Tag Archives: songwriter

Interview: JIM LEA

Posted on May 22, 2018 by jason

Jim Lea, the former Slade bass-player and one half of the mega-hit Holder-Lea song-writing duo, has a brand new six-track EP out: Lost In Space. I caught up with Jim to discuss the inspiration behind the title track and the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged bassist, Classic Albums, classic rock, Cuz I Luv You, Dave Swarbrick, EP, interview, Jim Lea, Lost In Space, Noddy Holder, rock, Slade, songwriter | 1 Comment

Album review: LAURA MEADE – Remedium

Posted on May 12, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Doone Records [Release date 18.05.18] Anyone heard of New York-based progressive rock band Izz? No, me neither, but they’re another in a long line of bands inspired by the pioneers such as Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, ELP, and Renaissance. Laura … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, Izz, Laura Meade, prog, progressive, Remedium, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SHARKS, GIG, SANDERS & SAVAGE

Posted on May 7, 2018 by jason

SHARKS Ready Steady Go 3MS Music [Release date 29.06.18] Sharks can trace their origins back to 1972 when they were formed by former Free bass player Andy Fraser, guitarist Chris Spedding and vocalist Steve ‘Snips’ Parsons, both of who are in this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Awake, blues, Brave New World, Bruce Gaitsch, Chris Spedding, Dave Innis, folk, gig, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, melodic, pop, Randy Goodrum, Ready Set Go, review, rock, Sharks, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: NINEBARROW – The Waters & The Wild

Posted on April 14, 2018 by jason

[Release date 20.04.18] Ninebarrow hail from Dorset (the duo’s name comes from Nine Barrow Down in the Purbeck hills) comprised of Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere. On this, their third album, they use an outside producer for the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Ninebarrow, review, singer, songwriter, The Waters & The Wild, traditional | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE THOMPSON – The Georgian Theatre, Stockton, 25 March 2018

Posted on April 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

STEVE THOMPSON - Georgian Theatre, Stockton, 26 March 2018

Inspired by the passing of two close friends and wonderfully talented musicians, Tyneside-born songwriter Steve Thompson reflects and celebrates a career that truly illustrates the ups and downs that have been the songwriters lot to him. Only three shows old, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 March 2018, Bullet, Georgian Theatre, gig, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Steve Thompson, Stockton, Terry Slesser | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MICHAEL MCDERMOTT, COLD TONE HARVEST, LUCKY BONES

Posted on April 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

MICHAEL McDERMOTT Out From Under Pauper Sky Records [Release date 18.05.18] On the cover of his last album (Willow Springs (2016)) Illinois-based singer songwriter Michael McDermott looked like a shaven headed ex-con. Two years on, he looks like Jimmy Carr’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged After You, album, Americana, Annie Keating, Cold Tone Harvest, country, Ghost Of The Untraveled Road, Lucky Bones, Matchstick Men, Michael McDermott, Out From Under, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BIRDS OF CHICAGO, IAN SHERWOOD

Posted on March 15, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

BIRDS OF CHICAGO Love In Wartime JT Nero (JT & The Clouds frontman Jeremy Lindsay) and Allison Russell (Po’ Girl) first combined their talents on the 2011 JT Nero-branded Mountains/Forests album – an album of Americana that lacked a commercial … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Allison Russell, Americana, Birds Of Chicago, Bring The Light, folk, Ian Sherwood, Jeremy Lindsay, JT & The Clouds, Love In Wartime, Po' Girl, review, roots, singer, soft rock, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SHINE NOIR, GEORGE ST.CLAIR

Posted on March 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

SHINE NOIR – s/t Alternative rock, from Germany, anyone? Formed when Anne wanted to record a few of her singer-songwriter songs, the guys who owned the studio – Olli (guitars) and No (drums) decided to add their own metal and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, alternative, Ballads Of Captivity and Freedom, country, George St.Clair, review, rock, Shine Noir, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JEB BARRY AND THE PAWN SHOP SAINTS – texas, etc…

Posted on March 1, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Dolly Rocker Recordings [Release date 27.04.18] Upbeat isn’t a word you ‘d associate with this gritty, lo-fi debut release from Jeb Berry And The Pawn Shop Saints – a sparse acoustic-based set focusing on the darker side of life from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, etc..., Jeb Barry And The Pawn Shop Saints, review, roots, singer, songwriter, Texas | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVEY LANE – I’m Gonna Burn Out Bright

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Capgun [Release date 16.03.18] Introspective opener ‘Hell (A Prelude)’ hardly prepares the listener for what’s to come on Davey Lane’s second solo album. Before you know it, the belting synth epic ‘Taurus All Apart’ swirls into your head – sonically … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Davey Lane, I'm Gonna Burn Out Bright, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: KORBY LENKER – Thousand Springs

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Korby Lenker, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Thousand Springs | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Posted on February 1, 2018 by petefeenstra

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Allan Kelly, Americana, blues, British Blues Awards, country, Electric, George Harrison, Glen Buck, Greg Camburn, guitar, J.J. Cale, Jerry Garcia, Mark Knopfler, Phil Wilson, Philip Ockelford, review, Richard Townend, roots, singer, songwriter, Sting, The Mighty Bosscats | Leave a comment

Album review: RJ THOMPSON – Echo Chamber

Posted on December 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Chicken Wire Records [Release date 17.11.17] Currently on tour opening for Jools Holland, and with the endorsement of broadsheets like The Times and The Guardian ringing in his ears, North-East singer songwriter RJ Thompson’s debut studio album sails about as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Echo Chamber, pop, review, RJ Thompson, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: THEA GILMORE – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 12 December 2017

