Tag Archives: prog

Gig review: CURVED AIR – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 20 November 2025

CURVED AIR - The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 20 November 2025

To those of a certain age and male – most of the audience here tonight in fact – Sonja Kristina was a poster girl for rock in the early 1970s. Pre-Stevie Nicks, pre-Debbie Harry. Interestingly she told me in 2015 … Continue reading

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Album review: JAN AKKERMAN – My Focus Live Under The Rainbow

JAN AKKERMAN - My Focus Live Under The Rainbow

Music Theories Recordings [Release date: 12.12.25] Possibly missed by some, Jan Akkerman played a short series of dates in the UK in February 2025. Fortunately this rare excursion has been captured on a new live album. It seems that Akkerman … Continue reading

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Album review: ASH WING – s/t

ASH WING

White Knight Records [Release date 07.11.25] This album is one of several that arrived at GRTR! Towers without an accompanying press release. Perhaps this is a new trend: get the journos to do the work. Again, from the Rob Reed … Continue reading

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Album review: STEVE MORSE BAND – Triangulation

Steve Morse Band - Triangulation

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 14.10.25] Steve Morse Band’s ‘Triangulation’ is a complex, intense and yet accessible virtuosic album which successfully evokes the conceptual ‘Triangulation’ album title. The ‘triangulation’ concept refers to geographically pinpointing your exact location at a specific … Continue reading

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Album review: PAVLOV’S DOG – Essential Recordings 1974-2018 (5-CD box set)

PAVLOV'S DOG - Essential Recordings 1974-2018 (5-CD box set)

Ruf Records [Release date 27.09.24] What are we to make of a fairly basic box set from a band that have been described as “legendary” but who – this side of the pond – have largely gone unnoticed? ‘Essential Recordings’ … Continue reading

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EP review: JIMMY OWEN – 10Ft Squared

Jimmy Owen - 10ft Squared

Self Release  [Release date 24.10.25] ‘10Ft Squared’ is the perfect introduction to Jimmy Owen, a guitar driven, singer-songwriter and restless artistic spirit, who straddles prog, fusion, Californian tinged soft rock, pop and unexpectedly the blues. It’s a mini album or … Continue reading

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Gig review: SOLSTICE – Jellyman’s Mill, Kidderminster, 31 August 2025

SOLSTICE - Jellyman's Mill, Kidderminster, 31 August 2025

One of my favourite albums of the year is ‘Clann’ from long term prog rockers Solstice.  For the past few months it has been a case of catchup as the only other album I was familiar with is ‘Prophecy’ reissued … Continue reading

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Album review : SWEET FREEDOM – Blind Leading The Blind

SWEET FREEDOM - Blind

Frontiers [Release date : 29.08.25] Swedish band Sweet Freedom is the real deal. Head and shoulders above most others walking the Classic Rock road nowadays (even if occasionally going off tangentially). The band: founder member Jorgen Schelander’s background is in … Continue reading

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Album review: STEELEYE SPAN – Conflict

steeleye-span-conflict

Park Records [Release date 23.05.25] Always good to have a new album from folk rockers Steeleye Span and this is their 24th studio album. Still led by singer Maddy Prior, the rest of the band consists of Julian Littman (guitar, mandolin, vocals), … Continue reading

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Gig review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – The 100 Club, London, 23 May 2025

CHANTEL MCGREGOR - The 100 Club, London, 23 May 2025

Before concentrating on Chantel’s set, a quick word about Blue Nation, who kick off proceedings tonight with a highly entertaining 45 minute set. The Brummie band have some great songs and a ‘let’s have fun’ ethic that shines through their … Continue reading

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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – The Healing

Chantel McGregor – The Healing

On Sunday 11 May on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Pete Feenstra chatted to Chantel about the new album and featuring a selection of tracks. Website [Release 23.05.25] This is Chantel McGregor’s third studio album, following on from her 2011 debut, … Continue reading

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Album review: GENTLE GIANT – Playing The Fool – The Complete Live Experience

