Tag Archives: roots

Album review: DELLA MAE – Della Mae

Posted on June 4, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Decca [Release date 10.07.15] There are obvious comparisons to be drawn here with the excellent Blame Sally – another multi-talented all female Americana combo, and in the case of Della Mae, featuring Celia Woodsmith on vocals and guitar, Kimber Ludiker … Continue reading →

Album review: TIMOTHY CRAIG – 360 Degrees

Posted on April 16, 2015 by petefeenstra

Ball & Chain Entertainment [Release date 09.02.15] Timothy Craig’s ‘360 Degrees’ is aimed at the country tinged, heartland crossover rock market, populated by Stetson wearing dudes in blue jeans, bling and white t shirts. It’s music with a wide appeal, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 360 Degrees, album, Bruce Spingsteen, country, Donny Roberts, Lauren Saks, Rascal Flatts, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Timothy Craig, Webb Wilder | Leave a comment

Album review: ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK – Be The Media

Posted on March 31, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Those expecting a folk roots album from former Wailin’ Jenny singer songwriter Annabelle Chvostek can think again. After releasing two albums on Canada’s most foremost folk label Chvostek has gone back to her independent roots, picking up a 1957 Kay … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Annabelle Chvostek, Be The Media, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Wailin' Jennies | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TRISTAN MACKAY, THE KENNEDYS, VANESSA PETERS

Posted on March 6, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

TRISTAN MACKAY Wire & Wood The clue, as they say, is in the title – Wire & Wood is a pared back acoustic follow-up to singer songwriter Tiverton, Devon-born Tristan Mackay’s debut release Out Along The Wire (2012). Originally ‘discovered’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Chris Gray, Diamonds In Your Tree, folk, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, THE KENNEDYS, Tristan Mackay, Vanessa Peters, West, Wire & Wood, With The Sentimentals | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AWNA TEIXEIRA, KIMMIE RHODES, PAUL BIBBY, LYNRYD SKYNYRD

Posted on January 17, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

AWNA TEIXEIRA Wild One Like Po’ Girl Awna Teixeira’s solo debut – Where The Darkness Goes (2012) – her follow up Wild One is a sparse, plaintive set. For the most part written in Salt Lake City and reflecting on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Awna Teixeira, Bliss & Lullabies, country, Cowgirl Boudoir, Invocations, John The Baptist And The Second Coming, Kimmie Rhodes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Midwich Assembly, Nashville, Paul Bibby, Po' Girl, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Vinyl, Wild One | Leave a comment

Album review: DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS – Medicine

Posted on December 4, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Magnolia Music [Release date 26.01.15] With a Divinity Masters degree from St Andrews, and a dissertation on ‘Springsteen and American Redemptive Imagination’ under his belt, it’s clear where Southern singer songwriter Drew Holcomb’s heart lies. His 2005 debut Washed In … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Medicine, review, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: ROGER CHAPMAN – Peaceology

Posted on November 3, 2014 by petefeenstra

Hypertension [Release date 24.11.14] ‘Peaceology’ is a successfully re-mastered version of the 2007 Americana influenced album ‘One More Time For Peace’. It comes with a new title, new art work, three new tracks and a completely different running order that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Henry Spinetti, Jim Cregan, Max Middleton, Mike Oldfield, Peaceology, review, Roger Chapman, Rollin Stoned, roots, The Bolland Brothers, vocal, Willie Dixon | Leave a comment

Album review: SARAH DUNN BAND – You Or The Whiskey

Posted on November 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Audacity Records [Release date 19.08.14] When you hear the opening bars of ‘Finish What You Started’ – the opening number on You Or The Whiskey – a mix of Southern blues rock, rootsy fiddle and mandolin, a crisp production and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, pop, Reba McIntyre, review, rock, roots, Sarah Dunn Band, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, You Or The Whiskey | Leave a comment

Album review: LARKIN POE – Kin

Posted on September 26, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

RH Music [Release date 25.08.14] Having lost all sense of direction on their last release – The Sound Of The Ocean Sound with Thom Hell in 2013 – you wondered whether sisters Rebecca and Megan Poe were destined for obscurity. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bluegrass, blues, country, Dixie Chicks, Kin, Larkin Poe, pop, review, roots | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL – 31 July-3 August 2014

