Author Archives: petefeenstra

Album review: ALAN HEWITT – High Fidelity

Posted on March 29, 2013 by petefeenstra

Angel Song Records With a playing and production background spanning Earth Wind & Fire, Warrant, and more recently The Moody Blues, as well as high profile TV and film soundtrack work, keyboard playing vocalist Alan Hewitt’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Hewitt, Angelsong, Earth Wind & Fire, harmony singing, High Fidelity, jazz fusion, keyboard player, keyboards, Moody Blues, pop, producer, soft rock, Warrant | Leave a comment

Album review: JIMMIE VAUGHAN – Reissues

Posted on March 28, 2013 by petefeenstra

Repertoire Records [Release date 05:2013] Perhaps only Jimmy Vaughan could cut a trio of albums that started with a nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album Award (‘Strange Pleasure’) , nearly won the Best Rock Instrumental Performance Award for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Al Green, blues, Dr John, Eric Clapton, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Fonzi Thornton, Greg Piccalo, Greg Sain, instrumental music, Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Guitar Watson, Little Richard, Lou Ann Barton, Nile Rogers, R&B, Repertoire, Robert Cray, soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Texas Blues, Tyrone Vaughan | Leave a comment

Album review: DOUBT! – Mercy Pity Peace & Love

Posted on March 25, 2013 by petefeenstra

Moonjune records DouBt is a bristling trio of free form players who wrap their spontaneous playing in fusion and funky clothing, but ultimately return to their chosen style of playing. ‘Mercy, Pity, Peace & Love’ is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alex Maguire, Chic Corea, David Minjauw, DouBt, electronics, Frank Zappa, free from improv, George Duke, jazz, jazz fusion, Jimi Hendrix, John Abercormbie, King Crimson, Mercy Pity Peace Love, Micel Delville, Moonjoon records, progrock, rock, Tony Bianco | Leave a comment

Album review: MAHOGANY FROG – Senna

Posted on March 24, 2013 by petefeenstra

Moonjune Records Mahogany Frog is an exciting, challenging, hard hitting, innovative and progressive Canadian band. They draw from the same progressive, electronic and symphonic arc as Erik Norlander’s Rocket Scientists, but much like their gate fold art … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged Andy Rudolph, Canadian Prog Rock, Canadian psychedelic band, Canadian Rock, electronic music, Eno, Eric Lussier, Erik Norlander, Graham Epp, Hawkwind, Jesse Warkentin, John Paul Peters, Krautrock, Mahogany Frog, Moon June records, Nectar, New Order, Progressive Rock, rock, Rocket Scientists, Scott Ellenberger, Senna, Soft Machine, Tangerine Dream, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: DEREK DAVIS – Re Volt

Posted on March 23, 2013 by petefeenstra

Apocalyse Records Former BabylonA.D. vocalist Derek Davis describes his music as ‘Balls out heavy rock with some revolutionary angst’, and it’s hard to argue with his sentiments, though you do wonder just what he’s angry about. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged Apocalypse records, Babylon AD, Derek Davis, Eric Pacheco, hard rock, Jamey Pacheco, Loren Turner, metal, Re Volt, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: SWAMP TRAIN – Premium Selection

Posted on March 23, 2013 by petefeenstra

Swamp Train [Release date 30.03.13 ] Swamp Train take their name from their own brand of down-home rhythms. Armed with cigar box guitars, washboard and harps they impressively carve out their own take on the blues. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged blues, cigar box guitar, down-home, George Thorogood, harp, Mississippi Sheiks, Pat Travers, Premium Selection, roots, Seasick Steve, slide guitar, Swamp Train, washboard | Leave a comment

Album review: JO HARMAN – Dirt On My Tongue

Posted on March 22, 2013 by petefeenstra

Chief [Release date 12.03.13] Jo Harman is a ‘singer’s singer’. Everything about this album is tied up with her evocative phrasing, pristine diction and a husky voice that swamps the lyrics in honey. ‘Dirt On My Tongue’ is a surprisingly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, jazz, Jo Harman, Mike Davies, rock, singer songwriter, soul, vocalist | 1 Comment

Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House

Posted on March 20, 2013 by petefeenstra

Provogue 2-CD set/2-DVD/Bluray [Monday 25.03.13] ‘An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House’ finds Joe Bonamassa playing to his strengths in an unplugged mode. Together with a carefully chosen multi instrumental quintet, his playing is eloquent, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House, blues, Gerry O’Connor, guitar, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, Lenny Castro, Mats Wester, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE MAGIC BAND – Under The Bridge, London, 16 March 2013

Posted on March 20, 2013 by petefeenstra

There can be fewer stranger tales than the cult like relationship between the late Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. His totalitarian grip on the line-up that recorded the groundbreaking ‘Trout Mask Replica’ album has spawned numerous articles, documentaries and … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, Captain Beefheart, Craig Bunch, Denny Walley, Eric Clerks, Frank Zappa, John "Drumbo'"French, Mark “Rockette Morton” Boston, Ornette Coleman, rock, The Magic Band, Trout Mask Replica, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: ALVIN LEE – The Best Of

Posted on March 13, 2013 by petefeenstra

Repertoire Records (2012) This album has been brought into sharp focus by the sad loss of Alvin Lee. The Woodstock guitar hero seemed to be more affected than most by the prevailing sweep of punk and new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alvin Lee, George Harrison, guitarist, Mylon Lefevre, Repertoire Records, review, Scotty Moore, singer, Ten Years After, Ten Years Later, The Best Of | Leave a comment

Album review: CORB LUND – Cabin Fever

Posted on March 13, 2013 by petefeenstra

New West Records This album slipped through the net but roots fans should still check it out. Canadian country singer Corb Lund’s ‘Cabin Fever’ is a left field album with a difference. It’s is full of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Canadian Music, Corb London, country, New West records, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album Review: SPIN DOCTORS – If The River Was Whiskey

Posted on March 13, 2013 by petefeenstra

Ruf Records [06.05.13] Given the Spin Doctors penchant for funky rhythms and their early 90’s Hendrix meets Parliament style jamming, the idea of a blues album isn’t necessarily as incredulous as it might sound. The band paid … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, funk, If The River Was Whiskey, jam band, Pete Feenstra, review, ruf records, Spin Doctors | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL ROSE – Double Life

Posted on March 11, 2013 by petefeenstra

Mita Records [Release date 6/5/13] CD/Vinyl The underlying concept of Paul Rose’s ‘Double Life’ is pictorially represented by the Old House Blues Club photo on the front of the CD. It’s a superbly conceived and brilliantly played homage to soul, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bernard Fowler, blues, funk, guitar, John Wooler, Kenny Hutchison, Paul Rose, Raffia Ford, review, Richie Morales, soul, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Terry Evans, Tio Banks | Leave a comment

Album review: MATT WOOSEY BAND – On The Wagon

Posted on March 6, 2013 by petefeenstra

Self Release [Release date 28.03.13] The Matt Woosey Band’s ‘On The Wagon’ (geddit?) has far more substance than the album title suggests and is a sparkling advert for roots rock. The West Midland’s guitarist may pen blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, folk, guitarist, Matt Woosey, On The Wagon, roots, singer song-writer | Leave a comment

Album review: M.I.C. – 5th Avenue

Posted on March 5, 2013 by petefeenstra

Self release via Two Side Moon [Release date January 2013] M.I.C. is the brainchild of Canadian vocalist, guitarist and song-writer Yvon Serre, who over the last 8 years has carved out an AOR niche in China and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 5th Avenue, 70's rock, AOR, Canadian Rock, China Rock, M.I.C., melodic rock, Pete Feenstra, pop rock, Yvon Serra | Leave a comment

Album review: BLUE TO BROWN – Blue To Brown

Posted on March 5, 2013 by petefeenstra

Remedy-records [Release date 18.02.13] Blue To Brown features the father and son duo of former Gets/z Loose vocalist and voice over artist Rob Brown and the multi instrumentalist and occasional vocals of Duran Duran guitarist and song writer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Anna Ross, Blue To Black, blues, Darrin Mooney, DJohn Noyce, Dom Brown, Duran Duran, Kat Pearson, Martha Riley, Martin winning, Mike Bramwell, Pete Feenstra, review, Rob Brown, roots, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: MIGHTY MOJOS – Hook Line And Sinker

