Author Archives: petefeenstra

Album review: BILLY WALTON BAND – Soul Of A Man

Posted on January 31, 2018 by petefeenstra

Vizztone Records [Release date 12.01.18] Not to be confused with the Blind Willie Johnson song, the Billy Walton Band’s ‘Soul Of A Man’ album strikes the perfect balance between their natural exuberance and nascent song craft. If you include a … Continue reading →

Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

Posted on January 30, 2018 by petefeenstra

33 Records [Release date 02.03.18] ‘The Blues And I Should Have A Party’ is as much a thematic statement of the band’s musical intent – let alone history – as it is a specific title track about a troubled relationship. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 33 records, album, blues, grooves, guitar, Hammond, Paul Robinson, Pete Whittaker, review, Rob Koral, rock, Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood, swing, The Blues And I Should Have A Party, vocals, Zoe Schwarz, Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion | Leave a comment

Book review: JACKIE MCAULEY – I, SIDEMAN: The Story Of Me In The 60′s & 70′s

Posted on January 22, 2018 by petefeenstra

www.jackiemcauley.com – 253 pages paperback [Publication date: December 2017] Jackie McAuley’s ‘I Sideman: The Story Of Me In The 60′s and 70′s’ is an eloquently written, partial biography by a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who takes three quarters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Bonzo Dog Band, book, Brendan Bonass, Celtic rock, Charlie Watts, folk, Frank McCourt, Gene Vincent, Henry McCullough, I Sideman, Irish, Jackie McAuley, Jimi Hendrix, JOE COCKER, John Peel, Judy Dyble, Kim Fowley, Lonnie Donegan, Marvin Rainwater, Miami Show band, Paul Brady, Paul McCartney, Pete Brown, review, Royal Showband, The Kult, Them, Trader Horne, Van Morrison, Vangelis, Viv Stanshall | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DELLA GRANTS – Live Sessions

Posted on January 19, 2018 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 22.11.17] Whether or not The Della Grants take their name from Muddy Waters grandmother or the American roots reggae singer Della Grant, there’s certainly a musical meeting of minds on an album that references blues, soul … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Andy Boulton, blues, Chris Barron, Della Grant, Leicester, Live Room Sessions, Max Manning, Muddy Waters, review, rock, Rolling Stones, soul, The Band, The Della Grants, The Faces, The Spin Doctors, Tom Best, Tom Walker, Tony Robinson | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL LANDAU – Rock Bottom

Posted on January 16, 2018 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 23.02.18] From the free form intro of ‘Squirrels’ to the Noirish spoken word intro and melodic resolution of ‘Speak Now, Make Your Peace’, Michael Landau takes up on a complex musical journey that promises much and delivers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, BB King, blues, Brendan Perry, David Frazee, David Garfield, Dead Can Dance, fusion, guitar, jazz, Jim Morrison, John Cale, Joni Mitchell, Karizma, Michael Landau, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, review, rock, Rock Bottom | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LOGAN – Backstreets Of Eden

Posted on January 5, 2018 by petefeenstra

Moondragon Records [Release date 24.03.18] Steve Logan is a Welsh roots rocker, bordering on Americana, who explores a musical arc that merges the acoustic singer songwriter mode with what he terms “high octane rock”. He’s a song writer whose relationship … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Backstreets Of Eden, Bob Dylan, grunge, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Oasis, review, rock, singer, sonwriter, Steve Logan, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: TOMMY EMMANUEL – Accomplice One

Posted on December 29, 2017 by petefeenstra

In January 2018 Tommy Emmanuel was Pete Feenstra’s special guest in his weekly Feature show first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. In this hour special Tommy discusses the new album and his career, with tracks from ‘Accomplice One’. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Accomplice One, acoustic guitar, album, Amanda Shires, Australian, blues, Bryan Sutton, Charlie Cushman, Chet Atkins, Clive Carroll, David Grisman, Frank Vignola, Hot Club, J.D.Simo, Jerry Douglas, Jimi Hendrix, Jorma Kaukonen, Madonna, Mark Knopfler, Martin Taylor, Otis Redding, Pat Bergeson, review, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, Tommy Emmanuel, Vinny Raniolo | Leave a comment

Album review: TREVOR SEWELL – Calling Nashville

Posted on December 12, 2017 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 25.07.17] Singer songwriter Trevor Sewell knows the value of anchoring a song in a deep groove and with a layered sound to showcase his own gruff voice. He’s a British singer songwriter who hails from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Calling Nashville, country, interview, Janis Ian, jazz, Mark Knopfler, Mother Rarth, review, rock, Tracy Nelson, Trevor Sewell, Vickie Carrico | Leave a comment

Album review: STORM WARNING – Take Cover

Posted on December 10, 2017 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 09.04.17] Storm Warning’s ‘Take Cover’ is an object lesson in fine interpretive skills on original arrangements that drip with feel and are framed by an intuitive production. After 3 albums of mostly original material, the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, Bob Dylan, Bob Moore, Deke Leonard, Derek White, Ian Salisbury, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Junior Wells, Led Zeppelin, rock, Russell Chaney, Storm Warning, Stu Son Maxwell, Take Cover | Leave a comment

