Rock island
Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest, Brodick Hall, Isle of Arran, 21st July 2018
Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest, Brodick Hall, Isle of Arran, 21st July 2018
The Isle of Arran is one of the loveliest and relaxing switch off spots in Scotland but over the decades has gained a reputation for live music, from the more traditional folk nights and bar band residencies to Malt and Music festivals and playing host to the likes of Slade in 1971 just prior to the glamtastic success of their then future.
"Scotland in Miniature" however has never had a fully fledged Rock and Blues event – but given the out in all weathers approach embraced by the majority of its beach walking visitors and hill climbing tourists, putting together just such an event could be a high-risk strategy.
Credit then to the Jane Howe of the Pierhead Tavern (PHT), an excellent and hospitable establishment in Lamlash that also hosts live music, for organising with NTM Promotions what turned out to be a successful Arran Rock 'N' Blues fstival (more accurately a Rock 'N' Blues 'N' Tribute event; the perfect balance for a first outing).
The dangers of hosting an indoor, mid-day to midnight music event in a tourist town/ island are, of course, the outdoor activity preferences mentioned earlier and the fact many local residents and music fans have 9 to 5 duties; it was therefore a case of a slowly building crowd over the early afternoon before a busy Brodick Hall settled in for the late afternoon and evening performances.
Opening act Raising Bail – guitarist/ vocalist Scott Deans, drummer Stuart Morrison and bassist/ backing vocalist Nelson McFarlane (who had double band duty on the day) – are a Glasgow based blues-rock trio with a solid, thick sound.
They also perform as many originals (their ReverbNation page is consistently in the Top 20 on that site’s Rock Chart) as covers and had the honour of seeing the first of the early dancers down the front (gaun yersel, girls).
Original material highlights ranged from rockabilly ('Outside Looking In') and country-tinged rock ('Big Blue Eyes') to melodic rock and pop ('Girl on the Train,' 'Can’t play This Game').
Notable, ear catching covers included the Jimi Hendrix classic 'Fire' and set closer, Thin Lizzy’s 'Don’t Believe a Word' (slow to fast version – a guaranteed winner with any rock crowd).
Blues Mama are another Glasgow based band but a fully-fledged covers one; they also like to keep it so informal and party-styled as to only be known by their first names – John, Alan, Martin and Andrew (vocals, guitars bass and drums, respectively).
Much like the song diversity of Raising Bail, the quartet’s set-list travelled right across the blues boards with covers ranging from the more traditional or expected, such as Etta James' 'I’d Rather Go Blind' (although closer to the Chicken Shack version) and Led Zeppelin’s 'Since I’ve Been Loving You,' to the more surprising but no less effective – 'Too Rollin’ Stoned' by the Godfather of Tone, Robin Thrower, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Penthouse Pauper’ being two such highlights.
"Scotland in Miniature" however has never had a fully fledged Rock and Blues event – but given the out in all weathers approach embraced by the majority of its beach walking visitors and hill climbing tourists, putting together just such an event could be a high-risk strategy.
Credit then to the Jane Howe of the Pierhead Tavern (PHT), an excellent and hospitable establishment in Lamlash that also hosts live music, for organising with NTM Promotions what turned out to be a successful Arran Rock 'N' Blues fstival (more accurately a Rock 'N' Blues 'N' Tribute event; the perfect balance for a first outing).
The dangers of hosting an indoor, mid-day to midnight music event in a tourist town/ island are, of course, the outdoor activity preferences mentioned earlier and the fact many local residents and music fans have 9 to 5 duties; it was therefore a case of a slowly building crowd over the early afternoon before a busy Brodick Hall settled in for the late afternoon and evening performances.
Opening act Raising Bail – guitarist/ vocalist Scott Deans, drummer Stuart Morrison and bassist/ backing vocalist Nelson McFarlane (who had double band duty on the day) – are a Glasgow based blues-rock trio with a solid, thick sound.
They also perform as many originals (their ReverbNation page is consistently in the Top 20 on that site’s Rock Chart) as covers and had the honour of seeing the first of the early dancers down the front (gaun yersel, girls).
Original material highlights ranged from rockabilly ('Outside Looking In') and country-tinged rock ('Big Blue Eyes') to melodic rock and pop ('Girl on the Train,' 'Can’t play This Game').
Notable, ear catching covers included the Jimi Hendrix classic 'Fire' and set closer, Thin Lizzy’s 'Don’t Believe a Word' (slow to fast version – a guaranteed winner with any rock crowd).