Posted on March 2, 2013 by petefeenstra

Mighty Mojos self release [Release date 21.01.13] The Mighty Mojos certainly live up to their name. The band’s old school approach to high octane rhythm and blues (aka r&b) is a welcome breath of fresh air … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, David McClean, harp, Mighty Mojos, Pete Feenstra, R&B, slide guitar | Leave a comment

Album review: TRIGGERFINGER – All This Dancin’ Around

Posted on March 1, 2013 by petefeenstra

Dramatico Records [Release date 15.04.13] www.triggerfinger.net/ What’s in a name? Triggerfinger is a condition related to the forefinger, but transferred to a musical context, the concept might explain the Flemish combo’s jerky and restless style. They think nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged All This Dancin' Around, Greg Gordon, Mario Goossens, Paul Van Bruystegem, Pete Feenstra, rock, Ruben Block, TRIGGERFINGER | Leave a comment

Album review: MIND THE GAEP – Get Ready For Tonight

Posted on February 28, 2013 by petefeenstra

Leo Skull [Release date 23.03.13] Mind The Gaep is a powerful hard rock band with metal pretension, but it’s their softer underbelly that more accurately reflects their true calling. Scratch below the stunt guitar parts and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged classic rock, German Rock, hard rock, Marc Bugnard, metal, Mind The Gaep | Leave a comment

Album review: CLIMAX BLUES BAND – Drastic Steps

Posted on February 27, 2013 by petefeenstra

Repertoire Records [Re-issue 2013] Arguably one of the best albums of Climax Blues Band’s later FM rock career, ‘Drastic Steps’ is an overlooked gem and a prime example of being in the right place at the wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged blues, Climax Blues band + Colin Cooper, Damon Jones, David Parton, Derek Holt, Geoge Glover, Jeff Rich, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Lester Hunt, Repertoire, Ruby Turner | 2 Comments

Album review: KING KING – Standing In The Shadows

Posted on February 26, 2013 by petefeenstra

Manhaton Records [Release date 25.03.13] The award winning King King’s second album isn’t so much a problematical second album as a honing of their style, a polishing of their craft and a confident step towards a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Nimmo, Bennett Holland, blues, blues rock, guitar, King King, Lindsay Coulson, Wayne Proctor | Leave a comment

Interview with blues rock guitarist ROBIN TROWER (January 2013)

Posted on February 23, 2013 by petefeenstra

‘Roots and Branches’ is a Robin Trower album with a difference. Conceptually, the ‘Roots’ side of things refers to his blues antecedents and some of his favourite songs that comprise the covers on the album. The ‘Branches’ section refers to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged blues, guitar, Livingstone Brown, Mahaton records, Pete Feenstra, Robin Trower, rock | Leave a comment

Album Review: CLIMAX BLUES BAND – Reissues

Posted on February 16, 2013 by petefeenstra

Repertoire ‘Shine On’ (REP 5202) finds the Climax Blues Band on an upward commercial curve. Their previous album had delivered a big hit ‘Couldn’t Get It Right’ on both sides of the Atlantic and featured the enduring funk of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged blues, Climax Blues Band, Colin Cooper, FM Rock, Pete Haycock, Repertoire, rock, Stafford | Leave a comment

Album Review: DAVID MIGDEN & THE DIRTY WORDS – Killing It

Posted on February 16, 2013 by petefeenstra

Promo Every once in a while you stumble something a little different and an album that reaffirms your belief in the potency of the independent release. In David Midgen case it’s not so much the wide array of musical … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged Americana, Arkansas, baritone, blues, David Migden, funk, soul, The Dirty Words | 1 Comment

DEVON ALLMAN – Turquoise

Posted on February 8, 2013 by petefeenstra

Ruf Records 1186 [Released Jan 2013] Devon Allman’s star is on the rise. After touring relentlessly and cutting a brace of albums with his own band Honeytribe, he made a deserved critical breakthrough with the excellent Royal Southern Brotherhood. Now he’s … Continue reading →