Classic Rock
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Next
Although Alex’s career did not really catch fire until late, when it finally did, it sure burned bright. If “The Sensational Alex Harvey Band” is a mystery to you, pay attention. Alex Harvey was one of the greatest ringmasters to have ever strode across the field of Rock’ n’ Roll.
Hawkwind – Space Ritual ‘Live’
Fortunately for us all, several Hawkwind shows were recorded, and the best of two from Liverpool and Manchester have been spliced together to give the complete experience, all done in the correct running order. This was first released as a double album in 1973 at the price of a single album, Hawkwind being Hawkwind and always giving value for money. As well as a poster-size foldout cover, you also got two booklets, one telling the story of the Space Ritual joining the dots between songs, the other giving you all the information you could possibly want about the tour.
Deep Purple – Days May Come Days May Go
Deep Purple recorded “Days May Come Days May Go” in 1975 at a very interesting time in their career. But they didn’t release it until 2000. “Days May Come, Days May Go” is certainly worth bending an ear to. Just to see what could have been.
Savoy Brown – Street Corner Talking
Savoy Brown’s sound progressed somewhat, moving on from the blues/boogie of yore to a much more contemporary blues/ rock. Much more joyous and bouncy.
Concerts & Live Recordings
Wishbone Ash – Argus ‘Then Again Live’
Argus was voted album of the year by very influential British Music Paper Sounds. Sold-out world tours followed, creating a huge fan base. An album that should be in every record collection.
Jimmy Barnes – Barnestorming
Jimmy Barnes put together the cream of Australian musicians on tour to support the albums to show things off. The band included Johnny Diesel and Dave Amato on guitars, Chris Bailey on bass guitar, Tony Brock on drums and Peter Kekell on keyboards. These recordings were released on a double album as Barnestorming at the end of 1988 and naturally roared up the charts over Christmas, staying at number one for three weeks.
Humble Pie – Performance, Rockin the Fillmore
Recognized as one of the earliest of the rock supergroups, Humble Pie released this live double album in 1971. Never has an album rocked so hard or heavily.
Thunder – Stage
Thunder are now bigger and better than ever, no longer a support band or even playing theatres, but arenas and headlining festivals. The new songs blend in seamlessly with the old. I mean, of course, they are Thunder songs, so it would be disappointing if they didn’t. Laughably, Danny Bowes, in between song banter, has not changed in thirty years. The crowds lap it up, so why should it change?
Heavy Metal
Hard Stuff – Bulletproof
The musicianship is never anything but superb; for that alone, the album cannot be faulted. The best and heaviest thing on the album is the John Gustafson-written ‘Sinister Minister’ with its crunchy guitar licks and bass-heavy driven rhythm.
Threshold – Legends of the Shires
It’s impossible to pick out highlights on Legends of the Shires as the album is best served to be listened to in its entirety. But after a brief introduction, the second song, Small Dark Lines, shows off Threshold’s combined power. Heavy riffing over a pounding beat with determined vocals—an aural battering.
Slade – Slade Alive
Recorded in 1971 and released in 1972, this album caught the Rock ‘n’ Roll fun machine that was Slade on the crest of a very big wave, metaphorically a veritable tidal wave. Upon release, this album went straight to number one in the U.K.
Dragonforce – The Power Within
If you like to bang your head to the beat of heavy metal rock’n’roll, then Dragonforce should litter your music collection. Formed in London in 1999, they have been screaming through the skies of heavy metal since.
Progressive Rock
Flash – Flash
“Flash” had a vibrancy and optimism that transcended all the stereotypes of seventies rock music. They really loved their music and it always showed. They were Flash – their life was short but burned bright. They came and went in a Flash.
Hawkwind – Space Ritual ‘Live’
Fortunately for us all, several Hawkwind shows were recorded, and the best of two from Liverpool and Manchester have been spliced together to give the complete experience, all done in the correct running order. This was first released as a double album in 1973 at the price of a single album, Hawkwind being Hawkwind and always giving value for money. As well as a poster-size foldout cover, you also got two booklets, one telling the story of the Space Ritual joining the dots between songs, the other giving you all the information you could possibly want about the tour.
Wishbone Ash – Argus ‘Then Again Live’
Argus was voted album of the year by very influential British Music Paper Sounds. Sold-out world tours followed, creating a huge fan base. An album that should be in every record collection.
Hard Stuff – Bulletproof
The musicianship is never anything but superb; for that alone, the album cannot be faulted. The best and heaviest thing on the album is the John Gustafson-written ‘Sinister Minister’ with its crunchy guitar licks and bass-heavy driven rhythm.
Threshold – Legends of the Shires
It’s impossible to pick out highlights on Legends of the Shires as the album is best served to be listened to in its entirety. But after a brief introduction, the second song, Small Dark Lines, shows off Threshold’s combined power. Heavy riffing over a pounding beat with determined vocals—an aural battering.
Guest Posts
Mott the Hoople 74
The show was tremendous. If you were a fan from back in the 70s, you got absolutely everything you wanted and more.
Cats in Space – Atlantis
Atlantis showcases the incredible talent that makes up Cats in Space. Everything from the writing, production, musicianship, not to mention the stunning harmonies, smacks of quality and pure joy. A contender for album of the year for sure. Just AWESOME!
Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Black Coffee
Black Coffee is Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa’s third studio album. The selection of songs is inspired, and impressive, with such diverse artists as Edgar Winter, Kansas Joe McCoy, and Walter Vinison given the treatment.
Download Festival June 2022
2022 finally gave us the first full-scale Download Festival since 2019. Despite battling through all the trials and tribulations of the last couple of years, Download managed to not only return, but came back better and stronger than ever.
