Chantel McGregor - New album coming soon, new tour material tonight

I'm looking forward to her new cd from Chantel. She have a wonderfull voice and can play the guitar as the best.

One gig is missing:
31 October @ Zur alten Post, Wegberg, Germany

Chantel played the New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Billericay on Friday, 5th December to a packed house and left the audience mesmerised by her effortless playing. Despite having the tail end of a heavy cold, Chantel’s voice was clear and strong with a good range. As they say, the show must go on.

I was surprised to hear so many songs from the new album which, although in the can, won’t be released until May/June time next year. The set list comprised roughly 50% new material, which included several rocking numbers with strong riffs that should go down well with most punters. It will be interesting to see how these new songs develop on the road over the coming months and years.

Chantel played two new semi-acoustic numbers from the new CD, Anasthesia and (I think) Your Fever while the rhythm section of Keith and Richie left the stage for a few minutes. The seated audience were captivated but, regrettably, there were a few ignorant people only there for the cheap beer and talking non-stop at the bar during these songs. I’m looking forward to hearing the studio versions of these songs to hear them as they were meant to be.

The rest of the set comprised material from Chantel’s current CD, including a sublime twenty minute Daydream that had many on their feet at the end. Chantel’s playing has definitely progressed since I saw her last and is totally effortless. More than once it sounded like there were two guitars playing and it wasn’t simple stuff either. Mrs W, remarked that it looked like Chantel was almost going through the motions. This wasn’t meant as a criticism, far from it, as she was very impressed by Chantel’s fretwork skills on the guitar. Perhaps it just highlights Chantel’s proficiency on the guitar and being 90% through the current tour. I’m sure picking up the guitar at the age of three helps too! 

As I mentioned in my review of Aynsley’s gig in the summer, this venue is far from the best in that the toilets are on one side of the room, the bar is opposite and there is an almost constant stream going backwards and forwards in front of the stage – not good for serious music fans. Plus the afore-mentioned bar which stretches almost the whole length of the room alongside the seating. I therefore avoided taking any video until the encore. Due to the lighting the picture starts off rather blue but improves for the second number. It’s definitely worth watching all through as the sound is good and has had me bopping along to the superb playing. The first is a Satriani number Chantel introduced as an instrumental but if anyone knows the title, please let me know. The same goes for the second number. Any ideas Steve? Anyway, enjoy.

Encore @ New Crawdaddy Club

Phil

Cheers Kenny. I always have trouble with instrumental titles. I hope it whets your appetite for later this week when you'll be seeing Chantel.

Thanks.
Phil