DR. HOOK FEATURING RAY SAWYER

Dr Hook featuring Ray Sawyer at Glasgow's Oran Mor on Monday 25th May 2009

?ran M?r, meaning the 'great melody of life' or 'big song', is a cultural centre and meeting place in the heart of Glasgow's West End. Inside are two bars, two restaurants, a nightclub and stunning private event space available for hire in this converted church, formerly Kelvinside Parish Church.

Ex Dr Hook front man Denis Locorriere's company owns all the rights to the Dr. Hook name and license it to Ray Sawyer.

Blog from the Gig

We arrived at 7.30 to find a busy Oran Mor. This was the first time I had been in the Oran Mor to watch live music . When I say live I was not expecting it to be that lively as Dr Hook have been around many a year.

As the time went on, the Venue[downstairs hall] was getting very busy . Strange to see all ages but I must say most were about my age. Lovers of the sixties,seventies and eighties sounds. I had seen the orginal Dr Hook in Oct 1977 at the great rock venue the Apollo in Glasgow.

Bang on 9.00 the place erupted as Ray Sawyer took to the stage. I had thought the band would miss the melodic voice of Denis Locorriere but Sawyer and his band sounded just like the old Dr Hook .

First Song was 'Walk Right In' . Sawyer had his famous Cowboy hat on and his eye patch. Ray lost his eye in a car accident in 1967. The Venue was jumping by now. From the start the Golden Oldie had the crowd belting out the old hits from the seventies.

The Sam Cooke classic 'Only Sixteen' had me in full voice and the couple in front of me were dancing as if they had opened the old Tiffany's ballroom up again.

After a few more hits it was a time for the ladies in the crowd to give us 'A Little Bit More' . Ray could rest his voice as the Glasgow girls new ever word . Brought back memories of the Orbit disco in Ryl Wales . I was on my hols with my mates from Scotstoun and 'A Little Bit More' was just out .The days of Candi Staton's 'Young Hearts Run Free'.
Great times and Great music .

Apart from 'Sylvia's Mother' the most famous hit he sang was 'When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman'. The OranMor crowd knew every word.

Ray Sawyer is believe it or not is 72 years of age . As being a drummer he would start every song by tapping out the starting beat then move to the front of the stage to do the vocals. His band were fine but he was running the show.

'A Couple More Years' was my favourite song from the night but also enjoyed the cover of Rollingstone. In fact, I liked every song we heard and the crowd loved the singsong. Around 10.30 the concert ended and I thought to myself that was some performance from a guy in his later years. Oran Mar was a good setting for this live music.

Review by Bairds Travels Around the World

Ray Sawyer (born February 1, 1937, Chickasaw, Alabama, United States) is a singer best known as a lead vocalist with the 1970s rock band, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.