Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: SHAKRA – Mad World

SHAKRA - Mad World

AFM Records [Release date 28.02.20] “Mad World” is Shakra’s 12th studio album, and it’s a lot like the previous 11. That’s a relief. Thomas Muster’s and Thom Blunier’s economic riffs continue to drive the music, and along with prodigal son, … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVID CROSS & PETER BANKS – Crossover

DAVID CROSS & PETER BANKS - Crossover

Noisy Records [Release date 17.01.20] David Cross will be best known for his time with King Crimson in the 1970s. His more recent solo works and collaborations (with the likes of one-time Van Der Graaf sax player David Jackson and … Continue reading

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Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstone, Didcot, 5 March 2020

Jon Boden

Back at the Cornerstone, after a very enjoyable gig here back in November 2017, Jon Boden is out on a short solo tour to promote his latest album ‘The Rose In June’. Surrounded by three guitars, fiddle, concertina, an adapted … Continue reading

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Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – Nells Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, London, 29 February 2020

ROMEO

February 29th in a leap year is, by tradition, the one day where a woman can propose to a man. So there was a neat symmetry that a rare gigging opportunity on this day was for a band both named … Continue reading

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Album review: NEWMAN – Ignition

NEWMAN - Ignition

AOR Heaven [Release date 27.03.20] Steve Newman formed the band Newman way back in 1997, with the last Newman album ‘Aerial’ released in 2017. Since then he’s been busy writing songs with the likes of Toby Hitchcock, joined the band … Continue reading

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Album review: SEVEN SPIRES – Emerald Seas

SEVEN SPIRES - Emerald Seas

Frontiers [Release date 28.02.20] If only all concept albums were like this one…bittersweet melodic metal anthems liberally laced with apocalyptic metal tragedy. It’s such an accomplished piece of music that it belies the fact it is only the US band … Continue reading

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Album review: GRAHAM GOULDMAN – Modesty Forbids

GRAHAM GOULDMAN - Modesty Forbids

David Randall chatted to Graham Gouldman in the first hour of his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  First broadcast 5 April 2020. Lojinx [Release date 20.03.20] Graham Gouldman is a real trooper.  In recent years he has … Continue reading

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News: KANSAS, FISH, HEATHEN, OZZY, BRIAN WILSON (March 2020)

HEART - O2 Apollo, Manchester, 30 June 2016

Ozzy Osbourne’s latest album ‘Ordinary Man’ debuted at number 3 in both the US Billboard and UK album charts. Fish is now hoping to release his long-awaited final studio album ‘Weltschmerz’ in July. Carcass have named their new album ‘Torn … Continue reading

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Album review: SNAKE OIL & HARMONY – Hurricane Riders

SNAKE OIL & HARMONY - Hurricane Riders

Zero One Entertainment [Release date 28.02.20] Five years ago, Danny Vaughn (Tyketto) and Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network) decided to combine their talents in to form a live acoustic touring act called Snake Oil & Harmony. Since then they have … Continue reading

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Album review: WAITING FOR MONDAY – S/T

WAITING FOR MONDAY

Frontiers [Release date 14.02.20] Few bands are less famous than their producer. Walter Ino, 6 years with Survivor, touring keyboard player with The Babys, and currently holding down lead guitarist spot with The Eagles of Death Metal, produced this self … Continue reading

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Album review: ARCHON ANGEL – Fallen

ARCHON ANGEL - Fallen

Frontiers [Release date 14.02.20] Archon Angel is a new project born from a meeting between producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) and former Savatage and Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens during the making of Timo Tolkki’s Avalon’s Return To Eden … Continue reading

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Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – F8

Better Noise Records [Release date – 28.02.20] This is album number 8 from Five Finger Death Punch and it’s one that marks a number of firsts for the band. It is the first album to feature new drummer Charlie Engen, … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACKWATER CONSPIRACY – Two Tails & The Dirty Truth Of Love & Revolution

  Bulletproof 20/20 Records [Release date 14.02.20] This is the second album from County Tyrone southern tinged rockers Blackwater Conspiracy following on from their 2017 debut ‘Shootin’ The Breeze’ and it is a bit of a cracker. The band master … Continue reading

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Album review: WKW (WATSON, KERCHEVAL, WATSON) – Men Of Steel

