Tag Archives: pop

Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason
SPARKS - Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: WILDWOOD KIN, PAMELA SUE MANN, CATTLE & CANE, CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND

Posted on November 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
WILDWOOD KIN Wildwood Kin

WILDWOOD KIN Wildwood Kin Silvertone/Sony  [Release date 04.10.19] Alt-folkies Wildwood Kin – sisters Beth and Emillie Key, and cousin Meghann Loney follow up their 2017 debut (Turning Tides) with an altogether more ‘grown up’ sounding sophomore self-titled release. Majoring on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI – Goods Shed Arts Centre, Tetbury, 1 November 2019

Posted on November 3, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI - Goods Shed Arts Centre, Tetbury, 1 November 2019

In the first part of a two part special Kiki Dee chatted to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about her early career.  First broadcast in March 2015.  Part 2 is available here Kiki Dee is a Featured Artist at Get … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

Posted on November 2, 2019 by jason
THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

Rebelution Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] From the opening of notes of ‘Blow the Horns’ The Soul Rebels exude swagger and confidence, promising to “shake the world up like an earthquake”. ‘Poetry in Motion’ marks the first release in seven … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: D’ERCOLE, THE WAY, SPEARMINT

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason
D

D’ERCOLE The Ballad Of C.L. Rock Company [Release date 11.10.19] It’s that man again, Phil Vincent, on another release following hot on the heels of the Forest Field album. D’Ercole is a band affair with Damian D’Ercole (guitar) and B.F. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THEA HJELMELAND – Kulla

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason
THEA HJELMELAND – Kulla

Proper Music [Release date 25.10.19] The third album by Thea Hjelmeland, KULLA, is the definition of artistic freedom. Hailing from Norway, Hjelmeland is a singer, writer and a multi-instrumentalist and demonstrates a genre-hopping confidence that suggests an artist completely at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: SQUEEZE – New Theatre, Oxford, 25 October 2019

Posted on October 26, 2019 by jason

A packed out New Theatre were eagerly awaiting Squeeze, however before the main event we had Heaven 17, a band who had plenty of chart success in the early-mid 80’s. Still featuring two thirds of the original line-up in vocalist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: STEELEYE SPAN, GALLAGHER & LYLE, HUMBLE PIE

Posted on October 13, 2019 by jason
GALLAGHER & LYLE - Live at De Montfort Hall Leicester 1977

STEELEYE SPAN Live at De Montfort Hall Leicester 1977 Store For Music/Angel Air [Release date 04.10.19] One glaring error on this CD is the concert was in fact recorded in 1978 on the band’s then farewell tour (although the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DIVINE COMEDY – O2 Academy, Oxford, 13 October 2019

Posted on October 13, 2019 by jason
The Best of 2019

Seeing the Divine Comedy live has been top of my bands to see list and I was very happy to be able to finally see them at a sold out show at the Academy (or the Zodiac as it was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book review: THE MOODY BLUES – Every Album, Every Song (On Track) by Geoffrey Feakes

Posted on October 10, 2019 by jason
THE MOODY BLUES - EVERY ALBUM, EVERY SONG

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 22.08.19] The format follows the tried and tested Every Album, Every Song formula by tackling each album in chronological order. In this book though Feakes adds in piece about the album cover – the Moody Blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID HASSELHOFF – Open Your Eyes

Posted on October 10, 2019 by jason
DAVID HASSELHOFF – Open Your Eyes

Cleopatra Records [Release date 29.09.19] David Hasselhoff, or the Hoff to his many fans, is no stranger to the recording studio having released his first album way back in 1985.  He has always been big in Germany, indeed this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: FLIGHT BRIGADE – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 4 October 2019

Posted on October 5, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
FLIGHT BRIGADE - Telford

What’s not to like? An architecturally interesting venue for food, drink and music.  A beer festival.  And a free gig!! The first thing you might say about Flight Brigade, two days into a 14-date tour, is “where are the girls?”.  … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: KING CALAWAY – Rivers

Posted on October 3, 2019 by jason
KING CALAWAY - Rivers

BMG [Release date 04.10.19] King Calaway formed last year, released an EP earlier this year and now are set to unleash their debut album ‘Rivers’. I will admit this is not your standard GRTR! fare, however good songs are just … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2019)