GENTLE GIANT - Playing The Fool - The Complete Live Experience

David Randall chatted to Gentle Giant frontman Derek Shulman on release day, featuring tracks from the album and with reference to Derek’s subsequent career as a top record company executive.  First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 4 May … Continue reading

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Album review: SOLSTICE – Clann

SOLSTICE - Clann

https://solsticeprog.uk/ [Release date 04.04.25] I should start this by saying “where have Solstice been all my reviewing life?” I have been vaguely aware of their existence, more familiar with their album ‘Prophecy’ (2013), but it is only now that they are … Continue reading

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Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

‘So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts…’ Fish and his music have been a constant in my life for the past 42 years. I first saw him onstage back on the 31st December 1983 … Continue reading

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Album review: DORIS BRENDEL & LEE DUNHAM – Big Blue Sky

DORIS BRENDEL & LEE DUNHAM - Big Blue Sky

Pete Feenstra chatted to Doris Brendel about her music and her influential artists/tracks.  Including tracks from her new album with Lee Dunham ‘Big Blue Sky’.  First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 23 February 2025. Sky Rocket Records [Release … Continue reading

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Album review: EVERON – Shells

EVERON - Shells

Music Theories Recordings / Mascot    [Release date: 28.02.25] German progressive rock band Everon were quite prolific in the late nineties / early noughties, releasing seven albums between 1993’s ‘Paradoxes’ and ‘North’ in 2008 – all of which somehow avoided … Continue reading

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Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

Gig review: DEEP PURPLE – 02 Arena, London, 6 November 2024

They may not have the same veteran status as the headliners of this show, but Reef are celebrating 30 years in the business this year. No mean feat, with founding members Gary Stringer on vocals and Jack Bessant on bass. … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Royal Albert Hall, London, 23 October 2024

Steve Hackett continues to tour relentlessly, playing to packed houses of knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans, year after year. Tonight, the venerable Royal Albert Hall was sold out and brimming with anticipation. A couple of tracks in and even the vastly … Continue reading

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Album review: NEKTAR – Mission To Mars

Nektar - Mission To Mars jpeg

Deko [Release date 30.06.24] And so Nektar are back with another new line-up, but without keyboard player Klaus Henttatch, the last mainstay of the band since the passing of Roye Albighton. Sadly drummer and founder member Ron Howden also passed … Continue reading

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Album review: CIRCULINE – C.O.R.E.

CIRCULINE - C.O.R.E.

Inner Nova Music [Release date 20.09.24] There’s nothing quite like a bit of old school schmoozing. Circuline have, let’s say, a certain maturity of years (their bassist Shelby excluded) and – therefore – a maturity of outlook. Old timers like … Continue reading

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Single review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Copenhagen

https://hatsoffgentlemen.bandcamp.com/album/copenhagen

Bandcamp [Release date 11.06.24] ‘Copenhagen’ is the second single from forthcoming album ‘The Uncertainty Principle’ by Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. It is currently available on Bandcamp, and will be on other platforms from July. ‘Copenhagen’ is about a disputed conversation … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DAVE FOSTER BAND – Maybe They’ll Come Back For Us

THE DAVE FOSTER BAND - Maybe They'll Come Back For Us

English Electric Recordings [Release date 31.05.24] Several years ago when I saw The Steve Rothery Band playing live Dave Foster provided support, and then reappeared in the Marillion guitarist’s band. Half way through Foster’s own set, an ethereally toned guitar … Continue reading

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Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

FOCUS - Focus 12

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album.  First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour. Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date … Continue reading

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Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

OLIVER WAKEMAN - Anam Cara

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24] Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest … Continue reading

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Album review: MANDOKI SOULMATES – A Memory Of Our Future

MANDOKI SOULMATES - A Memory Of Our Future

Red Rock Music/Inside Out Music [Release date 10.05.24] I think it fair to say that Leslie Mandoki doesn’t do things half-arsed. Several years ago a couple of reissues were accompanied by an expansive press kit, a real thick tome that … Continue reading

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