Book review: THE MEANEY OF LIFE – Sean Meaney

Posted on December 6, 2017 by petefeenstra

Cunas Music & Publishing – 329 pages paperback [Publication date: 28.07.2017] ‘The Meaney of Life’ is an autobiographical journey though the life and times of a proud Irishman Sean Meaney. He’s a passionate music fan who rises above what the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Albert Collins, Belouis Some, book, Brendan O'Carroll, Brian Downey, Brian May, Brian Robertson, Brush Shiels, Dana Gillespeie, Dickie Rock, Dizzy Lizzy, Eric Bell, Gary Moore, Hunter S. Thompson, Irish World, Jonathan Noyce, Limehouse Lizzy, Man, Phil Lynnott, Philomena Lynnott, Polly Brown, Real Music magazine, review, Rory Gallagher, Roy Harper, Ry Cooder, Scott Gorham, Sean Meaney, The Meaney Of Life, The Mustard Seeds, Walter Trout, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review: KYLE SHUTT – Doom Side Of The Moon

Posted on November 30, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 08.12.17] ‘Doom Side Of The Moon’ celebrates 50 years of Pink Floyd by re-imagining a heavier version of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’. It’s an attempt to get inside the textural richness of Pink Floyd’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, Clare Troy, Dark Side Of The Moon, Doom Side Of The Moon, electronica, Kyle Shutt, metal, Pink Floyd, review, Richard Wright, rock, Roger Waters, Santiago Vela III, The Beatles, the Sword | Leave a comment

Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 24 November 2017

Posted on November 29, 2017 by petefeenstra

In an era when the term ‘The Voice’ generates much derision among rock fans, Colin Blunstone is here to remind us of the staple, old school values that have continued to provide a bedrock for the quality end of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Parsons, Boom Boom Club, Colin Blunstone, Dave Stewart, Duncan Browne, gig, Jimmy Ruffin, Pete Billington, review, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Rod Argent, Steve Rodford, The Zombies, Toby Goodman, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK OLBRICH BLUES ETERNITY – Blues Everywhere

Posted on November 21, 2017 by petefeenstra

Hrpp records [Release date 26.o8.17] Mark Olbrich is a veteran Anglo/Polish blues bass player with an impressive CV both that spreads right across eastern Europe to the States. Both the material and band is built round Olbrich’s rock solid and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Allesandro Cinelli, bass, blues, Blues Eternity, Bob Hite, boogie, Canned Heat, Eddie Angel, funk, grooves, guitar, harp, Igor Nowicki, Jack Bruce, Laurence Garman, Mark Olbrich, Maurice McElroy, Polish, review, rock, Texas, The Yardbirds | Leave a comment

Album review: VON HERTZEN BROTHERS – War Is Over

Posted on November 21, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 03.11.17] ‘War Is Over’ isn’t so much a concept album as a dramatic prog rock album with associated musical influences, ranging from classic, hard and symphonic rock, to more poppy and synth influences. There’s plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anathema, Caravan, classic rock, Eric Norlander, Grateful Dead, hard rock, Jethro Tull, Kie Von Hertzen, King Crimson, Lana Lane, Paul Buckmaster, pop, prog rock, Pye Hastings, review, Robert Engstrand, symphonic rock, synth, Von Hertzen Brothers, War Is Over, Wishbone Ash, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: BRUCE FOXTON & RUSSELL HASTINGS – From The Jam Live!

Posted on November 20, 2017 by petefeenstra

Basstone via Absolute [Release date 01.12.17] Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings’s ‘From The Jam Live!’ ticks all the right boxes. It does what it says on the tin with an updated appraisal of music that stoked a generation some 40 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bruce Foxton, From The Jam Live!, live album, mod, Motown, Paul Weller, R&B, Ray Davies, review, Russell Hastings, The Beatles, The Kinks, THE WHO | Leave a comment

Album review: PROJECT MAMA EARTH – Mama Earth

Posted on November 10, 2017 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 10.11.17] The thematically titled ‘Mama Earth’, is an all-star collaboration featuring Joss Stone on vocals, Nitin Sawheny on guitar, Jonathan Joseph on drums, Etienne M’Bappe on bass and Jonathan Shorten on keyboards. It’s a stellar line-up that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afro fusion, album, Bikutsi, Billy Cobham, Etienne M'Bappe, funk, Jonathan Joseph, Jonathan Shorten, Joss Stone, Mama Earth, Mangambe, Nitin Sawheny, Project Mama Earth, R&B, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES LITHERLAND – Back ‘N Blue

Posted on November 10, 2017 by petefeenstra

Self Release [Release date 01.05.17] ‘Back ‘N Blue’ is a loving crafted DIY song driven blues-rock album with a funky fusion undertow. James Litherland’s musical credentials go all the way back to Colosseum – check out the ‘Valentyne Sweet’ style … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Back 'N Blue, Bandit, blues, Colosseum, Duncan Grosser, funk, fusion, James Litherland, John Fogerty, Led Zeppelin, Les Binks, Mickey Jupp, Mogul Thrash, Nick Pentelow, Paul Francis, review, rock, Steely Dan, Steve Rawl | Leave a comment

