Best of 2012

 My best of 2012 music wise plus here you can the GRTR! reviwers selections.

1. Saga – 20/20 (Ear Music/Edel) Michael Sadler returns as the band release one of their finest albums to date.
2. Flying Colors – S/T (Ear Music/Edel) Features Neal Morse, Steve Morse & Mike Portnoy and a set of tunes that have some of the biggest choruses this side of Journey.
3. Bellowhead – Broadside (Navigator Records) Not as instant as previous albums but a real grower making it their best to date, which is no mean feat. Folk, jazz, pop, rock for the masses J
4. It Bites – (Inside Out) A loose concept album as the band really stretch their musical wings.
5. Shinedown – Amaryllis (Atlantic) Modern rockers who have an ear for melody and a love of big riffs. I’d be amazed if this album didn’t make most yearend lists.
6. Michael Thompson Band ‘Future Past’ (Frontiers) Top notch AOR/melodic rock and choruses to die for.
7. Jamie Hartman (Indie) Singer/songwriter who lives up to the hype. Strong lyrics and melodies throughout.
8. Asia – XXX (Frontiers) Their best album since they returned, full of pomptastic delights.
9. Big Big Train – English Electric Volume One (Indie) Lovingly crafted prog rock with a quirky pop edge recalling XTC. Good news as this is only volume one!
10. Orden Ogan – To The End (AFM Records) Worth the wait as the band really hit their stride. Classy power/prog metal.
11. Headspace – I Am Anonymous (Inside Out) Supergroup can mean poor albums but not in this case as Damian Wilson and Adam Wakeman steal the show.
12. House Of Shakira – HoS (Lion Music) First with new vocalist Andreas Novak and they have found their knack again of penning melodic rock gems.
13. Freedom Call – Land Of The Crimson Dawn (SPV) One of the best power metal bands out there and they keep on producing magnificent albums.
14. Magnum – On The 13^th Day (SPV) Their best album since they reformed and a real treat for fans new and old alike.
15. Devin Townsend Project – Epicloud (Inside Out) One of his most commercial sounding albums and some OTT harmonies and guitars – glorious stuff!
16. Jimi Jamison – Never Too Late (Frontiers) Survivor vocalist shows how it is done with a faultless album chick full of melodic rock treats.
17. Rhys Williams (Indie) Enjoyable mix of pop rock and acoustic based songs.
18. Kamelot – Silverthorn (SPV) New vocalist and their mist commercial/accessible album to date. The true kings of symphonic metal.
19. Threshold (Nuclear Blast) Their first new album since Damian Wilson re-joined and another musical masterpiece. A few interesting new musical twists as well add to the overall enjoyment.
20. Docker’s Guild – (Lion Music) Masses of keys, guest vocalists including John Payne & Goran Edman, prog rock – what’s not to like?
21. Ajen Lucassen – (Inside Out) Not as immediate as Ayreon but some stunning music to discover and enjoy.
22. The Dunwells – Blind Sighted Faith (Indie) A heady mix of indie rock/pop with some folk and excellent live too.
23. Neal Morse – Momentum (Radiant Records/Inside Out) Another prog pop/rock masterpiece how does he keep on producing music of such a high standard?
24. Soeilel Moon – S/T (Frontiers) Top notch AOR/melodic rock from the vocalist and band who back Michael Thompson.
25. Jeff Scott Soto – (Frontiers) Back with a more straight ahead melodic hard rock album.

 

Re-issues:

1. Styx – The Grand Illusion + Pieces Of Eight – Live (Eagle Rock) Two classic 70’s albums played in their entirety by the current line-up.
2. Freddie Mercury & Monserat Cabale – Barcelona (Island) Now with a full orchestral score and sounding magnificent.
3. ELO – Mr Blue Sky: Very Best Of (Frontiers) Re-recorded classics by main man Jeff Lynne and they sound superb!
4. RAINBOW – Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll (Polydor/Universal) The second disc of rough mixes, rehearsal and live songs is well worth having.

New reviews…Patsy Matheson, Royal Hunt & more…

Some recent reviews…

More over at the new GRTR! reviews and interviews blog http://reviews.getreadytorock.com/

PATSY MATHESON ‘Stories Of Angels & Guitars’ (2012)

Former Waking the Witch member Patsy Matheson returns with her new album, her first in nearly four years. Mind you not that she hasn’t been busy touring relentlessly including some very well received gigs with folk legend Clive Gregson. Patsy plays most instruments on here (including the xylophone!) with Jon Short on double bass and former Housemartin Hugh Whitaker on drums.

This is an album for concentration and enjoyment – with a wine/beer (or tea in my case) in hand along with the lyrics sheet. The vocals are simply stunning, from ‘Under Your Wing’ with a heavenly high vocal part midway through to ‘So The Same’, where Patsy joins her herself on harmonies, something her former band Waking the Witch excelled at. Lovely mandolin solo on ‘Water Is Over The Weir’ and again another song you can lose yourself in. The moving ‘Sylvia Jean’ closes the album, a tale of two young lovers whose romance is cut short after the young man dies in a flying accident.

What makes this album special? The smoothly melodious voice draws you into a song; add a little acoustic guitar and what more can you want? We all have our musicians and singers we like to rave about and I would urge lovers of singer/songwriter and folk music to buy this album.

