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Album review: JOHN VERITY – Passion
Vavoom Records [Release date 14.02.20] www.johnverity.com “A summary of my influences” is how John Verity describes his latest album in what is his 50th year as a solo artist. We saw John at Giants of Rock in January and were … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Argent, blues, blues rock, Charlie, classic rock, guitar, guitarist, John Verity, Passion, Phoenix, review
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Gig review: BILLY LOCKETT – O2 Academy 2, Oxford, 2 February 2020
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 2 February 2020, acoustic, Billy Lockett, gig, live music, Mabes, melodic, Oxford, piano, pop, review, singer songwriter
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Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – A Pilgrim’s Tale
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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged A Pilgrim's Tale, album, Benji Kirkpatrick, Cara Dillon, Dr Who, folk, Mayflower, Paul McGann, Plymouth, review, Seth Lakeman, songwriter
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Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Coat Of Arms
Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 28.02.20] I think it fair to say that, more recently, you’re not going to get a really duff album from Andy Powell and his men. Patchy maybe, but never dipping like some of the quality control in … Continue reading
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Album review: 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
Gig review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, 30 January 2020
This was my first visit to the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and on arrival at the venue prior to the doors opening I was greeted with massive queues waiting to get into the sold out venue. Thankfully local boy and crack photographer Darren Griffiths was a … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 30th January 2020, Bad Wolves, Cardiff, Dave Ellefson, Dave Mustaine, Dolores O'Riordan, F8, Five Finger Death Punch, gig, Ivan Moody, Jason Hook, Megadeth, metal, Motorpoint Arena, Peace Sells, rock, The Cranberries, Wrong Side Of Heaven, Zoltan Bathory, Zombie
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News: MARILLION, NICK MASON, STYX, BLUE OYSTER CULT (February 2020)
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
Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Buck Dharma, classic rock, DVD, Eric Bloom, Frontiers, hard rock, Hard Rock Live In Cleveland 2014, live, review, rock
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged 70's rock, album, Boston, classic rock, debut, DeCarlo, Frontiers, hard rock, Lightning Strikes Twice, melodic rock, review, Tommy Decarlo
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Album review: 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
Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
Tagged album, Billy Sheenan, Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Guns 'N' Roses, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic metal, metal, Mike Portnoy, MMXX, prog metal, progressive, review, Sons Of Apollo
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Single reviews: SOLD, FALSE HEARTS, HELLZ
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
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged False Hearts, Halestorm, Hellz, melodic metal, metal, new bands, review, singles, Sold
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Album review: ALUNAH – Violet Hour
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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Tagged album, Alunah, Black Sabbath, Doom Metal, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, metal, psychadelic, review, Violet Hour
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Album review: ALBERT CUMMINGS – Believe
Provogue Records [Release date 14.02.19] ‘Believe’ is Albert Cummings debut album for Provogue records. It’s a surprisingly understated affair full of quality musicianship, but a few songs short of being a definitive album. Indeed, some of the best moments are … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged Al Green, Albert Cummings, album, BELIEVE, blues, Freddie King, funk, guitar, horns, Memphis soul, Muscle Shoals, R&B, review, rock, Sam & Dave, soul, Van Morrison, Willie Dixon
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Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 24-27 January 2020
Another Cold January and another Giants Of Rock. Enough to warm the cockles following a respectable respite after Christmas and New Year. This was our fourth Giants, although intrepid GRTR! reviewers have reported since the festival’s inception in 2014. After … Continue reading
Gig review: GREAT BRITISH ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL – Butlins, Skegness,17th to 20th January 2020
Skegness in early January is a bit of a strange place. Row upon row of empty caravans lie in wait for warmer weather and better times. When once again the sound of laughter and the smell of stale beer, cigarette … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 17th to 20th January 2020, AC/DC, Atomic Rooster, Bernie Marsden, blues, Burnt Out Wreck, Butlins, Chris Bevington Organisation, Chris Slade Time Line, Clearwater, Crow Black Chicken, David Coverdale, Gary Moore, Geordie, gig, Great British Rock And Blues Festival, Hollowstar, James Oliver Band, Joan ov Arc, Killit, live, Matt Pearce and the Mutiny, Mike Farris, NINE BELOW ZERO, Pete Feenstra, Peter Green, Redfish, Rhinos revenge, rock, Savoy Brown, SKAM!, Skegness, The Animals And Friends, Vambo, Whitesnake, Zoe Scwarz Blue Commotion
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Gig review: BERNIE MARSDEN/Deborah Bonham – Under the Bridge, London, 24 January 2020
You might say it was a case of ‘Blues is the colour’ as Under the Bridge, located beneath the East Stand at Chelsea FC, played host to one of London Blues Month’s highest-profile gigs. It lies squarely within the wealthiest … Continue reading
Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, Blue Oyster Cult, Buck Dharma, classic rock, Cult Classics, Eric Bloom, hard rock, melodic, reissue, review, rock
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Black Sabbath, classic rock, Covers, Deep Purple, Dio, Eagles, Foreigner, Jorn, Jorn Lande, pop, review, rock, Russ Ballard, Trond Holter
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged Addiciton, album, box set, Building The Machine, Cherry Red Records, classic rock, Deep Purple, Feel, funk, Glenn Hughes, JJ Marsh, Justified Man, Pat Thrall, Return Of The Crystal Karma, review, rock, Songs In The Key Of Rock, soul, The Way It Is
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Album review: JACK BRUCE & FRIENDS – The Bottom Line Archive
The Store For Music [Release date 29.11.19] This double live set from March 1980 is a welcome return to the catalogue for a jazz fusion supergroup with blues edges and occasional folk into artsy tinged vocals from Bruce. The important … Continue reading
Album review: EDDIE MARTIN – Thirst
Blueblood Records [Release date 06.12.19] Eddie Martin’s ‘Thirst’ is an excellent contemporary blues album with strong songs and inspired playing sparked by a sense of adventure. He is one of the UK most underrated blues artists. Were he a footballer … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Blueblood Records, blues, Dan Moore, Eddie Martin, Elmore James, funk, gospel, guitar, harp, Joe Garcia, Jonny Henderson, Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans, Nick Cave, review, Richard Johnston, rock, Ry Cooder, Thirst, Tom Gilkes
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Album review: FRANK WYATT & FRIENDS – Zeitgeist
Self-released [Release date: 01.11.19] Frank Wyatt was a founding member of noted American band Happy The Man – who got together through a shared love of British progressive rock way back in 1973. A series of prog albums followed … Continue reading
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Tagged album, Frank Wyatt, Happy The Man, Progressive Rock, review, Zeitgeist
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Album review: 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
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, box set, classic rock, Def Leppard, Gerry Laffy, Girl, LA Guns, Phil Collen, Phil Lewis, reissue, review, rock, Russ Ballard, Wasted Youth
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Album review: SERPENTYNE & OPEROSE
Hell Fury Records [Release date 21.11.19] There is always so much to explore in music, as you explore every sub-genre of a sub-genre. Modern Symphonic Metal is a good case in point and, what was once just purely the domain … Continue reading
