Topic: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

There was a double celebration for Chantel McGregor at the British Blues Awards last Sunday. After being nominated in both the Best Blues Guitarist and Best Female Vocalist categories, Chantel cleaned up as she took the crown in both. Including winning Best Female Vocalist for the second year running.

A full list of all the winners is here.

http://www.britishbluesawards.com/#/201 … 4579006139

I don't know the history of all of the previous winners, or whether Chantel is the first female winner of the Best Guitarist award, but its an incredible achievement for any musician to win both the vocalist and guitarist awards.

The British Blues Awards and all the members of the public who voted have certainly recognised the genius of Chantel since she burst on the scene just a few years ago.

2011 - Young Artist Of The Year

2012 - Female Vocalist Of The Year

2013 - Female Vocalist Of The Year

2012 - Guitarist Of The Year

A well deserved double award winner and a massive boost for Chantel as she hits the road again on the autumn tour.

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Yeah - Chantel is the first female even to be nominated in the Best Guitarist category, let alone win it. Taking into consideration Joanne Shaw Taylor, Dani Wilde et al, I've said for a while that the girls can mix it as well as the lads.

I know some take these awards with a pinch of salt, but there is kudos overseas to be had by winners and nominees, so congratulations to all.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

So, Friday night (31/1) was at Sedgefield R'n'B Club for my first Chantel gig since she landed the previously mentioned Blues Awards and she came out and proved that she deserved all the above and more. Absolutely blistering performance with shredded picks flying left, right and centre as Chantel delivered top class solo after solo, whether on Hendrix covers, tapping into Joe's Yes territory with a bit Starship Trooper or her own Like No Other & Fabulous. Bouncing off the great backline of Keith & Ritchie, Chantel was in total command of yet another sold out audience at Sedgefield and was feeling "right giddy". Thing almost slowed down for the acoustic Cat Song and then a sublime Bonnie Raitt cover before things got bouncy again. Chantel also included a few new songs in the set, so hopefully she'll be taking time out for some studio work before too long; a very catchy Disco (by name, not genre....) and a Jace Everett/True Blood inspired number. (And any girl who likes vampires is cool in my book....)

This was the icing, cherry and silver ball-bearings on the cake of a very "girlie" night at Sedgefield. Opener was a Darlington youngster of 17, Jodie, who'd only been playing a year and her 30 minute solo acoustic set got a warm reception. Nena & The Red Sky are another local band, two guitar and girl fronted with a new wave / indie style; not quite blues, not quite rock though they dipped their toes in both ponds with a daring cover of Purple's Mistreated. Both acts certainly raw round the edges, but good on Sedgefield for giving local bands a showcase and some invaluable experience.

Check Chantel's website ( http://www.chantelmcgregor.com/tour.html ) for more dates, your wouldn't want to miss out while she's on this sort of form.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

She deserves those awards, she's really great. Lookin'forward to a new album of her and a new gig in Belgium.

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Darlington Forum 13/6/14

Caught up with Chantel at the start of the week-end, once again a sold-out Darlington Forum; 2nd time in a row at this venue and 3rd sold-out gig in County Durham this year. Most definitely got the “glamour” set right for here, though the way Chantel sings, plays and connects with her audience, that’s glamour enough.

Once on stage, Chantel just sets the guitar on “stunning” and blazes away with Keith & Ritchie setting a powerful rockin’ funky groove that no-other backline can come near reproducing (except maybe the original Blondie) and we’re off for a great evening. This time round, Chantel is throwing a few more new numbers into the set, taking Blues into Indigo territory, and if you don’t know what that is then get along to one of the shows and check it out. Always love her “free-spirit” attitude on stage, and how Chantel is very much influenced in her performance by who she’s “in to” at the moment and so we were treated to an epic cover of Prince’s Purple Rain that only really shared the lyrics and core melody with the more familiar Aynsley Lister treatment. Keeping on covers, as ever Daydream soared and swooped round the room, Chantel looking as if she was enjoying it every bit as much as the Darlington crowd.

Just as ever, a fantastic evening with someone who deserves the label - phenomenal.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

From the above show:-

Something vaguely familiar about this song:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmimVC-S6nk

Raising the temperature of an already hot room:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZgLuj4fAfI

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

BansheeUK wrote:

Darlington Forum 13/6/14

Caught up with Chantel at the start of the week-end, once again a sold-out Darlington Forum; 2nd time in a row at this venue and 3rd sold-out gig in County Durham this year. Most definitely got the “glamour” set right for here, though the way Chantel sings, plays and connects with her audience, that’s glamour enough.

