FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: January 17th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Writing the Wrongs... 2020 in Review
  • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • McCartney III
  • Gary Barlow - Music Played By Humans
  • Featured Album Reviews
    • Storm Warning - Different Horizons
    • Reb Beach - A View From The Inside
    • Lykantropi - Tales To Be Told
    • King King - Maverick
    • Jakko M Jakszyk - Secrets & Lies
    • Blue Öyster Cult - The Symbol Remains
    • Fish - Weltschmerz
    • Dyble Longdon - Between A Breath And A Breath
    • Jim Kirkpatrick - Ballad of a Prodigal Son
    • Abel Ganz - The Life of the Honey Bee & Other Moments of Clarity
    • Toby and the Whole Truth - Ignorance is Bliss (25th Anniversary Edition)
    • Everyday Heroes - A Tale of Sin & Sorrow
    • Skintrade - The Show Must Go On
    • Robert Jon & The Wreck - Last Light on the Highway
    • Pat Metheny - From This Place
    • Anchor Lane - Casino
    • 2019 Featured Album Reviews >
      • Fat-Suit - Waifs & Strays
      • Wayward Sons - The Truth Ain't What it Used to Be
      • Flying Colors - Third Degree
      • Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live
      • Burnt Out Wreck - This is Hell
      • Runrig - The Last Dance
      • Scarlet Rebels - Show Your Colours
      • The Blind Lemon Gators - Gatorville
      • Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
      • Sweet Oblivion Feat. Geoff Tate
      • Rebecca Downes - More Sinner Than Saint
      • Stray - Mudanzas
      • Snarky Puppy - Immigrance
      • Aaron Buchanan And The Cult Classics - The Man With Stars On His Knees
    • 2018 Featured Album Reviews >
      • Simon Thacker's Svara-Kanti - Trikala
      • Jason Becker - Triumphant Hearts
      • Duncan Chisholm - Sandwood
      • Jawbone - Jawbone
      • Steve Perry - Traces
      • Sari Schorr - Never Say Never
      • Joe Bonamassa - Redemption
      • Ben Poole - Anytime You Need Me
      • Hawkwind - Road To Utopia
      • Rainbreakers - Face To Face
      • Frequency Drift - Letters to Maro
      • JCM - Heroes
      • Dana Fuchs - Love Lives On
      • Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion Live
      • W.E.T. - Earthrage
      • The King Lot - A World Without Evil
  • Monthly Album Reviews...
    • 2021 Reviews
    • 2020 Reviews
    • 2019 Reviews
    • 2018 Reviews
  • Selected 2020 Gig Reviews...
    • Jared James Nichols - Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Oscar Cordoba Band - Blue Arrow, Glasgow
    • Rebecca Downes Band - The Ice Box, Glasgow
    • Ben Poole Trio - Room 2, Glasgow
    • Sensational Alex Harvey Experience - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Aristocrats - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
    • Fat Suit - Drygate, Glasgow
    • Francis Dunnery's It Bites - St Lukes, Glasgow
  • Selected 2019 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender IV - Troon
    • Hawkwind - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Opeth - SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice 'N' Sleazy Glasgow
    • Anchor Lane - G2, Glasgow
    • Stray - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Danny Bryant - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Talon - Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
    • Lifesigns - Smiles of Musical Travel
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 3 - featuring Rattlesnake Tattoo, Prestwick
    • Chantel McGregor - Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow
    • Pete Way Band - Customs House Hotel, Greenock
    • Raintown and Katee Kross - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
    • Danny Vaughn - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • NR Rocks 2019 - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest 2019
    • Cheap Trick - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • The Blind Lemon Gators - Tolboth, Stirling
    • Midnight Oil - 02 Brixton Academy, London
    • Ana Popovic - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Eden's Curse - The Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
    • Her Way to Hell - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Quireboys and FM - The Garage, Glasgow
    • Erja Lyytinen - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Wille & The Bandits - Hug & Pint, Glasgow
    • Sari Schorr - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Frankie Miller's Full House - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 2 featuring Brian Downey's Alive and Dangerous, Prestwick
    • John Verity Band - Borders Blues Club, Innerleithen