****1/2

ROYAL HUNT ‘Show Me How To Live’ Frontiers (2011)

Royal Hunt are back after their last album ‘X’ seemed to disappear without trace but now they are back on Frontiers for their new album. Since the last album gone too are vocalist Mark Boals and guitarist Marcus Jiddell, with vocalist DC Cooper returning (he was the band’s vocalist in the mid-90’s) and new guitarist Jonas Larsen.

Now for the majority of Riyal Hunt fans the return of DC Cooper is like Ozzy back in Black Sabbath or Slash returning to Guns ‘N’ Roses. I however, must be one of the few who really enjoyed the John West fronted albums! This album is a back to basics one after the disappointment of ‘X’. It is not a concept album and Andre Andesen’s keyboards set to ‘stun’ along with DC Cooper on fine vocal form. ‘An Empty Shell’ contains wondrous keyboard runs coupled with just the right amount of guitar. A gentle harpsichord intro (not often you read that in a rock review) gives way to catchy ‘Hard rain’s Coming, a song chosen as the lead song of this album. The band’s use of layered choir backing vocals is used to good effect on this song. ‘Another Man Down’ brings in the band’s skill at creating a story set to music and again those keyboards are swirling all over the place creating a keyboard’s heaven. Again the band shows they haven’t lost the skill of penning catchy melodic metal. Those seeking some OTT guitar solos may feel short changed on the album but then this band has never dues them as a foundation of their sound.

A returning key member doesn’t always mean a return to form, (just ask Megadeth) but in Royal Hunt’s case they are back on form. Now for some live dates and a juicy big concept album next time…

****1/2

THIS IS FREEDOM ‘Welcome Home’ (EP 2012)

Debut EP that has been a work in progress since 2010. Now I am not ‘up’ on the band’s name-checked in the press release like You Me At Six and Francesqa, but This Is Freedom sound like the rockier end of Hard-Fi. Highlights are spiky rocker ‘Bitter’ complete with a nice synth intro and the slower ‘Hurricane’, adding some variety to the EP. Expect to see them in Kerrang! and becoming one of next year’s next big things…

****
Jason Ritchie

SAVATAGE ‘Handful Of Rain’ Ear Music/Edel (2011)

The Savatge re-issue campaign continues apace with the band’s 1994 release, their first after the death of Criss Oliva. Although the band are credited it is Jon Oliva playing all the instruments with Alex Skolnick on guitars (his only Savatage album).

Listening to this album you can see where the TSO came from, especially as Paul O’Neill helps on production. The title track is one of the band’s best for me, along with the epic refrain of ‘Chance’. This song has it all, the massive backing, OTT guitar solos and counterpoint vocals (one of the first Savatage songs to use these) so beloved of bands like Queen. For some straight ahead metal you have ‘Symmetry’ and ‘Taunting Cobras’ (great song title). The album closes with a tribute to Criss Oliva ‘Alone You Brethe’, again the band pulled out all the stops on the music and vocals.

The two bonus songs are acoustic versions of ‘Summer’s Rain’ and ‘Believe’ by Jon Olivia recorded this year. Both are full production numbers with keys/drums/acoustic guitar and in the case of ‘Summer’s Rain’ it sounds like a whole new song as it is played at a slower pace than the original.

One of my personal favourate Savatage albums as the band melded their prog metal leanings with big production values.

****1/2

CRAIG FINN ‘Honolulu Blues’ (CDS 2011)

Craig Finn is of course the singer in the Hold Steady and this is his debut solo single ahead of his album ‘Clear Heart Full Eyes’. Obviously being the vocalist of a band it is hard to escape the sound of your band and in this case it happens partly. Mind you, when your band are the Hold Steady that’s not really a problem. The song has less urgency and guitar than the Hold Steady but the storytelling lyric is still there, along with a vocal that sounds like singing and talking at the same time – if that makes sense! Based on this Craig Finn will have another hit on his hand.

****

INTENSE ‘The Shape Of Rage’ Pure Legend Records (2011)

Intense are back and also on a new label, German based Pure Legend Records. We’ve been waiting four years for this new one but it has been worth the wait. If you wanted to sum up the band’s sound it is intense (excuse the pun), classic metal with a vocalist, Sean Hetherington who can match the powerful music around him. Too often metal vocalists disappear under the metal bombast of their band colleagues.

If a song like ‘The Elemental’ does not get you air guitaring and riffing then you can’t call yourself a metal fan. This is a tune I am sure Judas Priest would love, both lyrically and musically. One of the band’s best songs to date. ‘Skull Of Sidon II (The Final Stand)’ shows off the band’s prog metal leanings building from a steady intro into neither mighty metal tune. An interesting diversion on ‘For The Fallen’, an almost ballad like song with a moving lyric and acoustic guitar. ‘One Man’s Word’ is one of those atmospheric metal songs so beloved of classic Iron Maiden and Iced Earth.

Three albums into their career and Intense, despite obstacles set in their path, continue to deliver powerful and enjoyable metal. It is about time they enjoyed a lift in success they so richly deserve.

****1/2

Estrella ‘One Love’/'Party’ (CDS 2011) http://www.facebook.com/Estrellarocks

The band comprise of brothers Paul Gunn (vocals), Luke Gunn (guitar) and Nathan Gunn (bass), with Leo McPherson (drums). They have been building up a decent following in their native Scotland and recorded their debut album with producer John Sinclair (Ozzy Osbourne/Uriah Heep).

