020 by jason
BLUE OYSTER CULT – Cult Classics

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Surprising and exciting news was announced in the autumn of last year in that Frontiers have signed Blue Oyster Cult for a series re-issues (including their hard to find 1998 album ‘Heaven Forbid’ which is re-issued … Continue reading →

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Album review: JORN – Heavy Rock Radio II

Posted on January 27, 2020 by jason
JORN - Heavy Rock Radio II

Frontiers [Release date 24.01.20] Jorn Lande is back with his second volume of songs he grew up with or influenced him – making this his fourth covers album to date. These songs get the Jorn heavy rock treatment or as … Continue reading →

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Album review: GLENN HUGHES – Justified Man

Posted on January 26, 2020 by jason
GLENN HUGHES - Justified Man

Cherry Red Records [Release date 31.01.20] Part One: Feel (CD1), Addicted (CD2), The Way It Is (CD3) : This clydebuilt boxset plugs into Glenn Hughes’ solo career in 1995, kicking off with his fourth solo album “Feel” (CD1). It’s the … Continue reading →

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Album review: GIRL – Wasted Youth

Posted on January 24, 2020 by jason
GIRL - Wasted Youth

Cherry Red Records [31.01.20] Arguably, Girl was simply the launching pad for Phil Lewis – later to join The LA Guns; Phil Collen – later to join Def Leppard, and Gerry Laffy – later to carve out a significant career … Continue reading →

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