Tag Archives: acoustic

Album review: RITCHIE DAVE PORTER – Rocking The Blues

Posted on February 15, 2015 by petefeenstra

CD Baby [Release date 14.08.14] Ritchie Dave Porter is a blues-rock guitarist from Birmingham who tells us on his liner notes that: ‘Rocking the Blues’ is the expression of my soul through the guitar’, and also that: ‘Every note is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, blues, guitar, Michael Tingle, review, Ritchie Dave Porter, rock, Rocking the Blues | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GAMMA RAY, CHRIS GRAY, THE BLOW MONKEYS

Posted on February 9, 2015 by jason

GAMMA RAY – The Best (Of) earMusic [Released 02.02.15] Amazingly it has been thirty years since former Helloween guitarist Kai Hansen formed Gamma Ray. This comes as a standard 2CD package along with a 2CD limited edition and for the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Chris Gray, Diamonds In Your Tree, Dr Robert, EarMusic, Gamma Ray, Hellwoeen, Kai Hansen, melodic, metal, pop, power, review, singer songwriter, the Blow Monkeys | Comments Off

News: DIO, EDGAR FROESE, JOE LYNN TURNER – Monday 26th January 2015

Posted on January 26, 2015 by jason

Tangerine Dream founder Edgar Froese has died at the age of 70. A statement reads: “On January 20th, Tuesday afternoon, Edgar Froese suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from the effects of a pulmonary embolism in Vienna. The sadness in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged acoustic, box set, classic, Edgar Froese, folk, Fotheringay, Joe Lynn Turner, metal, news, rock, Ronnie James Dio, Tangerine Dream, tribute | Comments Off

Album review: SKY – Reissues (Sky, Sky 2)

Posted on December 13, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date 01.12.14] CD/DVD These two reissues give us a welcome opportunity to re-evaluate that fusion of classical and prog that the band Sky purveyed back in 1979. A “supergroup” of sorts bringing together the unlikely presence of classical … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged acoustic, album, Blue Mink, classical, Curved Air, folk, Francis Monkman, Herbie Flowers, John Williams, reissue, review, rock, Sky, Sky 2, Tristan Fry | Leave a comment

Gig review: THEA GILMORE – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 9 December 2014

Posted on December 10, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Thea Gilmore’s Office Christmas bash was a somewhat conservative affair this year. As always, Thea was on sparkling form and buoyed with festive cheer, office manager Nigel Stonier orchestrated with his usual aplomb, and secretary Fluff and temp Liz Hanks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 December 2014, acoustic, Chester, Christmas, gig, Nigel Stonier, review, singer, songwriter, Telford's Warehouse, Thea Gilmore | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FRASER ANDERSON, PAIN OF SALVATION

Posted on November 20, 2014 by jason

FRASER ANDERSON – Little Glass Box Membran [Release date 10.11.14] Scottish singer/songwriter Fraser Anderson has been releasing albums since 2004, having toured as part of Dougie MacLean’s backing band. On this album he is joined by guest musicians including Danny … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Daniel Gildenlow, Dio, Dougie MacLean, Falling Home, folk, Fraser Anderson, Inside Out, jazz, Little Glass Box, Pain of Salvation, prog, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: STATUS QUO – Roundhouse, London, 22 October 2014

Posted on October 24, 2014 by david.wilson

The ‘unplugged ‘ tradition is now a firmly established rock n roll industry norm for bands to find an alternative way to revitalise- and of course promote – their body of work. It’s horses for courses however, and one of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 October 2014, acoustic, Andy Bown, Aquostic, BBC Radio 2, Francis Rossi, gig, live, London, Rick Parfitt, Roundhouse, Status Quo | Leave a comment

Gig review: JUSTIN FURSTENFELD – Islington Academy Hall, 17 October 2014

Posted on October 18, 2014 by jason

Justin Fustenfeld is the main man of US band Blue October, a band I only discovered last year after reviewing their excellent ‘Sway’ album. Tonight it was just Justin and his acoustic guitar, as he played the second of three … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 October, acoustic, An Open Book, BLUE OCTOBER, gig, Islington Academy Hall, JUSTIN FURSTENFELD, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DOWLING POOLE – 12 Bar Club, London, 19 September 2014

