Cornerstone - Jeanice Lee

Austrian melodic rock band Cornerstone (not to be confused with the earlier Doogie White fronted band of the same name) were playing their first ever Scottish show tonight. This is actually their 10th UK tour but they’ve somehow managed to fly under the radar and their classy but slightly understated soft rock hasn’t yet had the recognition it deserves.

Brothers Steve and Michael Wachelhofer are the only ever-presents on their three albums to date. The first two, ‘Head Over Heels’ (2008) and ‘Somewhere in America’ (2011), featured strong soft rock and ballads but also included some 90’s style alternative music. 2016’s Harry Hess-produced album ‘Reflections’ was a big step forward though, with Alina Peter joining on vocals and the band getting fully onboard the AOR yacht with an album full of quality keyboard-infused 80’s sounds. There are some very classy tunes on there that benefit from repeat listens.

They open strongly tonight with a pulsating ‘Nothing to Lose’, the first track on ‘Reflections. The charming Alina (resplendent in tartan trousers for her Scottish debut) is an obvious focal point and shares front-person duties with the energetic and engaging Michael on bass. Brother Steve favours the side of the stage but steps up with some subtle guitar work that complements the songs nicely.

The band self-deprecatingly describe their music as ‘unhip, uncool and unsexy’ on their posters but that’s a bit disingenuous. There are certainly no craft beer and avocado scoffing beardies in the house tonight but the third song ‘Last Night’ is seriously sexy (check out the You Tube videos). On CD, the track includes some of the horniest sax this side of ‘Harden My Heart’ by Quarterflash or a 70s porno. As a touring four-piece, the band can’t replicate all the instruments on stage here but it still sizzles.

Midway through the set, Michael switches to keyboards for three songs with Alina covering bass on one number. There’s never been an AOR song that can’t be improved by adding keys and ‘Northern Light’ (another one to check on You Tube) and the gorgeous ‘Heart on Fire’, both from ‘Reflections’, benefit from their full album treatments and are real highlights. The band then throw in some crowd-pleasing covers, including charity single ‘Smalltown Boy’, but finish with quality tracks from earlier albums of which ‘Like a Stranger’ is a standout.

There’s no new music previewed tonight but the band plan to have a new album in 2020 so hopefully there will be an 11th UK tour then.

Jeanice Lee
Jeanice Lee (that’s pronounced ‘jeen-iss’) is the opening act tonight and she delivers an intriguing set. A comparatively late starter in music, Jeanice has already demonstrated her song writing and vocal quality on self-funded debut album ‘Beyond Never’ which she is promoting tonight.

Sensibly, Jeanice has surrounded herself with an experienced band, notably Marco Morelli (Baader-Meinhoff Experience, Heartbreak Diet) on guitar who shines throughout. It’s difficult to label the music; Hong Kong-born Jeanice brings a beautiful, distinctive voice and poetic lyrics – there’s ballads, blues and classic riffs but its always melodic.

After overcoming a slight wardrobe malfunction, Jeanice visibly grows in confidence throughout the show. It’s a strong performance and they finish with album closer ‘Let the Music’ which is about following your dreams – exactly what the lady is doing.