Tag Archives: Americana

Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 19 April 2016

Posted on April 20, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Colin Blunstone - The Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 19 April 2016

The first part of a two-part radio feature was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 3 April. The second part is also available via Mixcloud It must be an age thing, but increasingly I am being … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 April 2016, acoustic, Alan Parsons, Americana, Colin Blunstone, gig, pop, review, rock, Rosalie Deighton, Sale, singer, songwriter, Steve Balsamo, The Zombies, Waterside Arts Centre | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CALLING ALL ASTRONAUTS, JOANA SERRAT, JAMES McARTNEY, DIRTY ACTION

Posted on April 19, 2016 by jason

CALLING ALL ASTRONAUTS Anti-Social Network This is Calling All Astronauts’ second album and they have been around since 2012, consisting of David B (vocals/programming), J Browning (guitars) and Paul McCrudden (bass). Musically they cover goth, rock, electro and certainly have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, alternative, Americana, Billy Idol, Calling All Astronauts, country, Dhani Harrison, Dirty Action, glam, goth, James McCartney, Joana Serrat, Quick Play, reviews, rock, singer songwriter, Sisters Of Mercy, sleaze, The Blackberry Train | Leave a comment

Album review: NERINA PALLOT – The Sound And The Fury

Posted on April 15, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

INgrooves/Idaho Records [Release date 11.09.15] It’s almost a decade since GRTR!’s last dalliance with the hugely underrated Nerina Pallot. 10 years ago it seemed that with her sophomore release, Fires, she was on the verge of becoming one of Britain’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Nerina Pallot, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter, soul, The Sound And The Fury | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVIE NIMMO – Sky Won’t Fall

Posted on March 24, 2016 by petefeenstra

Manhaton [Release date 04.03.16] Stevie Nimmo’s returns to his solo career with a broad based but coherent set of songs that play to his strengths as a thoughtful song writer, impassioned vocalist and stellar guitar player. Where his solo debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best Of 2016 | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, funk, guitar, Nashville, Nimmo Brothers, review, rock, Sky Won't Fall, soul, Stevie Nimmo, Texas, Wynds of Life | Leave a comment

Album review: SOULSTACK – Soulstack

Posted on March 18, 2016 by petefeenstra

Stack-O-Soul [Release date 18.06.15] ‘Soulstack’ is a song driven, soulful roots-rock album with plenty of feel, by a band that is at its best when it stretches out. And therein lies a slight problem, because in their efforts to present polished … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Ben E. King, Chris Latta, Darryl ‘Harpo’ Peterson, funk, Jonathan Knight, Little Feat, Mark Knopfler, Mark Wessenger, Paul Carrack, R&B, review, rock, soul, Soulstack, The Band, Tom Bona | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SOUTHERN COMPANION, RACKHOUSE PILFER, MATT WOOSEY

Posted on March 9, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

SOUTHERN COMPANION 1000 Days Of Rain [Release date 23.02.15] On first listen you’d be forgiven for thinking The Southern Companion were from across the pond with their soulful brand of blues / rock infused Americana / country. In fact, you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged 1000 Days Of Rain, album, ambient, Americana, Desiderata, Love And Havoc, Matt Woosey, Rackhouse Pilfer, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Southern Companion | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DUNWELLS – Light Up The Sky

Posted on March 8, 2016 by jason

Concord Records [Release date 26.02.16] The Dunwells debut album ‘Blind Sighted Faith’ is a firm favourite in my collection and there has been high anticipation for this follow-up. It has been a few years in the making, with the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, electro, folk, harmonies, indie, Light Up The Sky, pop, review, rock, The Dunwells, vocals | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD – Paradio, Amsterdam, 3 March 2016

Posted on March 7, 2016 by jason

Call it ear-gasmic sonic science, like being wrapped in whisky-soaked cotton wool blanket of classic Americana – the superlatives escape me but you would be very remiss not to catch the Chris Robinson Brotherhood (CRB) as soon as you can … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, Amsterdam, Black Crowes, blues, gig review, Paradio, rock, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TIM HOCKENBERRY, JOSH HARTY

Posted on February 22, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

TIM HOCKENBERRY Tim Hockenberry [Release date 04.03.16] You know with an ex-America’s Got Talent performer (Hockenberry made the semi-finals in 2012) you’re going to get a decent vocal performance. And his debut release doesn’t disappoint in that respect – his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, America's Got Talent, Americana, country, Holding On, Josh Harty, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Tim Hockenberry | Leave a comment

DVD Review: ELVIS COSTELLO – Detour Live At Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Posted on February 22, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 12.02.16] Elvis Costello brought his Detour (scouse for ‘the tour’) show ‘home’ to the Liverpool Phil in June 2015. Performing solo with just guitar or piano (apart from when joined by Larkin Po sisters Rebecca and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, Detour, DVD, Elvis Costello, Larkin Poe, Live At Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JENNIFER WARNES – The Well

Posted on February 4, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 04.03.16] It comes to something when it takes a fifteen year old album – getting its first UK release – to highlight just how sterile and bland the singer songwriter scene has become. Warnes’ eighth studio album, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Jennifer Warnes, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Well | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JULIA FORDHAM (1988 reissue), UNDERHILL ROSE

Posted on January 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Pop [Release date 29.01.16] Julia Fordham is one of those artists who could only really flourish in the 1980s when there were expansive label budgets, solid production values, and exposure on national radio. Her exquisite blend of self-penned pop … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Reissues | Tagged album, Americana, bonus tracks, folk, Julia Fordham, live, pop, reissue, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Great Tomorrow, Underhill Rose | Leave a comment

