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Latest Album Reviews
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Album review: CHARLOTTE SMITH & DAVID CLIFTON – The Tree in the Wood
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Album review: JUDIE TZUKE – Now Or Never
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Album review: SPOCK’S BEARD – The Archaeoptimist
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Album review: ROSS HARDING – The Blood and the Blues
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Album review: PETE KOSANOVICH – Beauty Within You
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Album review : ROB MORATTI – Sovereign
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Gig review: STEVE OVERLAND AND JIM KIRKPATRICK- The Weir, Brentford, Middlesex, 9 December 2025
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Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 11 December 2025
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Gig review: CURVED AIR – The Sub Rooms, Stroud, 20 November 2025
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Gig review: MARTIN BARRE & FRIENDS – Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 18 November 2025
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Tag Archives: review
Gig review: LAST IN LINE – Islington Academy, London, 12 June 2019

Last in Line have reached the same crossroads as the Black Star Riders did a few years ago. Originally put together by former bandmates to honour the memory of an iconic frontman, what then happens when you want to start … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Andrew Freeman, Brian Tatler, Diamond Head, Dio, gig, Last In Line, Phil Soussan, review, Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell
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Album review: JIMMY’S COUSIN – Wax Wings

Desertion Records [Release date 08.03.19] There is something endearingly conversational about the music of Jimmy’s Cousin. The new album from the Irish originating jazz man, ‘Waxwings’, is an exercise in raconteur style. Singer-songwriter Ian Dosdson aka Jimmy’s Cousin opens the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Dave Keary, Ian Dosdson, jazz, Jimmy's Cousin, melodic, review, singer songwriter, Waxwings
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Album review: JONES – Carver’s Law

Bandcamp [Release date 12.07.19] Jones is Trevor Jones, principle songwriter with the critically acclaimed duo Miracle Mile, the other half of this duo being arranger and musical partner Marcus Cliffe. Jones has released four solo albums to date, with ‘Carver’s … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, BJ Cole, Carver’s Law, JONES, melodic, MIRACLE MILE, review, singer songwriter, Solo, Trevor Jones
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Book review: THE ROLLING STONES 1963-1980 – On Track by Steve Pilkington

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 27.06.19] Over the years I have read a number of these types of books, each telling the story behind well-known artists albums and songs, and the trouble is that a song can easily be interpreted differently … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged book, Classic Albums, classic rock, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, On Track, review, rock, Steve Pilkington, The Rolling Stones
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Quick plays: BEN HEMMING

BEN HEMMING The Devil Beside Me [Release date 31.05.19] ‘Nu-blues’ man Ben Hemming opens his latest release with the impressively broody/ doomy Dead Man Blues which reminds me (strangely) of PJ Harvey circa Bring Your Love To Me. It’s a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, Ben Hemming, blues, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Devil Beside Me
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Album review: THE STEVE THOMPSON BAND – The Long Fade

www.steve-thompson.org.uk [Release date 31.05.19] Steve Thompson may not be a name you’re familiar with, but after 50 years in the business, his debut ‘solo’ album pays tribute to career served largely ‘behind the scenes’ as a songwriter, producer and session … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, classic rock, pop, review, singer, songwriter, The Long Fade, The Steve Thompson Band
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Album review: DANNY VAUGHN – Myths, Legends & Lies

Self-release [Release date 14.06.19] It has been eleven years since Danny Vaughn’s last solo outing, although this one was delayed by issues caused by Pledge Music going into administration. Luckily Danny Vaughn has a loyal fan following meaning this album … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, country, Danny Vaughn, folk, jazz, review, rock, singer songwriter, Solo, Tyketto, Waysted
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Album review: LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Black Moon (featuring John Lawton)

Lucifers Records [Release date 26.04.19] If ‘Black Moon’ doesn’t quite reach the heady heights/atmosphere of the early 1970s when John Lawton released a string of albums pre-Uriah Heep, we still have no right to expect a brand new offering in … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Black Moon, classic rock, hard rock, John Lawton, Lucifer's Friend, Progressive Rock, review
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Gig review: CAMDEN ROCKS FESTIVAL – Camden Town, London, 1-2 June 2019

This annual gathering, wedged tightly into the crammed streets of central north London, has been on the go since 2009. It started with 25 bands and 5 venues. This year over 400 acts will be appearing across 20 stages. Saturday … Continue reading
Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019