‘One Love’ is a perfect arena rock anthem with a big, catchy chorus and a nifty keyboard riff. The sound is not overly slick either, like Def Leppard meets Shy. Not so keen on ‘Party’ which as the title suggests sees the band going all 80′s hair metal and Sunset Strip. They don’t quite pull it off plus they come from Aberdeen, hardly a sunny spot!

On the strength of ‘One Love’ this band have enough to leave you wanting more. Roll on the debut album release in March…

****

PAUL GILBERT & FREDDIE NELSON ‘United States’ Mascot Records (2009)

This album seemed to have slipped past me on its release but I am glad I read about it on a forum. It features Mr Big’s Paul Gilbert along with relative unknown singer Freddie Nelson. You may gleam a clue about Freddie Nelson’s vocal hero and style from his first name…

This is an album for Paul Gilbert not only to show his undoubted guitar prowess but he gets to play some tasty riffs. There isn’t really a bad song on here and for Queen fans check out ‘Paris Hilton Look-Alike’ or ‘I’m Free’ (marvel at those high notes and the frantic guitar solo) for some simply stunning Queen approved harmony vocals. But it is not all Queen as ‘Pulsar’ has a real Thin Lizzy flavour in the guitar parts and a Billy Sheenan like bass line. ‘The Answer’ features some beautiful acoustic playing from Paul Gilbert, adding variety to musical pot.

If I could travel back in time this album would make 2009 best of with ease. Not sure why this album didn’t make a bigger splash on its original release but you can remedy this now if you like Mr Big/Paul Gilbert, Queen, classic rock get this CD now!

****1/2

JOSH TAERK ‘Never Look Back’ (2011) http://www.joshtaerk.com

Josh Taerk is a twenty year old Canadian singer/songwriter who releases his debut album on the back of a recommendation on his work from E-Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, plus Terry Brown (Rush) produced the album.

‘Start Again’ is the album’s big rock anthem and naturally was released as single. Think Keith Urban with a bit more clout. ‘Smell The Roses’ is another strong song and features Styx’s Lawrence Gowan on piano. Much of the rest of the album is made up of reflective pieces that bring to mind Hootie & the Blowfish. Easy on the ear and stand up to repeated plays.

I do feel his success will lie in the US and Canada where this style of music does so well, sadly not here in the UK. Josh Taerk has produced an impressive debut album, so get in early and enjoy this album as he will get bigger and more well known as his career progresses.

****

TOMMY EMMANUEL ‘All I Want For Christmas’ Favored Nations Acoustic (2011)

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian acoustic guitarist famous for his picking style of playing, based on one of his main influences Chet Atkins. This is his seasonal offering featuring fellow guitarist John Knowles, who along with the other players recorded this album by Skype and downloads.

This is a wonderful instrumental Christmas treat, up there with the Californian Guitar Trio’s classic Christmas album from 2002. The musical styles incorporate a little jazz, some blues, plenty of classical guitar playing and a lot of good music. Hard to pick highlights but ‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (lovely playing on this one), ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ (nice, gentle jazzy feel to the music) and the only new song on here, ‘One Christmas Night’, stand out.

Christmas music is often naff and thankfully only played for a short time each year but don’t let this little gem slip you by. Buy it for your loved one/parents/grandparents and then sit back and enjoy over the Christmas period.

****1/2

JON AMOR BLUES GROUP (2012) http://www.jonamorbluesgroup.com

The highly talented Jon Amor is back with a new album with a line-up featuring two fellow members of the Hoax (the Doherty brothers), the band he rose to prominence with and drummer Simon Small. Recorded in a fortnight it means the album has a proper live feel to it and the band would have no trouble reproducing the music on here in the live arena.

This is good old fashioned blues rock album with some modern twists. There is much to enjoy on here from the blues rock stomp of ‘Juggernaut’ through to the Muddy Waters influence on ‘The Underdogs’. ‘Repeat offender’ may have a simple refrain but it is one that sticks in your head and won’t let go.

Mention must be made of the drums and percussion, some wonderful fills and crystal clear percussion on the album which really help to give the songs an earthy feel. The guitar solos are kept concise, never extending their welcome into one of those endless blues rock solos that leave all but the hardened blues fan bored.

If like you me you only dip into the blues now and then, make sure you get this album as it will keep you in blues heaven.

****1/2

Karl Demata interview…

Karl Demata has a rather good blues rock album out now called ‘Cross The Mountain and is working on a new Crippled Black Phoenix album…

1. What are you currently up to?

I am currently working on the new Crippled Black Phoenix CD. We should finish recording in early september and release before the end of the year. Also, on September 12th I will release my solo cd called ‘Cross The Moutian’. in between other commitments I am also performing shows and festivals with an Oxford based band called The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm band. It’s great stuff. If you can imagine 1940′s jazz played with a punk and drunken attitude you would not be far off.

2. Could you take us through your new album ‘Cross The Mountain’?

”Cross The Moutian’ was conceived in a very natural and spontaneous way. I have been playing this sort of blues-rock for many years mainly performing in local venues and festivals (in Oxfordshire) for years. I thoroughly enjoy playing and touring with Crippled Black Phoenix but In the last couple of years I started writing original material and I found myself with a good number of tunes clearly showing that rock blues influence, late sixties / early seventies bands like Cream, The Allman Brothers, early Fleetwood Mac etc, – which was the kind of music that made me start playing guitar in the first place. So it felt like a natural development to book a studio and records these tunes.
Taken as a whole the CD shows a good number of different hints and influences but which is the result of the total freedom to explore whatever felt natural to play.