Posted on September 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
Focus - Hard Rock Hell Prog, Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Your tour not listed? Contact us! Updated 08/12/2019 2019 ALABAMA 3 Fri December 20 O2 Academy Bristol Sat December 21 O2 Academy Brixton ALTER BRIDGE + … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLAN CLARKE – Resurgence

Posted on September 18, 2019 by jason
ALLAN CLARKE - Resurgence

BMG [Release date 20.09.19] Former Hollies singer Allan Clarke returns with his first new album in 29 years after he had seemingly retired from music back in 1990. However, his son Toby set him on the road to recording this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BRUCE COCKBURN, LOUIEN

Posted on September 17, 2019 by jason
BRUCE COCKBURN - Crowing Ignites

BRUCE COCKBURN Crowing Ignites True North Records [Release date 20.09.19] ‘Crowing Ignites’ is Bruce Cockburn’s 34th and his second all instrumental album, which differs from his previous instrumental album in that the compositions on here are brand new. The music … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SWIM DEEP – Emerald Classics

Posted on September 9, 2019 by jason
SWIM DEEP - Emerald Classics

[Release date 04.10.19] Swim Deep formed in 2011 and their first two albums made the UK album charts. However, last year they were sat at a crossroads in their local pub – The Emerald, from which the album takes its … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book review: ELTON JOHN – Every Album, Every Song 1969 to 1979 (On Track) by Peter Kearns

Posted on August 15, 2019 by jason
ELTON JOHN 1969 to 1979 On Track

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 16.08.19] This book is nicely timed what with ‘Rocket Man’ recently being shown in cinemas and the DVD release in August, plus of course Elton John is currently on his worldwide farewell tour. The book covers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: MY LIFE STORY – World Citizen

Posted on August 8, 2019 by jason
MY LIFE STORY - World Citizen

Exilophone [Release date 06.09.19] To my musical shame My Life Story have completely passed me by until this album arrived for review, which means a lot of catching up for me as they are masters of lush pop and are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE REMBRANDTS – Via Satellite

Posted on August 8, 2019 by jason
THE REMBRANDTS - Via Satellite

Blue Elan Records [Release date 23.08.19] The Rembrandts – Danny Wilde and Phil Solem – return with their first new album in eighteen years. Forever known to many for the hit ‘I’ll Be There For You’ from the US TV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: LAURENCE JONES – Laurence Jones Band

Posted on August 6, 2019 by petefeenstra
Laurence Jones - Laurence Jones Band

Top Stop Music [Release date 27.09.19] ‘Laurence Jones Band’ is a career departure for the former rock-blues hero who makes a major pitch for the pop market. They say the most significant thing about the blues genre is that historically … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: TREVOR HORN – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 31 July 2019

Posted on August 1, 2019 by GRTR! HQ
TREVOR HORN BAND - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 31 July 2019

It may be somewhat exaggerated to say that Trevor Horn single-handedly created the soundtrack to the eighties.  What is certain – as this concert demonstrated – he was associated with key artists and albums from that decade. This gig was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: MY LIFE STORY – The Lexington, London, 24 July

Posted on July 25, 2019 by jason

In this intimate little venue with its low stage, the My Life Story (MLS) fans are in their element, so close to the master! It’s a hideously hot night, and Jake is sporting a suit. 19 years on its not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Single review: THE RISING – Endless Summer

Posted on July 25, 2019 by jason
THE RISING - Endless Summer

Facebook [Release date 02.08.19] The Rising – Chris Logan (guitars, banjo, mandolin), Chantelle McAteer (vocals) and Brian Mellors (bass) – have been gaining attention and interest in their mix of country, pop and rock. They have released two albums and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: CORNBURY FESTIVAL – Great Tew, Oxfordshire, 5-7 July 2019

Posted on July 8, 2019 by jason

Friday 5 July Arriving onsite just in time to catch the tail end of former Supergrass singer/songwriter Gaz Coombes set. Being a bit of a local musical hero his set was well received although he may have missed a trick … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment