Tag Archives: folk

EP review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Wassail

BIG BIG TRAIN - Wassail

English Electric Recordings [Release date 01.06.15] www.bigbigtrain.com Big Big Train are back with a new four song EP and the first recordings to feature new members, violinist Rachel Hall and Beardfish guitarist Rikard Sjöblom. I have to admit Big Big … Continue reading

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Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Still

RICHARD THOMPSON - Still

Proper Records [Release date 29.06.15] Following on from last year’s enjoyable ‘Acoustic Classics’ album Richard Thompson is back with another set of new songs. This time he has Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy handling production, who Thompson recruited to shake-up his creative … Continue reading

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DVD review: LEVELLERS – A Curious Life

LEVELLERS - A Curious Life

OTF Recordings [Release date 27.04.15] This film tells the story of the Levellers through the perspective of the band’s bass player Jeremy Cunningham. The film is directed by Dunstan Bunce, former frontman of Chumbawamba. His parents are the unlikely stars … Continue reading

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News: RICHARD THOMPSON, BLACK SABBATH, WASP – Tuesday 28 April 2015

Richard Thompson - Cambridge Folk Festival 2014

Richard Thompson releases his new album ‘Still’ on June 29th via Proper Records. Red Dragon Cartel have another new vocalist, step forward Chas West, who replaces Darren Smith who lasted just over a month! Kingcrow release their new album ‘Eidos’ … Continue reading

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News: Singer songwriter CHRIS GRAY radio session on Sunday 19 April

Chris Gray

  Isle of Man singer songwriter Chris Gray is featured in the “In Session for GRTR!” series on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 19 April at 21:00. Chris’ debut album – Diamonds In Your Tree – was released … Continue reading

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News: ALL TIME LOW, ROOM EXPERIENCE, THE GODFATHERS – Sunday 12 April 2015

Colin Blunstone - The Zombies

All Time Low debut at number 1 in the UK album charts this week. Brian Wilson debuts at no.25 and Turbowolf debuted at no.70. Bad Company’s self-titled debut is a re at no.94 in a new, expanded 2CD re-issue. Babymetal … Continue reading

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Quick plays: NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY, DANNY SCHMIDT

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One

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

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Quick plays: THE GENTLE STORM, WINDSOR DRIVE, FINLAY MORTON

THE GENTLE STORM – The Diary Inside Out www.insideout.de [Released 23.03.15] A new name but a very experienced duo behind the name, namely Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon fame and Anneke van Giersbergen, the former Gathering vocalist and last seen on … Continue reading

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News: LONELY ROBOT, FAIRPORT CONVENTION, LEAVE’S EYES – Thursday 19 March 2015

Lonely Robot

Lonely Robot, aka John Mitchell (It Bites/Arena), will record a new album later this year for release early next year. Leave’s Eyes have signed with AFM Records and release their new album later this year. Mr Big release a box … Continue reading

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Album review: FAIRYTALE – Forest Of Summer

        Magic Mile Music (Release date 01.03.2015) Fairytale are a German folk trio with a heavy Celtic influence in their writing and playing. ‘German folk’ I hear you cry, where is the rock link there?? The rock … Continue reading

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Gig review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Eleanor McEvoy - Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Ten years ago we asked Eleanor McEvoy if she would continue in “acoustic” mode for the foreseeable future and whether she would ever consider going back to the more ‘electric’ format that she followed in the mid to late 1990s.  … Continue reading

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Album review: ALICE DiMICELE – Swim

ALICE DiMICELE - Swim

Alice Otter Music [Release date 04.05.15] www.alicedimicele.com It comes as little surprise that Alice DiMicele has been on the scene for almost 30 years as her sound – described as ‘groove folk’ and ‘acoustic soul’ -  echoes back to Joni … Continue reading

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Quick plays: TRISTAN MACKAY, THE KENNEDYS, VANESSA PETERS

Tristan Mackay - Wire & Wood

TRISTAN MACKAY Wire & Wood The clue, as they say, is in the title – Wire & Wood is a pared back acoustic follow-up to singer songwriter Tiverton, Devon-born Tristan Mackay’s debut release Out Along The Wire (2012). Originally ‘discovered’ … Continue reading

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News: URIAH HEEP, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, THE FACES – 12 February 2015

Uriah Heep, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

URIAH HEEP Sat April 25 HOLMFIRTH Picturedrome Sun April 26 LEAMINGTON SPA Assembly Tue April 28 YORK Fibbers Wed April 29 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Riverside Tue May 05 BRISTOL Marble Factory Wed May 06 SOUTHAMPTON Engine Rooms Fri May 08 … Continue reading

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Album review: BRIDGET ST. JOHN – Dandelion Albums & BBC Collection

BRIDGET ST. JOHN - Dandelion Albums & BBC Collection

Cherry Red Records [Release date 16.02.15] 4-disc boxed set Bridget St. John no doubt influenced a generation of female folkies and this three-album retrospective will go some way to confirming that legacy.  A handsome box set, collecting her output for … Continue reading

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

Edgar Froese, Tangerine Dream

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

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Album review: ORDEN OGAN – Ravenhead

Orden Ogan - Ravenhead

AFM Records [Released 12.01.15] This is the band’s fifth album and hopefully after an impressive back catalogue, along with this enjoyable new release, they will start to get a bigger following. They will appeal to fans of power and progressive … Continue reading

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

Sky

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

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Quick plays: FRASER ANDERSON, PAIN OF SALVATION

Fraser Anderson - Little Glass Box

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

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Gig review: LEVELLERS/The Selecter – William Aston Hall, Wrexham, 18 November 2014

LEVELLERS - William Aston Hall, Wrexham, 18 November 2014

There is something wonderfully timeless about a Levellers gig. Every time I have seen them over the past twenty-odd years they have always been the same, giving a full-on performance for their adoring fans and leaving nothing on the stage … Continue reading

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Album review: DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER – Tief.Tiefer

DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER  – Tief.Tiefer

Nuclear Blast – Out Now. My introduction to the music of the German outfit Die Apokalyptischen Reiter took place when attending a renowned German summer festival many moons ago – a time when I was not quite ready to understand … Continue reading

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Gig review: LEVELLERS, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 13 November 2014

Levellers - Shepherd

Levellers are currently on their Greatest Hits tour and played to a packed crowd at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. There were two support acts, first up a female singer performing under the name of She Makes War. It was an … Continue reading

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Album review : DODSON AND FOGG – In A Strange Slumber

Dodson And Fogg - In A Strange Slumber

Wisdom Twins [Release date 26.09.14] Despite sounding like a dodgy estate agent Dodson And Fogg is actually the ambient musical brain child of singer-song writer Chris Wade. ‘In A Strange slumber’ is an evocative title as befits an album with … Continue reading

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Quick plays: JOHN FORRESTER, FYRE!

John Forrester

JOHN FORRESTER – Outsider Irregular Records www.forrester.uk.com [Released 27.10.14] This is the third solo album from John Forrester who plays bass in the Outcast band and bass/double-bass with Robb Johnson. On this album John Forrester provides the vocals, bass and … Continue reading

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Quick plays: CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS, RUN BOY RUN, SUNJAY, MICHELLE LEWIS

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS Who We Are

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS Who We Are For those unaware of the charms of Chris While & Julie Matthews, their ninth studio album celebrating their 20th anniversary is unlikely to unlock any previously closed doors. Winners of the best … Continue reading

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