As far as songwriting goes i constantly collect and pile ideas and little parts of songs. Every few months i’ll just got through all of them, bin some ideas and work on developing the chosen few. Once the core ideas are more developed i turn my attention to try to listen with a more detached and objective mind. There’s a point where you have to ask yourself ‘where does this song wants to go’ rather than ‘where do i want it to go’. That is also a good time to work more in-depth on vocal lines and to think about what the lyrics should be about. I was very lucky to work with a friend called Chris Hood who used to be a screenplay and novels writer (and a blues-rock fan too). So we got together few times listening to demos, drinking tea and talking about themes and subjects for the lyrics, and vocal lines. The rest came by just playing together with the band and arranging the final bits in the recording studio with Chris (heilmann, bass player) and Merijn (Royaards, on drums).

3. How different was it writing and recording a solo album as opposed to being in a band environment?

Playing in a band as the ‘guitar player’ carries less responsability and in a way you work is much easier. I have room to bring my ideas and suggestion to all the bands i am in. In Crippled Black Phoenix I arrange all my parts. It’s a great position to be in as it comes natural to me to listen to songs and ideas and bring my own styles and influences along the way. Working on your own material might be a little more tricky as it require to go through a stage of detachment from your own ideas, and of course there’s more pressure. But then the rewards are all there.

4. How did you get Hugh Flint (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) to guest on the album?

I have been knowing Hugh for a long time. I used to see him often in local folk jams. He is pretty much retired from professional playing and now plays mainly percussions in local folk sessions. We talked few times about jazz, country and blues. His knowledge of music is extremely vast and I always though it would be such an amazing honour to play with him as he was as his drumming was pretty much outstanding. He played on some of my favorite albums ever, from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton to The Blues Band to The Blues Band. So when we were going through the production process i aksed him to listen to some of the tunes and he really enjoyed few of them, mainly the song Crpss The Mountain. so we thought why don’t try to include his contribution. again it came all in a natural way,

5. In this age of downloads and declining CD sales has the internet helped you get your music out there or has it in some ways hindered it by websites offering free downloads?

well, no matter what musicians think about it, we have to live with it. Overall I think the technology developed around the internet is a very good thing for musicians. We all have the opportunity to reach our listeners and even communicate on a more direct way. To some extent the great divide between the artists/bands and the audience is drastically reduced. And to me this is a good thing. On the other side the audience too has to make an effort and understand the work ethics of single artists/bands. If people recognise the sincere and true musicians and artists from the manufactured ones they will be more keen on supporting them, coming to the shows, buy the cds and even meet and shake hand. Plus, at the end of the day, nothing will eliminate the experience of a live show. And that will always be there and untouched by technology.

6. What made you want to start playing guitar and who have been your musical influences?

I think I started playing when I was about 11 years old. Early influences as mentioned already was the blues revival of the late sixties/early seventies, plus my father and brother record collection. Just the usual classic, early Floyd, Stones, some early prog. etc.
Since then i went through loads of different kinds of music and to this day i am finding and discoverying new things. I believe there’s bad and good music in every section of your record store so i enjoy classic rock, blues, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, you mame it

Influences? just too many to mention. From Duane Allman to Johnny Winter, from contemporary jazz players like Bill Frisell to contemporary bluegrass players like Tony Rice. On the more contemporary scene I really like bands like Gov’t Mule, Borth Mississippi Allstars, Derek Trucks, Drive By Truckers. As I said, too many.

7. If you could create a fantasy band line-up who would be in it and why?

I love great skilled players, especially drummers and bassists, who can combine high technical skill with a very vast knowledge of different kinds of music. I believe good musicians should be able to corss boundaries and styles in a totally natural way. So if I think about this I would say my dream line up would involve musicians like Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Victor Wooten, Steve Smith. Again, too many to mention.

8. What have been the live highlights so far and why?

Well this actually is a hard question. I had the pleasure of playing some great festival including in far countries like China – Crippled Black Phoenix played there last June – which was brilliant, or in very cool festivals in Europe. But the difference between a good show and a memorable one has more to do with your state of mind on and off stage, There’s an elusive element of the live performance which has to do with the rational side of your brain totally shutting down. In those moments the performance comes directly from a far deeper level, which is the more creative one. This can happen literally everywhere, on a small stage or on a large festivals in front of thousands of people. And those are the most memorable moments.

9. Is the rock and metal scene still in good shape or do you think there maybe to many bands out there now competing for an audience that isn’t growing that much?

I am not I can properly answer this question. As a musician I never think in this way. And of course music should not be seen as any sort of competition for a sections of market. That’s business talk that should be left to bankers and business execs. I only want to play the music I love with the people i like and respect and hopfully create something interesting and meaningful along the way .

10. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from music?

My wife! I also like to read books, a lot about music of course, but also about politics and society in general. I also enjoy good movies or tv series. When I can I also follow Italian football. Napoli is the team i support. Go guys!

Guilfest this weekend!

