This album is a must when driving across the East Anglian fens. A real life saver, listen to the words of 'down from above' album - a real natural feel on a summers day.
I had a radio interview booked on GLR, my band were supporting Ruby Blue at Kensington Orange. When Lucy Longhurst the DJ found out we were supporting Ruby Blue and that they had been on the Marchioness she asked if I could get them on the show which I did (we got an interview a few days later :O)
Most beautiful album I ever came across and quite rare now. Only this week managed to source the CD again. Such a shame they didn't follow with another album with the same lineup. Something magical about that album. Would love to hear the extended version of "Primitive Man"
Great album, seems like the record company didn't push the album much alas it could and should've been huge. Pidgeon's best singing ever captured here, seems as if she somewhat downgraded her own vocal talent later on.
@@TheTVisions Always amused me that the official video to Primitive Man clearly had little understanding of what that song was really about - a man who kills his wife's lover (also his best friend) on a hunting trip.
Daff O'Neill She lives in LA with Tony and her two daughters Rosie and Zoey. She is mostly a stay-at-home mom but teaches voice as well. I know this because Zoey is my best friend :)
I know it's a while since you posted this, Gemma, but I'd like to say thanks for the info. I used to be Ruby Blue's photographer/roadie for a year or so after Rebecca left and I often think of the good times, the lovely people in the band and where they are now.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 If only… I have so many ‘rare’ appearances by many bands on other ‘oddball’ shows that not a lot of people would have recorded. Alas I have no pc. Or any idea of how to transfer them. I’m afraid technology has left me behind. 😢
Me too. Also have Almost Naked with Erica on lead vocals. Rebecca has recently released a new album (her 11th I think), available on a free download. Just search for her channel on here.
I've always loved Ruby Blue. I have all their albums, even the last one by Roger Fife and Erika Spotswood that went nowhere... Shame. I often wondered what happened to Erika. She married Tony Phillips and moved to Los Angeles (I think)... She had the voice of an angel. Did you know that she and Roger Fife were on board the Marchioness when she was rammed and sunk in the Thames in August 1989?
"Almost Naked" did sell at least one other copy :-)I first saw them supporting John Martyn (IIRC it was at the Shaw Theatre, Euston). Fell in love with Rebecca's voice, but also Erika's too. So I have 3 RB albums on vinyl and all RP's bar "Songs from Red Velvet". Would love to see them re-form.
Love this band. And of course the Edinburgh connection. I first heard them on the James whale radio show on the TV if that makes sense. Had the album in vinyl but now have the CD.
Shame they disbanded all those years ago. I first heard them doing a session on GLR radio and loved how they sounded. Saw them play live in London and they should have gone onto bigger and better things if Pidgeon hadn't pulled the plug.
Hi Daff. It's a pity this band didn't take off, the material clearly was there when compared to many of the other late '80s UK acts. It's not really fair in that respect. Think one of the songs on "Down From Above", I believe it's "Epitaph", is to the victims.
Hello Reclaimer! Sorry to write a reply 3 years later but I just read your post. I totally agree, it's a pity that the band didn't take off. They did such a great album (as well as the previous one, "Glances Askances". Something that didn't help, Ruby Blue been dropped by the record company (PolyGram, Fontana) when Rebecca left the U.K. to move with David Mamet in the U.S.A. This didn't help at all. Erika Spotswood been their new lead singer after Rebecca's departure, they returned to their original record label (Red Flame) but they decided to change their style... They released an album, "Almost Naked" but, it never been as good as what they did with Rebecca (to my humble opinion).
Me too, can't believe it's 30 years ago now but they deserved to have been much bigger this album was and is amazing, a truly hidden gem in British popular music history. I guess one Mr. Mamet came between and of course Becca's acting ambitions took over, or simply just not enough support from Fontana.
Down From Above is a veritable masterpiece. I've been listening to it for over 30 years!
Me too!!!!
Likewise. It hasn't dated in the way a lot of late 80s/early 90's has. David Mamet's influence saw to that.
Me too! Criminally underrated!
Found the album on CD at a local charity shop about 2 years for 30p, lets say one of my best finds ever, amazing album they should have huge.
I remember my dad used to play this song in the car when I was growing up. Glad I managed to find it
This album is a must when driving across the East Anglian fens. A real life saver, listen to the words of 'down from above' album - a real natural feel on a summers day.
