Many years ago I picked up a copy of What Hi-Fi which happened to contain the magazine’s recommendations for the 50 best (sonic) recordings of the previous ten or so years. I eventually acquired all of them including two which I have never stopped playing since. The first was A MEETING BY THE RIVER featuring [...]

In the originality stakes, and real quality music terms, the UK has lagged behind the States for a while now. The scramble for the next big pop act and acres of airplay by the major labels has meant a diet of the mediocrity, especially for music magazines like ourselves who thrive on adventure, and passion. [...]

Gliss A KICK IN YOUR HEART

I first saw Amy Wadge perform here in Wrexham (North Wales) around four years ago, and was impressed. She’s a feisty performer with a strong voice; good guitar playing skills; and a knack for writing melodic, meaningful songs. In fact, Wadge is a ‘natural’ and highly accessible, whether it’s writing and performing, or conversing with [...]

This is an overdue review of one of the finest and most surprising albums released in recent years. It crept under the wire and depending on your point of view, it either delighted or disappointed. For this album, Black Rebel Motorcyle Club shed its rocky style and, I believe, went for the type of music [...]

Back in 1999, I attended a ten-day outdoor music festival in County Cork, Ireland. It was a thing of wonder with an eclectic range of top acts performing around ponds, lakes, under trees, and in tents situated down long winding footpaths, miles from anywhere. It was there that I discovered Canadian singer/songwriter Veda Hille. Every [...]