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Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER- The Garage, London, 28 March 2025
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Album review: JON BODEN & THE REMNANT KINGS – Parlour Ballads
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Tag Archives: R&B
Album review: 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 album, Andrew Roachford, Beyond The Blue Horizon, Big Town Playboys, blues, Brook Benton, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Focus, Frogman Henry, Ian Jennings, Kid Carlos, Laurence Jones, Matt Little, Mike Hellier, Mike Vernon, Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo, Mose Allison, Oli Brown, Paul Tasker, Peter Green, R&B, review, Rocky Sharpe & the Replays, Sari Schorr, The Olympic Runners
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News: Albums of the Month (April 2018 – June 2018)

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 2018, albums of the month, Andy Susemihl, April, classic rock, June, May, My Indigo, pop, progressive, R&B, Spock's Beard, Ted & Majella, The Sharpeez
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Album review: 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
Book review: 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 blues, book, Box of Frogs, British Invasion All Stars, Chas McDevitt, Chris Dreja, Cream, Dave Thompson, Eric Clapton, Georgio Gomelski, Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Reed, New Age Music, Nobody Told Me, Peter Grant, psychedelic, R&B, Renaissance, review, Robert Plant, rock, Rolling Stones, Ruthless Blues, Simon Napier Bell, The Country Gentleman, The Yardbirds, Top Topham
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Album review: 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 album, Bernard Allison, blues, Blues Caravan, Bobby Bland, First Class Life, funk, guitar, John Fogerty, Koko Taylor, R&B, review, rock
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Album review: 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
Album review: RICHIE KOTZEN, IAN GILLAN (reissues)

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 Accidentally On Purpose, album, Break It All Down, compilation, Deep Purple, funk, Gillan, Ian Gillan, Ian Gillan Band, Naked Thunder, R&B, reissue, review, Richie Kotzen, rock, Roger Glover, Something To Say, soul, Telecasters & Stratocasters: Klassic Kotzen, What Is
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Album review: 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
Album review: BRUCE FOXTON & RUSSELL HASTINGS – 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 Bruce Foxton, From The Jam Live!, live album, mod, Motown, Paul Weller, R&B, Ray Davies, review, Russell Hastings, The Beatles, The Kinks, THE WHO
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Album review: 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
Gig review: 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 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul
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Album review: 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
Album review: 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 album, box set, Dr John, jazz, New Orleans, R&B, review, soul, the Atco Albums Collection
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Album review: ROADCASE ROYALE – First Things First (Nancy Wilson, Liv Warfield)

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 album, AOR, First Things First, Heart, Liv Warfield, Nancy Wilson, Prince, R&B, review, Roadcase Royale, rock, Ryan Waters, soul
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Album review: 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 album, blues, country, funk, guitar, Jackson Brown, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Lay It On Down, Ledbetter Heights, Marshall Alltman, Nashville, Noah Hunt, R&B, review, rock, soul, Steve Stills, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Eagles, The Rides
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Gig review: THE PRETTY THINGS & THE IMPERIAL CROWNS – 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 Billy Champagne Sullivan, blues, Bo Diddley, Bordeaux, David Lynch, Dick Taylor, festival, France, Frank Holland, funk, gig, gospel, Jimmie Wood, Jimmy Reed, JJ Holiday, John Popper, Jon Avilla, Phil May, psychedelia, R&B, Rachel C.Wood, Relache Festival, review, rock, S.F. Sorrow, The Electric Banana, The Imperial Crowns, The Pretty Things
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Album review: 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 blues, boogie, Cinco: The First Five LPs, Fandango, First Album, R&B, reissue, Rio Grande Mud, rock, Tejas, Tres Hombe, ZZ Top
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Album review: STANLEY CLARKE, NORMAN CONNORS, HARVEY MASON (Jazz Funk compilations)

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 album, Arista, Buddah, collection, compilation, funk, Harvey Mason, jazz funk, jazz fusion, Norman Connors, R&B, review, Sho Nuff Groovin' You The Arista Records Anthology (1975-1981), Stanley Clarke, The Definitive Collection, Valentine Love The Buddah/Arista Anthology
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Gig review: 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 1 June 2017, Cardiff, gig, R&B, review, rhythm and blues, rock, soul, Tramshed, Ty Taylor, Vintage Trouble
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Gig review: ERIC GALES BAND & Gary Hoey Band – Nells Jazz & Blues, London, 2 June 2017

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 AJ Pappas, blues, Bootsy Collins, Bryan Adams, classic rock, Cody Wright, Cream, Eric Gales, Focus, Freddie King, funk, Gary Hoey, gig, guitar, Jaco Pastorious, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, LaDonna Gales, Led Zeppelin, Matt Scurfield, R&B, review, Robin Trower, The James Gang
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Album review: THE SHARPEEZ – Live At The Tuesday Night Music Club

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 Baz Payne, Bill Mead, George Thorogood, Jerry Garcia, live album, Live At The Tuesday Night Music Club, Mick Green, R&B, review, Richard Hayes, Rolling Stones, Rory Gallagher, Sean Tyla, Simon taylor, Spencer Blackledge, The Pirates, The Sharpeez, Tom Petty
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Album review: 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 album, blues, Change My Game, Danish, funk, jazz, Peter Skjerning, prog rock, R&B, review, rock, soul, Søren Bøjgaard, Thorbjorn Risager &The Black Tornado
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Album review: 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
Gig review: NINE BELOW ZERO/Chloe Marriott – 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 13 Shades Of Blue, Albert Collins, B.B. King, Ben Willis, blues, Charlie Austen, Chloe Marriott, Dennis Greaves, funk, Georgie Fame, gig, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Armatrading, Joanne Shaw Taylor, John Mayall, John Popper, Mark Felthan, Mickey Burkey, NINE BELOW ZERO, R&B, review, soul
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Album review: 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 13 Shades Of Blue, Aaron Neville, album, Allen Toussaint, B.B. King, Ben Waters, blues, Brian Bethell, cajun, Charles Miller, Charles Sheffield, Charlie Austen, Chris Rand, Dennis Greaves, funk, Glenn Tillbrook, Jeffery Brown, John Mayall, Johnny Chandler, Little Walter, Luther Allison, Mark Feltham, Mickey Burkey, NINE BELOW ZERO, R&B, review, soul
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