WKW Music [Release date - Out Now] WKW is a collaboration between the two Big Country mainstays, Bruce and Jamie Watson, and Thomas Kercheval. Kercheval is an Emmy winning documentary editor, independent musician and longtime Big Country fan. He ran … Continue reading

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Album review: STATUS QUO – Rock Till You Drop & Thirsty Work

STATUS QUO - Rock

UMC [Release date 06.03.20] “Rock Till You Drop” was something of a love/hate album for the band. Rossi loved it, Parfitt hated it. It was a look back in the band’s rear view mirror. It was never uncomfortably reverential, but … Continue reading

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Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Live At Rock City, Nottingham 86

RICHARD THOMPSON - Live At Rock City, Nottingham 86

Angel Air/Store For Music [Release date 13.03.20] An archive live performance from Richard Thompson from 1986 where he has backed by a veritable array of top notch folk musicians including Clive Gregson & Christine Collister (who were forging a successful … Continue reading

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Gig review: MYKE GRAY featuring Kim Jennett – Camden Underworld, London, 23 February 2020

MYKE GRAY featuring Kim Jennett- Camden Underworld, London, 23 February 2020

I’ve been an admirer over the years of Myke Gray’s  very fluent, technically accomplished guitar playing style, particularly so as he has always been complemented by powerful, bluesy vocalists, be it in Jagged Edge, Skin or Red White and Blues. … Continue reading

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Album review: STATUS QUO – Perfect Remedy

STATUS QUO - Perfect Remedy

UMC [Release date 06.03.20] Albums nineteen, twenty and twenty one. How many bands can say that? Each one now reissued, and expanded to within an inch of its life. With added liner notes and pics. “Perfect Remedy” (1989), “Rock Till … Continue reading

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Album review: DATURA4 – West Coast Highway Cosmic

DATURA4 – West Coast Highway Cosmic

Naturalsounds Records [Release date 17.04.20] Feels like only five minutes since Datura4 anointed us with their blessed brand of down-under boogie and yet here they are already with their fourth album release, “West Coast Highway Cosmic”. As consistent as white … Continue reading

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Book review: STEVE ROTHERY – Postcards From The Road

STEVE ROTHERY - Postcards From The Road

Astral Horizon Press [Publication date 21.05.20] Steve Rothery’s photo book was first published in 2016 when it was sold via a pre-order campaign and then at gigs and the band website.  Now it gets a full release. Rothery was a … Continue reading

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Gig review: JARED JAMES NICHOLS/COLLATERAL – Gibson Brands Studio, London, 24 February 2020

JARED JAMES NICHOLS/COLLATERAL- Gibson Brands Studio, London, 24 February 2020

One of the most common gripes on social media when bands announce tours is ‘why aren’t they playing anywhere near me?’. With Jared James Nichols and Collateral going on a nine date nationwide spring tour excuses will be thinner than … Continue reading

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Album review: ABSOLVA – Side By Side

ABSOLVA - Side By Side

Rocksector Records [Release date 18.10.19] Absolva formed from the ashes of Fury (UK) in 2012, featuring Chris Appleton (vocals, guitar), Luke Appleton (guitar, vocals), Martin McNee (drums) and bassist Karl Schramm, who joined the band in 2014. The band also … Continue reading

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Album review: BLACK SWAN – Shake The World

BLACK SWAN - Shake The World

Frontiers [Release date 14.02.20] You have to say (again) that Frontiers knows how to put a band together, in this case Black Swan. Here are four musicians – Robin McAuley, Jeff Pilson, Reb Beach and Matt Starr – whose well … Continue reading

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Album review: PHIL SAATCHI – Sun Come Up

PHIL SAATCHI - Sun Come Up

Jobbing Brighton musician , singer, and writer Phil Saatchi’s main claim to fame seem to be collaborations with Sam Brown on her 1990 debut Stop!, and with Phil Manzanera on And The Beat Goes On in 1991. Oh, and a … Continue reading

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Quick plays: JEFFREY FOUCAULT, AMBERLY CHALBERG, DANIEL STEER

JEFFREY FOUCAULT  Blood Brothers

JEFFREY FOUCAULT  Blood Brothers Blueblade Records [Release date 27,03.20] No question, Americana is the new rock n roll. And the opening number – ‘Dishes’ – on Jeffrey Foucault’s follow up to his critically acclaimed 2015 album Salt As Wolves – … Continue reading

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