99% of Joe Bonamassa Live At Carnegie Hall – An Acoustic Evening is, without any shadow of doubt, the perfect recorded live experience, with the missing 1% coming down to the sheer jealousy reserved for those lucky enough to have actually been there. Ah well, at least the rest of us …

In 2016, Walter Trout and his band took to the stage to totally electrify the mostly-standing audience within The Chester Live Rooms. It was a night never to be forgotten; the sweat, the laughs and the overall vim and vigour sweeping down from those entertaining to those being royally entertained. …

The sun is shining, spring is springing and the remarkable debut album from Ash Wilson, Broken Machine, is threatening to smash the windows with its sheer brilliance; could anybody wish for anything more? Oh the pleasure that waxing lyrical about an album of so much quality gives. With the gritty opening …

Erja Lyytinen’s tenth studio album Stolen Hearts is an absolute triumph of inventiveness, resourcefulness, joy and heartbreak. An album so rich in diversity, it makes newcomers to the Finnish guitarist’s/ vocalists skills wonder where she’s been all their lives and ardent followers wonder where this album has been all her …

Having witnessed firsthand his continued prowess on stage in early 2016, the release on CD and full gig DVD of Michael Schenker Fest from the Tokyo International Forum takes the experience the German provides to the next level and underlines what is sure to become a legendary show. There have …

Spontaneous fizz, crackle and sparkle – along with superb musicianship – are definitely the order of the day on Dan Reed Network’s Fight Another Day tour.   With Special Guests, VEGA, storming onto stage in support with as tight a 45 minute set as anybody could hope for, the stunning …

Reputation has it that Wille & The Bandits are even better live than they are recorded. Having already listened to – and reviewed – the band’s latest album, Steal, that’s a pretty big claim. Now, having seen their gig at The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Rooms, ‘better’ is a quantifiable …

With three lauded self-releases already, your first label release – as is the case with the latest Wille & The Bandits release Steal –­­ the impulse to play it safe may be tempting. Not enticing enough apparently. Steal is an out-and-out rocker of an album that’s been spliced, diced and spiced …

Thunder, as the title of their latest outing suggests, Rip It Up and then some. 27 years in and Danny Bowes and his London/Brighton quintet still don’t understand that they should be considered “old school” by now. Given that this is an album of exceptional freshness, wit and diversity they’re …

As years go 2016 was pretty spectacular for blues rock singer / songwriter Rebecca Downes. The release of a second album Believe has been met with pretty much universal critical acclaim, with a string of pretty impressive gigs following in its wake. Then there was not only being nominated for …

With his first album in a decade, Times Have Changed, Ronnie Baker Brooks brings a fusion of good old funk-blues-soul inspired pleasure to the plate and delivers something of an overall joy to listen to. With Brooks own magisterial guitar handiwork being more than adequately backed up by original Stax …

Maturity is what’s stamped all over Aaron Keylock’s much anticipated debut album, Cut Against The Grain. The rip roaring, yet labyrinthine opener All The Right Moves sets the scene beautifully for that which is to follow and never at any stage does the album disappoint. A riff driven behemoth that …

Slipping the late, great Jeff Healey’s Holding On: A Heal My Soul Companion into the CD tray resembles throwing open the door to your much missed brother. As rich melted Bourneville chocolate mixed with liberal doses of sweetened marshmallow, this is an album not to have on as background music. …

There are some nights that might fall a bit flat due to the anticipation they are afforded. Not a chance of that though when either King King or Broken Witt Rebels are in town. Get both on the same bill and what results is musical dynamite. Both bands quite simply …

A mixture of  Rik Emmett’s touring band in the new guise of RESolution9, plus the additions of  legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush and Dream Theater front man James LaBrie, makes the album RES 9 something of a force of nature on tornado proportions.  Bundles of slick, powerhouse guitar, a thumping bass …

2016 has been a pretty big year for Birmingham based Blues Rock band Broken Witt Rebels. The release of their second EP Georgia Pine has received some pretty amazing critical feedback. Their live status has been enhanced by becoming an award winning live act and the band have supported some …

Norfolk may be that somewhat sleepy county over to the extreme right of the map but there’s nothing sedate about the second album from Bad Touch, Truth Be Told. Stacked with oomph, riddled with self-assurance and oozing vitality, this is an album tailor made for when the good times are flowing. …

Voluminous. Volcanic. Voluptuous. Vital: all these adjectives and more encapsulate what Dee Snider has delivered with his latest outing, We Are The Ones. A volume of veritable variance that venerates its implacable ruthlessness from the moment its opening eponymous track explodes. In short, and without the somewhat flowery verisimilitude: Damn, …

Okay, how exactly do you start an interview with a guy who has done just about everything there is to do in rock? A man who has played with some of the biggest bands and finest musicians around to become a recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of …

Single downloads are just as important today as ever they have been in setting an artists agenda with an album and, therefore, can define it’s very success or failure. Choosing the debut single is vital, as the song needs something for the listener to not only relate to but, also, …