Chantel McGregor - The Robin 4th March 2014
Before going to The Robin, I have to admit, I knew very little about Chantel McGregor, other than what I had been told by friends. I wouldn't class myself as a big fan of female blues guitarists, and can think of just a handful that I will choose to listen to. That's just my personal preference though and I compare any I hear to Bonnie Raitt. Yeah, unfair, maybe, but you is what you am.
I really went along to see Chris Bevington and Friends and I expected to be bored during Chantel's set, sitting around waiting for my lift home.
I consulted that mighty oracle, Wikipedia:
I really went along to see Chris Bevington and Friends and I expected to be bored during Chantel's set, sitting around waiting for my lift home.
I consulted that mighty oracle, Wikipedia:
Chantel McGregor attended Leeds College of Music where she achieved a number of awards, including the Leeds College of Music Prize for Outstanding Musicianship. She gained a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music in July 2009, and has gone on to develop a career in the UK and international blues music scene, performing solo and with her band.
In 2011, she was voted "Young Artist of the Year" at the British Blues Awards and in 2012, she was voted "Best Female Vocalist" at the British Blues Awards. In 2013 she won two categories, "Guitarist Of The Year" and "Best Female Vocalist", at the British Blues Awards.
Her debut album "Like No Other", released in 2011, was produced by Livingstone Brown, who has worked with such artists as Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Robin Trower, ABC and Bill Withers.
I read that and thought, Hmmmm. LCM is a good school and I happen to know a couple of people who have been there and I know that they are good musicians. We shall see.
In 2011, she was voted "Young Artist of the Year" at the British Blues Awards and in 2012, she was voted "Best Female Vocalist" at the British Blues Awards. In 2013 she won two categories, "Guitarist Of The Year" and "Best Female Vocalist", at the British Blues Awards.
Her debut album "Like No Other", released in 2011, was produced by Livingstone Brown, who has worked with such artists as Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Robin Trower, ABC and Bill Withers.
I read that and thought, Hmmmm. LCM is a good school and I happen to know a couple of people who have been there and I know that they are good musicians. We shall see.
I have been known to be scathing in my condemnation of mediocre artists. I know way too many really good musicians who languish in obscurity, whilst no-talent hacks receive the awards and plaudits. I just tell it the way I see it. You can take my opinion or, leave it. I know what I like, I have a good set of ears, and I know good music when I hear it.
As Chantel and her band took the stage, my first thought was, ooh, power trio. My second was, she is way too young to be seriously good. Fair's fair though, I would give her the standard three songs to prove herself.
I'm always prepared to admit that I'm wrong. Of course, I'm not usually wrong. However, on this occasion, my misgivings were unfounded. She didn't need three songs. I had been expecting some lightweight, girly blues, and she came out, barefoot, looking all pretty in a dress, and kicked ass. My gob was smacked. She was so not what I was expecting. This young lady has some serious chops and can really torture a guitar to within an inch of its life. Not at all ladylike.
I cannot really tell you what she played from her own material, as I am not familiar with it (yet) but, what I can tell you is that she had me hooked and reeled in BEFORE she launched into Joe Satriani's, Up In The Sky. I was not expecting that. By the time she covered Robin Trower's, Daydream, I was totally enthralled. Her inter-song banter is not only natural but really funny, too, whilst her style of blues is refreshing and modern, yet old-school, showing real knowledge of the history.
As Chantel and her band took the stage, my first thought was, ooh, power trio. My second was, she is way too young to be seriously good. Fair's fair though, I would give her the standard three songs to prove herself.
I'm always prepared to admit that I'm wrong. Of course, I'm not usually wrong. However, on this occasion, my misgivings were unfounded. She didn't need three songs. I had been expecting some lightweight, girly blues, and she came out, barefoot, looking all pretty in a dress, and kicked ass. My gob was smacked. She was so not what I was expecting. This young lady has some serious chops and can really torture a guitar to within an inch of its life. Not at all ladylike.
I cannot really tell you what she played from her own material, as I am not familiar with it (yet) but, what I can tell you is that she had me hooked and reeled in BEFORE she launched into Joe Satriani's, Up In The Sky. I was not expecting that. By the time she covered Robin Trower's, Daydream, I was totally enthralled. Her inter-song banter is not only natural but really funny, too, whilst her style of blues is refreshing and modern, yet old-school, showing real knowledge of the history.
In my book, the test is that, having seen someone once, would I go and see them again? Oh my Me, yes, I certainly would. If you like your blues with a nice hard rocking edge, go and see Chantel McGregor. She is bloody good. I've seen many of the best players, including Walter Trout, Rory Gallagher, Robin Trower, Pat Travers, Alvin Lee, TS McPhee, Aynsley Lister, and many more who favour the hard rocking blues, and Chantel McGregor has the potential to be mentioned in the same breath as these players. And, she is much easier on the eye.
Seriously, check her out. This youngster from Bradford is a reet bobby dazzler.
Reet gradley!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
12th March 2014