Author Archives: jason

Gig review: The Choir Boy, A Bullet Belt & Lemmy by Tim Atkinson – Saffron Waldren, 28 December 2017

Posted on December 30, 2017 by jason

It is December 28th 2017 two years to the day of the passing of his lord Lemmy; after a treacherous walk uphill on sheet and black ice, a Jack Daniels and Coke is in my hand and I am compelled … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 28 December 2017, classic rock, metal, Motorhead, Phil Campbell, review, rock 'n' roll, Saffron Waldren, talk, The Choir Boy A Bullet Belt & Lemmy, Tim Atkinson, Wurzel | Leave a comment

Album review: THE TRANSPORTS – A Tale of Exile and Migration

Posted on December 24, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 12.01.18] The Transports tells the tale of a family destroyed by poverty and crime, but resurrected by exile to Australia in the 1780s. The songs were originally penned by Peter Bellamy and have now been given … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tale of Exile and Migration, album, Bellowhead, Faustus, folk, migration, Peter Bellamy, review, the Transports, the Young'Uns, theatre | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE SWEET – Nells Jazz & Blues, London, 15 December 2017

Posted on December 20, 2017 by jason

After perhaps rather too many Christmas tours of provincial theatres in recent years and, ahem, a tour supporting the Bay City Rollers last year it was gratifying to have Sweet do a short tour of proper rock venues this year. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 70's rock, Andy Scott, classic rock, gig review, glam, Nell’s Jazz & Blues, rock, The Sweet | Leave a comment

Album review: DAMIEN O’KANE – Avenging & Bright

Posted on December 19, 2017 by jason

Pure Records [Release date 08.12.17] Damien O’Kane’s album ‘Areas Of High Traffic’, released last year, was nominated for ‘Album Of The Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Based on this new album that is hardly surprising as in the main he takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Avenging & Bright, banjo, Damien O'Kane, folk, Kate Rusby, melodic, Proper Records, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ANVIL – Pounding The Pavement

Posted on December 18, 2017 by jason

Steamhammer/SPV (Release date 19.01.18) Few who have seen the brilliant ‘Story Of Anvil’ film could fail to fall in love with this band. But is being the world’s most loveable metal band enough to make you want to carry on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, anvil, metal, Pounding The Pavement, review, rock, SPV, Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow | Leave a comment

Book review: SO HERE IT IS by Dave Hill

Posted on December 18, 2017 by jason

Unbound Books [Published date 16.11.17] Noddy Holder has written a couple of books and drummer Don Powell has published his memoir, now it is the turn of guitarist Dave Hill. Dave Hill was born in a castle in Devon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Dave Hill, Don Powell, Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, review, rock, Slade, Slade II, So Here It Is | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PRIMAL FEAR, KRANKSCHAFT

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jason

PRIMAL FEAR Best Of Fear Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Primal Fear have been around since 1997 and to celebrate their twentieth year we have a two disc best of. Disc one has four new songs, although one ‘Area 16′ is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, best of, Best Of Fear, Hawkwind, III Mysteries, Krankschaft, Matt Sinner, metal, Primal Fear, punk, Ralf Scheepers, reviews, space rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BAD FLOWERS – Starting Gun

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jason

Pete Feenstra chatted to Tom Leighton for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (January 2018) [Release date 16.02.17] The Bad Flowers - Tom Leighton (guitar/vocals), Dale Tonks (bass/vocals) and Karl Selickis (drums) – released a damn fine single … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, debut, review, rock, Starting Gun, the Bad Flowers | Leave a comment

Album review: JON BODEN – Afterglow

Posted on December 11, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 06.10.17] ‘Afterglow’ follows on from Jon Boden’s 2009 post-apocalyptic concept album ‘Songs From The Floodplain’. Whereas that album was largely rural in its setting, ‘Afterglow’ takes the listener into the chaos of a ruined city’s street carnival, as two star-crossed lovers try to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, Bellowhead, concept, folk, Hudson Records, indie, Jon Boden, melodic, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TYPHOON, EWAN CRUICKSHANKS, THE HAZEY JANES

Posted on December 7, 2017 by jason

TYPHOON Offerings [Release date 12.01.18] The PR copy states that ‘If a Fellini film, a Bosch painting and a Rorschach drawing had a collective sound, it would be Typhoon’s new release’. Or in more simpler terms it is an album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Glasgow Bandf, album, Ewan Cruickshanks, Hands Around The City - Live, indie, Offerings, pop, review, rock, singer songwriter, the Hazey Janes, Typhoon | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Winter Carols

Posted on December 6, 2017 by jason

Minstrel Hall Music [Release date 20.10.17] Ritchie Blackmore’s move from the hard rock of Rainbow and Deep Purple to the renaissance folk of Blackmore’s Night, with his wife Candice, has always been controversial among rock fans, When I reviewed the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Blackmore's Night, Candice Night, Christmas, Deep Purple, review, Ritchie Blackmore, Winter Carols | Leave a comment

Interview: BEN CHRISTO (Diamond Black)