Posted on August 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

So I cast my mind back to 1994 and the very first Cambridge Folk Festival that I attended and remember the feeling of walking on-site and just thinking this is going to be very special, that was the 30th and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 1 August, 2 August, 3 August 2014, 31 July, Afro celt Sound System, Americana, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cara Dillon, folk, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Richard Thompson, rock, roots, Rosanne Cash, Seth Lakeman, Sinead O'Connor | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID MIGDEN & THE TWISTED ROOTS – Animal & Man

Posted on August 7, 2014 by petefeenstra

Blues Boulevard [Released 10.10.14] On ‘Hunters Moon’, David Migden sings: “I walk the hills on my own, I’ve hunted down all that is flesh and bone, An arrow and a bow, I have a knife in my hand, I carved a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Animal & Man, blues, Brook Benton, David Migden & The Twisted Roots, Goldie Reed, Graham Mann, jazz, Jim Morrison, Joe Gibson, Lou Rawls, Mike Austin, Mike Thorne, roots, vocal | Leave a comment

Quick plays: POLLY BARRETT, CATHERINE MACLELLAN, JANE KRAMER

Posted on July 28, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

POLLY BARRETT Probably Me [Release date 22.09.14] We had the release of Irish singer songwriter Polly Barrett’s 2011 debut Mr Bookshop down as the folk/pop album Andrea Corr should have made if she wanted to sustain her popular profile. Barrett … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Break & Bloom, Catherine MacLellan, folk, Jane Kramer, Polly Barrett, Probably Me, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Raven's Sun | Leave a comment

Album review: ABINAYA – Beaute Paienne

Posted on May 27, 2014 by david.wilson

Symbol Music [Release date – out now] Abinaya means ‘passing on’ in Sanskrit apparently, which is a cheery thought to start a review with. Hailing from Paris these heavyweights appear to have a love for Brazilian thrashers Sepultura and are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Abinaya, album, Andreas Kisser, Beaute Painne, French, Max Cavalera, metal, Paris, review, rock, roots, Sepultura | Leave a comment

Album review: HANNAH ALDRIDGE – Razor Wire

Posted on April 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Trodden Black Ent. [Release date 13.05.14] ‘Dark Americana’ is how Hannah Aldridge – daughter of esteemed Muscle Shoals/ Nashville songwriter and producer Walt Aldridge – describes her gritty, uncompromising debut. Recorded in analogue (naturally) in Nashville (where else?) she’s backed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, country, Hannah Aldridge, Nashville, Razor Edge, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ULTAN CONLON – Songs Of Love So Cruel

Posted on April 23, 2014 by petefeenstra

Darksideout [Release date 09.06.14] The fact that the ‘Songs Of Love So Cruel’ dominates the CD sleeve tells you all you need to know about Ultan Conlon’s mindset, on an album full of enduring relationship and love songs. He treads … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bob Dylan, country, Eoin McCann, folk, Neil Young, Nick Drake, review, roots, Sabrina Dinan, singer songwriter, Songs Of Love So Cruel, Ultan Conlon | Leave a comment

Album review: HAT FITZ & CARA ROBINSON – Do Tell

Posted on April 10, 2014 by petefeenstra

Manhaton [Release date 12.05.14] Formerly just Hat Fitz and Cara, Irish singer Cara Robinson now gets a full name check alongside her Australian partner Hat Fitz on ‘Do Tell’, an album of well crafted songs brought to life by a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, Cara Robinson, Do Tell, folk, Hat Fitz, Howlin Wolf, Jason Bunn, Jeff Lang, Magie Bell, review, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: HER NAME IS CALLA – Navigator

Posted on April 6, 2014 by petefeenstra

Function [Release date 05.05.14] ‘Navigator’ by Her Name Is Calla, is a cerebral and emotional work of substance. You may need patience and understanding to get inside Tom Morris’ songs and his vocal enunciations with electronic edges, but you will … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adam Weikert, Anathema, Arcade Fire, electronica, folk, Her name Is Calla, John Helps, John Martyn, Navigator, Nicole Green, Radiohead, review, roots, Sophie Green, Tom Morris | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SONS OF THE SEA, JOSH TAERK, INGER LORRE, ADRIAN NATION, BIRDS OF CHICAGO