Once on stage, Chantel just sets the guitar on “stunning” and blazes away with Keith & Ritchie setting a powerful rockin’ funky groove that no-other backline can come near reproducing (except maybe the original Blondie) and we’re off for a great evening. This time round, Chantel is throwing a few more new numbers into the set, taking Blues into Indigo territory, and if you don’t know what that is then get along to one of the shows and check it out. Always love her “free-spirit” attitude on stage, and how Chantel is very much influenced in her performance by who she’s “in to” at the moment and so we were treated to an epic cover of Prince’s Purple Rain that only really shared the lyrics and core melody with the more familiar Aynsley Lister treatment. Keeping on covers, as ever Daydream soared and swooped round the room, Chantel looking as if she was enjoying it every bit as much as the Darlington crowd.

Just as ever, a fantastic evening with someone who deserves the label - phenomenal.



Yes, Chantel is very much a "free spirit" on stage, just one of the many endearing qualities of her personality. She's a fearless guitar player, always ready and willing to take risks and take a leap of faith into unknown territory. And the impulsive side of her character will often have the last word as when she gets an idea in her head, she just has to go for it. And it always seems to work.

Chantel doesn't often play this one, possibly because she gets bombarded by requests in her solo acoustic slot. I've only seen her play this on one occasion about three years ago. But I found this on You Tube from a recent gig, there's only one other vid of Chantel doing this song, a more mellow full band version in 2008, but this solo acoustic version is a bit special. Excellent sound and vision as well.


A harrowing song, a rasping vocal from Chantel and dramatic acoustic guitar.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgfR7GxlBH0   Gold Dust Woman

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

http://www.rootstime.be/LIVE/JULI2014/P … TIVAL.html


My concertreview with pictures and 4 movies from her concert at The Patersdreef Tielt in Belgium last saturday 5 Juli

9 (edited by BansheeUK 2015-12-14 08:36:17)

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

13th December,

Hmm, a gig on the 13th? Well, at least it wasn’t a Friday, especially for Chantel’s first visit to Newcastle’s Cluny. Yeah, that’s something to get the head around, knowing how relentlessly Chantel & the band have toured over the years. Still, on a cold, wet winter’s night, they received a rousing Geordie welcome and got down to serious business with a roaring Freefalling, one of several choice picks from Like No Other, I’m No Good For You and Scream Everlasting mixing in with the more brooding selections from Lose Control, giving a darker edge to Chantel’s oeuvre. Even the usually bubblegum Fabulous takes on a new menace.

As previously, just because Chantel now take the stage swathed in black taffeta don’t expect a Sister of Mercy revisited with loads of overbombing from Colin or Keith hammering out funeral dirges - both are far too good to be so constrained. This was proved by a new number, partially improvised, which takes the place of Daydream in the set; last night it got the working name “Prod Me In The Back” but ended up PROG Me In The Back, a tongue-in-cheek testament to a back problem Chantel is bravely coping with on stage.; the instrumental swings between Satriani and Trower giving scope for dextrous work from Colin and Keith. Another highlight in the set, as ever is Chantel’s acoustic section, Anaesthesia and Home, both from Lose Control just emphasise how far Chantel has come on as a writer, both very atmospheric, especially Home with its soft backing from Keith & Colin, giving breathing space from the Creed-like intensity and scuzzy riffs of tracks like Your Fever.  That takes us to the powerful closer, Walk On Land, and a final chance for Chantel and the guys to rock out with the encore Take The Power.

A really strong and memorable night at The Cluny, and a good turn-out to see it; that should ensure a return visit in the near future

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Chantel McGregor - Spirit Of 66 Verviers

http://www.concertmonkey.be/reports/liv … r-walter-1

Southern Belle : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-uczsWN-QI


Anaethetize : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFxezZCsu48


https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter_va … 1582362651

11 (edited by BansheeUK 2017-09-04 08:46:55)

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

13th April

What is it about Chantel, the 13th of the month and me? And has it really been over a year since I last saw the barefoot guitar-slinger-ess? Well, it's not been through any lack of roadwork on Chantel's part, nor any dissatisfaction with her music on mine; however, the "lay-off" has meant that catching up again with Chantel has brought a freshness back to her music.

Thursday night at Durham Gala saw Chantel breaking her audience in gently with an acoustic start, Anaesthesia, the only cover on the evening, All Along The Watchtower, a sublime Home and Cat Song before the band came on stage to join for Inconsolable which built from a acoustic start to a kick-butty climax. From there on, Chantel really got down to business, mixing her oldies with her newies and something so new it ain't got a title yet - an instrumental work-in-progress for this evening named Lakes & Land; getting back in touch with her Robin Trower. Southern Belle & Fabulous tore through the sound system and once again, Walk On Land was epic.

Great seeing her again - who's for The Cluny in September?

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

12 (edited by BansheeUK 2017-09-06 09:02:39)

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

2nd Sept - Cluny
Once again, The Cluny paid host to Chantel and the guys - new face on Bass this time round, Adam, who’s only been in the band since Tuesday - still, the boy done good.