Album review: SAMANTHA FISH – Belle Of The West

Posted on November 8, 2017 by petefeenstra

Ruf [Release date 17.11.17] Samantha Fish is fast turning into a musical chameleon, as she pursues a broad musical sweep that is well suited to her versatile voice. She’s teamed up with roots producer Luther Dickinson – best known for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Belle Of The West, Emmylou Harris, Hatfitz and Cara, hill county blues, Ian Siegal, Jimbo Mathus, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Junior Kimbrough, Lightnin’ Malcolm, Little Mae, Luther Dickinson, North Mississippi All-Stars, Otis Taylor, R.L. Burnside, review, Samantha Fish, Stevie Nicks, The Black Crows | Leave a comment

Album review: POPA CHUBBY – Two Dogs

Posted on November 7, 2017 by petefeenstra

earMUSIC [Release date 27.10.17] Popa Chubby’s ‘Two Dogs’ is one of his best ever albums. That’s no mean feat for an artist who has cut 36 odd albums in 25 years. ‘Two Dogs’ is a consistent and coherent album spread … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Dave Keyes, Deliveries After Dark, Don Chubblione, funk, Galea, Popa Chubby, review, rock, Sam Bryant, soul, The Catfish, Tipitina Horowitz, Two Dogs | Leave a comment

Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – London Blues Fest at Indigo, 02 London, 28 October 2017

Posted on October 29, 2017 by petefeenstra

Right now Kenny Wayne Shepherd is at the height of his powers. He’s a modern day techno-blues man who marries speed with a range of contrasting attacks. He explores feel and tonal variety as part of an avalanche of bluesy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged blues, Chris Layton, classic rock, country, Gary Moore, gig, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Krown, Keith Richard, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kevin McCormick, Noah Hunt, Paul Rogers, review, rockabilly, Sylvester “Sam” Bryant | Leave a comment

Album review: SUPERSONIC BLUES MACHINE – Californisoul

Posted on October 18, 2017 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 20.10.17] The all star Supersonic Blues Machine’s second album ‘Californisoul’ isn’t so much a concept as a feel and attitude, as revealed by the album title. It’s all there in the sparkling interplay on a subtle melange … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andrea, Arc Angels, Billy F. Gibbons, blues, Cream, Eric Gales, Fabrizio Grossi, Francis Benitez Grossi, Kenny Aronoff, Lance Lopez, Poppa Chubby, review, Robben Ford, Sergei Ximic, soul, Steve Lukather, Supersonic Blues Machine, Ten Years After, Walter Trout, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Gig review: SIN HOUSE – Spirit Of The Torrington, Old Finchleians, London N12, 15 October 2017

Posted on October 17, 2017 by petefeenstra

It’s take some gumption to start a new band when celebrating the 50th anniversary of your pro career, but then Stevie Smith, the former Bad Manners, Ruthless Blues, Salt and Long John Baldry harp player, is no ordinary performer, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alice Cooper, Bad Manners, blues, Bobby Womack, Clive Edwards, Elmore James, gig, harmonica, J.J. Cale, John Lee Hooker, Lionheart, Long John Baldry, Nils Lofgren, Old Finchlieans, Pat Travers, review, Richard Taylor, rock, Ruthless Blues, Salt, Sin House, Spirit Of the Torrington, Steve Smith, Stevie Smith, The Right Rev Swifty, UFO, Wild Horses | Leave a comment

Gig review: WALTER TROUT – Under The Bridge, London, 11 October 2017

Posted on October 13, 2017 by petefeenstra

There’s always something heart-warming about a Walter Trout show. Indeed, long before his miraculous recovery from ill health, he always made a virtue of making a connection with his crowd, either through socially conscious songs, universally applicable narratives or simply … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Albert Collins, blues, Charlie Musselwhite, Danny Avila, Don Nix, Frank Zappa, gig, Innis Sibun, Joe Louis Walker, Led Zeppelin, Popa Chubby, review, rock, Sammy Avila, Sari Schorr, Sonny Boy Williamson, Stephen Dale Petit, The Engine Room, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Gig review: TRIGGERFINGER – 100 Club, London, 10 October 2017

Posted on October 12, 2017 by petefeenstra

Belgian power trio Triggerfinger have got something going on. They rock hard with a set of diverse material that has a freshness and purpose too often lacking in cliché ridden rock and they deliver it all with a welcome sense … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, Belgian, electro, funk, gig, Iron Maiden, Led Zepplein, Mario Goossens, Paul Van Bruystegem, Pearl Jam, Peter Shoulder, review, rock, Ruben Block, TRIGGERFINGER | Leave a comment

Album review: TRIGGERFINGER – Colossus

Posted on October 7, 2017 by petefeenstra

Mascot [Release date 25.08.17] The three piece Belgian rock band Triggerfinger – Ruben Block vocals and guitar, bassist Paul Van Bruystegem and drummer Mario Goossens – push the stylistic envelope with a creative, cross genre, alt.rock album that is aptly … Continue reading →