Tag Archives: R&B

Album review: MIKE VERNON & THE MIGHTY COMBO – Beyond The Blue Horizon

MIKE VERNON & THE MIGHTY COMBO – Beyond The Blue Horizon

Manhaton Records [Release date 07.09.18] Producer, songwriter and vocalist Mike Vernon’s award winning career has encompassed the birth of British blues including Clapton, Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac etc. He also worked with the younger David Bowie, Focus and soul singer … Continue reading

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

News: Albums of the Month (April 2018 – June 2018)

The Sharpeez

Albums of the Month 2018 January 2018 – March 2018 July 2018 – September 2018 October 2018 – December 2018 THE SHARPEEZ Wild One (3MS Music) “…there isn’t a weak track on here, while their very best efforts such as … Continue reading

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BOY BLOATER AND THE LIMITS – Pills

BIG BOY BLOATER AND THE LIMITS – Pills

Provogue [Release date 15.06.18] Big Boy Bloater And The Limits new CD ‘Pills’ strips things down to the bone in a power trio format, with Bloater on guitar and lead vocals, Matt Cowley on drums and bv’s, bassist Steve Oates … Continue reading

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

Book review: JIM McCARTY with DAVE THOMPSON – Nobody Told Me: My Life With The Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories

JIM McCARTY with DAVE THOMPSON – Nobody Told Me: My Life With The Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories

http://www.jamesmccarty.com/ 305 pages paperback ISBN 978-0-244-96650-8 [Publication date: May 2018] ‘Nobody Told Me’ is a suitably titled autobiography that documents the life and times of Jim McCarty, The Yardbirds founder member, drummer and rock and roll hall of fame inductee. … Continue reading

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

Album review: MIKE ZITO – First Class Life

MIKE ZITO – First Class Life

Ruf [Release date 11.05.18] ‘First Class Life’ is Texas based Mike Zito’s 14th album. It’s is a stripped down blues album on which he sets himself the challenge of penning some meaningful narratives to fill the genre with fresh input … Continue reading

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

Album review: BAD PENNIES – Songs From The Medway Delta

BAD PENNIES – Songs From The Medway Delta

Top Dollar Music [Release date 02.02.18] In many ways the Bad Pennies’ ‘Songs from The Medway Delta’ is a snap shot of the high standard of rocking blues that used to fill the nation’s pub and club music circuit. But much … Continue reading

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

Album review: RICHIE KOTZEN, IAN GILLAN (reissues)

RICHIE KOTZEN - Telecasters & Stratocasters - Klassic Kotzen

The Store For Music [Release date 17.11.17/23.02.18] A welcome outing for three late-1990s solo albums from the underrated Richie Kotzen, repackaged as Telecasters & Stratocasters: Klassic Kotzen.  Kotzen might be best known for his stints in Poison and Mr.Big and … Continue reading

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

Album review: BILLY WALTON BAND – Soul Of A Man

Billy Walton Band - Soul Of A Man

Vizztone Records [Release date 12.01.18] Not to be confused with the Blind Willie Johnson song, the Billy Walton Band’s ‘Soul Of A Man’ album strikes the perfect balance between their natural exuberance and nascent song craft. If you include a … Continue reading

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

Album review: BRUCE FOXTON & RUSSELL HASTINGS – From The Jam Live!

from-the-jam-live

Basstone via Absolute [Release date 01.12.17] Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings’s ‘From The Jam Live!’ ticks all the right boxes. It does what it says on the tin with an updated appraisal of music that stoked a generation some 40 … Continue reading

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

Album review: PROJECT MAMA EARTH – Mama Earth

PROJECT MAMA EARTH – Mama Earth

Provogue [Release date 10.11.17] The thematically titled ‘Mama Earth’, is an all-star collaboration featuring Joss Stone on vocals,  Nitin Sawheny on guitar, Jonathan Joseph on drums, Etienne M’Bappe on bass and Jonathan Shorten on keyboards. It’s a stellar line-up that … Continue reading

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

Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

ANDREW ROACHFORD - Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’  We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading

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

Album review: THE PRETTY THINGS – Greatest Hits

THE PRETTY THINGS – Greatest Hits

Madfish [Release date 13.10.17] There are few bands who have make it to their 50th anniversary, let alone with such a welter of re-issues to mark the occasion. Indeed, The Pretty Things enthusiastic record company Madfish has already issued three … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DR JOHN – The Atco Albums Collection

