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Category Archives: Rock Reviews
Steve Hackett – Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out
Seconds Out: You could probably guess the sound and quality of this album with some 95% accuracy, even if you haven’t heard it. Hackett has spent a quarter century specialising in recreating the best of his former band Genesis’ songs, … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Derek Walker, Genesis, review, Seconds Out and More, Steve Hackett
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Dave Bainbridge – To the Far Away
One thing you can guarantee with Bainbridge is that the sound will be rich, layered and succulent. He treats ears like Cordon Bleu chefs treat taste buds. Feast on the details.
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Celtic, Dave Bainbridge, Hackett, Iona, Prog, To the Far Away, Yes
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Yes- The Quest
The pioneering prog rockers’ first new album in seven years stands above much of their later work. This is a subtle reinvention and a worthwhile addition to the canon.
A Trip Down ‘Memory Lain’ with Caravan
Releasing a 37-disc box set is a brave affair: the fans will already have a lot of the best albums, while those who do not know the band are unlikely to splash out several hundred pounds to buy it. But … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged box set, Caravan, Madfish, Madfish Music, Prog, Pye hastings, Who Do You Think We Are?
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Transatlantic – The Absolute Universe
So much is epic about this release, from the less-than-modest title and the ambitious approach to production to the power of the music and – of course – the musicianship behind it all.
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas, Prog, review, Roine Stolt, The Absolute Universe, Transatlantic
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Hackett, Steve – Under a Mediterranean Sky
We may not be able to travel the Mediterranean at the moment, but Hackett gives us an impressionistic tour with this acoustic-and-strings project as he continues to broaden his scope. I often find it fascinating to hear an artist’s work … Continue reading
Posted in classical, Reviews, Rock Reviews, World Music Reviews
Tagged Acoustic, classical, Derek Walker, nylon guitar, review, Steve Hackett, Under a Mediterranean Sky
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It’s Another Big Story from Neal Morse – This Time It’s St. Paul
Looking at Morse’s history, it’s a surprise it took him so long to make an album telling Paul’s story. And boy, was it worth it!
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Neal Morse, Sola Gratia, Sola Scriptura, St Paul
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Covering some Classics: Morse, Portnoy and George excel.
There seem to be a few covers albums out recently – a few included on this blog. Is this release the best of the lot?
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Anthology, Baker Street, Cover to Cover, Derek Walker, Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Prog, Randy George
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Steve Hackett – Selling England by the Pound and Spectral Mornings Live at Hammersmith
Achievement can dull ambition, and most successful musicians slow down after a while. Not Hackett. He is as keen to make great music now as ever, as his 2019 album At the Edge of Light shows. But he also knows … Continue reading
A Genesis in my Bed
There might be less Genesis than I expected in guitarist Steve Hackett’s pacy autobiography, but the ‘other stuff’ is just as interesting. Any prog fan will enjoy this – and it is so easy to keep re-reading.
Posted in Book Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged A Genesis in my Bed, Genesis, review, Steve Hackett, The Publicity Connection, Wymer Publishing
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Rory Gallagher – Check Shirt Wizard (Live in ’77)
“We’ve got a jack-knife beat, killer of a backbeat, sounds like an iceberg rolling down a back street.” Not quite, but Rory playing live at the peak of his career is still a majestic sound. Ask me what gig I … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged 1977, Blues, Check shirt Wizard, Derek Walker, Live, review, Rock Review, Rory gallagher, strat
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Kaprekar’s Constant – Depth of Field
Like Big Big Train, this poetic album blends folk, soft-prog and a personal take on historic events. It deserves a wide audience.
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews, Roots and Folk Reviews
Tagged Depth of Field, Derek Walker, folk, Prog, review, Rosherville, Talking Elephant
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Neal Morse: Jesus Christ, The Exorcist
A rock opera?! There’s something we haven’t seen for decades – and this one is worth exploring. Morse’s last three albums have been so good that two have been among the best releases of their years. But how would this … Continue reading
Posted in Rock Reviews
Tagged Jesus Christ the Exorcist, Neal Morse, review, rock opera, Talon David
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Mostly Autumn – White Rainbow
Mostly Autumn’s last release Sight of Day was superb. Now they’re back – and this time it’s personal. Very personal.
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Brian Josh, Derek Walker, Mostly Autumn, Oliva Sparnenn, Prog, review, White Mountain
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Phil Keaggy and Rex Paul – Illumination
There is surely no doubt that Phil Keaggy is one of the world’s greatest – if lesser known – guitarists. The more I listen to his work and his way of working, the more I get the impression that on … Continue reading
Posted in Rock Reviews
Tagged CCM, Derek Walker, Guitar, Illumination, Phil Keaggy, Rex paul, Strobie Records
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Martin Smith – Iron Lung
At last – after a few years of treading water since his years of success with Delirious? – Smith has found his mojo again. This rocks. It’s not just a collection of standalone songs. There are definite lyrical themes in … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Delirious?, Derek Walker, Great and Glorious, Iron Lung, Martin Smith, review
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Over the Rhine – Love and Revelation
Poetry, grief, hope, emotional exposure and delectable sound – it’s all there in a collection that is as definitive of their work as any Over the Rhine release.
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
Tagged Derek Walker, Love and Revelation, Over the Rhine, review
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How to buy Renaissance
Back in January 1976, Renaissance’s gig at Friars Aylesbury, supported by Gryphon, was the best show I had ever seen. I vividly remember leaning against the balcony rail with my eyes closed during the Rickenbacker bass solo near the end … Continue reading
Posted in Rock Reviews
Tagged 1970s, Annie Haslam, esoteric, FriarsAylesbury, Live, Prog, Renaissance
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Steph MacLeod produces Real Gold
Macleod’s mix of Celtic-tinged folk, Americana, rock, soul and electronica follows the template of how Christians should make music: honest, God-centred, appealing to the wider world – and superbly put together. This one needs to fly above the radar.
Switchfoot want Love to be our Native Tongue
Switchfoot’s somewhat brief hiatus is over and this 14 track release is an excellent way to come back. I wonder whether the slight break from constant touring has brought out the joys of slowing, as this album is – unusually … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Rock Reviews
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