It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged AOR, gig, James Young, Lawrence Gowan, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Styx, Tommy Shaw
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Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, AOR, Club Majesty, dance, disco, Fine Soft Day, folk, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Pink Floyd, pop rock, progressive, Quick Plays, review, Rob Moratti, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Republic, Saga, Survival Code, Tragik
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Gig review: MAGNUM – Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019

With more venues in South Wales falling by the wayside, it is refreshing to see someone taking a gamble, especially in the valleys and in the middle of the week, but the old adage of book them and they will … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 5 June 2019, Aberdare, Bob Catley, classic rock, Coliseum, gig, Hand of Dimes, Magnum, melodic rock, review, Tony Clarkin
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Album review: PRINCE – Originals

Warner Brothers Records [Release date 07.06.19 exclusively on Tidal, 21.06.2019 CD, vinyl, streaming] In this multi-platform, content driven age it would be hard to imagine an artist ever producing too much material but such were his prolific studio habits, that … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, funk, Kenny Rogers, Originals, pop, pop rock, Prince, rarities, review, rock, Sinead O'Connor, synth pop, The Bangles, The Time
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Album review: NAZARETH – coloured vinyl reissues (July 2019)

BMG [Release date 05.07.19] Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Nazareth are still going, albeit with just founder member and bassist Pete Agnew at helm. Last year BMG issued the amazing Loud And Proud box (33CDs, 3 7” 45s, LP, picture disc … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, blues rock, Classic Albums, classic rock, coloured vinyl, Dan McCafferty, LP, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, re-issue, review, rock, Zal Cleminson
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Single review: TIGER & THE LIGHT SIDE – Somewhere Else

Website [Release date 24.06.19] A sparse ethereal atmosphere pervades the opening of ‘Somewhere Else’, a new single from barely a year old outfit, Tiger and The Light Side. Hailing from France, Tiger Finkel has assembled a distinctly international band coming … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged Elbow, folk, indie, lo-fi, pop, review, singer songwriter, single, Somewhere Else, Tiger & the Light Side
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Gig review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Regent Theatre, Stoke, 7 June 2019

When it comes to cult theatre, the grand daddy of them all refuses to go away. Fully some 46 years after it made its debut at a small upstairs space at the Royal Court Theatre in London, Richard O’Brien’s homage … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Blue, Duncan James, Frank N Furter, glam rock, Meat Loaf, musical, Regent Theatre, review, Richard O'Brien, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rocky Horror Show, Stoke-on-Trent
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Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Kings Head Theatre, London, 7 June 2019

There ‘s something indefinable about the true spirit of rock and rock. And whatever it is, Vincent Flatts Final Drive front man Steve “Bertie” Burton has it in buckets. It’s not just the spontaneous humour, the belligerent phrasing, the way … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Birmingham, blues, boogie, Captain Beefheart, Edgar Broughton, Frank Zappa, funk, Gary Harper, gig, Joe Louis Walker, Michael Katon, Noddy Holder, review, Rich Shelton, rock, Russ Cook, southern rock, Steve "Bertie" Burton, Texas, Vincent Flatts Final Drive, vocals
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Album review: THIS WINTER MACHINE – A Tower of Clocks

F2 Music [Release date 24.06.19] Second album by the Yorkshire based progressive rockers This Winter Machine, who are relative newcomers having formed in 2016. They consist of Al Winter (vocals), Mark Numan (keyboards, vocals), Graham Garbett (guitars, vocals), Scott Owens … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged A Tower of Clocks, album, Fish, Marillion, melodic, neo prog, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, This Winter Machine
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Album review: JACK BRUCE – Live At Rockpalast 1980, 1983 and 1990 (CD/DVD)

MIG Music [Release date 26.04.19] 2 DVD/5 CD This multi-disc box set is a fine summary of Jack Bruce playing live from 1980 through to 1990. Culled from the legendary German TV show “Rockpalast” this 5-CD set also contains 2 … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS
Tagged 1983 and 1990, album, Billy Cobham, blues rock, box set, CD, Clem Clempson, Cream, David Sancious, DVD, German, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, Live At Rockpalast 1980, review, TV
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Album review: THE DIVINE COMEDY – Office Politics

DC Records [Release date 07.06.19] Never one to do things by halves, Neil Hannon and the Divine Comedy return with a double album, three years after their last album ‘Foreverland’. As the album’s title suggests it has a loose theme … Continue reading







