THE TOUCH OF YOUR LOVING HAND (LIVE) - STONE THE CROWS

This is 'Stone The Crows' at their bluesy best! On August 28, 1970, the Granada TV programme "Doing Their Thing" presented some 20+ minutes with the blues rockers from Scotland, and for my money "The Touch" is the highlight of their 4-song performance. Written by Les Harvey and Jim Dewar for the first 'STC' album, the vocal duet of Dewar (who was such an underrated singer) and Maggie Bell never fails to send shivers down my spine. Enjoy!

[@terrenceburton7903]

Omg...mmmmmm.....yeahhhhh. That feels like the missing piece i been looking for....all my life....bless you, brothers, sisters.💜🌟💜

[@gabetrejo2752]

damn!!!! 👍👍👍

[@warrenblake5554]

Loved it 👌 another great band that mostly flew under the radar 😢

[@davidarthur2411]

Saw them perform this in Edinburgh October 1970....Sensational singers Maggie Bell and Jimmy Dewar ....What a band they were !Saw them many times thereafter

[@richardlundberg964]

Tragically, Les Harvey died when he was electrocuted by a "live" mic on stage in 1972. Older brother, Alex, fronted his own band, "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band" Out of Glasgow, Scotland. Maggie's voice can only be described as "gut-bucket". And Jim Dewar was truly underrated. What a great, powerful voice. Thanks for help keeping the music alive....Peace.

[@douglaschristine8387]

I heard about that. Dunsys guitar world plays a lot of Alex Harvey band on you tube and Robin Trower guitar lessons.

[@green323turbo]

Maggie's voice can also be described as "beautiful and amazing"

[@jonathanroberts6110]

What a great singer was Jimmy Dewar

[@johnschwalenberg278]

She's not half bad either .

[@lisaratley4858]

So beautiful and makes me want to cry from the emotion!

[@lisaratley4858]

My God, this is a stunning playlist. Goosebumps all over!

[@lazypokerblues]

@Lisa Ratley Thank you for that, Lisa - my pleasure!

[@elainemclaughlan4426]

Oh wow this is absolutely astounding. My hairs are standing on end. It would bring a tear to a glass eye.

[@buddybeetle]

Wow. Just discovered this this. Beautiful performance by everyone.

[@Raittway]

I never heard this band before. I heard an interview of Roger Daltry who mentioned them. Just freakin unreal! Incredible vocals, mind blown.

[@lazypokerblues]

@Fuphyter You gotta check out their records!

[@Raittway]

@@lazypokerblues I will. Listening to Frank Marino for the first time at the moment. Music junkie here.

[@pinball-wizard]

That was exactly how I found it too, I think it was a melody maker blind date interview?

[@stephenwilkes1385]

Just fabulous! To enjoy forever.

[@TheMarcvd]

Jim Dewar the best male singer i ever heard

[@lazypokerblues]

@Marc Van Dender . . . errm . . . Les Harvey didn't sing - bass player James Dewar was the male vocalist here.

[@TheMarcvd]

​@@lazypokerblues Just is just thought Les was the singer, again James Dewar is the most beautiful male voice I've ever heard, good improvement

[@TheMarcvd]

@@lazypokerblues What a voice

[@lazypokerblues]

@Marc Van Dender Yes, fantastic indeed - he was an even better singer than bass player! Sadly no more with us since over 20 years.

[@gidneyandcloyd]

Outstanding! I was 16 back then and vaguely remember their name, but that is all. I can’t believe I’m just now hearing this. I hear Ray Charles’s influence all over it.

[@ferox965]

James Dewar...one of the greatest singers ever-here and in Robin Trower's band.

[@monaattianese9838]

Man they were great.

[@tomohawkkid]

God that is so good

[@robertmcdougall3166]

I consider myself lucky in life, having frequently seen Jimmy play with Stone the Crows in a wee pub in Glasgow, a young man of obvious talent. He was superb with Robin Trower. Superb deep soulful voice. Saw Maggie recently (in Kinross?), she still tours. Great memories.

[@boomah47]

Yup lucky you are my friend 😊

[@robertmcdougall3166]

@@boomah47 At 69 I look back on some of the superb bands I saw live. I remember at the time they were a poor mans' Janis Joplin and the Big Brother and the Holding Company. That is the trouble with youth, you don't really appreciate what you have at the time. I am lucky yet it is with regret that I can't turn back time and see the band yet again. They were not a copy but had their own style, I know so much better now.

[@boomah47]

@@robertmcdougall3166 not a copy at all in fact Maggie was one of Janis’ biggest musical inspirations

[@robertmcdougall3166]

@@boomah47 Yes I totally agree. When I was young I was heavily influenced by American bands. I did go and see Stone the Crows on a number of occasions and was a huge fan of Jimmy Dewar. I wished I could turn back time and see them again as I did not fully appreciate just how good they were. Great to see that Maggie is still touring, she is a Scottish treasure.

[@drjretired4909]

Thank you for posting this!! I first saw Jimmy Dewar with Robin Trower in 1977 and only recently was able to access jimmys older recordings. I’m a crusty old stone hearted retired rocket scientist and this song sends chills down my spine every time. Hearing and seeing a live recording was an experience that I will NEVER forget. RIP Jimmy Dewar

[@johnfarrar7448]

Serious. Blues!!