Guilfest this weekend and you can see the full line-up here

A more pop orientated line-up this year although still some gems for rock fans in Adam Ant, Echo & the Bunnymen, Draven, Saint Jude, Roger Daltrey, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Pure Reason Revolution, Hugh Cornwell and for aging punks Anti-Nowhere League, UK Subs and more on the new Vive Le Rock! stage.

The Kids Zone always proves a hit with my kids and this year I know a certain young man will be thrilled to see Bob the Builder in his own show, ‘Never Mind The Breezeblocks’.

As a medium sized, family friendly festival it can’t be beaten!

Past reviews…

2010

2009

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Help keep Surrey’s mobile library service

It has 3,900 users but with more promotion and a decent publicity drive it could reach many more people. Given that most users are over 65 and have a mobility issue of some kind it is a cruel cut in my view.

Please sign the petition and spread the word!

http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/mobilelibrary/

 

What does this service currently provide?

* Four mobile libraries visit 148 sheltered housing units every four weeks as well as 181 village and similar isolated communities every week or fortnight.

* A larger mobile library serves sixteen isolated urban areas every week and one location fortnightly.

* There is also a dedicated mobile library that visits 235 residential homes for elderly and disabled people across Surrey every three months to exchange deposit collections.

High Voltage announce more bands…

Some more good additions including Jethro Tull, the Enid and MSG.

Download have added Mr Big, Buckcherry, FM…that’s looking like a good line-up and this year’s Firefest announces its line-up (17 bands, four have appeared before) on Sunday 30th January on ARFM.

Guilfest only has James Blunt announced to date…oh dear

GRTR! Featured artists of 2011

 The ten artists we have chosen are featured on a launch show this Sunday 23rd January on Assume The Position on www.getreadytorockradio.com

The featured artists are:

FEBRUARY: LARRY MILLER

MARCH: EDEN’S CURSE

APRIL: POWER QUEST

MAY: THE LAST REPUBLIC

JUNE: VOODOO VEGAS

JULY: TOXIC FEDERATION

AUGUST: CHANTEL McGREGOR

SEPTEMBER: TOUCHSTONE

OCTOBER: SAINT JUDE

NOVEMBER: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

Plus this Sunday as well your chance to hear an exclusive first play of a new song of the upcoming Power Quest album.

Top 10 folk & singer/songwriter

This top 10 includes folk plus singer/songwriter although I have put pop rock artists in this list as well…

1. BELLOWHEAD ‘Hedonism’ Navigator Records

A band recommended for those who think they won’t like folk but will be converted by this album. Good mix of ballads and sing-a-longs all backed by their wide musical instrumentation including brass, accordion and some stunning sax.

 2. PHIL CAMPBELL ‘Saviour’s Song’

Singer/songwriter who recorded most of this album himself, which surprises the listener given how much is going on musically. ‘Vodka Milk’ and ‘Saviour’s Song’ are two of the songs of the year.

3. CHRIS SINGLETON ‘Lady Gasoline’ Indie

‘Twisted City’ was a great album and this new one pips it. A delightful pop rock journey from start to finish.

4. AL LEWIS

Nicely understated tunes make for a rewarding listen.

5. BAT KINANE ‘A Lifetime To Kill’

Glyder guitarist goes solo with a pleasing mix of blues, folk and rock.

6. ROB THOMPSON ‘Dust’ Angel Air One of the key people in the Storys his solo album contains some wonderful, atmospheric music. Fans of Dave Gilmour will enjoy the guitar solos.

7. SIMON HOPPER with ANDEE PRICE ‘Resolute Love’ www.simonhopper.co.uk

Very strong set of songs and very enjoyable.

8. THE OUTCAST BAND ‘The Longest Mile’ Thirsty Dog/Universal

One for fans of the Levellers and the Waterboys. Plenty of lively music to keep the listener happy.

9. RED BOX ‘Plenty’ Cherry Red

Okay not it is not folk but it is singer/songwriter as Simon Toulson-Clarke presents a set of lush tunes recalling bands like Talk Talk at their best.

10. ED KOWALCZYK ‘Alive’ Era Music/Edsel

Former Live vocalist goes solo and with stunning results. A ‘grower’ as the songs are not always instant on the first couple of plays but soon become firm favourites.

Chris Singleton is the Ten for 10 artist for June

http://www.getreadytorock.com/features/chris_singleton2.htm

His new album ‘Lady Gasoline’ is released at the end of June.

Also now online at Get Ready To Rock!

Gig reviews galore including Kiss, Dan Reed, Joe Bonamassa, Rush film preview and the Melodic Rock.Com festival…

http://www.getreadytorock.com/gigs.htm

10 Q’s with Glyder…

http://www.getreadytorock.com/10questions/glyder2.htm

Pete Feenstra interviews Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish)…

http://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/tarja_turunen.htm

GRTR! Ten for 10

Get Ready to ROCK! has consistently supported new and independent artists since 2003,  reflected – for example – in our ‘Rising Stars‘ section, related podcasts, and the CD of that name released in 2007.

In 2010 we are looking to support 10 new (or established) bands we think deserve wider attention, hence “Ten for 10″.

We’ll support the selected artists with regular news items, features, reviews and exposure via our radio channel.

In January, we shortlisted 25 bands selected by GRTR! reviewers and a GRTR! Panel reduced this total to 10.

