Ron has been a fan of Robbie McIntosh ever since he first saw the guitarist as a 19 year old, playing with Chris Thompson’s (Manfred Mann’s Earthband) Filthy McNasty at the legendary Canning Town venue, The Bridge House in the late 70s. It was obvious even then that Robbie was an extraordinary talent. Filthy McNasty morphed into Night and went on to record albums in Los Angeles as well as touring with the likes of Doobie Brothers, and Robbie went on to The Pretenders, Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones, John Mayer and Norah Jones. He has also recorded with Talk Talk, Tears For Fears, Paul Young, Roger Daltrey, Mark Knopfler, Cher, Eric Bibb, George Martin, Joe Cocker, Sinead O’Connor, Daryl Hall, Kirsty McColl, Mike and the Mechanics, Tori Amos, Zucherro and countless others.
However, in between all of this activity, he has also found the time to write and record several of his own albums, with the sixth, ‘Persona Non Grata’, due for release later this year. It was his solo catalogue that provided the bulk of his show tonight, along with some well-chosen covers, such as his beautiful version of the Louis Armstrong hit, ‘Wonderful World’, and the blues classic, ‘CC Rider’. The latter provided an opportunity for Robbie and harmonica wizard, Peter Hope Evans to raise the roof with some blistering solo work.
It was a privilege to see this sensational band in action and it is always a pleasure to meet up with Robbie once again, as he is one of the true gentlemen of the music business.
We would also like to thank Nick Hall for a stunning opening set, which shows just why his reputation – and that of Plumhall, the duo featuring him and his wife, Michelle Plum – is spreading far beyond the confines of Yorkshire.
It was also a pleasure to meet up at last with someone who we’ve known for a good many years from a distance, Loudon Temple of Brookfield Knights Agency, from whom we’ve booked lots of the fantastic acts we’ve presented both here and in Wales, including Stray Birds, Bronwynne Brent and Laura Cortese and The Dance Cards. Loudon made the trip down from Glasgow specially for the show and was absolutely thrilled, so much so that he is already planning a run of shows in Scotland for Robbie and the band.