Posted on September 20, 2014 by jason

The Dowling Poole (not a Drowning Pool tribute band as one of my work colleagues thought!) were climaxing a short but sweet acoustic tour with this gig tonight at the 12 Bar Club. My first time in this venue which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 Bar Club, 19 September 2014, acoustic, gig, Jackdaw4, London, power pop, Random Jon Poole, review, The Cardiacs, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling | Leave a comment

Album review: STATUS QUO – Aquostic (Stripped Bare)

Posted on September 20, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Rhino/Warners [Release date 20.10.14] It may have taken 50 years, but Aquostic finally showcases the Quo “unplugged” with rearrangements of many standards and some surprises too. Maybe this album will ultimately take Rick and Francis back to the small clubs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Aquostic, Francis Rossi, review, Rick Parfitt, Status Quo, Stripped Bare | 2 Comments

News: EUPHORIA AUDIO play exclusive session for Get Ready to ROCK! on Sunday 14 September

Posted on September 11, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In Session for GRTR! Sunday 14 September, 21:00 Tuesday 16 September, 16:00 repeat Thursday 18 September, 16:00 repeat Euphoria Audio are the latest band to play an exclusive acoustic session in the ‘In Session’ series for Get Ready to ROCK! … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 14 September 2014, acoustic, Euphoria Audio, Get Ready to ROCK!, live, radio, rock, session | Leave a comment

Gig review: CROPREDY, 7-9 August 2014 featuring STEVE HACKETT, MARILLION & FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Posted on September 8, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

It’s that time of year again when the time village of Cropredy opens its fields in preparation for the little party that Fairport Convention throws every year. Some 38 years ago they decided to have a shindig with 750 people … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 7-9 August 2014, acoustic, Blackbeards Tea Party, Cara Dillon, Chas & Dave, Cropredy, Deborah Rose, Edwina Hayes, Fairport Convention, festival, folk, gig, Marillion, Mischa Macpherson Band, Oxfordsgire, prog, progressive, review, Steve Hackett, The Australian Pink Floyd, The Churchfitters, The Waterboys, THE WONDERSTUFF | Leave a comment

News: THE RISING play exclusive session for Get Ready to ROCK! on Sunday 7 September

Posted on September 4, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Irish pop-rockers The Rising are featured ‘In Session for GRTR!’ on Sunday 7 September at 21:00 GMT, playing tracks from their new album ‘Coming Home’. (The session is repeated on Tuesday 9 September at 16:00 and Thursday 11 September at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 2014, 7 September, acoustic, Americana, Coming Home, country, Get Ready to ROCK!, live, pop, radio, rock, session, the Rising | Leave a comment

Album review: COREY HARRIS – Fulton Blues

Posted on August 28, 2014 by petefeenstra

Blues Boulevard [Released 09.05.14] Corey Harris is an elemental traditional blues artist and story teller. He’s got an essential grasp of his own culture and he’s unafraid to voice the socio-historical legacy as means of making sense of the present and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, blues, Corey Harris, Fulton Blues, Gordon Jones, Hook Herrera, John Hiatt, review, Skip James, Taj Mahal | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHIE KOTZEN – The Essential Richie Kotzen

Posted on August 18, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC 2-CD/DVD [Release date 08.09.14] A re-appraisal of Richie Kotzen’s work is probably long overdue, and this 2-CD/DVD set – assembled by the man himself – goes some way to provide a suitable portal for the curious. Signed to Mike … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, blues, compilation, guitar, guitarist, Mr Big, Poison, review, Richie Kotzen, rock, The Essential Richie Kotzen, Winery Dogs | Leave a comment

Interview: Rising Stars – THE YOUNG FOLK

Posted on August 14, 2014 by jason

The Young Folk consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar), Tony McCaughlin (bass/mandolin/vocals), Paul Butler (keyboards/vocals) and Karl Hand (drums/vocals). With the current popularity of folk music, particularly that in the more alternative/popular end of things like Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged acoustic, folk, interview, Rising Stars, Young Folk | Comments Off

