Ricky Lets 'Em Have It
Dublin Evening Herald 4th December 1989
Dublin Point Depot 3rd December 1989

CHRISTMAS came early at the Point Depot last night as Scottish band Deacon Blue triumphed in what was their second gig in the city this year. Their transition from the intimacy of a venue such as the National Stadium to the vastness of the dockside arena presented no problems for lead singer Ricky Ross and his band.Like a man possessed with some inner driving soul force he strutted the stage, shaking his fist, forcing his body backwards and sideways and positively exuding such dynamism that he brought a rare intimacy to the huge venue. This was one of those rare nights, a night when everything clicked into place, the band were as tight as a drunk on New Year's Eve, Ross's voice was rich and resonant and there was even Santa Claus and artificial snow, For more than l50 minutes Ross, backed by vocalist Lorraine Mclntosh sang his heart out.

This was happy-time music and by the time they launched into their hit "Dignity" Ross discovered that the audience wanted to join in too. As he held out the microphone to the crowd, he found they just did not know the chorus, they knew the entire song and for a good minute and a half the Point echoed to the sound of 4,000 plus voices singing in unison. Ross is one of those rare talents who appeals across the board - on one level he is a pin up hero, on another he is a master of rhythm and as he proved last night he is also a fine interpretive singer who can tackle songs Such as Randy Newman's poignant Sail Away and do it justice.Eugene Maloney