Posted on December 6, 2017 by jason

Diamond Black is the new project from Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy, Night By Night) who have recently released their debut single ‘Sorrow’. Here we ask Ben for some background on Diamond Black and his recent touring activity with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Ben Christo, Diamond Black, gothic, guitarist, interview, rock, Shot Through The Heart, Sisters Of Mercy | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MEMBERS – Greatest Hits

Posted on December 4, 2017 by jason

Cadiz Music [Release date 10.11.17] The Members have recorded for labels including Beggars Banquet, Stiff, Virgin, Island and Cadiz Music and been signed by amongst others Dave Robinson, Richard Branson and Clive Davis. This compilation gathers together for the first time the band’s singles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Greatest Hits, punk, reggae, review, rock, ska, The Members, TwoTone | Leave a comment

Album review: GARY MOORE – Blues And Beyond

Posted on December 2, 2017 by jason

Sanctuary/BMG (4CD + book box-set) [Release date 24.11.17] Belfast born guitarist and vocalist Gary Moore was an unparalleled legend, whose career combined hard rock and blues, and at times dipping into jazz fusion (‘Colosseum II’) and a more contemporary harsh … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Blues and Beyond, box set, classic rock, Cozy Powell, Gary Moore, Phil Lynott, review, rock, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: TARJA – From Spirits And Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas)

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 17.11.17] Former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen has been successfully building a solo career where she makes the music she wants to and that suits her vocal style/musical visions. It comes as no surprise then she has decided to record a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christmas music, classical, From Spirits And Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas), gothic, melodic, Nightwish, Tarja, Tarja Turunen | Leave a comment

Album review: SWEET & LYNCH – Unified

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Second album from Sweet & Lynch – Michael Sweet and George Lynch – who have both been busy with their respective bands Stryper and Lynch Mob. In fact the ever busy Lynch has recently announced he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dokken, George Lynch, melodic, Michael Sweet, review, rock, Stryper, Sweet & Lynch, Unified | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBIN BECK – Love Is Coming

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] Robin Beck first came to the attention of the record buying public here in the UK in 1988 when she released the massively successful “First Time” single, helped by its inclusion in an advert for a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Clif Magness, Frontiers, House of Lords, James Christian, Love Is Coming, melodic, review, Robin Beck, rock | Leave a comment

Interview: TIM ARNOLD

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

Tim Arnold has released his first ever Christmas single ‘Be There To Find You’, which is raising funds for Kathy Hahn, who lost her home in a fire. Here we chat to Tim about how the song came about, working again with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Be There To Find You, Christmas number one, Christmas single, interview, Kathy Hahn, music, singer songwriter, the Camerata Choir, Tim Arnold | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ABRAHAM – Colours

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 27.11.17] Lee Abraham was the bassist in prog rockers Galahad between 2005 and 2009, who he has now since re-joined but as their guitarist. He has been busy on the solo front releasing a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Colours, Credo, FM, Frost*, Galahad, Lee Abraham, melodic, porgressive, review, rock, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: SANTA CRUZ – Bad Blood Rising

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

M-Theory Audio [Release date 10.11.17] Finnish band Santa Cruz have just released 3rd album “Bad Blood Rising” which, with its heavy yet melodic sleaze, builds nicely on its earlier predecessors whilst encompassing a more modern edge. Opening track “Young Blood … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Blood Rising, hard rock, review, rock, Sanat Cruz, sleaze | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIKE GARSON performs Aladdin Sane – Birmingham O2 Institute, 25 November 2017

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

Lovers of 70s-era David Bowie have been in for a real treat this year. Not only have we had Tony Visconti and original Spider from Mars, Woody Woodmansey, touring the Ziggy Stardust album in full, we now have virtuoso Bowie … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 November 2017, Aladdin Sane, Birmingham, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, live review, Mike Garson, O2 Institute, rock, Roger Glover, Steve Harley | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE WHO – Tommy Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Posted on November 26, 2017 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 13.10.17] Such is the impact they have made on British music over the years that I am of the theory that even the casual music listener could name at least 5 songs by The Who. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, concert, DVD, live, Pete Townsend, review, rock, Roger Daltrey, Royal Albert Hall, THE WHO, Tommy Live | Leave a comment

Album review: BABYLON A.D. – Revelation Highway

Posted on November 26, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Frontiers have released some outstanding albums this year and new album “Revelation Highway” from San Francisco’s Babylon A.D. is right up there amongst the best of these. Nearly 30 years since the band first formed they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Babylon A.D., Frontiers, hard rock, Revelation Highway, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: TANKARD – Hymns For the Drunk

Posted on November 24, 2017 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 12.01.18] I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until I’m tits up and in the ground: Germany has produced some of the best Metal bands around. From so many varying sub genres, the German Metal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Germany, Hymns For The Drunk, metal, review, TANKARD | Leave a comment

Album review: VERN DAYSEL – Shootin’ The Breeze/Blood Of A Wolf

Posted on November 23, 2017 by jason

In this special showcase, Vern Daysel introduces his music with tracks from ‘Blood Of A Wolf’. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 17 December 2017 (38:26) Remember the philosophical story about the optimistic kid who wakes up on … Continue reading →