Posted on February 26, 2014 by jason

SONS OF THE SEA S/t Avow! Records [Released 03.03.14] www.menbran.net Sons of the Sea is a collaboration between producer Brendan O’Brien (Incubus/Pearl Jam/RATM/Springsteen) and Brandon Boyd of Incubus (not a band I have heard anything by although my daughter informs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Adrian Nation, Birds Of Chicago, folk, Hate In My Heart, Inger Lorre & The Chiefs of Infinity, Josh, Josh Taerk, Live At The Crossroads, Live From Space, Nigel Clothier, rock, roots, Sharp Practise, singer, Snowflake, songwriter, Sons Of the Seas, Steal With Pride | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMELIA WHITE, EDDI READER, THE O’s, THE SWEET LOWDOWN

Posted on January 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

AMELIA WHITE Old Postard [Release date 10.03.14] East Nashville-based singer and songwriter Amelia White wasn’t encouraged by her parents to pursue her musical dream. But their disapproval lit a fire as she listened to Neil Young, Beatles, Stones, and Muddy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Amelia White, Americana, Eddi Reader, folk, May, Old Postcard, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The O's, The Sweet Lowdown, Thunderdog, Vagabond | Leave a comment

Album Review: THE HOLMES BROTHERS – Brotherhood

Posted on December 13, 2013 by petefeenstra

Alligator Records – [Release Date: 15.10.13] The Holmes Brothers raised the bar of expectations with the outright success of their last album ‘Feed My Soul’. And ‘Brotherhood’ answers all the germane questions of what to do next, as it reigns … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, Brotherhood, Catherine Russell, Felicia Holmes, funk, Geraint Watkins, Glenn Patscha, gospel, Ike Turner, John Ellis, Popsy Dixon, review, rock, roots, Sherman Holmes, Ted Hawkins, The Holmes Brothers, vocals, Wendell Holmes | Leave a comment

Album review: SUSAN CATTANEO – Haunted Heart

Posted on December 3, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Jersey Girl Music [Release date 20.01.14] We’ve been impressed at GRTR! by Cattaneo’s previous releases, and her fourth album Haunted Heart continues the good work. The warm honeyed vocals of previous releases are still there, as is range of styles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, country, folk, Haunted Heart, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Susan Cattaneo | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL GUZZONE – Chasing The Moon

Posted on November 19, 2013 by petefeenstra

Triple Z Music [Release date 2013] New York based Paul Guzzone describes himself as ‘an electronic troubadour’. He’s big on sonic textures, wry narratives, catchy hooks and songs that draw you in. ‘Chasing The Moon’ is an unlikely but successful … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chasing The Moon, Dr. Hook, electronics, MOR, Orange Juice, Paul Guzzone, review, roots, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BLACK RAINBOWS, NEVER TRUST, TIM GRIMM, JADED HEART

Posted on October 20, 2013 by jason

BLACK RAINBOWS – Holy Moon (EP) Heavy Psych Sounds Something in the Italian water as they not only produce a series of fine melodic rock/AOR bands but now have some rather good stoner/psych rock bands including this band Black Rainbows. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Americana, AOR, BLACK RAINBOWS, EP, Fastball Music, High Bar Gang, Holy Moon, Italian, Italy, Jaded Heart, Lost And Undone, MASTERPLAN, melodic metal, metal, Morning Light, Never Trust, roots, Tim Grimm, Turning Point | Comments Off

Album review: ASHLEIGH FLYNN – A Million Stars

Posted on September 25, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Sheryl Crow’s got a new album out soon, but judging by the lead single it’s going to be slushy, sentimental pap. Shame, as she used to be one of the leading singer songwriters who could comfortably straddle the country/rock divide. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Million Stars, album, Americana, Ashleigh Flynn, country, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Decemberists | 2 Comments

Quick plays: KAYLEIGH LEITH, KIMMIE RHODES, BAND OF SISTERS, THE BEAUBOWBELLES

Posted on September 14, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

KAYLEIGH LEITH This Woman Looking for a Nashville ‘new country’ sound on her second album, young American singer songwriter Kayleigh Leith turned to one of Nashville’s top songwriters Rob Crosby (Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride). Her debut album Miles Away (2011) … Continue reading →