Blues Mama are another Glasgow based band but a fully-fledged covers one; they also like to keep it so informal and party-styled as to only be known by their first names – John, Alan, Martin and Andrew (vocals, guitars bass and drums, respectively).
Much like the song diversity of Raising Bail, the quartet’s set-list travelled right across the blues boards with covers ranging from the more traditional or expected, such as Etta James' 'I’d Rather Go Blind' (although closer to the Chicken Shack version) and Led Zeppelin’s 'Since I’ve Been Loving You,' to the more surprising but no less effective – 'Too Rollin’ Stoned' by the Godfather of Tone, Robin Thrower, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Penthouse Pauper’ being two such highlights.
Storm Warning over Arran...
The critically acclaimed Buckingham based blues quintet Storm Warning featured a set that was a mix of covers and originals and a showcase of sorts for latest album, Take Cover.
As the title of the album suggests, the talented quintet have foregone original material this time around for an interesting choice of covers, including a bluesier rock rendition of Zeppelin’s ‘Custard Pie’ and a superb take on the Otis Rush number ‘Double Trouble.’
Live, the latter expands to ten sublime slow blues minutes, showcasing the smooth tone and understated licks of guitarist Bob Moore (one of the most underrated blues six-stringers in the UK) and the bluesy vocals of ex Mick Ralphs Band singer, Stuart "Son" Maxwell, who also plays a mean blues harp.
Son Maxwell also wrote the one original on Take Cover, and another highlight of the band's set, the razor sharp blues romp entitled ‘Big River.’
Dr. Feelguid, no strangers to Arran audiences, are enigmatically named (Andy Brilleaux, Wilko Patton, Sparko Smith, The Big Mac Figure Rae); they are also, obviously, fans of the original Dr. Feelgood and that band’s infectious and highly successful brand of R&B Pub Rock.
This Glasgow-based tribute band delivered respectful and high-energy versions of well-known Feelgood songs including ‘She does it Right’, ‘Roxette’ and ‘Milk and Alcohol;' the latter in particular was a storming version delivered with a passion born of experience.
The sound of guitarist Wilko Patton was another highlight, capturing the essence of Wilko Johnson to a tee.
A number of festival-goers were tempted up for a dance or three and the Feelguid’s singer developed a great rapport with the attendees.
The George Lindsay Blues Band are another regular visitor to the island and on this performance was easy to see and hear why.
Led by the eponymous guitarist and vocalist this three piece play "nuthin' but the blues" to quote their own calling card. However the GLB are no one-trick pony, incorporating some rock funk and country genres within their blues framework.
The rhythm section of Dougie Henderson (drums) and Compo McGill (bass) provides a solid foundation for George Lindsay’s guitar and vocals; collectively they are an accomplished band of musicians who have paid their blues dues and gig regularly around central Scotland (if you like live blues music done well check out their website for gig details).
Mixing blues standards with original numbers the George Lindsay Blues Band delivered their set with some panache; highlights included originals Wipeout’, ‘Garbage Man’ and ‘Five long Years’ and, from the blues canon, 'All Your Lovin' and 'Stormy Monday.'
As the title of the album suggests, the talented quintet have foregone original material this time around for an interesting choice of covers, including a bluesier rock rendition of Zeppelin’s ‘Custard Pie’ and a superb take on the Otis Rush number ‘Double Trouble.’
Live, the latter expands to ten sublime slow blues minutes, showcasing the smooth tone and understated licks of guitarist Bob Moore (one of the most underrated blues six-stringers in the UK) and the bluesy vocals of ex Mick Ralphs Band singer, Stuart "Son" Maxwell, who also plays a mean blues harp.
Son Maxwell also wrote the one original on Take Cover, and another highlight of the band's set, the razor sharp blues romp entitled ‘Big River.’
Dr. Feelguid, no strangers to Arran audiences, are enigmatically named (Andy Brilleaux, Wilko Patton, Sparko Smith, The Big Mac Figure Rae); they are also, obviously, fans of the original Dr. Feelgood and that band’s infectious and highly successful brand of R&B Pub Rock.
This Glasgow-based tribute band delivered respectful and high-energy versions of well-known Feelgood songs including ‘She does it Right’, ‘Roxette’ and ‘Milk and Alcohol;' the latter in particular was a storming version delivered with a passion born of experience.
The sound of guitarist Wilko Patton was another highlight, capturing the essence of Wilko Johnson to a tee.
A number of festival-goers were tempted up for a dance or three and the Feelguid’s singer developed a great rapport with the attendees.
The George Lindsay Blues Band are another regular visitor to the island and on this performance was easy to see and hear why.
