Tag Archives: country

Quick plays: ASHBY, AMELIA WHITE, SHADES OF SORROW

Posted on December 31, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

ASHBY Fragmental [Release date 13.11.15] Ashby are a progressive rock quintet from Germany. Fronted by Sabina Mosel, three thoughts immediately struck me a vocal symmetry with Sam Brown and Doris Brendel, a proggy sound that put the band in a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Amelia White, Angelleno, Ascension, Ashby, country, Cruel Season, Fragmental, Home Sweet Hotel, metal, progressive metal, Sam Outlaw, Shades Of Sorrow, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: RON POPE & THE NIGHTHAWKS

Posted on November 25, 2015 by jason

Brooklyn Basement Records [Release date 08.01.16] Ron Pope is a bit of a hit in the digital download/streaming age with over 474 m illion streams on Pandora and over 100 million plays on YouTube. It does appear he is making … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged country, debut album, ragtime, review, rock 'n' roll, Ron Pope, Ron Pope & the Nighthawks, Tom Petty | 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: 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: 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

Quick plays: THE GRAHAMS, MAURA KENNEDY, GILLIAN GLOVER

Posted on August 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

THE GRAHAMS Glory Bound 12 South Records [Release date 02.10.15] Husband and wife Americana duo Alyssa and Doug Graham follow up their 2013 debut Riverman’s Daughter with the dual release of their studio album Glory Bound, and Rattle The Hocks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, country, Crimson Chrysalis, Enraptured, folk, Gillian Glover, Glory Bound, Heart Of Gotham, It's What The Dog Saw, Maura Kennedy, Pete Kennedy, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Still Life With Music, The Grahams, Vienna D'Amato Hall, Villanelle | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FESTIVAL Day 2 – Mote Park, Maidstone, 26 July 2015

Posted on August 9, 2015 by david.wilson

Photo by Paul Rodgers With a weather forecast that had Noah on standby, hammer in hand, our intrepid trio of Andy Nathan, Yiannis Stefanis and Paul Rodgers returned to Mote Park for day two of the Ramblin’ Man Festival and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 26 July 2015, Aaron Keylock, Bernie Marsden, Blues Pills, classic rock, country, gig, Gregg Allman, Ian Anderson, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kent, Maidstone, Marillion, Mote Park, prog, progressive, Quireboys, Ramblin' Man Fair, review, Rival Sons, RIVERSIDE, rock, Solstafir, The Pineapple Thief, The Temperance Movement | 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: DIXIE REPUBLIC – Redneck Way

Posted on June 21, 2015 by petefeenstra

Dixie Republic Music [Release date 30.01.15] Dixie Republic is a Nashville based trio with a big sound and a retro bent, who pen heartfelt songs that mirror both their culture and beliefs. However, once they stated their outlook as on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Haithcoat, country, Dixie Republic, Gary Stephenson, George Jones, heartland rock, Lynyrd Skynryd, Meatloaf, Redneck Way, review, rock, southern rock, T.Rex, The Outlaws | Leave a comment

Album review: BOB WAYNE – Hits The Hits

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

People Like You Records [Release date 01.06.15] Hits The Hits is outlaw county singer Bob Wayne’s irreverent take on some of the world’s biggest hits. Inspired by Johnny Cash’s ‘American Recordings’ Wayne side-stepped the ‘acoustic’ reinterpretation route and deployed a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bob Wayne, C&W, country, Covers, Hits The Hits, honky tonk, outlaw country, review | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE GRISWOLDS, MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, THE UGLY GUYS, LOTTA LENE

Posted on May 17, 2015 by jason

THE GRISWOLDS – Be Impressive Wind Up Records www.wearethegriswolds.com [Release date 25.05.15] Australian four piece the Griswolds (named after the family in National Lampoon’s Family Vacation) are one for those who like a little bit of synth led indie pop. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged ALBUM REVIEWS, Angel Air, country, Griswolds, indie, instrumental, Lotta Lene, Mutiny On The Bount, pop, progressive, Quick Plays, synth, the Ugly Guys | Leave a comment

Album review: JOSH TAERK – Here’s To Change

Posted on May 14, 2015 by jason

Misty Creek Records [Release date 20.07.15] Josh Taerk is back with his second album, after good reviews for his 2013 debut album. This time he has upped the ante by recording in Nashville, joined by bassist Park Chisholm and drummer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Sprinsteen, country, Here's To Change, John Oates, Josh Taerk, Nashville, pop, review, singer songwriter | 1 Comment

Album review: TIMOTHY CRAIG – 360 Degrees

Posted on April 16, 2015 by petefeenstra

Ball & Chain Entertainment [Release date 09.02.15] Timothy Craig’s ‘360 Degrees’ is aimed at the country tinged, heartland crossover rock market, populated by Stetson wearing dudes in blue jeans, bling and white t shirts. It’s music with a wide appeal, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 360 Degrees, album, Bruce Spingsteen, country, Donny Roberts, Lauren Saks, Rascal Flatts, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Timothy Craig, Webb Wilder | Leave a comment