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – PICTUREHOUSE acoustic session, Sunday 17 August

Posted on August 14, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Sunday 17 August, 21:00 (Tuesday 19 August, 16:00 and Thursday 21 August, 21:00 repeat) This Sunday, 17 August, Irish popsters PictureHouse perform an exclusive set for the ‘In Session for GRTR!’ series. The band formed back in the early-1990s, releasing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, GIG REVIEWS, NEWS | Tagged acoustic, Dave Browne, Evolution, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Ireland, live, PictureHouse, pop, radio, session | 1 Comment

Album review: DAVE McGRAW & MANDY FER – Maritime

Posted on August 8, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

www.daveandmandymusic.com [Release date 09.14] The gentle folk/Americana debut self-release by songwriters Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer – Seed Of A Pine (2012) – was a rather fine, if somewhat understated example of the genre. Deploying the ‘less is more principle’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dave McGraw, folk, Mandy Fer, Maritime, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics

Posted on July 14, 2014 by jason

Beeswing/Proper Records [Release date 21.07.14] Amazingly this is the first acoustic release (excluding live recordings) in over thirty years. This collection of his most famous songs newly recorded in acoustic form provides the perfect accompaniment to his solo acoustic shows. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, Acoustic Classics, album, Fairport Convention, folk, guitar, guitarist, Linda Thompson, review, Richard Thompson | Leave a comment

News: Chicago troubadour TOM FULLER plays exclusive GRTR! session

Posted on May 30, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday, 1 June 2014, 21:00 (repeated Tuesday 16:00, Thursday 21:00 GMT) Listen in using the icons at the top of this page or via the dedicated website As part of our ongoing ‘In Session for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 1 June 2014, acoustic, Freedom, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, live, radio, rock, session, singer songwriter, Tom Fuller | 1 Comment

Gig review: FOREIGNER – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 April 2014

Posted on April 13, 2014 by jason

A different gig tonight as Foreigner were playing unplugged, their only UK acoustic date slotted in after their headlining tour with Europe and FM was announced. Not quite the sell-out that the full electric tour has been but a healthy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 April 2014, acoustic, concert, Foreigner, Jeff Pilson, Kelly Hansen, London, Mick Jones, Shepherd's Bush Empire, unplugged | Leave a comment

News: LISBEE STAINTON acoustic session for Get Ready to ROCK! on Sunday 16 March

Posted on March 14, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Sunday 16 March 2014, 21:00 GMT Get Ready to ROCK! Radio LISBEE STAINTON The acclaimed singer-songwriter plays an exclusive live session. More information Lisbee Stainton’s UK tour starts this Saturday 15 March in Basingstoke and to coincide there will be … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 16 March 2014, acoustic, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Lisbee Stainton, live, radio, session, showcase, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DRIVING MRS SATAN – Popscotch

Posted on January 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

www.drivingmrssatan.com Does the world need an album of metal covers by acts like Helloween, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Slayer and Faith No More? You might not think so, but when it’s something as unique as Popscotch, by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Black Sabbath, Driving Mrs Satan, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, metal, Metallica, pop, Popscotch, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMELIA WHITE, EDDI READER, THE O’s, THE SWEET LOWDOWN

Posted on January 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

AMELIA WHITE Old Postard [Release date 10.03.14] East Nashville-based singer and songwriter Amelia White wasn’t encouraged by her parents to pursue her musical dream. But their disapproval lit a fire as she listened to Neil Young, Beatles, Stones, and Muddy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Amelia White, Americana, Eddi Reader, folk, May, Old Postcard, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The O's, The Sweet Lowdown, Thunderdog, Vagabond | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Unplugged And Strung Up

Posted on November 17, 2013 by david.wilson

UDR Music [Release date 18.11.13] Saxon are one of the enduring British rock bands who have consistently delivered the metal clad goods. This new album though offers something a little different in that the band have taken some of their … Continue reading →