Chantel McGregor @ The Boom Boom Club (Page 1 of 2)

Yes, three Chantel gigs in one week. It doesn't get much better than that! I've seen Mostly Autumn eight times in the last 12 months, and if I can match that number for Chantel by this time next year, I will be a very happy man indeed. If Chantel is playing in the south of England at a venue that is reasonably easy to drive to, within about 130 miles or so of home, I will always do my best to go and see her, and support her. She's that good, and she's worth it!

Chantel's covers

As Chantel has no commercial product to her name, for reasons beyond her control, covers will inevitably make up a large part of her set. Chantel will often play them in different ways to keep the songs fresh. As you say, Voodoo Chile and Red House are two of the most covered songs. Chantel has her own way of playing these, and, in my opinion, Chantel plays these with more style and imagination than anyone else I have heard. Probably the song that seems to be covered more than any other is All Along The Watchtower. Nearly all versions attempting to be as close as possible to the Hendrix version. Chantel also plays this, although she has not done so any of the three dates I have seen her. Instead, Chantel plays a very atmospheric solo acoustic version.

My favourite cover of Chantel's is probably Mountain Time, the Selby Open Air Festival version from last summer. She played this at The Beaverwood, but it had to make way for new songs at the other two gigs. Chantel also does a great version of Miss You Hate You, although it did not make the set list for the shows I've been to. Love the blistering lead break in the second half of the song. Both these videos are among the selection available to view on Chantel's website. And Chantel's take on Sloe Gin , again shows what a great voice she has. I can't imagine anyone covering these better than Chantel.

Chantel's own material

I don't think we need have any worries about the strength of Chantel's own material. I've heard a number of her own songs. They are very good, some of them outstanding. They are normally performed in Chantel's solo spot, mid-set.

I love Freefalling, which she performs with the band. In the days of 45s, when the singles charts used to mean something, this would have massive hit written all over it.  Great hook, great chorus, and a classic Chantel lead break to close the song.  I'm No Good For You is a very innovative piece of work performed on electric. A superb set of lyrics for this which shows what a talented writer Chantel is becoming. Chantel has performed these two songs at all the three shows I've been to. Chantel also introduced another of her own songs at The Brook, Cat Song. It's a two/three minutes acoustic storm of an instrumental. Great live number.

My own view is that Chantel is already one of the best guitarists to emerge in a generation. She just has too many weapons in her armoury. She will continue to blow audiences away, up and down the country, with her virtuoso playing. It's hard to imagine that Chantel can become a better guitarist than she already is. But no doubt she will. She has a great vocal too, and is a very charismatic live performer, where Chantel will always be at her best.

I hope she will take her time with her first CD, and not get pressured by any self imposed deadlines. If it drifts into next year, that is no problem. You only get one chance to make a first album, and from what I have seen and heard so far, it will be a very strong, and creative, selection of songs.

I had the pleasure of meeting Chantel before the Preston gig - what a lovely and down to earth lady she is. Hopefully the quality of the recorded interview will be good enough for my radio show.

In the Joe and Oli mould for thinking of the fans.

The band's performance was excellent. A very talented player indeed - I'm no drummer so can't really comment, but I loved the bass playing as well.
Her self penned songs were really good - just can't remember the names, but one of them was the best song of the night for me and as you probably already know due to the covers discussion, there are some pretty good songs in the set !!

Awaiting the CMB CD with high anticipation levels 

Rog

With respect, I do feel that perhaps you are being a little harsh with your assessment of Chantel.

Regarding the three names you mentioned, I must admit that I have no great knowledge about Virgil McMahon. I have seen some of his vids on You Tube, and he is undoubtebly a superb young guitarist. I was very impressed. However, he did not blow me away to the same degree that Chantel did when I first saw hers. I first discovered Chantel about six months ago following a recommendation from a guitarist who, up until a year ago, played in one of my favourite bands. He was right, it was jaw dropping stuff from Chantel.