Album review: NOAH WOTHERSPOON BAND – Mystic Mud

Posted on November 25, 2015 by petefeenstra

Noah Wotherspoon Band [Release date 16.07.15] The Noah Wotherspoon Band impress with the depth of their songs, their inspirational playing and cool use of dynamics. ‘Mystic Mud’ is a contemporary sounding crossover blues/roots set, but it’s the understated way in which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Americana, Blind Willie McTell, blues, Booogie, Brian Aylor, Creedence Clearwater Revival, gig, Hound Dog Taylor, International Blues Challenge, Jessi Bair, John Fogerty, John Lennon, Noah Wotherspoon, Noah Wotherspoon Band, review, Rob Thaxton, Robin Trower, rock, slide guitar, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GETAWAY DRIVERS – Bellatopia

Posted on November 18, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 04.07.15] Bellatopia, their fourth release, marks The Getaway Drivers’ 10 year anniversary, although only Wisconsin folk singer-songwriter Bob Manor (guitar, piano, vocals) and bassist Ken Keeley remain from the original line up. Essentially an Americana/rock outfit, the band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Bellatopia, review, rock, roots, soft rock, The Getaway Driver | Leave a comment

Album review: TOWNES VAN ZANDT – The Late Great Townes Van Zandt

Posted on September 20, 2015 by petefeenstra

Charly [Release date 30.10.15] The sense of irony in Townes Van Zandt’s 1972 album title ‘The Late Great Townes Van Zandt’ hasn’t lessoned with the passing of the years. If it was an attempt by long time friend, manager and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Americana, country, Emmylou Harris, Kevin Eggers, review, Rocky Hill, singer, songwriter, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WHISKEY POETS – Low Country

Posted on September 19, 2015 by petefeenstra

Red Dog [Release date 30.10.15] When asked what message the award winning author RJ Ellory had for his readers, he replied: ‘There is nothing so fragile, complex or fascinating as the human condition.’ And it’s that sense of wonder that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, ELO, funk, Hossam Ramzy, Jack Kerouac, Low Country, Martin Smith, Paul Simon, Pete Atkin, review, RJ Ellory, rock, The Whiskey Poets | Leave a comment

Album review: AMY HELM – Didn’t It Rain

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Membran [Release date 02.10.15] Amy Helm reminds me of Joss Stone. An unquestionable vocal talent. But lacking in material to exploit it commercially. First a member of the post 9/11 alt-country collective Ollabelle, and subsequently working extensively with her late … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Amy Helm, Bill Payne, Didn't It Rain, Levon Helm, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DANNI NICHOLLS – Mockingbird Lane

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Danni Nicholls Music [Release date 23.10.15] You’d never guess Danni Nicholls was from Bedford. Mockingbird Lane, her second album, is an album that has the hallmarks of classic American folk, county and splashes of rock ‘n’ roll. Re-uniting with producer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Danni Nicholls, folk, Mockingbird Lane, review, singer, soft rock, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BETTYSOO – When We’re Gone

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 30.10.15] I was rather taken with Bettysoo’s last album – Heat Sin Water Skin (2009). But a lot happens in five years. For a start, the singer songwriter, and the Americana market in particular, has exploded. For an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Bettysoo, folk, review, rock, singer, songwriter, When We're Gone | Leave a comment

Album review: BEN REEL – 7th

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 22.06.15] www.benreel.com With each new release Northern Ireland songsmith Ben Reel steps inexorably closer to becoming the home soil torchbearer of American heartland rock. That is, the mantle occupied across the pond by the likes of The Boss … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 7th, album, Americana, Ben Reel, blues, country, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DANA IMMANUEL – Dotted Lines

Posted on September 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Self-release [Release date 23.10.15] Eight tracks over 32 minutes isn’t the most expansive of albums. But in the case of banjo-toting, whiskey-drinking north London-based singer-songwriter Dana Immanuel, the quality that oozes through every track on the follow up to her … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Dana Immanuel, Dotted Lines, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: OFFICER, GILMORE & ROBERTS, HIP HATCHET, SAM LEWIS

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

OFFICER Myriads You’d think – in these digital days – if you were going to record under a pseudo name, you’d have the foresight to pick one that might be a little easier to find via Google. But unless you’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Conflict Tourism, country, folk, Gilmore & Roberts, Hip Hatchet, Hold You Like A Harness, Let It Be, Mark Brown, Myriads, Officer, pop, review, rock, roots, Sam Lewis, Simon Murphy, singer, Skin & Bone, songwriter, Waiting On You | Leave a comment

Album review: WATKINS FAMILY HOUR

Posted on July 8, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Family Hour Records [Release date 24.07.15] With Nickel Creek seemingly back on ice, Sara and Sean Watkins have gone back to one of their favourite live formats for their latest release. The Watkins Family Hour brings to record their long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt country, Americana, bluegrass, country, Fiona Apple, folk, Nickel Creek, review, roots, Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, Watkins Family Hour | Leave a comment

Album review: DELLA MAE – Della Mae

Posted on June 4, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Decca [Release date 10.07.15] There are obvious comparisons to be drawn here with the excellent Blame Sally – another multi-talented all female Americana combo, and in the case of Della Mae, featuring Celia Woodsmith on vocals and guitar, Kimber Ludiker … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Della Mae, review, rock, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN SIEGAL – One Night In Amsterdam

Posted on March 9, 2015 by petefeenstra

Nugene [Released 09.03.15] Like all the best outlaws, Ian Siegal aggressively sings about the kind of lifestyle that his fans love to hear about but wouldn’t want to live. ‘One Night in Amsterdam’ casts him as the perennial outsider who … Continue reading →