Category Archives: The Best of 2017

News: A Year in Rock 2017 – Get Ready to ROCK! photo highlights

Posted on December 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! ends 2017 by publishing a selection of photos taken by their photographers during the year following on from the publication of the Best of 2017 popular poll results. Says Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie: “Each year we … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, NEWS, Photo Galleries, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 2017, best of, Download, festivals, gigs, Glenn Hughes, highlights, HRH Prog, Kiss, Marillion, Michael Schenker, photographs, reviews, rock music, Steelhouse | Leave a comment

News: THEA GILMORE tops popular poll for best album of 2017, Marillion voted Top Live Act

Posted on December 18, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Singer songwriter Thea Gilmore has won the popular vote in Get Ready to ROCK!’s end of year poll. Thea’s album ‘The Counterweight’ was voted ‘Best of 2017′ by readers and listeners. Alan Jones from Get Ready to ROCK! has been … Continue reading →

Posted in NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Austin Gold, Best of 2017, breakthrough act, Marillion, poll, popular, rock, singer songwriter, The Counterweight, Thea Gilmore, top album, top live act, vote | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! announce Best of 2017 – top albums, live acts

Posted on November 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Pop rock revivalists Cats In Space and their second album ‘Scarecrow’ has been selected as Top Album of 2017 by popular music website Get Ready to ROCK! Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie wrote “Cats In Space have succeeded in taking their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Best of 2017, Black Star Riders, blues rock, Cats In Space, classic rock, Eliza Neals, Get Ready to ROCK!, melodic rock, poll, Progressive Rock, reviewer, singer songwriter, survey | Leave a comment

The Best of 2017: top albums, top live acts – the reviewers’ choice

Posted on November 27, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 17 December on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, David Randall announced the popular poll results. This two-hour special includes artists voted for in the various categories: Top Albums, Top Live Acts, Top Breakthrough Acts. Every year we ask … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged albums, Best of 2017, blues, blues rock, breakthrough acts, gigs, heavy rock, listing, live acts, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, reissues, reviewer, rock, selection, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – Retribution

Posted on November 23, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] You do wonder at times when Jeff Scott Soto (JSS) finds time to rest, as he is involved in the recently released album from Sons Of Apollo, he has his more metal edged Soto band, there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, hard rock, Howie Simon, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, Retribution, review, rock, Sons Of Apollo, Soto | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Manchester Arena, 15 November 2017

Posted on November 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

The release of Killer in 1971 was a defining moment in my love affair with rock and I’ve waited 40 plus years to see Alice perform with what remains of the original Alice Cooper band, Glen Buxton having passed away … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 15 November 2017, Alice Cooper, Fee Waybill, Manchester Arena, metal, rock, shock rock, The Mission, The Tubes, Wayne Hussey | Leave a comment

Gig review – BLACK STAR RIDERS – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, 9 November 2017

Posted on November 14, 2017 by david.wilson

During tonight’s gig Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick took time out during the show to remind us that the band have now been a around for five years. In that time a few members have come and gone and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 9 November 2017, Black Star Riders, blues, Blues Pills, Damon Johnson, Edinburgh, gig, live, Queens Hall, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 2017

Posted on November 10, 2017 by jason

A first for me a gig in walking distance of my home! Cornerstones is a cosy, modern theatre. It was a sold out show to see former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden play a solo gig in support of his recently … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 9 November 2017, Afterglow, Bellowhead, Cornerstones, Didcot, folk, gig, Jon Boden, review, singer songwriter, Solo | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARILLION – Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

Posted on November 9, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Ok, so I did say the new album would be a grower when reviewing it last August! Don’t lynch me, it’s just that I do like the more straight-ahead romantic side of Marillion which is a little obscured on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 8 November 2017, FEAR, gig, Ian Mosley, Manchester Academy, Marillion, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, prog, progressive, review, rock, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Gig review: PARADISE LOST – Electric Ballroom, London, 3 November 2017

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Davoski

The Electric Ballroom is a great venue. Too long since my last visit. And too long since I last caught live these esteemed architects of gothic metal, Paradise Lost. What a splendid night of re-acquaintance all round. But first, American … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 3 November 2017, Doom Metal, Electric Ballroom, gig, gothic metal, Gregor Mackintosh, live, Medusa, Nick Holmes, Paradise Lost, review | Leave a comment

Album review: KISS THE GUN – Nightmares

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

3MS Music [Release date 01.12.17] No ‘new kids on the block’, Kiss The Gun are a bunch of seasoned players. Sort of. Formed in Salisbury when a pair of old duffers playing in local covers bands – Dave South a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, classic rock, hard rock, Kiss The Gun, Nadin Zakharian, Nightmares, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST– O2 Ritz, Manchester, 4 November 2017

Posted on November 6, 2017 by david.wilson

Around this time of year there are cries around the country of ‘Christmas gets earlier every year’ as the first decorations are spotted and every TV ad features snowy scenes and perfectly wrapped presents. Manchester took this a step further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 4 November 2017, Chris Glen, Gary Barden, gig, Graham Bonnet, Grand Prix, live, Manchester, metal, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Fest, MSG, review, Ritz, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, Ted McKenna, The Departed | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL- Nottingham Trent University Student Union, 20-22 October 2017