I have Joanne Shaw Taylor's album, and both of Oli Brown's albums. Two more great young guitarists. JST also has a great set of vids on You Tube, I think from Auburn Hills, USA. I've got them all on a playlist. But once again, I found Chantel's playing had so much more of a long lasting effect on me. And it's Chantel's that I keep returning to, time and again. I am really looking forward to seeing these three excellent young guitarists you mentioned, for the first time, later this month on the New Generation Blues Tour. I've already got my ticket for Aldershot.

It should be remembered as well, that while Chantel was busy breaking records in the field of education while doing her music degree, JST and OB were busy making albums and honing their craft while touring the world. They have at least a couple of years more experience than Chantel, who was only able to gig locally in the north of England at this time. She is only really starting out now as a full time professional musician. I believe this is her first national tour. To a degree, she is still a guitarist of massive potential. But she has delivered so much already at the four gigs I have been lucky enough to get to. I have seen more than enough to convince me that Chantel is going to be something really special. She has the perfect band behind her as well. I hope the line up remains the same as we move onwards into the future.

I would not like to comment on the technical aspect of Chantel's playing. And I do not look for technical perfection in a guitarist. But Chantel can balance the touch of a feather and raw power with consumate ease. At times she can sound like she is duelling with the devil himself. And leave him trailing in her wake. Her two instrumental covers of Satriani and SRV are sensational. One thing that does attract me to Chantel's playing is her ability to recreate that classic sound of the early 70s rock guitar. So rarely heard these days. I also love the huge variety in her playing. She has been labelled a blues guitarist, but she is so much more than that. A typical Chantel gig will be a mixture of classic rock, heavy rock and blues. And then there is her acoustic set as well, which will often feature some country- tinged ballads.

I believe Chantel is well on the way to becoming the complete all round musician. She has all the raw materials. Her virtuoso playing, and a vocal so good that she could easily front a rock band purely as a vocalist. Chantel will always be at her best in the live arena, where she is such a charismatic and electrifying performer. I expect her to continue to keep raising the bar to new heights, and deliver some really special music in the years to come. And she will always be one of the best live acts on the circuit.

Steve

Simon -  i've got to agree with your comments

i went to watch Chantel for the second time last week

she was superb and really connects with the audince when she chats

it's unfair to compare her to other artists who are more established in their careers - lets just enjoy

PS Hope to make it a hat trick before the end of the year -Manchester acadamy ?

This has been a very interesting thread about a very interesting young woman.  I found myself nodding at both sides of the debate.  The one comment that stands out was Eldo's about CM needing to get into the studio.  I personally am very excited about her prospects from what I've heard from her.  I'd say I'm in the camp that thinks she could someday be the best coming out of the UK.  Nothing against JST or Oli, but if she's handled right her appeal will be to a much broader audience.  There's alot of ifs attached to her name at present, but to this country boy from Indiana she's very special.

An interesting discussion here and some contrasting comments. I note some of the comparisions and in my view Chantel appears as good to me as any of the other artists she's been compared with. Some of the perceptions seem a little astray from how I see it. Chantel is not simply a blues/blues rock player, she absorbs other influences too, when I saw her after she'd played support to Wishbone Ash she was stating how much she liked the prog in their work. She covers artists like Satriani and Kotzen who are not blues players, neither really is Robin Trower and she does a superb version of Daydream. When you tackle that range of material it is going to be more of a challenge than solely blues, she carries them of superbly. In my view a few too many covers of songs Joe has done, but she performs them well.

In my opinion she has the playing talent, the vocal talent (better than the other three mentioned IMHO) and the attitude to make it. Yes she needs the songs, and I'm certain they are on the way, and the number of covers in the set will decrease in proportion to the number of originals.  I know we are impatient to hear her recording, maybe she'll release a self released EP in time, yet she's got the right to take her time and let her own songs take shape before rushing into the studio. 

Actually something tells me she might have been in a studio just last week possibly for the Paul Jones show, perhaps someone can confirm?!

Chantel is further down the road than Virgil who also appears to have only a couple of originals too, and a narrower repertoire.  She's played far more gigs than him and on far larger stages. She's also further ahead than Joanne was at her age.  Give the lass a break and you'll be rewarded in time. 

Yeah Martin - bring on the Virgil/Chantel double headers.......maybe in the autumn????