Led by the eponymous guitarist and vocalist this three piece play "nuthin' but the blues" to quote their own calling card. However the GLB are no one-trick pony, incorporating some rock funk and country genres within their blues framework.
The rhythm section of Dougie Henderson (drums) and Compo McGill (bass) provides a solid foundation for George Lindsay’s guitar and vocals; collectively they are an accomplished band of musicians who have paid their blues dues and gig regularly around central Scotland (if you like live blues music done well check out their website for gig details).
Mixing blues standards with original numbers the George Lindsay Blues Band delivered their set with some panache; highlights included originals Wipeout’, ‘Garbage Man’ and ‘Five long Years’ and, from the blues canon, 'All Your Lovin' and 'Stormy Monday.'
Zal and Zal... Zal Cleminson introduces headline act SAHE and his alter-ego, Willie McGonagle
Headlining the festival was the Sensational Alex Harvey Experience (SAHE); this top tribute act tour all around Scotland and will be venturing south of the border in 2019.
A lovely touch on the night was having the band introduced by original Sensational Alex Harvey Band guitarist, and one of Scotland’s rock ‘n’ roll sons, Zal Cleminson.
SAHE then launched in to a set of across-the-boards SAHB material from the band’s best known numbers (including crowd pleasers ‘Delilah’ and 'Boston Tea Party’) to deeper cuts such as ‘Dolphins’ and 'River of Love,’ which appealed to the diehard fans.
As endorsed by Zal Cleminson himself, SAHE are as close to the real thing as you can get and, in a neat twist, Cleminson returned to the music scene in 2017 by recording an album under the name Zal Cleminson’s /sin dogs/ with three members of the SAHE in the ranks (the /sin dogs/ have been touring the UK and will be appearing in Europe in 2019).
Meanwhile, SAHE, featuring David Cowan (keys), Willie McGonagle (guitar), John McAvoy (drums), Nelson McFarlane (bass) and Andy Massie (vocals, who turned in a stellar performance mirroring the theatrics of Alex Harvey) delivered the SAHB numbers with some aplomb (no easy task given the intricacies of many of the numbers).
Many a critic, rock historian and music fan would cite the Sensational Alex Harvey Band as the best ever rock band to come out of Scotland – if you listen to their back catalogue, or even some of the versions delivered by SAHE, it’s easy to see and hear why.
A lovely touch on the night was having the band introduced by original Sensational Alex Harvey Band guitarist, and one of Scotland’s rock ‘n’ roll sons, Zal Cleminson.
SAHE then launched in to a set of across-the-boards SAHB material from the band’s best known numbers (including crowd pleasers ‘Delilah’ and 'Boston Tea Party’) to deeper cuts such as ‘Dolphins’ and 'River of Love,’ which appealed to the diehard fans.
As endorsed by Zal Cleminson himself, SAHE are as close to the real thing as you can get and, in a neat twist, Cleminson returned to the music scene in 2017 by recording an album under the name Zal Cleminson’s /sin dogs/ with three members of the SAHE in the ranks (the /sin dogs/ have been touring the UK and will be appearing in Europe in 2019).
Meanwhile, SAHE, featuring David Cowan (keys), Willie McGonagle (guitar), John McAvoy (drums), Nelson McFarlane (bass) and Andy Massie (vocals, who turned in a stellar performance mirroring the theatrics of Alex Harvey) delivered the SAHB numbers with some aplomb (no easy task given the intricacies of many of the numbers).
Many a critic, rock historian and music fan would cite the Sensational Alex Harvey Band as the best ever rock band to come out of Scotland – if you listen to their back catalogue, or even some of the versions delivered by SAHE, it’s easy to see and hear why.
Are you going to the party? Going to the Arran rock 'n' blues party...?
A rock based music festival in Arran is never going to scare the bejesus out of Knebworth in notoriety or crowd numbers but the fact Jane Howe, NTM Promotions and FabricationsHQ were discussing the possibility of similar, future event (necessary support, sponsorship and incremental growth willing) during proceedings tells you that it went very well indeed.
Here’s to it being reflected on, and talked about, in the future as the inaugural Arran Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival and not the island’s only Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Special mentions for the bar and food provided by PHT, the professional job delivered by LTAudio for the sound system brought over from the mainland and compere Ian Thomson for keeping the party going.
Photo Credits: Hugh Boag / Arran Banner
Here’s to it being reflected on, and talked about, in the future as the inaugural Arran Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival and not the island’s only Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Special mentions for the bar and food provided by PHT, the professional job delivered by LTAudio for the sound system brought over from the mainland and compere Ian Thomson for keeping the party going.
Photo Credits: Hugh Boag / Arran Banner