Like No Other      Chantel McGregor       TRM 001

I've long awaited this debut album because we've seen Chantel give us the wow factor on the stages of West Yorkshire and beyond for a few years now. I predicted her breaking into Europe and she has, and we all know she can cut it on the live scene which has made her a household name and a legendary performer in a very short time.

So can she successfully transfer her obvious talents to a recording studio? The answer is an emphatic yes. This was no rush job to do everything as cheaply as possible. It's been a deliberate and steady project to make sure everything was done right, with no regrets. It's a really nice CD with an eclectic content. If you read on I'll try to explain why I have given the CD a high rating!

The beautifully presented package opens to show a mock vinyl record. However placing it on the CD player shows the CD's musical presentation is as impressive as the packaging. The first track is titled Fabulous  and although it starts with a repetitive riff, it is a very modern styled song worthy of any modern pop diva. An obvious contemporary of Chantel is Taylor Swift and Chantel's song is certainly as "fabulous" as Taylor's back catalogue. Basically it's about feeling fabulous as the weekend comes along, the song has many modern sounds incorporated and a very "poppy" but very pleasing chorus.

A recurring delta blues riff in I'm No Good For You shows Chantel's understanding of American roots music but the song is no blues dirge. The riff is cleverly incorporated into the song. It has a good strong rhythm section, and a large helping of Chantel's emotive vocals, perfectly phrased as always, plus her perfectly played guitar which is tinged with reverb/delay for great atmosphere. It's a beautiful and atmospheric song, probably the most "blues" on this album. Remember it isn't a blues album anyway.

The title track Like No Other  is a lovely ballad, again with excellent vocals, a strong bass line and a very tasteful guitar solo. It's a well written song with some subtle harmonies. The intro is also very subtle with more tasteful acoustic guitar which gives way to the verse which is truly enjoyable and ultimately relaxing.

I'd heard the original track Free Falling before but the album version has been tweaked and improved. Forget Tom Petty's song of the same name, it's nothing like that. It starts with a great riff which leads to the chugging guitar under the verses. I like this tweaked version of the song, it rolls along steadily then builds into a great guitar solo which reaches a crescendo just before a riffy outro ends the song. It's a strong entry on the album without a doubt.

The first classic cover is a slow tempo Rhiannon, the Stevie Nicks song which needs no introduction. Chantel's rendition is beautifully sang with a tone rich and tuneful acoustic guitar beneath it. It's as good as the original but a more subtle arrangement.

The sixth track, Caught Out has a riff which will have you thinking "Kashmir" I'm sure, but it's not that song or that riff. It's another Chantel original but with that North African feel in the riff . A good song too , full of it's own merit, and a slightly more aggressive one in stance, although not menacing by any means!

The second cover is Daydream , the Robin Trower song that fans of Chantel would agree that she's all but made her own! Most fans will be  pleased this has made it to the album because it's a live favourite. This song is around 14 minutes long. From Chantel's charming vocals in the early part of the song to the gradual build up of the guitar solo, it really is something to behold. No guitar fan should be without this song in their library because it is that good, it's tremendous!

Following Daydream on the album would always be hard but Chantel has put her novelty instrumental Cat Song in this position! Probably inspired by her own cat's mad moments it's a nice, unpretentious bit of fun. Nice riffs and a bit of funky palm muted chord work take us through it . When I say it's a bit of fun, it's still a nice piece of music well worth listening to.

A much more serious song follows and it's another ballady, atmospheric tale of broken trust. Entitled Screams Everlasting, it shows Chantel's emotional song-writing at it's best. Delivered by her emotive vocals and equally emotive command of her electric guitar, the song is full of angst , but is totally satisfying.

The short but pleasing Happy Song reminds me of The Corrs to be honest with some really nice harmonies. So does the following Not Here With Me. This is a very relaxing song to be enjoyed with your favourite tipple maybe? With a cello sound and always well played acoustic guitar beneath Chantel's ever pleasing vocals, it's a beautiful song.

So we are eleven songs into the album, an eclectic collection without a doubt. So to bring us down to earth the final song on this impressive debut CD starts with a bass going through the 12 bar boogie progression. Drums and Chantel's guitar soon remind us that Chantel is also a Mistress of the Blues. Help Me the Sonny Boy Williamson classic is a live-set favourite of Chantel's numerous fans, so it was only right and proper that it was included on the album. What a great version too. I've always liked Chantel's phrasing with perfectly timed pauses. She's always reminded me of Erikah Badu in this way and this song showcases my point well. What a way to finish the album, a great version of this classic!

So what's the verdict? There was only going to be one outcome, especially to a fan! The album is a very worthy and a totally enjoyable collection. As varied in style as it is, I for one am more that pleased to own a copy. In fact part of the charm of this CD is the fact that it is varied. This CD is available at gigs and by mail order at www.chantelmcgregor.com and it comes highly recommended.

Steve Lally at www.rockofthenorth.com