Welcome, to our December 2022 newsletter!
This newsletter outlines latest developments at Get Ready to ROCK!
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year!
 

Marillion scoop listings, Austin Gold and Brave Rival selected as Breakthrough Acts for 2023

Our traditional end-of-year selection was published on 6 December.

The emphasis this year was Top Albums and Breakthrough Act(s) for 2023.  But we have also included Top Live Acts and reissues.

Marillion 'An Hour Before It's Dark' was chosen as Top Album but the band also featured in the live act listings and for reissues ('Holidays In Eden').

Whitesnake were popular as Top Live Act, reflecting their "farewell" tour in 2022.

Austin Gold and Brave Rival, who both released albums in 2022, were chosen as Breakthrough Acts for 2023.

The reviewer listing is a comprehensive guide to a wide range of album releases this year and also reflects the reviewers' eclectic tastes.

On 18 December at 22:00 GMT there is a two-hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio filled with the reviewer choices.

Head over to the 'Best of' page for the complete listing!

>> The Best of 2022

Get Ready to ROCK! 20th Anniversary

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2023

Since October we've published several essays by our Editors, informed summaries by genre of two decades of rock music, reflecting activity and interests at the website.

Pete Whalley has described the singer songwriter scene with the emphasis on females.  Alan Jones has followed prog in the millennium whilst Brian McGowan explores the various aspects of metal.

News and Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie discusses our more eclectic flavours including pop rock and folk.

Managing Editor David Randall launched our anniversary year with a 2000 word summary of "where we are at" with rock music in late-2022. 

These essays will be added to by contributions from industry professionals and reviewers with their own personal thoughts and recollections.

All essays demonstrate the wide coverage at GRTR! and each are accompanied by a specially curated Spotify playlist with a selection of choice cuts from key artists and albums.

>> Feature

Back in 2007 we released our one and only CD to date, a sampler that coincided with the first Cambridge Rock Festival.  We've revisited the featured artists (some of whom appeared on our 'Rising Stars' stage at the event).

>> Feature

From January 2023 we will be announcing each month those artists/bands selected for "The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness", our version of the "Hall of Fame".  This will reflect those artists who have been featured regularly in our pages, via reviews and interviews, and who have delivered consistent quality over an extended period.

And throughout next year we will be revisiting and updating our archive with specific genre-based features signposting some of the finest albums (and artists) of the last 20 years.  A reviewer "Best of" selection (albums and live acts over two decades) will be published in the first part of the year.

A new Twitter page has been set up for GRTR@20 activity, we're posting review highlights over two decades and signposting latest additions.
 

Festive fare from Canadian singer songwriter

We'll be relaying Josh's Christmas Session w/c 19 December - and including Christmas Day (21:00 GMT) - via Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

The sessions take place once per month, with a mix of original and cover versions.  You can catch up on previous shows via our radio Facebook page.

>> Facebook

Box set suggestions and seasonal singles

Check out our survey of significant box set releases in 2022 and maybe suggestions for your Xmas List!

>> Feature

Festive playlist

We've also added a Christmas Spotify playlist based on our previous musical survey and including a selection of carefully curated seasonal songs.

>> Spotify

On The Radio

Amongst the highlights in December, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will be featuring 'The Best of" selections across their playlists plus a two-hour special on 18 December.

In addition, two guitarist specials feature Vinnie Moore (11 December, 18:00 GMT) and Pat Travers (25 December, 22:00 GMT).  Both have released albums this year.

And Pete Feenstra will be presenting his 'Best Of' on Tuesday 20 December, 19:00 GMT.

The radio station rounds off 2022 with a traditional "New Year's Eve Jukebox" on Saturday 31 December at 19:00 GMT.

>> Radio

DYNAZTY Final Advent (AFM Records)

What it does is incrementally fine tune the sound that’s now established as their MO. Their epic, keyboard driven symphonic/melodic metal just bursts with energy and invention, pushing them streets ahead of every other band in this genre.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

GENERATION RADIO (Frontiers)

Not one filler, production is top notch and the album was recorded by a band, not a studio project. AOR with a country edge, easily one of the albums of a year by a country mile.  ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

GUN The Calton Songs (Cherry Red)

It’s a remarkably lean and confident collection of songs on which the underlying soundtrack to the band’s worldview rings out loud and clear. *****

Review by Brian McGowan

ALTER BRIDGE Pawns & Hearts (Napalm Records)

…a proper five-star belter of an album crafted by a band who choose to tweak a winning formula rather than invent a new one. Often copied, never bettered. Alter Bridge are the masters of multi-layered classic metal. *****

Review by Dave Atkinson

AUSTIN GOLD Those City Lights (TMR Rock Records)

…puts them further on the upward trajectory and more fully realising Pete Feenstra’s early faith and predictions.  ****1/2

Review by David Randall

THRESHOLD Dividing Lines (Nuclear Blast)

…an album full of melody, riffs, keys & effects, thought provoking lyrics and, above all, an album you will keep coming back to time and time again.  ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

>> Albums of the Month (including July-September 2022)

• January - David Bowie’s music catalogue has been sold to Warner Music, whilst David Coverdale (pictured) has sold his rights to his Deep Purple and Whitesnake songs to Round Hill Music, who recently brought the rights to Heart’s Nancy Wilson’s songs.
   
• February - Big Big Train have announced they will continue to record and tour after the death of singer David Langdon last year.
   
• March - The Quireboys have announced they have parted ways with vocalist Spike and the band will continue as a five piece. Three of the band members sent a letter to Spike stating he was no longer in the band.
   
• April - Foo Fighters, Dream Theater, Joni Mitchell, Stewart Copeland and Trent Reznor were amongst the winners at this year’s Grammys awards.
   
• May - Judas Priest will be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, along with Pat Benatar, Carly Simon, Eurythmics & Duran Duran.
   
• June - Pink Floyd have joined TikTok and made their music available for people to use on the social platform. They are also in discussions to sell their songwriting rights.
   
• July - Steve Morse has announced he is leaving Deep Purple to care for his wife. He has been a member of the band for twenty eight years.
   
• August -Original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne performed ‘Paranoid’ to close the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
   
• September - Thunder frontman Danny Bowes has been hospitalized after an accidental head injury in August. He has since left intensive care and is undergoing further treatment.
   
• October - Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ has topped the UK all-time bestselling debut albums chart. It was compiled as part of National Album Day.
   
• November - Neal Schon has filed a lawsuit against fellow Journey band member Jonathan Cain over alleged mis-use of the band’s credit card.
   
• December - The BBC have reportedly axed the ‘Top of the Pops Christmas Special’ which had been running for 57 years.

Compiled by Jason Ritchie

Our previous newsletter was October 2022.  We hope you enjoy this occasional mailing but it can be cancelled at any time by following the unsubscribe link below.

Reviews | Radio | Privacy Policy | Copyright | Unsubscribe | Register | Old News | © 2022 Get Ready to ROCK! All rights reserved.