David West

David West

After starting his writing career covering the unforgiving world of MMA, David moved into music journalism at Rhythm magazine, interviewing legends of the drum kit including Ginger Baker and Neil Peart. A regular contributor to Prog, he’s written for Metal Hammer, The Blues, Country Music Magazine and more. The author of Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film, David shares his thoughts on kung fu movies in essays and videos for 88 Films, Arrow Films, and Eureka Entertainment. He firmly believes Steely Dan’s Reelin’ In The Years is the tuniest tune ever tuned.

Articles by: David West

Tarja - The Shadow Self album artwork

Tarja - The Shadow Self album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

No standing in the shadows for Finland’s symphonic metal queen Tarja

audience at a prog gig

Protocol live review - Ronnie Scott's, London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Simon Phillips' Protocol wows the audience at one of London's best-known jazz venues.

Carlos

Santana Kick Off European Tour With Epic London Show

By David West published

Not yet rated

The Lion Roars Loud In Hammersmith.

Moody Marsden Real Faith album artwork.

Moody Marsden: Real Faith (Talking Elephant)

By David West published

There’s not enough venom in this snakebite.

Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes: It Is What It Is album artwork

Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes: It Is What It Is (Blue Front Records)

By David West published

Blues as gloriously undiluted as moonshine whiskey.

The Record Company performing onstage.

The Record Company

By David West published

Not yet rated

Californian roots rockers are still rough around the edges.

A close-up of a Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar

Bernie Marsden: Why I Love The Gibson Les Paul

By David West published

Guitar aficionado and former Whitesnake axeman Bernie Marsden schools The Blues on the impact of the Les Paul Standard.

Hiromi sitting on a chair with a striped top

Q&A: Japanese pianist Hiromi on Zappa and working with Simon Phillips

By David West published

The Japanese piano prodigy jammed with Chick Corea in her teens, signed a record deal while still a student at Berklee College Of Music and has just topped the Billboard Jazz chart with Spark

Cosmograf's Robin Armstrong in a grey striped suit

Cosmograf's Robin Armstrong on concept albums and staying independent

By David West published

If you don’t play live, never tour, and self-release concept albums about aliens, spirits and spaceships that you produce down the bottom of your garden, how on Earth do you build a fan base a

Album cover for Electric Citizen's Higher Time

Electric Citizen: Higher Time album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Malevolent anthems from Electric Citizen for a land of dark Satanic mills.

The Jelly Jam cover art for Profit

The Jelly Jam: Profit album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Dream Theater and King’s X men are back as The Jelly Jam... and at a loss.

Phil Alvin playing electric guitar and pursing his lips near the microphone.

Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones

By David West published

Not yet rated

Forget Jake and Elwood – these are the real Blues Brothers.

Rebecca and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe wearing leather jackets and looking at the camera.

Bluesbreakers: Larkin Poe

By David West published

Former bluegrass stars Larkin Poe embrace the power of amplification and blues.

Sebas Honing The Big Shift album artwork

Sebas Honing - The Big Shift Album Review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Dutch multi-instrumentalist finds his inner folkie.

Live audience at a prog gig

Stanley Clarke and Hiromi Live Review - London, Palladium

By David West published

Not yet rated

American jazz musician teams up with Japanese pianist for a musical treat.

live shot

O.R.k. live in London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Prog reviews O.R.k. live in London

Al Di Meola

Al Di Meola live in London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Prog reviews Al Di Meola live in London.

Long Distance Calling: Trips

Long Distance Calling: Trips

By David West published

Not yet rated

Monster post-rock from the Münster band.

STEVIE NIMMO

Album Review: STEVIE NIMMO

By David West published

Sky Won’t Fall (MANHATON RECORDS)

Album Review: TAJ MAHAL

By David West published

Brothers + Music Fuh Ya’ (Musica Para Tu) + Evolution (The Most Recent) (BGO RECORDS)

Aaron Clift Experiment: Outer Light, Inner Darkness

By David West published

Not yet rated

Impressive sophomore outing from the Texan classicists.

Glitch Code: Gifted_Damaged

By David West published

Not yet rated

Promising_Restrained.

Hiromi: Spark

By David West published

Not yet rated

Uehara, Jackson and Phillips reunite – and those sparks fly.

Blues-rock with balls: Clutch Live

By David West published

Not yet rated

Maryland’s finest blast their way into Brixton.

how to cut a record by accident: Tedeschi Trucks on Let Me Get By...

By David West published

Derek and Susan on the downtime that turned into their new album Let Me Get By...