Deacon Blue, Edinburgh Castle review: 'unabashed, blue-eyed wholesomeness'
The defiant socialist grit of Deacon Blue’s best-known songs continues to resonate, writes Jay Richardson
Deacon Blue, Edinburgh Castle ★★★★
Returning to Edinburgh Castle for the third time in a decade, and blessed by glorious sunshine, Deacon Blue delivered a set that romped through their back catalogue, revitalising the drowsy thousands in attendance. Frontman Ricky Ross hinted at some possible surprises to supplement the greatest hits.
Yet notwithstanding a few sly gags about the World Cup, the usual tuneful segues into covers such as the Chi-Lites' Have You Seen Her and The Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat, the band as heart-on-sleeve in their appreciation of emotive soul as ever, the most remarkable aspect of this gig was that tracks from their latest album, The Great Western Road, sat so snugly amidst the setlist of their venerable chart troublers.
Backed by footage of the group in their breakthrough youth, all bleached denim and blazing optimism, Late '88 was an elegy-tinged but summery, funky pop opening number. People Come First is likewise awash with sentimentality but it contains a steely moral core of empathy for the downtrodden and marginalised. The refined rockabilly of Queen of the New Year was followed by the first great cheer of the evening for the giddy, anthemic rush of Wages Day, while the contrast between Chocolate Girl's honeyed melody and bleak, twisted narrative never fails to punch through. Support act Admiral Fallow re-emerged for backing vocals on the yearning When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring), while the richly mellow How We Remember It was dedicated to a late fan and the band's keyboardist, James Prime, who died last year.
Despite over 40 years having passed since they came together, Deacon Blue's signature tune, Real Gone Kid remains vital and galloping, reverberating up and around the castle's bleachers. Similarly, the defiant socialist grit of Dignity and bittersweet, self-critiquing of Fergus Sings The Blues continue to resonate in their unabashed, blue-eyed wholesomeness.
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