Quick plays: NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One You might well ask why GRTR! is reviewing a Celtic / Breton fiddle album? And it would be a reasonable question to ask. But there are ‘rock’ connections. Firstly, one half of the main … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Aggravated, country, Danny Schmidt, Decade Dance, Elliot Smith, folk, Grant Langston, Hope You're Happy Now, Irish, Leather Leaf, Natalie Macmaster and Donnell Leahy, One, Owls, Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield, singer, songwriter, Telesma | 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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Americana, blues, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, country, Dusty Ciggaar, funk, Harry Stephenson, Ian Siegal, Joe Gaerthe, One Night In Amsterdam, Plummet Airlines, Rudy Lentze, Steve Earle, Tess Gaerthe, Tex Mex, The Rhythm Chiefs, Tom Russell, Tom Waits | Leave a comment

DVD review: SHANIA TWAIN – Still The One Live From Vegas

Posted on March 6, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Rock [Release date 02.03.15] For the original country/pop crossover queen, and best-selling female country artist of all time who has shipped over 75 million albums worldwide – thanks primarily to the Mutt Lange trilogy of releases The Woman in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Bluray, country, DVD, pop, review, rock, Shania Twain, Still the One Live From Vegas | Leave a comment

Album review: JJ GREY & MOFRO – Ol’ Glory

Posted on March 5, 2015 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Released 24.02.15] ‘Ol’ Glory is JJ Grey & Mofro’s 7th album and their first for Provogue and perhaps because of the label change they’ve quietly dropped their soul swamp rocking and embraced the current shift towards Memphis soul and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Clark Gable, country, Dan Prothero, Derek Trucks, funk, George Clinton, James Dean, JJ Grey, Luther Dickinson, Mayer Hawthorne, Memphis soul, Mofro, Ol' Glory, R&B, review, Rick James, Robert Cray, rock, Sly Stone, Stax, swamp rock | Leave a comment

Interview: JJ GREY (February 2015)

Posted on February 27, 2015 by petefeenstra

JJ Grey’s 9th album ‘Ol’ Glory’ is released on February 23rd and it’s his first for his new label Mascot/Provogue. As with previous album he’s immersed himself in a seamless blend of deep swampy grooves, country blues and jammed out old school … Continue reading →

Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged Alligator Records, Andrew Trube, Anthony Cole, Anthony Farrell, blues, country, Dan Prothero, Dennis Marion, Derek Trucks, funk, interview, Jeff Dazey, JJ Grey, Luther Dickinson, Ol'Glory, Provogue records, R&B, rock, soul, Todd Smallie | Leave a comment

Album review: REBECCA DOWNES – Back To The Start

Posted on February 25, 2015 by petefeenstra

Real2Reel Records [Release date 09.06.14] Rebecca Downes is a good singer who makes the most of some concise arrangements. Initially she sounds like a MOR singer trying her hand at the blues before finally settling for a broader based outlook … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Summers, Back to the Start, blues, country, Julia Fordham, Rebecca Downes, review, rock, singer songwriter, vocalist | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CLIMAX BLUES, THE LUCID DREAM

Posted on February 22, 2015 by jason

LUCY MAY – Whirlwind (EP) www.facebook.com/iamlucymay [Released 06/03/15] The PR sheet says there has been a country music revival in the UK and that certainly bears up given the success of artists like Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift (although you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Angel Air, blues, Broke Heart Blues, classic, Climax Blues, country, EP, Lucy May, Pete Haycock, pop, review, Robin George, rock, Whirlwind | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Holding All The Roses

Posted on January 27, 2015 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 09.02.15] www.blackberrysmoke.com This is amazingly Blackberry Smoke’s fourth studio album, as their last album ‘The Whippoorwill’ was released in the UK last year (although it dated from 2012 when it was released in their native US) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blackberry Smoke, country, Holding All The Roses, review, rock, southern | Comments Off

Quick plays: ANDREW COMBS, MICHAEL ARMSTRONG

Posted on January 22, 2015 by jason

ANDREW COMBS – All These Dreams www.andrewcomsmusic.com [Released 26.01.15] This is the second album from Nashville based singer-songwriter Andrew Combs. As you would expect being based in Nashville there is a little country in the musical flavours on offer, along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, All These Dreams, Andrew Combs, country, Michael Armstrong, pop, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AWNA TEIXEIRA, KIMMIE RHODES, PAUL BIBBY, LYNRYD SKYNYRD

Posted on January 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

AWNA TEIXEIRA Wild One Like Po’ Girl Awna Teixeira’s solo debut – Where The Darkness Goes (2012) – her follow up Wild One is a sparse, plaintive set. For the most part written in Salt Lake City and reflecting on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Awna Teixeira, Bliss & Lullabies, country, Cowgirl Boudoir, Invocations, John The Baptist And The Second Coming, Kimmie Rhodes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Midwich Assembly, Nashville, Paul Bibby, Po' Girl, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Vinyl, Wild One | Leave a comment

Album review: SARAH DUNN BAND – You Or The Whiskey

Posted on November 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Audacity Records [Release date 19.08.14] When you hear the opening bars of ‘Finish What You Started’ – the opening number on You Or The Whiskey – a mix of Southern blues rock, rootsy fiddle and mandolin, a crisp production and … Continue reading →