[@sohrabborzoian3914]

Thank you for uploading this. It's my favorite song from them.

[@markevans2216]

This is so freaking good!

[@outtathyme5679]

Overlooked blues master

[@jaybovee7607]

Yes amazing omg such a beautiful song

[@lewiskoster7088]

Excelente banda escocesa! Saudoso Les Harvey na guitarra! Maggie Bell fantástica nos vocais! James Dewar segurando a onda no baixo e vocais! "The touch of your loving hand" não tem como não se emocionar!

[@lazypokerblues]

@Lewis Koster Thank you - you're welcome!

[@domenicocasalino5665]

La cantante Maggie Bell é fantastica, ed é sicuramente una delle voci femminili più belle e interessanti del Rock degli anni '70.

[@thefabfin]

Jimmy Dewar great stuff , Maggie's entrance though is exceptional - why they/she weren't Mega is beyond me!

[@maazvdo]

Really great take, blues and performance. Thanks for share.

[@ginnyginger8686]

Didn't know you liked a bit of Maggie Bell et al. Thank you Lazy Poker!! Loved seeing this... xxG

[@lazypokerblues]

@ginnyginger8686 . . . oh, Ginger, I guess there's quite a lot you don't know about me! 😁 No, seriously: I always loved the blues - with a special soft spot for British blues of the late 60s / early 70s. And if you check out my channel more closely, you might be a bit surprised at a certain variety of genres that I get off on . . . 🙂 Anyway I'm glad you like STC - cheers!

[@ginnyginger8686]

@@lazypokerblues Haha - I'm sure there's a lot more I could learn about you & your musical tastes, as well as your life in general - always happy to do so... ; ) I too grew up on blues oriented music, I have incredibly eclectic taste & like it being so! Stone the Crows were an early discovery via a friend, as most music was discovered in those days. I will go bk into your posts when I can & no doubt you'll get another 'stray' msg from me then... ; ) Thank you for your posts. xxGinny

[@lazypokerblues]

@@ginnyginger8686 😊 You're very welcome, Ginger . . . anytime!

[@ray8304]

This is really something special! To bad it wasn’t more widely recognized. Obviously James Dewar went on to Trower but it shows how many jewels are out there waiting to be discovered. She had a tremendous voice and the chemistry between them was brilliant. Play on Jimmy D ❤🙏

[@johnfarrar7448]

Off the hook!

[@CHOZENProductions]

brilliant

[@tinaking8448]

❤😢Beautiful ❤

[@sghutner]

Why isnt she more well known, her voice is amazing. A cross between bonnie raitt and janice joplin, with a dash of bessie smith

[@joegillam1497]

Maggie Bell...Bessie Smith re-incarnated in Glasgow?

[@caoimhinomurchu1843]

I have to say Jimmy Dewar was the best soul singer this side of Bobby Womack.

[@lazypokerblues]

@Caoimhín Ó Murchú . . . you could well be right, Caoimhín - thanks so much!

[@MichaelJones-tu1fo]

Have you come across this 70s band - Stone the Crows? Sounds of Janis Joplin but easier on the ears. Enjoyed this bluesy live version.

[@ferox965]

? This IS Stone the Crows.

[@mattsweeny3957]

Female Joe Cocker/Janis Joplin Powerhouse...what's her name? There was a GLUT of talent back then...we only got to know the best of the best...but there were soooo many people that were 'Almost Famous."

[@lazypokerblues]

@mattsweeny3957 You haven't been around at the time, Matt - have you?! The name is MAGGIE BELL (and reading accompanying notes is highly recommended)! 😉

[@mattsweeny3957]

Hell no! I was 3 yrs old. I was turned on to James Dewar through Robin Trower which my older brother cranked all the time in the mid 1970s. If God granted one person's singing voice, it would be Jimmy D's..Matt Mad Dog Sweeney 🐕 NYC

[@markp864]

Another “Almost Famous” band from the 70’s is Fanny. Bowie mentioned how great Fanny was in an interview once so I had to look them up and was blown away.

[@peterbroadwood476]

Fantastic band from the 70s. Shame the fire went out soon after Les Harvey’s death.

[@douglaschristine8387]

Two great voices. She sounds like Janis. I bet these guys were bummed to lose Jimmy Dewar.

[@boomah47]

Kinda other way around, she was one of Janis’ biggest inspirations haha

[@christopherbradley1426]

Scotlands music ,Proclaimers, Hue and Cry, Eddie Reader , Deacon Blue all that dire crap. Maggie Bell , James Dewar, Jack Bruce , Bon Scott Angus and Malcom and David Byrne. That’s the real talent , time to ChampionJames Dewar from who I have mentioned. Robin Trower band ….. real Rock and Roll . Play on

[@stevenpurves3266]

You never mentioned frankie Miller, a good friend of James n Maggie, cmon

[@christopherbradley1426]

@@stevenpurves3266 Sorry Sir yes your right on Frankie Miller, I just hate Scotland is only about shite like runrig and proclaimers . Bell Dewar and Miller, great individuals who should still be showcased today .