Originally published by L.S. Media. November 12th 2009.

Both Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh had been in Liverpool earlier in the year with their band Deacon Blue when they were rightly considered to be one of the top acts at this year’s Summer Pops. The band have been put on hiatus for a while whilst the husband and wife team have been showcasing their new work on a tour of their own.

With the vast majority of the set coming from their critically acclaimed album The Great Lakes the near capacity audience at the Pacific Road venue might have been forgiven for wondering what type of gig they were going to get, they needn’t have worried, as once more the vocal talents of Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh blended well together on stage, Lorraine with her soaring and resonating voice complimenting Ricky’s gruff yet powerful Scottish tones.

The set was opened with the album title itself and then quickly followed up by the wonderful Bluebell Wood and the craftily titled Your Straight Man.

McIntosh/ Ross were joined on stage by Dave McGowan on mandolin, Jimmy Gash on drums and the excellent David Scott on guitar. These musicians greatly added to an already impressive sound and the crowd seemed to agree as they sat back and soaked up the atmosphere of the music. .

Sprinkled through the set were some gems off Ricky Ross solo career including the superb Pale Rider from the 2005 album of the same name.

The band finished a cracking evening of Celtic blues/rock with encores that included the wonderful Gloria amongst others.

Ian D. Hall