The 10 bands reflect the diverse range of musical interests at GRTR! giving a voice to those seeking to gain a new foothold and those new artists who seek to widen their audience.

The final selection was based on a number of criteria including web activity as a result of our promotion, current album/tour activity and fit with GRTR!

Readers and listeners voted for their favourite and one of the ten – GMT – won the popular vote in January and was assured a place in our final selection.

Get Ready to ROCK! Ten for 10 (Final selection) (In alphabetical order) 1.  EDEN’S CURSE Eden’s Curse … should … gain a greater audience for their infectious blend of metal and melody. A great band that – if there is any justice – should get greater. (David Randall) 2.  FM FM seem both contemporary and relevant again (David Randall) 3.  FURY UK For those of a certain age, this Manchester based trio will evoke happy memories of sweaty rock clubs, heavy riffs and serious air guitar. (David Randall) 4.  GMT If you like hard rock, punk, metal and a little blues this is the band for you.  (Jason Ritchie) 5.  HEAVEN’S BASEMENT …full of attitude, power, addictive riffs and catchy hooks that just lock you in, forcing your feet to tap along and your head to bounce … (Sonia Waterfield) 6.  JADED SUN … top notch blues based hard rock – turn it up and enjoy! (Jason Ritchie) 7.  LEAFHOUND Mr French can still blues wail with the best of them (Stuart Hamilton) 8.  PANIC ROOM Perfect progressive pop rock. (Pete Whalley) 9.  POWER QUEST …this new line-up … certainly lives up to the high standards of Power Quest’s musical legacy so far. Roll on the new album and the Quest must go on… (Jason Ritchie) 10.  CHRIS SINGLETON … if you love any of the three B’s Chris names as his main influences, namely ‘the Beatles, Bolin and Bowie’, then do check out Chris and his band’s music. (Jason Ritchie)

GRTR! Ten for 10

http://www.getreadytorock.com/ten_for_10.htm

Get Ready to ROCK! has consistently supported new and independent artists since 2003,  reflected – for example – in our ‘Rising Stars‘ section, related podcasts, and the CD of that name released in 2007.

In 2010 we are looking to support 10 new (or established) bands we think deserve wider attention, hence “Ten for 10″.

We’ll support the selected artists with regular news items, features, reviews and exposure via our radio channel.

We have shortlisted 25 bands selected by GRTR! reviewers and a GRTR! Panel will reduce this total to 10 by February 10 and the final selection will be announced on February 12.

The 25 bands reflect the diverse range of musical interests at GRTR! giving a voice to those seeking to gain a new foothold and those new artists who seek to widen their audience.

Readers and listeners will be able to vote for their favourite and one of the ten will be assured of a place in the final selection based on the public vote.

You can vote at our home page (or below) from Thursday 14 January.  (Closing date: January 31)

Get Ready to ROCK! Ten for 10 Nominations (In alphabetical order with external links to official websites) 1. MARCUS BONFANTI With vocals and a delivery well beyond his tender years, anyone who can’t wait for Seasick’s next release could do a lot worse than investigate What Good Am I to You. (Pete Whalley) 2. CODEJAK 3. DEATH SOUL TRIBE The mood is set by down-tuned guitars, a bass section that carries and brings together all the instruments with effortless precision and Adel Moustafa’s now unmistakably recognizable tribal beats. (John Stefanis) 4.  EDEN’S CURSE Eden’s Curse … should … gain a greater audience for their infectious blend of metal and melody. A great band that – if there is any justice – should get greater. (David Randall) 5.  FM FM seem both contemporary and relevant again (David Randall) 6.  FREEDOM CALL Fans of … Helloween, Gamma Ray and Rhapsody Of Fire will love this…. (Jason Ritchie) 7.  FURY UK For those of a certain age, this Manchester based trio will evoke happy memories of sweaty rock clubs, heavy riffs and serious air guitar. (David Randall) 8.  GMT If you like hard rock, punk, metal and a little blues this is the band for you.  (Jason Ritchie) 9. GOTTHARD No band has delivered more consistently in the field of melodic hard rock over the last decade as Swiss outfit Gotthard. They have enjoyed huge success on the European mainland, and yet in England still remain something of a well kept secret. (Andy Nathan) 10.  HEADRUSH This band are like Motley Crue should sound today, big guitar riffs, a vocalist with a real raw power in Andy Law and of course tunes that refuse to leave your head after one play. (Jason Ritchie) 11.  HEAVEN’S BASEMENT …full of attitude, power, addictive riffs and catchy hooks that just lock you in, forcing your feet to tap along and your head to bounce … (Sonia Waterfield) 12.  AUDREY HORNE 13.  JADED SUN … top notch blues based hard rock – turn it up and enjoy! (Jason Ritchie) 14.  THE JOKERS If you want some good time rock and roll this is the place to go. (Neil Daniels) 15.  LEAFHOUND Mr French can still blues wail with the best of them (Stuart Hamilton) 16.  MILLION$RELOAD 17.  PAIN OF SALVATION … progressive guitar passages and straight-forward melodic refrain … will definitely bring shivers to your body and make you feel proud, for once, to be part of a race that can express itself in such beautiful and intimate ways. (John Stefanis) 18.  PANIC ROOM Perfect progressive pop rock. (Pete Whalley) 19.  POWER QUEST …this new line-up … certainly lives up to the high standards of Power Quest’s musical legacy so far. Roll on the new album and the Quest must go on… (Jason Ritchie) 20.  RHAPSODY OF FIRE It is very easy to mock bands like this and Manowar but that is to do them a disservice as they really believe in their music and they are very competent musicians. Buy with confidence! (Jason Ritchie) 21.  CHRIS SINGLETON … if you love any of the three B’s Chris names as his main influences, namely ‘the Beatles, Bolin and Bowie’, then do check out Chris and his band’s music. (Jason Ritchie) 22.  SKIN Guitarist Myke Gray, bassist Andy Robbins and drummer Dicki Fliszar created an aggressive but lean sound that was as taut and muscular as one of Myke’s personal fitness clients. (Andy Nathan) 23.  SPIT LIKE THIS …a cross between KISS, Meat Loaf and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Nikk Gunns) 24.  JUDIE TZUKE …you have to ask yourself, why is it that nobody else is stepping up to the mark set by this very special artist? In Olympic terms, it’s like holding the world record and after 30 years there’s still no one getting close. (Pete Whalley) 25.  VOODOO JOHNSON … this 5-piece, with their roots firmly in the twin-lead sound of NWOBHM, laced with more than a hint of mid-80′s West Coast sleaze, and all freshened up with more modern subtleties … (Ian Pollard)