Posted on November 5, 2017 by andynathan

Loverboy - ROCKINGHAM FESTIVAL, 20-22 October 2017

Though this was the third year of Rockingham Festival , the natural successor to the much loved Firefest in its autumnal Nottingham position, it really felt as if the Festival came of age. Having settled on a format that works … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Airrace, AOR, Bailey, Blanc Faces, Brother Firetribe, Cruzh, Dare, Dave Bickler, festival, Fortune, gig, Great White, Harem Scarem, John Parr, Kix, Loverboy, Maverick, melodic rock, Moritz, review, Rockingham, The Amorettes, Vega, Vince Neil | Leave a comment

Album review: LA GUNS – The Missing Peace

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.10.17] To be fair, I am a big fan of L.A Guns. Now before you assume that this review is going to be a one sided love fest, let me assure you that this is an upfront … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, glam, LA Guns, metal, Missing Peace, Phil Lewis, review, rock, sleaze, Tracii Guns | 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: SONS OF APOLLO – Psychotic Symphony

Posted on October 12, 2017 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 20.10.17] Sons Of Apollo only formed earlier this year and come labelled with the ‘supergroup’ tag, which can be a blessing or a curse – luckily a blessing in Sons Of Apollo case. The Sons Of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater, Jeff Scott Soto, metal, Mike Portnoy, progressive, Psychotic Symphony, review, rock, Ron Bumblefoot Thal, Sons Of Apollo | Leave a comment

Album review: THE CHURCH – Man Woman Life Death Infinity

Posted on October 9, 2017 by alanjones

Unorthodox Records – [Release date: 27 .10.17] Back in the day – and the day was the mid eighties to early nineties – The Church became my favourite band following the release of a series of fabulous albums that, despite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Man Woman Life Death Infinity, Powderfinger, psych rock, review, Steve Kilby, The Church | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PRETTY THINGS – Greatest Hits

Posted on October 5, 2017 by petefeenstra

Madfish [Release date 13.10.17] There are few bands who have make it to their 50th anniversary, let alone with such a welter of re-issues to mark the occasion. Indeed, The Pretty Things enthusiastic record company Madfish has already issued three … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, blues, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Dick Taylor, Greatest Hits, Led Zeppelin, mark St. John, Peter Tolson, Phil May, psychedelia, R&B, review, rock, S.F. Sorrow, The Pretty Things, THE WHO | Leave a comment

Album review: SPARKS – Hippopotamus

Posted on October 5, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 08.09.17] ‘Hippopotamus’ is a triumph of pop’s true potential over the usual clichéd familiar fare. It’s a cross genre album bursting with creativity, humour and stylistic diversity. The lyrical word plays, eclectic themes and nuanced melodies are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, art rock, chamber pop, disco, glam, Hippopotamus, lounge, New Wave, pop, pop art, Rebecca Sjöwall, review, rock, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, spoken word | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER – The Wife Of Urban Law

Posted on October 2, 2017 by jason

[Release date 31.10.17] Folk rock icon, fiddle supremo and former Steeleye Span-er, Peter Knight, along with the rest of his trio Gigspanner have been busy lately. This is their second new album of the year. First, in the summer came … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, folk, Gigspanner, melodic, Peter Knight, review, Steeleye Span, The Wife Of Urban Law | Leave a comment

Gig review: SPARKS – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 28 September 2017

Posted on September 30, 2017 by petefeenstra

Sparks breezed into an extra second night at a packed London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire to deliver a thematically driven show – right down to the band’s sailor tops – to promote the new ‘Hippopotamus’ chart album. The Mael brothers have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged art rock, disco, Frank Zappa, gig, Hippopotamus, lounge, Mr. Goodnite, review, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – G2, Glasgow, 25 September 2017

Posted on September 28, 2017 by david.wilson

After watching Cats In Space tonight I commented to my wife that the most impressive thing about the performance is the fact that the band are so musical. This may sound like a strange comment, surely all bands are musical? … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 25th September 2017, Cats In Space, Dean Howard, G2, gig, Glasgow, Greg Hart, Jeff Brown, Kaato, live, Paul Manzi, review, rock, Scarecrow, Slade, Too Many Gods | Leave a comment

Gig review: UFO – Dorking Halls, 14 September 2017

Posted on September 21, 2017 by andynathan

UFO’s long career has in recent times been taking them down the road less travelled. It’s nearly three years now since a Central London date, but after last year’s show in St Albans, capital based fans like me now made … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Andy Parker, gig, heavy rock, Paul Raymond, Phil Mogg, review, Rob DeLuca, Toby Jepson, UFO, Vinnie Moore, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: CROPREDY, Oxfordshire, 10-12 August 2017

Posted on September 12, 2017 by jason

Fairport Convention - Cropredy, 13-15 August 2015

Fairport Convention’s festival at Cropredy has been an annual fixture for almost four decades now but the big celebration this year was marking the fiftieth anniversary of the band’s formation. In the eight years since I have been going it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Cropredy, Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention, Fairport's Cropredy Convention, festival, gig, Marillion, review, Richard Thompson, Russ Ballard, Simon Nicol, Trevor Horn | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Solid Book Of Rock (Box set)

Posted on September 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel/Demon Music Group [Release date 18.08.17] It seems that – exhausting the market for CD expanded or deluxe editions – 2017 might be the “Year of The Box Set” as labels try and find new income streams. We’ll be getting … Continue reading →