Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Deacon Blue performing at the Echo Arena, December 2014. Photograph courtesy of David Munn Photography.
From here on the days start to get longer, the country may just be staring into abyss that is the cold and potentially snow bound days of winter but at least there is light starting to creep back into the 24 hour clock as the balance of Time tips slowly back in favour of being able to be out of the house. However, the shortest day of the year affords the party to have a long hurrah, to slip comfortably into the clothes that make a person feel better and to enjoy one of the most popular acts that comes to Liverpool and its Echo Arena, the phenomenal Deacon Blue.
The screams of excited fans would not be out of place if the latest Frankenstein-like creation of television had appeared on stage. The difference being that Deacon Blue have certainly got a hell of lot to shout for, the work ethic that has beaten their path across four different decades is sublime and lyrically inspiring, its accompanying music like a playful muse posing for a picture by Constable and in that the sheer volume of sound that greeted Lorraine Mckintosh, Ricky Ross and the band was like sitting down on St, George’s plateau on the day when Liverpool bought the European Cup home for half the people of Merseyside.
The nights may start to get longer but in the half naked darkness of the Echo Arena, punctuated by glimmering lights and the sparkle of two voices working in complete harmony and Glasgow hard biting angst, Deacon Blue gave nothing less than their usual best to a keen and seriously in the mood crowd.
The time of year is almost pregnant with parties, no matter the city, no matter the venue, a celebration, a festive gathering always seems to be in full swing and in the Echo Arena, tracks such as Rain Town, Wages Day, A New House, I Wish I Was A Girl Like You, the audience favourite Real Gone Kid, Fergus Sings The Blues and the lyrical masterpiece that is Dignity all shone as bright as the stars above in the cold windy air over Liverpool.
Some people start their countdown to the celebrations from December 1st, the first yawn of a dying year given a shot of adrenaline to get it through the final few weeks, others prefer to eek it out till the last minute and hold back their revel making emotions till Christmas Eve and then go crazy, for the fans of Deacon Blue in Liverpool, Christmas seems to start from the moment that Lorraine Mckintosh stamps her feet and the music of a classic band fills the air.
The bind that ties Glasgow and Liverpool is more than just its fierce independence against its relative Capital city, it’s in its appreciation of each other’s culture and Deacon Blue understand that completely as they paid homage to the fallen 96 and the continued fight for justice. It was a serious but lovely gesture from a band which is always given a huge welcome when they come to Liverpool.
A fantastic night of soulful pop, carried off by experts and with an abundance of dignity.
Deacon Blue performing at the echos Arena, Liverpool. December 2014. Photograph courtesy of David Munn Photography.
Ian D. Hall