Paul Kossoff (FREE/BACKSTREET CRAWLER) remembered…

Interviewed by his daughter Besty, Mike Green on his time working with Paul Kossoff in his Back Street Crawler days…

http://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/paul_kossoff.htm

Some new albums worth a listen…

Blistering Records have released a couple of gems…the new Lion’s Share album ‘Dark Hours’ is one for lovers of bands like Dio and well played power metal. Vocalist Patrick Johansson has an impressive vocal range! Covered Call are a superb melodic rock band also on Blistering Records. A nice mix of genres from pop rock to modern rock  with a couple of very tasty ballads thrown into the mix as well.

Aynsley Lister‘s new album ‘Equilibrium’ highlights not only his top notch blues rock guitar playing but has some real bona fide radio friendly hits. Very impressive release. 

TXS ‘Transmission X’ on Escape Music are a new band although they have been around before as Hush releasing a couple of albums in the 90′s. If you like Stage Dolls, Von Groove etc well worth checking out.

Shadow’s Mignon ‘Midnight Masquerade’ on ProgRock Records is not a prog rock record but actually a damn fine set of metal songs not disimilar at times to the mighty Manowar. Forget HammerFall this band slay them musically with ease!

The Trews return with a new album, ‘No Time For Later’. Again a strong set of tunes from a band who deserve wider recognition over here in the UK.

Frontiers have a few good albums out including the new Great White, which is quite mellow overall and the new Hardline is finallt out in April. This keeps the band’s hard rock base but does have a few ventures into prog here and there to good effect. However, caution is needed for the new Balance album as sadly vocalist Peppi Castro has lost his power and this isn’t a very good album. The new Wetton/Downes Icon ‘III’ is also their weakest to date but if you have the other two albums this will still hit the spot.

Finally, it was due to be released in 1992 but grunge put paid to that, it is the long delayed second album by Alias (formed by ex-Sheriff and Heart members) ‘Never Say Never’ Angel Milk Records. Classic 80′s sounding AOR meets melodic hard rock and certainly worth waiting for.

Help save live music in the UK

Join Feargal Sharkey in fighting the good fight!

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/how-form-696-could-pull-the-plug-on-the-capitals-music-scene-1028240.html

 There’s more below and you can sign the petition here… http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Scrapthe696

THE PETITION TO 10 DOWNING STREET…..

The 696 Form compels licensees who wish to hold live music events in 21 London Boroughs to report to the police the names, addresses, aliases and telephone numbers of performers, and most worryingly, the likely ethnicity of their audience. Failure to comply could result in fines or imprisonment.

The 696 form can only serve to deter the staging of live musical events – a positive form of activity in London and all cities – stifle free expression and quite possible penalise certain genres of music and ethnic audiences. It is an intrusion too far.

Add you mix tapes selections…

http://stokieboy.wordpress.com/my-ideal-mix-tapes/

GRTR! radio show Thursday-Sunday

Lots of good music from tonight and my selection of tunes are featured this Sunday evening between 6pm & 7pm including classics from JOURNEY, WHITE SISTER, GIUFFRIA & CHEAP TRICK along with newer tunes from BROTHER FIRETRIBE, KHYMERA, H.E.A.T., ASIA & RAIN. Air keyboards to the fore!

Mind you tonight at 8pm is good for blues rock fans with tunes from JOE BONAMASSA, GARY MOORE, NAZARETH, RORY GALLAGHER, SAHB & many more. Not so sure about jazz/fusion though

Cheers,

Jason R

www.getreadytorock.com/radio

THURSDAY June 5

19.00-20.00 Unsigned/indie
20.00-21.00 Blues Rock (selected by Stuart Hamilton)
21.00-22.00 The Songwriters
David Randall interviews Eleanor McEvoy and talks about her career and new album, ‘Love Must Be Tough’.
22.00-00.00 Thursday Rock
00.00-01.00 In the Early Hours (Jazz rock/fusion)

FRIDAY June 6

19.00-20.00 Unsigned/indie
20.00-21.00 Metal (selected by The Fluffmeister)
21.00-22.00 Progressive/eclectic (selected by Peter Muir)
22.00-00.00 Friday Rock
00.00-01.00 Blues Rock (repeat)

