Anyhow music the soundtrack of my life its whats on in the car as I travel the length and breadth of the country, the joy as I sit tapping away at the computer keyboard and as I have realised yet again over the past 2 weeks the very best way to spend a night out.
So what has brought this on,well 2 of the best gigs I have been to in my life
17th May 2014
Chantel Mcgregor
Artix Theatre Bromsgrove
I first saw Chantel in August 2007 at a tiny little club in Frodsham and was blown away from the start,over the years I have seen her 6 or 7 times and she has got better and better each time,in the past couple of years she has wont awards for singer and guitar at the British Blues award and been eulogized over by such illuminates as Joe Bonamasa.
In a perfect world she would now be a megastar but sadly nobody's with a tenth of her talent win television programmes and million pound contracts,but hopefully her talent will be recognized in the future.
Anyhow back to the 17th in Bromsgrove and as far as I am concerned the best ever,Chantel has a talented tight band with Keith Mcpartland on drums and Richard Ritchie on bass
From the opening number they were tighter than ever not a note out of place and Chantel's soaring riffs riding smoothly on one of the tightest rhythm sections you will find anywhere (And I saw Zeppelin and Purple Live) .This was one of those nights when you just sit back and let it wash all over you and take you to a higher plain,whilst remembering to take a few photo's
27th May 2014
Robin 2 Bilston
Crippled Black Phoenix
The complete opposite of Chantel a band until 3 days earlier I had never even heard of but when a mate suggested it I thought well why not,what a good decision that was,it was one of those nights that you always remember.
It probably helped that I was at a bit of a low because the support band Liquid Landscape were without doubt one the worst bands I have ever seen but from the first riff of Crippled Black Phoenix you knew you were in for something special.
this is a 7 piece band full of consummate musical talents perfectly honed and at the peak of their powers,as song followed song they got better and better as the power chords and delicate interludes washed around the room
On and on it went ,in the end 3 hours of quite stunning music and the only sadness that they weren't more there to see it
So will either of these superb bands ever make the bigtime,well who knows but even if they never play another gig in their lives and fade into total obscurity I will remember them for the joy they have given me
Music does have the ability to lift the soul like no other and it certainly happened on these two nights