    • King King (with Sari Schorr) - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Burnt Out Wreck (with Scarlet Rebels) - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow
    • Buckcherry / Hoobastank / Adelita's Way - SWG3 Glasgow
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • John Verity (September 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (July 2020)
    • Gary Moat (March 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (October 2019)
    • Rebecca Downes (May 2019)
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
    • Brian Downey (September 2018)
    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
    • Erja Lyytinen (September 2017)
    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
    • Simon Thacker (April 2017)
    • Sari Schorr (March 2017)
    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
    • Colin James (December 2016)
    • John Lees (October 2016)
    • Sari Schorr (August 2016)
    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
    • Martin Barre (October 2015)
    • Chris Norman (September 2015)
    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
    • Fee Waybill (July 2015)
    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
    • John Lodge (June 2015)
    • John Lawton (May 2015)
    • Steve Hackett (May 2015)
    • Manny Charlton (April 2015)
    • Ben Poole (April 2015)
    • Alan Nimmo (February 2015)
    • Popa Chubby (December 2014)
    • Paul Young (July 2014)
    • Bernie Shaw (June 2014)
    • Lee Kerslake (December 2013)
    • Pat Travers (September 2013)
    • Steve Hunter (August 2013)
    • Joy Dunlop (March 2013)
    • Gwyn Ashton (Dec. 2012)
    • Greg Lake (October 2012)
    • Ned Evett (August 2012)
    • Steven Lindsay (July 2012)
    • Dave Cureton (June 2012)
    • Jon Anderson (May 2012)
    • Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker (March 2012)
    • Amy Schugar (Feb. 2012)
    • Robert Fleischman (November 2011)
    • Ivan Drever (Sep. 2011)
    • Michael Sadler (June 2011)
    • James Evans (April 2011)
    • Alyn Cosker (Nov. 2010)
    • Scott Higham (Nov. 2010)
    • Kevin Chalfant (Oct. 2010)
    • Francis Dunnery (Sep. 2010)
    • Duncan Chisholm (Aug 2010)
    • Barbara Rubin (July 2010)
    • Alan Reed (June 2010)
  • Muirsical Q&A with...
    • Félix Rabin (February 2020)
    • Chantel McGregor (August 2019)
    • Greig Taylor (July 2019)
    • Adam Norsworthy (June 2019)
    • Erja Lyytinen (March 2019)
  • Muirsical Articles...
    • 2019AB?
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
    • Phil Lynott - Remembering Pt. 3
    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
    • Gary Moore - Last Exit
    • Mott - Without any of the Hoople-la
    • Muirsical Six of the Best
    • Music Town: A Decade of the Darvel Music Festival
    • Pat Travers - The Forgotten Power Trio
    • Playing Tribute
    • Gerry Rafferty - Humblebum to Multi-Million Seller
    • Cliff Richard - The Rock and Roll Juvenile
    • Slade - Thanks For the Memories
    • The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest
    • Talon - On Eagles Wings
    • Wild Horses - Thoroughbreds or also-rans?
  • A Personal Journey: Definitive Edition (eBook)
  • Steve Perry (vocalist): One in a Million (eBook)
  • A Writer's Muirsings...
    • A Writer's Muirsings: Introduction
    • Superbowl XLVII MVP: Beyoncé (February 2013)
    • Michael Jackson: The Alternative Verdict (Nov 2011)
    • True Colours (November 2010)
    • It's a New Language, Old Bean (October 2010)
    • Finger Pointing (July 2010)
    • Suffer the Little Children (April 2010)
    • Hey 'Banker', can you spare a dime? (February 2010)
    • Earlier Muirsings... >
      • Muirsical Christmas #1's (December 09)
      • 3-D, or not 3-D, Avatar? (December 09)
      • Pains, Planes and Automobiles (November 09)
  • A Man of Letters...
    • A Man of Letters (Introduction)
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #1
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #2
    • Letter to The Catholic League
    • Letter to SKY #1
    • Letter to SKY #2
    • Letter to SKY #3
    • Letter to Leeds City Council Parking Services
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
Rock island
Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest, Brodick Hall, Isle of Arran, 21st July 2018
Picture
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. 

PictureStorm 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.'

PictureZal 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. 

Picture
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
Website and text contents © FabricationsHQ and Ross Muir
All Rights Reserved