SATURDAY June 7

12.00-00.00 Continuous Music

SUNDAY June 8

12.00-15.00 Continuous
15.00-17.00 Assume The Position
David Randall signposts new additions to the website, new releases and upcoming tours.
17.00-18.00 Hydrogyn
David Randall talks to Hydrogyn’s Julie Westlake including tracks from their new album ‘Deadly Passions’.
(This is the full version of the interview first broadcast on June 1).
18.00-19.00 Melodic Rock (selected by Jason Ritchie)
19.00-20.00 The Songwriters
David Randall interviews Eleanor McEvoy and talks about her career and new album, ‘Love Must Be Tough’.
(First broadcast June 5)
20.00-22.00 Continuous Music
22.00-00.00 Assume The Position (repeat)

Robin George helps raise money for the Donna Louise Trust

Thanks to Robin George for donating a selection of his solo CD’s and the Byron Band CD featuring the late David Byron (ex-Uriah Heep). He donated two of each and the second set will be online shortly to raise funds for the Nordoff-Robbins charity.

They are online now at EBay and waiting for your bids

Damn fine music blogs!

The Ripple Effect reviews everything from metal to funk via jazz and more! Great review of Buckcherry’s ’15′ plus they review many of the new bands on MySpace. Well worth a look.

As is Rock Of Ages which reviews classic and new albums, has some great interviews and you download GFTM’s Rock Show. Last week featured the shy and retiring David Coverdale!

Guilfest – more bands announced

A fantastic festival and one I have attended each year since 2003. A great way to induct yourslef into the festival scene or if you want to take your family along. The Kid Zone comes highly recommended by my daughter!

Reviews 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Bowling For Soup, Dodgy, Richie Havens, The Aliens, The Damned & Dreadzone have all been added to the 17th annual GuilFest, alongside the previously announced line-up of headliners Blondie, Levellers, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, plus Kula Shaker, Cerys Matthews, From The Jam, and Freak Power.

Texan punk rockers Bowling For Soup will headline the Ents24 Stage on Saturday night.  Following the release of their UK hit singles, “Girl All The Bad Guys Want”, in 2002, and ‘1985′ in 2004, they have built a huge live following and enjoyed massive chart success, selling well over a million albums in the course of their career.

Recently re-formed, following a fantastic early tour of 2008, the incredible power-pop rock trio Dodgy will perform on Saturday evening on the main stage sponsored by Commercial Radio.  With 12 top 40 singles and 3 top tens including the catchy “Staying out for the Summer” and “Good Enough” – the latter still a staple of radio playlists – GuilFest are delighted to welcome them back to the 2008 festival.

Legendary American folk singer Richie Havens will also perform on Saturday, bringing his internationally renowned intensely rhythmic guitar style to the festival for the first time.  The man who opened Woodstock in 1969 to continuous ovations, Richie’s unconventional style has inspired generations of musicians the world-over.

Mad psychedelic rockers The Aliens – formed from three ex members of The Beta Band – hit the Ents24 stage on Saturday, while taking to the Main Stage (sponsored by Commercial Radio) on Sunday, original goth-punks The Damned make a more than welcome return to GuilFest. Dreadzone also return to perform their unique blend of roots influenced dance music on Sunday on the Ents24 stage.

The vibrant and eclectic bill for Guilfest, held in Guildford’s idyllic Stoke Park on July 4th, 5th and 6th 2008 which boasts seven music stages, will continue to grow over the next few weeks, with top performers due to be announced for both the comedy and theatre tents. Further great onsite facilities include the Kidzone, (which helped win GuilFest the ‘Best Family Festival Of The Year’ Award in 2006), a mammoth real ale bar, various funky cocktail bars, a fantastic range of food stalls, let alone a huge variety of stalls selling everything you could ever hope to find at a festival.

Jeff Healey tribute concert

 

Details have been released about a pair of Toronto tribute concerts to honor Canadian guitar great Jeff Healey, who died March 2 of cancer.

Guitarists Randy Bachman (BTO, The Guess Who) and Colin James and singers David Wilcox and Alannah Myles (“Black Velvet”) are among the artists who will participate, Healey’s wife, Cristie, announced.
Healey’s backup band The Jazz Wizards will open the first tribute concert May 3.

Cream vocalist and bass player Jack Bruce and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan also will appear during an evening that will focus on Healey’s contribution to rock.

The second event, to be held May 4, will be for lovers of Healey’s jazz career and include artists such as Marty Grosz, Brad Kay and Vince Giordano.

Proceeds from the shows will go to the Healey Family Trust and to Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund, a charity that assists the families ofchildren with retinoblastoma, the rare cancer that claimed Healey’s sight when he was one year old.

“The shows will provide a great way for his friends and fans to pay tribute to his memory, and support a cause that was so very important to Jeff,” Cristie Healey said in a statement.

“This has been a great reminder for Jeff’s family and close circle of friends of how many people were touched by Jeff and his music,” she added. “I think we have assembled an incredible collection of talent, and created two shows that Jeff would love.”

Healey played guitar, trombone, trumpet and keyboard. He began his career as a blues-rock artist and later returned to his early love, jazz. He was 41 when he died.

Tickets for both events go on sale Friday in Toronto.