After a nice warm-up from local duo Oil City Shakers, Chantel came on and did a two-song acoustic warm-up, Home & Anaesthesia  before being joined by the boys and letting loose with a furious Inconsolable.  From there, it was business-as-usual until the first of two new instrumental numbers, working title of which was Having a Giraffe; old Blues, the SRV way. The second newbie, April, previously known as Lakes & Mountains  is already down to be on a soon-to-be-upcoming (we hope) new album, but hopefully without the “Dad, Dad, Dad!” intro as Chantel’s amp-head fell victim to the Cluny gremlins, though Dad to the rescue quickly changed to the spare and it was like it never happened.

Always a strong show from Chantel, but now with added spice with hints of a new album to listen out for.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

23rd Feb - Darlington Forum

There’s something about the combination of Chantel and Darlo Forum that’s just meant to be: her 5th (?) appearance at Borough Rd, and another pack-out house; they were even standing in the bar. And there’s no doubt, this is THE time to catch Chantel as album #3 is in the making so there are new songs as well as another shift in direction.

Opening the show are the acoustic double-whammy of Home and Anaesthesia and then the guys sidle on stage as Inconsolable builds from an acoustic start, through a slick guitar change, to a full-on prog-rock monster. The Lose Control album is richly plundered through the set; we already know Chantel has fangs, but as these songs have matured, there’s a little venom in their too. The Like No Other album is largely by-passed in favour of a couple of developing new tracks, the most complete of which, the epic April seems to reference more Steven Wilson than Robin Trower these days. I think that’s the way Chantel is going, dark, away from the “gothic” of Lose Control, and maybe not quite nihilistic but certainly thought provoking.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

14 (edited by BansheeUK 2019-09-10 09:21:15)

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Newcastle; Cluny - 28th Aug

Seems to have been a while since I’ve seen a “full” Chantel gig [by full, I mean more than 70 minutes] but I hadn’t realised it’s been nearly 18 months… However, on a cool, August night, this was definitely the place to spend 100 minutes. What’s the difference with a full show? Well, with a “fulll” set, you get the acoustic section; once this was an excuse for covers, ranging from Metallica to Bruno Mars, but now more for a re-working of her own songs as well as numbers like Anaesthesia which are already acoustic and the building Inconsolable which after a slick guitar change morphs into a shredding, proggy monster. Sorry to bang on about this, but one of Chantel’s announcements is that there’s an Acoustic album on the way very soon.

Oh yes, it may have been a mid-week gig, but Chantel and the boys (Colin & Tom?) packed in a 3-figure audience and delivered a 5 Star show. This from someone who must be the God-daugther for Robin Trower, from the way she opens out on guitar and Stevie Nicks from her vocal and lyrical prowess. Don’t believe me;  then hop over to her site as she’s just released a Live album, swinging from her “Southern Gothic” Lose Control phase to the jaw-dropping instrumental, April.

April - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anL0pZl_g0   (Newc. Cluny)
Killing Time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omrEsacs3as  (Newc Cluny)

The Bury'D Alive album is released on Friday 6th Sept, and when not on the road,  Chantel is busy signing pre-orders and packing envelopes..

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

15 (edited by BansheeUK 2019-10-03 09:48:45)

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Stockton Arc - 2nd Oct

A calm spot in the weather managed to tice out a 3-figure audience for this mid-week, Teesside gig from Chantel. Just as well as promoting the new Bury’d Alive album along with Colin & Thom, she’s clearly in the zone. Her playing is crisp & sharp, vocals strong & tender in equal measure. No set changes to the previous post but Inconsolable is an absolute show-stopper.

With a tasty support slot from Felix Rabin, this was a mighty guitar-fest and a great place to be of a Wednesday evening.

Inconsolable; (Kinross 12/09/19) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLSeR6aitAY

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Chantel McGregor - British Blues Awards Winner 2013

Darlington Forum - 29th April 2022

Wow; hard to believe October 2019 was the last time I got to see Chantel on stage; always a welcome regular to this region, it's always worth making a point to catch her at least once per year, but then what a crazy couple of years it's been.

Anyway, it was pretty much "business as usual" at The Forum, Chantel & band (with stand-in bassist Ali Goodman deputising on short notice and doing sterling work along side Thom on drums) and straight away Chantel's guitar was spitting out white hot riffs, even on the usually more "pop" Fabulous. Then after a couple of numbers, the pace was slowed with Eternal Dream and as customary, the lads left the stage to Chantel for a solo section, still using the electric guitar for I'm No Good For You before a couple of acoustic numbers, including the debut of a fresh, new song.

The lads came back on for a building run through Inconsolable and some more hot rock and the proggy April before romping for the finish-line with Walk On Land and Take The Power.

So a touch of something old and a dash of something new, but pretty much picking up where left off but the mood was good, Darlington was up for some rockin' guitar and Chantel delivered the goods and seemed to be having as much fun playing as we were taking it in. Nice one, chuck!

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...