FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: January 20th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Hayley Griffiths - Far From Here Hayley Griffiths Band - MELANIE
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  • Rebecca Downes (December 2022)
  • 2023 Reviews
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    • Kira Mac - Chaos is Calling
    • EBB - Mad & Killing Time
    • The Commoners - Find A Better Way
    • Chris Antonik (November 2022)
    • Rebecca Downes - The Space Between Us
    • Erja Lyytinen - Waiting For The Daylight
    • Chris Antonik - Morningstar
    • The Milk Men - Spin The Bottle
    • SiX BY SiX - SiX BY SiX
    • Jeff Berlin - Jack Songs
    • Keef Hartley Band - Sinnin' For You The Albums 1969-1973
    • Toby Lee - Icons Vol.1
    • Montrose - I Got The Fire : Complete Recordings 1973-1976
    • Orianthi - Live From Hollywood
    • Valeriy Stepanov Fusion Project - Album No. 2
    • Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King
    • Ali Ferguson - The Contemplative Power Of Water
    • Edgar Winter - Brother Johnny
    • Joe Satriani - The Elephants Of Mars
    • Dave Cureton - State Of Mind
    • Larry McCray - Blues Without You
    • Tears for Fears - Tipping Point
    • Kris Barras Band - Death Valley Paradise
    • Dan Patlansky - Shelter of Bones
    • Black Lakes - For All We've Left Behind
    • Wille & The Bandits - When The World Stood Still
    • LALU - Paint the Sky
    • Various Artists - Revolt Into Style 1979
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2021 Featured Album Reviews
    • Dave Bainbridge - To The Far Away
    • Lachy Doley - Studios 301 Sessions
    • Mark Pontin Group - Kaleidoscope
    • The Mentulls - Recipe For Change
    • Plush - Plush
    • Wayward Sons - Even Up the Score
    • Pat Metheny - Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
    • Steve Hackett - Surrender Of Silence
    • Sweet Crisis - Tricks On My Mind
    • Amanda Lehmann - Innocence and Illusion
    • Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions Volume One & Volume Two
    • Troy Redfern ...The Fire Cosmic!
    • NWOCR - Volume One
    • Jeff Kollman - East of Heaven
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere
    • Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol 2
    • Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions Vol 2
    • Reach - The Promise Of a LIfe
    • Jane Getter Premonition - Anomalia
    • Mason Hill - Against The Wall
    • Lyle Workman - Uncommon Measures
    • Robert Berry - 3.2 : Third Impression
    • Lifesigns - Altitude
    • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • 2020 Reviews
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    • McCartney III
    • Gary Barlow - Music Played By Humans
    • 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 Reviews
  • 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
  • Selected 2022 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender - Troon
    • Jack J Hutchinson - Bannermans, Edinburgh
    • Paul McCartney - Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury 2022
    • Daryl Hall - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Dan Patlansky - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Eric Gales - Oran Mor, Glasgow
  • Selected 2021 Gig Reviews...
    • Sweet - The Garage, Glasgow
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere Record Release Experiment Live
    • Anchor Lane - Lockdown Live, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Laurence Jones - Live From Camden, Powerhaus, London
    • Joe Bonamassa - Austin City Limits, Live Stream
    • Todd Rundgren - Clearly Human Virtual Tour, "Pittsburgh"
  • 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...
    • Pat Travers (October 2022)
    • Robert Berry (August 2022)
    • JW-Jones (August 2022)
    • Mike Ross (July 2022)
    • Dan Patlansky - March 2022
    • Bernie Marsden (December 2021)
    • Robin George (November 2021)
    • Dennis DeYoung (June 2021)
    • Robert Berry (March 2021)
    • Dan Reed (February 2021)
    • Steve Hackett (January 2021)
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    • Steve Hackett (July 2020)
    • Gary Moat (March 2020)
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    • Rebecca Downes (May 2019)
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
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    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
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    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
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    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
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    • John Lees (October 2016)
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    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
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    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
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    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
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  • FabricationsHQ Q&As With...
    • Jeff Kollman - August 2021
    • Lyle Workman (March 2021)
    • Jason Bieler (February 2021)
    • Félix Rabin (February 2020)
    • Chantel McGregor (August 2019)
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    • 2019AB?
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Home of a Ramblin' Band (Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum)
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
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    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
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    • Playing Tribute
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    • 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)
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Hayley Griffiths – Far From Here; Hayley Griffiths Band - MELANIE
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Outstanding and versatile vocalist Hayley Griffiths has kicked off her year with a musically contrasting but doubly satisfying two album release, showcasing her love for traditional/ Celtic songs and symphonic/ contemporary rock.

