Looking out on the Thames during the early days of the pandemic, Ron Lay decided it was an ideal time to both clear the decks and look to the future. So, he focused his lockdown energy on producing an album of his own songs that reflect the influences of his native Los Angeles, his adopted hometowns of London and New York, and his musical influences over the years, such as Tom Petty, Ian Hunter, Alex Harvey and David Bowie. The result — High Above the Western Sideline — is an album of searing rock 'n’ roll, featuring lyrics and music that demonstrate that the lessons of the years have not been lost on Ron, and features an outstanding group of musicians.