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
  • Moon City Masters - The Famous Moon City Masters
  • Steve Hill - Dear Illusion
  • Rebecca Downes (December 2022)
  • 2023 Reviews
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2022 Featured Album Reviews
    • 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
  • 2020 Featured Album Reviews
    • 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)
    • 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)
  • FabricationsHQ Q&As With...
    • Jeff Kollman - August 2021
    • Lyle Workman (March 2021)
    • Jason Bieler (February 2021)
    • 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
    • Home of a Ramblin' Band (Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum)
    • 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)
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
Charity begins at…
The Blind Lemon Gators (w/ Powderkeg and Jeanice Lee Band)
NR Rocks, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate 3rd August 2019
Picture
The Edinburgh based Jeanice Lee band are a guitar led quartet that can genuinely claim to have a highly individualist, distinct and contemporary sound, as heard to interesting dark, melodic rock effect on Jeanice Lee’s debut album, Beyond Never.

Much of that album was showcased on the band’s thirty-five minute opening set of the 2019 edition of NR Rocks, an annual event held at the DreadnoughtRock in Bathgate in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy.

Given that music can be such a powerful, therapeutic and impacting tool, as championed by the great work of Nordoff Robbins, it was fitting that the three acts performing at NR Rocks were all equally impacting.

PictureJeanice Lee goes Beyond Never for NR Rocks
Opening with the title track of the album, complete with A cappella and vocal effect intro, 'Beyond Never' is a quirky and melodically dark-rocking affair that doubles as the perfect "this is Jeanice Lee" introduction both musically and vocally/ lyrically (Lee’s lyricism flits from the personal and inner self to the wider world; don’t expect the usual rock ‘n’ roll clichés here, folks).

Elsewhere in the set 'Freefall' delivered euro-rock appeal while contrast came by way of the slower or softer rock approaches, such as hauntingly arranged 'Dark Cellar,' which showcased Jeanice Lee’s distinct vocal style.

Glam punk outfit Powderkeg, fronted by Jen (no second name formalities with this party-rock band) are another group with a distinct sound, albeit borrowed heavily from the glam rock era (more the later US variant than the UK 70s movement) but with a whole dose of punky rock and roll attitude.

PictureThe punky Powderkeg; wham, glam, thank you ma'am
On a couple of songs the Glasgow based group even managed to sound like a 70s US east coast club band that would have been a perfect support for The New York Dolls – 'Make Up Your Mind,' the single and song that caught the band their initial attention in 2017, being a boisterous case in glam 'n' roll point.

​The fast paced glam-thrash of 'Keep Me Around' also made an impact, as did the lyrical drive of Powderkeg punk anthem, 'Them;' the glam-fun side of the band was then delivered in fine and feisty fashion through latest single, 'New Day,' a tribute to Powderkeg's favourite glam bands of the 70s and 80s.   

​Headline act The Blind Lemon Gators are certainly working hard on their presence and profile as they head toward release of debut album, Gatorville (where there’s a gig there’s a ‘Gator or three – this was the fourth time in three weeks your reviewer had caught the band live, including an impressive Album Preview show in Stirling and two sets at the Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest).

Greig Taylor may be the vocal point of the band but he's not necessarily the focal point – Iain Donald is fast becoming one of the slide guitar players to watch and listen to, with an intuitiveness that belies (and seriously contradicts) that this is his second instrument (Donald was bass player for a short time in Greig Taylor’s first group, GT’s Boos Band).

PictureThe Blind Lemon Gators, one seriously snappy delta blues band
​That Iain Donald is from Alloa and not the Mississippi Delta is also hard to grasp given the vocabulary he has with slide in hand; he’s not playing notes, he’s fully expressing himself (listen no further than 'Goodnight Irene,' performed in memory of Donald’s mother who sadly passed in 2018).

On the pacier ‘Gators material it’s all about the rhythm 'n' snare snap of drummer Dave Cantwell, whose train track beats and military styled precision drive the fuller sounding, up-tempo numbers ('Blues Man’s Shoes,' 'Gravy Train').

But The Blind Lemon Gators can also blues it up – Muddy Waters' 'Champagne and Reefer' is Taylor made (pun intended) for singer and band while originals such as 'All I Ever Wanted' and 'Ain’t Got You' conjure up images of Sam Cooke and Chess Records, respectively.

Although the band have been performing for a couple of years it’s still very early days for The Blind Lemon Gators, but based on the quality of Gatorville and how well they perform live, these ‘Gators should be snapping at the heels of the biggest draws on the blues circuit in the very near future.

With the bands having their musical say at NR Rocks 2019, it’s time for this writer and reviewer to have his.

All three acts and, more importantly, the charity, deserved a far large audience than the relatively small but highly appreciative and generous crowd that turned up to support live music and Nordoff Robbins.

Admittedly a name act such as GUN or The King Lot (an outstanding, local to the area band who have built up a large following in recent years) are far more likely to sell out or pack out a NR charity gig at the DreadnoughtRock (as both have done in the past), but a three band show of this calibre, for a knock down £10 ticket price, deserved better.

But it does point to part of the low-attendance problems on the club circuits – that, in general, classic rock covers bands and tribute acts playing a club or music bar, sometimes for free, will have a larger, ready-made audience for songs that have been heard or played eleventy-seven times in the last month or are already in every rock fans' collection or streaming playlists.
It’s also, however, how most music clubs and smaller venues make their money.

On the plus side, the money raised for Nordoff Robbins at NR Rocks 2019 was of an amount that meant each attendee had, on average, put way more than their ticket price into a charity bucket or selection of raffle tickets, thus ensuring a much appreciated charitable donation on another great night for live, original music.

Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ


​
Photo Credit: Mark Forsyth/ #094 Media (all band images)  
​

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