The classically trained Griffiths, who spent nearly a decade as the lead singer in the international phenomenon Riverdance and Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance before fronting Celtic-tinged melodic progressives Karnataka for seven years (featuring on excellent 2015 album Secrets Of Angels) has released her third solo album Far From Here alongside MELANIE, the debut studio album from The Hayley Griffiths Band (the singer formed the rock group after leaving Karnataka in 2017, releasing a live CD (and double DVD) in 2021).

Far From Here follows in the evocative Celtic footsteps of Silver Screen (Classical Crossover Album of The Year 2010) and previous solo album, 2011’s Celtic Rose.

The album is led-off by the title track, the one original number on the album.
Written by Mike Stobbie (founding member of Scottish progressive rock band Pallas; Stobbie also produced the album), 'Far From Here' opens with lone voice, then piano, before blossoming into a mythical Celtic tale of a Princess who ex-communicates herself from her own country due to the infidelity of her lover.

The remaining ten tracks on Far From Here feature new arrangements of well-known or revered trad. Celtic/ folk tunes, including a beautifully evocative take on The Fureys world-wide hit 'When You Were Sweet Sixteen,' a jaunty rendition of traditional Irish folk ballad 'The Star of the County Down' and the purity of voice that leads traditional Irish lament 'Siúil a Rún.'

Great singer that Hayley Griffiths is, it’s that aforementioned purity of tone and vocal clarity/ enunciation that sets her above many such singers mixing the traditional/ balladeering with rock.
In that regard comparison to Annie Haslam is both obvious and merited, particularly evident on the album’s symphonically arranged version of 'Scarborough Fair.'
 
It’s should also be noted that those north of the border will find their hearts stirring (and beating just that little bit stronger) to the strains of 'Skye Boat Song' (here carrying a mid-song rise & fall that seems to emulate the swell of the waves as the boat takes "the lad born to be King" to the isle), a gorgeously voiced rendition of 'Loch Lomond' and, closing out the album, a classical meets Celtic arrangement of Dougie MacLean’s 'Caledonia.'
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MELANIE, The Hayley Griffiths Band’s first official studio album, is a heady and successful mix of contemporary symphonic rock, melodic rock and progressive themes featuring strong vocals, and equally impressive vocal melodies.

The band – Griffiths, former Karnataka band mates Cagri Tozluoglu (keys) and Jimmy Pallagrosi  (drums, production), along with fast and fluid six-stringer Mathieu Spaeter and bassist Jordan Brown – are in high symphonic rock gear from the off on six-minute opener 'Broken Lullaby,' which seamlessly flits from almost metal-edged riffage and power to more rhythmic atmospheric passages, a darker, pseudo-choral middle 8, short but effective guitar-to-synth solos and a big, hook-you-in chorus melody.

Then there’s the superb title track, a dynamic and highly charged slice of contemporary rock with a symphonic twist and a dash of Dr Jekyll and Mrs Hyde ("Melanie you’re part of me, Melanie you got the best of me; Cruel by design she’s the devil entwined and out of my mind!").  

There is also, perhaps unsurprisingly, a touch of Karnataka on some of the numbers – the rhythmically driven verses (nod here to Messrs Pallagrosi & Brown) and weightier rock passages of 'Last Goodbye' is perhaps the best example of a song that would have sat fairly comfortably on Secrets Of Angels.

Heavy symphonic ballad 'Perfect Lie' makes good use of vocal light, heavier musical shade and a number of tempo shifts/ change-ups while up-tempo ballad 'Made My Bed,' built atop an interesting and effective rhythm, is a lighter and airier AOR proposition that allows Hayley Griffiths to take a different/ poppier vocal approach. 

There’s a bluesier style of balladeering (with a suitably melodic and bluesy solo from Mathieu Spaeter) to be heard on 'Little Star' before the ever-shifting, melodically rocking and wonderfully hooky 'Dust to Gold' takes centre stage.
The excellent latter, featuring Big Big Train drummer/vocalist Nick D’Virgilio in the late vocal going, is the most progressive piece on the album and the longest, clocking in at a shade under seven minutes.

The album is further enhanced by three bonus tracks.
There's a new, slightly darker and weightier version of ballad 'Separated By Glass' (Hayley Griffiths’ first single release in 2009, subsequently featuring on Silver Screen), another ballad, the 2018 single 'Aurora,' and pick of the bunch, 'Haunted.'
Originally an atmospheric Celtic-pop number on Silver Screen, this version of 'Haunted' is the rerecorded and symphonically rocked up single version from 2019, with drum rhythm to the fore.

As can clearly be determined by the album covers Far From Here and MELANIE are very different musical propositions, but Hayley Griffiths’ passion, and voice, for both the lighter traditional and darker contemporary, is apparent for all to hear on two outstanding albums.   

Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ


Far From Here and MELANIE will be released on January 20th.
Visit website to pre-order (plus other merch) via the Shop at: 
https://www.hayleygriffiths.com/
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