Americana, Blues, Folk, Alt Country, Country and a Whole Lot More!
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Robert ThurmanAre We There Yet?Self Release Beautiful, Yet Melancholic Blues/Folk That Paints Vivid Pictures in Your Head It’s been a long 9 months since I ‘retired’ from reviewing albums following a ‘bit of an episode’and a month ago, I was actually playing Robert’s previous release BURNING DAYLIGHT and wondering what he was up to now. … Continue reading Robert Thurman – Are We There Yet?
Chris Chalmers and The SouvenirsWay Back HomeSelf-ReleaseIntimate and Powerful Southern Blues From Northern Ireland After first being introduced to it by my friend, the late lamented Bap Kennedy; I’ve had a soft spot for the vastly underrated Northern Irish music scene for nigh on 20 years now. One of my favourite discoveries was the band … Continue reading Chris Chalmers and The Souvenirs – Way…
Johnny WinterA Rock & Roll CollectionRetroworld/Floating WorldFLOATD 6486 A Fitting Tribute To a Texan Blues Rock Legend Does the world need another Johnny Winter ‘Retrospective’ release?As a fan since the early 1970’s my answer is YES … and no, too. I’m not being difficult, but I’m waiting for a definitive album featuring the best of … Continue reading Johnny Winter A ROCK & ROLL COLLECTION
Michael Weston King Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore Continental Song City Emotionally, Tragically Raw Set of Beautiful Songs After 20 years writing reviews for a number of publications, websites and ultimately my very own The Rocking Magpie I ‘retired’ from reviewing in the Summer of 2025. In the interim period I’ve done plenty of hill … Continue reading Michael Weston King – NOTHING CAN HURT ME…
The Shires, Hayley McKay & Jade HelliwellFire Station SunderlandSunday 17th August 2025 As a local resident it’s odd to find Sunderland now advertising itself as ‘City of Music’ as historically it has very little history in the field apart from a couple of Punk venues over the days; but the good people at the old … Continue reading The Shires, Hayley McKay & Jade Helliwell at Fire Station…
The Tracksuit TrilogyThe Experimental Pop Band Unspun Heroes Review and Interview A Mighty Fine Art-Rock/Indie-Pop Cult Classic Re-Release; Labelled With Love. This is outside our usual territories, but we couldn’t pass by the fourth offering from this small but perfectly formed record label when it is THIS good. Here’s the deal: Unspun Heroes are introducing … Continue reading The Tracksuit…
Maia SharpTomboySelf Released Hook Filled Country-Folk and 80’s Filled Singer-Songwriter Americana. Immediately I heard the addictive toned, title-track, Tomboy I was hooked. Maia Sharp’s inventive stylings, her quirky humour matched by brutal honesty she brings a freshness to the table on this her 10th solo album. “The work I’ve had the privilege of doing with … Continue reading Maia Sharp TOMBOY
A. Smyth Hello GoliathLover Records Atmospheric and Eloquent Folk-Pop, Enriched with Layered Arrangements Dublin-born, Smyth was listed by the Irish times in 2020 among its ten acts to follow list and also the RMHQ year end Top 20 albums too. Smyth’s new album, Hello Goliath opens with Can’t Stop The Rain; a pressing rhythm featuring … Continue reading A Smyth HELLO GOLIATH
Mackenzie Roark And The Hotpants Ghost of Rock and RollVocal Rest Records Roots-Rocking Americana, That’ Rolls With the Punches, From a Bunch of Musical Road Warriors After over a decade performing in and around Virginia and beyond; playing big stages, festivals, dive bars, coffee shops, breweries and more dive bars, Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants … Continue reading Mackenzie Roark & The…
Fontaines D.C. Exhibition Park, Newcastle 13th July 2025 The sun shone brightly as the gates to Newcastle’s famous Exhibition Park opened, so-named since the Jubilee Exhibition of 1887 was held in the city. As I passed through the entrance I was immediately impressed by the set-up; a large beer tent to the right, band merch … Continue reading Fontaines DC, Exhibition Park in Newcastle