Posted on December 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

No, the GRTR! Christmas Party was not being held in a phone booth this year, but my fellow scribe Pete Whalley and I instead felt the glow of Thea Gilmore’s traditional gathering at a favourite venue in Chester. In a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 November 2017, acoustic, Chester, Christmas, festive, gig, Nigel Stonier, party, review, singer, songwriter, Telford's Warehouse, Thea Gilmore, Xmas | Leave a comment

Album review: BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE – Medicine Songs

Posted on December 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

True North Records [Release date 07.11.17] A new album from the now 76 year old Buffy, and guess what? Yes, lurking there amidst a collection of old, new, and borrowed, (and Blue) material are career defining numbers like ‘Soldier Blue’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Buffy Sainte-Marie, folk, Medicine Songs, protest, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JIM BYRNES, INTASTELLA, THE JAMIE PORTER BAND, BILL FEEHELY

Posted on October 18, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

JIM BYRNES Long Hot Summer Days Black Hen Music [Release date 27.10.17] Sixty nine year old, multiple Canadian Juno and Maple Blues Awards winner, Jim Byrnes turns the clock back to his St Louis high school days for inspiration on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Bill Feehely, blues, dub, Intastella, Jah Wobble, Jamie Porter Band, Jim Byrnes, Long Hot Summer Days, Money & Love, reggae, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Sonic Smile, The Rise And Fall Of A Northern Dubstar | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PILGRIMS’ WAY, RICHARD THOMPSON

Posted on October 17, 2017 by jason

PILGRIMS’ WAY Stand & Deliver [Release date 20.10.1] Pilgrims’ Way are a four piece folk band, although they take folk as their starting point and add in pop, West End showmanship and more into their musical pot. This album as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Acoustic Rarities, Adam Ant, album, Fairport Convention, folk, Pilgrims' Way, review, Richard Thompson, songwriter, Stand & Deliver | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES WARREN – Innocent Bystander

Posted on September 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to James Warren in June 2017 about his career. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 25 June 2017. Angel Air Records [Release date 13.10.17] It’s a good time at the moment for eighties-based music. With … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 80s, album, Innocent Bystander, interview, James Warren, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Stackridge, The Kogis | Leave a comment

News: MOLLIE MARRIOTT – radio interview, new album and tour dates (November 2017)

Posted on September 26, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In this exclusive edit, Mollie Marriott chats to David Randall about the music business, the lead-in to her new album, and the current touring musical ‘All Or Nothing’ for which she provided vocal coaching. (10:27) The full version of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, gigs, interview, Joe Brown, Mollie Marriott, November 2017, Paul Weller, pop, radio, rock, singer, songwriter, Steve Marriott, Tour, Truth Is A Wolf | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – Sky Trails

Posted on September 26, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 29.09.17] Who would have thought that after a 20 year gap, septuagenarian David Crosby would return to cut three of his best albums in the last few years? For all its Californian whimsy and introspection, ‘Sky Trails’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Becca Stevens, Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby, folk, funk, Greg Leisz, James Raymond, jazz, Jeff Pevar, Joni Mitchell, Mai Agan, Michael McDonald, review, rock, Sky Trails, songwriter, Steeely Dan, Steve Tavaglione | Leave a comment

Album review: JUDIE TZUKE – Peace Has Broken Out

Posted on August 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Big Moon Records [Release date 01.09.17] To the casual observer, it may seem a long time since Judie Tzuke’s last studio release – the excellent One Tree Less, some six years ago. But those who’ve followed her more closely will … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged acoustic, album, Judie Tzuke, Peace Has Broken Out, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: CIARA SIDINE – Unbroken Line

Posted on August 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 06.10.17] The follow up to Dublin-based singer songwriter Ciara Sidine’s excellent debut Shadow Road Shining (2011) has been a while coming. Unbroken Line follows the same pattern in featuring a self-written set, with the exception of a haunting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Ciara Sidine, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Unbroken Line | Leave a comment

Album review: JARROD DICKENSON – Ready The Horses

Posted on August 16, 2017 by petefeenstra

Get Ready to ROCK!’s Pete Feenstra chatted with Jarrod Dickenson for his Sunday feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio with tracks from the new album. First broadcast, 1 October 2017 Decca [Release date 29.09.17] Recorded live to tape … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Claire Dickenson, country, interview, Jarrod Dickenson, Paul Simon, Ready The Horses, review, singer, songwriter, soul, Tom Waits | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MARTIN SIMPSON, RIVERDOGS, HIRSH GARDNER

Posted on August 9, 2017 by jason

MARTIN SIMPSON Trails & Tribulations Topic Records [Release date 01.09.17] Trails & Tribulations’ is Martin Simpson’s twentieth album in a career spanning over 40 years. As he says the album “is a collection of songs about nature, about travels and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, AOR, California, Def Leppard, Dio, Escape Music, folk, Frontiers, Hirsh Gardner, Martin Simpson, melodic rock, New England, Quick Play, reviews, Riverdogs, rock, songwriter, Vivian Campbell | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEANOR McEVOY – The Thomas Moore Project

Posted on July 17, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

MOSCODISC [Release date o4.08.17] First the history lesson – Thomas Moore was an 18/19th century Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. Once celebrated, but largely overlooked today, Eleanor McEvoy looks to put that right by taking some of his best … Continue reading →