Tag Archives: review

Album review: CHRIS HILLMAN – The Asylum Years

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
CHRIS HILLMAN - The Asylum Years

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 09.02.18] This new CD brings together Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums, from 1976 and 1977 respectively.  Hillman had a fine pedigree as a member of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Manassas. Immediately prior … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARILLION – Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
MARILLION - Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

earMUSIC [Release date 19.01.18] Curious ‘mainstream’ releases for these two double CD sets, that fans will know were originally released on the band’s own Racket Records label (in fact, Size Matters is still currently available, albeit with a different sleeve), … Continue reading →

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DVD review: YES – The New Director’s Cut

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
YES - The New Director

The Store For Music [Release date 16.02.18] Talk about milking it. It may have been a major event when Wakeman reunited with Anderson, Squire, Howe and White in time for the band’s 35th anniversary tour in 2004, but there continues … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
THE DEAD SOUTH - Illusion & Doubt

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18] Outlaws, modern hillbillies?  The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind.  And regrettably, not Elly May. No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown … Continue reading →

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Album review: MISSISSIPPI STOMP – Shine

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
MISSISSIPPI STOMP - Shine

[Release date 22.04.17] Mississippi Stomp are an Americana outfit from, yes, you guessed it  [northeast] Mississppi.  Tupelo, to be precise  the home of the King.  Shine is their sophomore release. Together since the early nineties, with the focal point husband … Continue reading →

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Album review: FRACTAL MIRROR – Close To Vapour

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
FRACTAL MIRROR - Close To Vapour

Bad Elephant Music [Release date 26.01.18] My heart sinks when I see a shallow Press Release signposting a band as being of the ‘Progressive/Art Rock’ genre, and then sinks several degrees further when I see the only other information (apart … Continue reading →

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Album review: KORBY LENKER – Thousand Springs

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KORBY LENKER - Thousand Springs

[Release date 16.03.18] Nashville singer songwriter Korby Lenker chose to record his seventh album, not in the studio, but in places that resonated with him  his guitar and vocals being captured in places as diverse as the edge of the … Continue reading →

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Album review: PRETTY BOY FLOYD -Public Enemies

Posted on February 8, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 01.1.17] For a band that have been together, on and off since 1987, Pretty Boy Floyd are one of the few bands from that era that pretty much sound exactly the same as they did 30 years … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE POODLES – Prisma

Posted on February 6, 2018 by jason

Gain Music/Sony [Release date 26.01.18] The Poodles add to the growing list of rock acts who have released a covers album in the past few years. On ‘Prisma’ they tackle a variety of genres and eras, including a few surprise pop choices. Jakob … Continue reading →

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Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
AL DI MEOLA - Opus

earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18] Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever.  After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons. His … Continue reading →

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Album review: GONG EXPRESSO – Decadence

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
GONG EXPRESSO - Decadence

Gong Expresso [Release date 20.02.18] Once upon a time there was a band called Gong.  They were hippy, trippy and certainly dippy.  In their ranks was percussionist Pierre Moerlen who evidently saw an eye to the main chance.  Pierre established … Continue reading →

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Album review: OSMOSIS (reissue)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
OSMOSIS

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] If the ‘assimilation of ideas’ inherent in the meaning of the term osmosis is also a process of ‘almost unconscious gradualism’, it is not reflected in the 1970 debut (and only) release by this US Bostonian … Continue reading →

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Album review: STRAY – Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
STRAY - Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] Regulars on the 70s’ gigging circuit in the UK, Stray harnessed consistently strong and varied repertoire with colourful performances supporting the likes of Black Sabbath and Ten Years After. But they were also signed to indie … Continue reading →

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Album review: W.A.S.P. – Re-idolized

Posted on February 3, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 02.02.18] Moving away from the trashy, good-time, OTT lyrics of earlier albums, The Crimson Idol (released in 1993) saw Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. move into the territory of the concept  album. The Crimson Idol tells the … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Posted on February 1, 2018 by petefeenstra
THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Self Release [Release date 01.12.18] ‘God Bless America’ is an album full of colourful narratives – both real and imagined – deep grooves, intricate guitar work and an array of sparkling tones. It invites us to immerse ourselves in a … Continue reading →

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Album review: IGNORE THE SIGN – A Line To Cross

Posted on February 1, 2018 by jason
IGNORE THE SIGN - A Line To Cross

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 23.02.18] Ignore The Sign are a new band formed around the trio of vocalist/keys/guitarist Ossy Pfeiffer, guitarist/vocalist Anca Graterol (Rosy Vista) and guitarist Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart). The are joined by bass player Lars Lehmann (Uli Jon Roth),  percussionist … Continue reading →

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Album review: BILLY WALTON BAND – Soul Of A Man

Posted on January 31, 2018 by petefeenstra
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 →

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Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

Posted on January 30, 2018 by petefeenstra
ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

33 Records [Release date 02.03.18] ‘The Blues And I Should Have A Party’ is as much a thematic statement of the band’s musical intent – let alone history – as it is a specific title track about a troubled relationship. … Continue reading →

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EP review: BAD MOTHER EARTH

Posted on January 30, 2018 by jason

Self-released [Release date 26.01.18] Bad Mother Earth are a new four piece consisting of vocalist Jacky Rogue, guitarist Joe Kash, drummer Greg Kats and bass palyer Mitch Prax. ‘Not Comin’ Home’ has been released as lead single/video and fair pelts … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Insurrection

Posted on January 30, 2018 by jason

Facebook page [Release date 26.01.18] I reviewed Spreading The Disease’s EP a couple of years ago and that featured the awesome song ‘Bulldozer’ – a song that did what it said on the tin, namely rolling over the listener with some … Continue reading →

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Gig review: JOANOVARC, HELL’S GAZELLES, KILLIT, BLACK WHISKEY – Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KILLIT - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, 26-29 January 2018

A spotlight on some of the upcoming bands that graced the Giants of Rock stages in 2018… Dubbed the ‘new queens of rock’ JoanovArc immediately impressed with an energetic and high-quality performance. Big drums, powerful bass, nice heavy guitar and … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL, Skegness, 19-22 January 2018

Posted on January 26, 2018 by jason
Nazareth - Giants of Rock 2018

I’ve enjoyed various Butlins music weekends over the years but 2018 will be the first where I’ve done two such weekends on the trot. My Butlins blow-out started off with the Rock & Blues weekend in Skegness – with just … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: LUKE JACKSON, TOM TOWNSEND

Posted on January 25, 2018 by jason

LUKE JACKSON Solo, Duo, Trio First Take Records [Release date 09.02.18] Luke Jackson has been steadily building a name for himself since his debut album ‘More Than The Boys’ was released in 2013. Indeed, he has been nominated for the BBC … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KING KING – Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Posted on January 24, 2018 by GRTR! HQ
KING KING - Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Bath has never been a hot bed for rock/blues gigs but tonight the temperature rose to fever pitch when King King arrived in town and  shook the Georgian buildings to their very foundations. After the issues that Alan Nimmo has … Continue reading →

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Album review: LONG DISTANCE CALLING – Boundless

Posted on January 23, 2018 by jason
LONG DISTANCE CALLING - Boundless

Inside Out [Release date 02.02.18] Germany’s Long Distance Calling – guitarists David Jordan and Florian Füntmann, bassist Jan Hoffman and drummer Janosch Rathmer – have been around since 2006 and although their last album featured guest vocalists, on this album … Continue reading →

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