Dirty Ruby rocks The Robin with sharp edged, eclectic blues

April 13, 2023

Special guests of Sari Schorr at The Robin came in the form of Nottinghamshire’s Dirty Ruby who are a very tight outfit playing sharp edged, contemporary but eclectic blues. Led by the enchanting Anna Rose, they possess a gem of a guitar player in Dave Cox, suitably aided by Andy Williams on Keys, the dynamic bass playing of Steve Taylor and his partner in rhythm Gary Reece.

Dirty Ruby

The Robin 2, Bilston – 6 April 2023

Words and Photography: Sophie James

I was once told by a father of a band member, “Never finish on a cover.” Dirty Ruby flipped this around entirely by opening with Joanne Shaw Taylor’s Dyin’ To Know. I totally understand the reasoning behind this, as in terms of impact, it immediately grabbed the audience’s attention.

Don’t Lie To Me sees a more traditional approach and demonstrates their own compositional prowess. You can just imagine the funky approach of Fire with its refrain of “Fire in my veins, and I’m ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

Save Me sees us decisively enter blues territory. A sombre tale of “being so consumed by a controlling relationship that it overcomes you” is perfectly voiced in the line, “You’ve been on my case, and I need a change.”

Continuing the traditional vibe, Storm’s Coming chronicles the descent into alcoholism. “There’s a storm coming baby, I see the look in your eye.” Imagine, if you will, this number being played in some dimly lit basement club. That is precisely the mood it engenders. Dave lays down an exquisite solo here which is soon followed and matched by Andy’s keys.

The mood lightened with the rather boppy Insanity, the following Pack Of Lies and Hard Workin’ Woman, which brought this enjoyable set to a close in buoyant fashion.

Delighted with the reception they received from this discerning audience, I’m sure that they will be welcomed back when their soon-to-be-released debut album hits the streets later this summer.

Another soul-satisfying evening at a venue that is extremely popular among artists and fans on the Blues/Blues Rock circuits alike.