I had a radio interview booked on GLR, my band were supporting Ruby Blue at Kensington Orange. When Lucy Longhurst the DJ found out we were supporting Ruby Blue and that they had been on the Marchioness she asked if I could get them on the show which I did (we got an interview a few days later :O)
Most beautiful album I ever came across and quite rare now. Only this week managed to source the CD again. Such a shame they didn't follow with another album with the same lineup. Something magical about that album. Would love to hear the extended version of "Primitive Man"
Great album, seems like the record company didn't push the album much alas it could and should've been huge. Pidgeon's best singing ever captured here, seems as if she somewhat downgraded her own vocal talent later on.
@@TheTVisions Always amused me that the official video to Primitive Man clearly had little understanding of what that song was really about - a man who kills his wife's lover (also his best friend) on a hunting trip.
On the CD single.
Daff O'Neill She lives in LA with Tony and her two daughters Rosie and Zoey. She is mostly a stay-at-home mom but teaches voice as well. I know this because Zoey is my best friend :)
I know it's a while since you posted this, Gemma, but I'd like to say thanks for the info. I used to be Ruby Blue's photographer/roadie for a year or so after Rebecca left and I often think of the good times, the lovely people in the band and where they are now.
Gemma Sherman Thanks Gemma! Next time you see Erika, say hi from me!
I have their performance on vhs singing this on James whale. Wonderful song.
Perhaps you could have it uploaded to YT, it's sadly cut from the episode upload on YT.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 If only… I have so many ‘rare’ appearances by many bands on other ‘oddball’ shows that not a lot of people would have recorded. Alas I have no pc. Or any idea of how to transfer them. I’m afraid technology has left me behind. 😢
Gorgeous she was, Rebecca Pidgeon. I have their albums Glances Askances and Down From Above on vinyl.
Me too. Also have Almost Naked with Erica on lead vocals. Rebecca has recently released a new album (her 11th I think), available on a free download. Just search for her channel on here.
I used to love this band
I've always loved Ruby Blue. I have all their albums, even the last one by Roger Fife and Erika Spotswood that went nowhere... Shame. I often wondered what happened to Erika. She married Tony Phillips and moved to Los Angeles (I think)... She had the voice of an angel. Did you know that she and Roger Fife were on board the Marchioness when she was rammed and sunk in the Thames in August 1989?
"Almost Naked" did sell at least one other copy :-)I first saw them supporting John Martyn (IIRC it was at the Shaw Theatre, Euston). Fell in love with Rebecca's voice, but also Erika's too. So I have 3 RB albums on vinyl and all RP's bar "Songs from Red Velvet". Would love to see them re-form.
Love this band. And of course the Edinburgh connection. I first heard them on the James whale radio show on the TV if that makes sense. Had the album in vinyl but now have the CD.
Sure would love to see that TV appearance, if anyone has it and could upload it...
I've never seen it again. I did have it on VHS a lifetime ago but I've no idea where that tape went.
Shame they disbanded all those years ago. I first heard them doing a session on GLR radio and loved how they sounded. Saw them play live in London and they should have gone onto bigger and better things if Pidgeon hadn't pulled the plug.
A good blast from the passed . Thank you
Hi Daff. It's a pity this band didn't take off, the material clearly was there when compared to many of the other late '80s UK acts. It's not really fair in that respect. Think one of the songs on "Down From Above", I believe it's "Epitaph", is to the victims.
Hello Reclaimer! Sorry to write a reply 3 years later but I just read your post. I totally agree, it's a pity that the band didn't take off. They did such a great album (as well as the previous one, "Glances Askances". Something that didn't help, Ruby Blue been dropped by the record company (PolyGram, Fontana) when Rebecca left the U.K. to move with David Mamet in the U.S.A. This didn't help at all. Erika Spotswood been their new lead singer after Rebecca's departure, they returned to their original record label (Red Flame) but they decided to change their style... They released an album, "Almost Naked" but, it never been as good as what they did with Rebecca (to my humble opinion).
I played this album to death....need to dig it out...love
Me too, can't believe it's 30 years ago now but they deserved to have been much bigger this album was and is amazing, a truly hidden gem in British popular music history. I guess one Mr. Mamet came between and of course Becca's acting ambitions took over, or simply just not enough support from Fontana.
stand together would have been a great single
yeah, i have that, it's a rare find i think. they were good.
Hi Reclaimer, yes that's right! Epitaph was for the victims of the disaster... Poor old Erika.
I like this, but I much better like the ribecca pidgeon version (on her own, as in the Retrospective compilation)
Found my copy of Down From Above whilst clearing my cellar last week. Sells for 30 quid on Amazon, result. I'll burn a copy first !
I have a signed CD copy (Rebecca, Erika, Roger and Anthony) but have no plans to sell it !