DR JOHN - The Atco Albums Collection

Rhino [Release date 15.09.17] Born Malcolm John Redennack. Dr John is a renowned American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. Inspired by work with New Orleans R&B and Jazz pianist/singer Professor Longhair, Dr John’s work is often for its New Orleans … Continue reading

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

Album review: ROADCASE ROYALE – First Things First (Nancy Wilson, Liv Warfield)

ROADCASE ROYALE - First Things First

Loud & Proud Records [Release date 22.09.17] When the first track released by Roadcase Royale was circulating earlier this year it became an instant favourite on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio and bode well for the band’s debut album.  ‘Get … Continue reading

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

Album review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND – Lay It On Down

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND – Lay It On Down

Kenny Wayne Shepherd chatted to Pete Feenstra about his new album ‘Lay It On Down’. First broadcast 23 July on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. More information Provogue [Release date 04.08.17] When you sign a multi-album deal with Warner Brothers … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE PRETTY THINGS & THE IMPERIAL CROWNS – Relache Festival, Bordeaux, SW France, 7 July 2017

Jimmie Wood – Relache Festival, Bordeaux, SW France, 7 July 2017

There’s a lot to be said for the art of performance. And tonight The Imperial Crowns front man Jimmie Wood works hard to preach the blues to a sun drenched crowd initially cowering on the edges of the festival square, … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, GIG REVIEWS, Photo Galleries, The Best of 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ZZ TOP – Cinco: The First Five LPs

ZZ TOP - Cinco: The First Five LPs

Warners [Release date 09.06.17] One of the greatest blues rock and boogie exponents, this Texan trio have become as famous for their beards (except for the drummer called Beard – now THAT’s irony) as for their music. 70s tracks like … Continue reading

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

Album review: STANLEY CLARKE, NORMAN CONNORS, HARVEY MASON (Jazz Funk compilations)

STANLEY CLARKE - The Definitive Collection

Cherry Red Records/imprints The mid to late 1970s was a golden age for disco/jazz-funk.   Bands like Earth, Wind & Fire were ascendant in the charts whilst our more home-grown Level 42 picked up the baton for the burgeoning Brit Funk … Continue reading

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

Gig review: VINTAGE TROUBLE – The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

VINTAGE TROUBLE - The Tramshed, Cardiff, 1 June 2017

Every once in  a while you have to step out of your comfort zone, tonight in Cardiff’s  premier venue the Tramshed, I pretty much danced out of it. Leaving behind the rock music and submerging myself in soul. To tag … Continue reading

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

Gig review: ERIC GALES BAND & Gary Hoey Band – Nells Jazz & Blues, London, 2 June 2017

Eric Gales #1

This may well be the first time two American label mates who have known each other down the decades make their UK debut’s on the same night. And while the evening brings a sharp contrast in styles, the two guitarists … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SHARPEEZ – Live At The Tuesday Night Music Club

The Sharpeez - Live

Self release [Release date 24.03.17] There’s something reassuring about The Sharpeez brand of retro rhythm & blues that steadfastly refuses to be cowered the industry re-branding of the term r&b. From the band’s high energy, rhythm guitar driven approach, the … Continue reading

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

Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Change My Game

Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado - Change My Game

Ruf [Release date 27.01.17] Danish big band soulful blues/rockers Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado find themselves in uncharted waters with their new album ‘Change My Game’. Such was the critical acclaim of their last 2 albums, that ‘Change My … Continue reading

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

Album review: ERJA LYYTINEN – Stolen Hearts

ERJA LYYTINEN – Stolen Hearts

Tuohi Records [Release date 07.04.17] Given the rigorously defined nature of the blues scene in some people’s eyes, Erja Lyytinen probably wouldn’t thank anyone for suggesting that over the course of the last few years she’s become a beacon on a … Continue reading

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

Gig review: NINE BELOW ZERO/Chloe Marriott – Under The Bridge, London, 4 November 2016

NINE BELOW ZERO – Under The Bridge, London, 4 November 2016

Tonight, Nine Below Zero are reborn as a big band. They have all the essential qualities that an 8-piece combo requires, from the core duo of seasoned front man Dennis Greaves and the magisterial harp player Mark Feltham, to a … Continue reading

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

Album review: NINE BELOW ZERO – 13 Shades Of Blue

NINE BELOW ZERO – 13 Shades Of Blue

Zed [Release date 30.09.16] Nine Below Zero’s ‘13 Shades Of Blue’ explores every nuance of the band’s blues antecedents. The album takes us on an r&b journey that opens with funk and explores all the essential blues elements from soul-blues, … Continue reading

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