#ruby turner

OH, ANON, I AM SO UPSET.

It was just. Completely heartbreaking. Turner saw a weakness in her and Stan and he’s gone straight for the jugular. It’s such a hard thing, because I think narratively and in the context of Ruby’s character, it makes sense. At the end of the day, Annie’s never going to flip, because Annie doesn’t have a lot to lose (if nothing else, she knows Sadie will be looked after between Gregg and Nancy), but Ruby has everything to lose. She has her own life, her husband’s, her children’s. She could lose literally everything that she has, and Turner knew that, and he played her with it. 

It’s doubly difficult to watch, because I think this season has really emphasised the strength and resiliance of Ruby and Beth’s friendship. It might sound cheesy, but Beth making that blanket for Sara (and hell, just knowing her daughter’s favourite author quotes is such an indication of that care, love and intimacy), Ruby not being able to snitch in 2.01, to Ruby’s support over the news of Dean cheating again, Beth being honest and open with Ruby about not loving Dean the way she loves Stan (a lot of people would be jealous, or self-conscious of that!) to Ruby being righteously angry on Beth’s behalf in seeing Rio with another woman! These women love each other so deeply, and this whole plot thread is going to hurt. 

I don’t think it’ll stay that way. I don’t think it can, even putting aside the fact we know from the 2.09 synopsis that Stan gets arrested, the friendship between her and Beth and Annie is not the gravy of the series, it’s the meat and veg of it, and so we know they’ll be okay. 

Ruby Turner is a British Jamaican R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and actress.

Excellent. One of the best

Recensie: Ruby Turner - Love Was Here // @rubyturnersoul @JoolsBand

Ruby Turner – Love Was Here Format: CD – Digital / Label: RTR Productions Records Release: 2020

Tekst: Peter Marinus

Zangeres Ruby Turner is inmiddels ook bij ons een vrij bekende naam doordat zij vaak aantreedt bij Jools Holland en zijn Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Maar toch blijf ik het idee houden dat Ruby één van de meest onderschatte soulzangeressen van dit moment is.

Ruby is van Jamaicaanse…

Ruby Turner, the ‘house’, vocalist for Jools Holland and his big band, proved her popularity with her many admirers, with a full house at the Artrix, no more than 10 miles from Birmingham where her roots are intertwined with her Jamaican early years. An impressive, CV, and voice made for Blues, Soul and Gospel, have brought Ruby a huge following, here she was, touring with her band, on her home ‘patch’, it was going to be good.

The lights were dimmed as Ruby joined her band on stage, her warm, powerful voice, bringing a hush to the audience. She’s soon warming to the task, ‘Its Got To Be Done’, brings a soulful swagger, and a ripple of movement across the seated auditorium, as bodies moved with the music. The show destined to be a pick of Ruby’s songs from her many albums that span her career. A lovely, spiritual, ‘Master Plan’, flowed softly out, before a song was plucked from her new album, the band setting up the rhythm, for, ‘A Better Way’.The tempo lifts for the upbeat dance infused, ‘I’m Serious’, some nice guitar riffs dropped in over the excellent piano roll and driving drums. Ruby tells how some of the recording for that release, was done at home in the kitchen, before a deep bass pulse announces the beautiful, impassioned, title track, ‘Love Was Here’, showcasing Ruby’s wonderful rich timbre, perfect to keep you feeling warm in a chilly wind. A break was brought with the emphatic theme music, ‘Stay With Me Baby’, which gave Ruby a big chart hit back in the mid ‘90’s, a full power soul ballad that can bring tears to the eye, Ruby delivered it with a passion and energy reminiscent of an Etta James, phew, time for a beer.

The band are back on stage, Nick Marland on guitar, David Guest, cradling his bass, Simon Moore rolling out the rhythm on his full drumset, and leading with a lovely piano intro, A l MacSween, is king of the keyboards.

Ruby steps back in, ‘That’s My Desire’, wraps you in to its cosy warmth, as you drift around a ballroom. The jazz edged blues of, ‘Blow Top Blues’, it has the lovely swing of the 50’s era, Al is at the keys again, Nick adds honey rich guitar notes. Dropping to a lower scale, Ruby finds a voice of rich dark chocolate, for tasty soulful blues of ‘Runaway’, run, run, run, the clock is ticking, but the spellbound audience are assured the, ‘Time Of Your Life’, but the best is yet to come, as Ruby Turner, turns to a classic that gave her a massive hit, a reworking of the fabulous Ellington Jordan/Etta James, ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, a perennial favourite of any discerning music lover, Ruby pours in the emotion for her closing song. She bares her soul as the band drop away, before the gutsy, expressive close. Of course its not the end, a standing ovation and thunderous hand clapping, foot stamping, demand for more, will bring the result.

The band comes back in, Ruby is in spiritual mood, Al is adding some lovely reed bending harp, as she invites all to get on aboard, ‘This Train’, as it moves off down the track. Nick lets fly on guitar, Al is still in there, David’s bass rumbles away, before Simon has his thrash across the skins, before Ruby fuels the ride all the way to the end of the line. A brilliant ticket to ride.

The packed house, filed out to take opportunity of taking home a signed copy of Love Was Here, and say hello to the wonderful Ruby Turner, who has delivered her music, interspersed with some personal insights, humour and chat, where the singing voice gives way to her Birmingham roots. A sparkling evening, at the Artrix.  

I cannot think that anybody would not have heard Ruby Turner, though many would associate her with Jooles Holland and his big band, she is undoubtedly a superb vocalist, steeped in soul, gospel and blues. Ruby’s music is influenced by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Ry Cooder, and BB King, not bad credentials.

‘Love Was Here’, started as an EP, grew to a full 10 track album, and then, as an added bonus, the lead track from the film The Host, was added, written in a hotel room in Mayfair and added to the film set, later the same day, where, ‘Chasing Love’, is embedded in the opening scene. Credits for the first 10 songs go to Ruby, Kat Eaton, and Nick Atkinson, that bonus track is glittering Ruby setting.

The album itself is substantially in the soul camp, slipping in easily with the opening, ‘Got To Be Done’, a lovely swinging southern soul, like opening a bottle of Bolli, and watching the foam bubble out.

Richen the mix with a more bluesy approach, and Ruby takes a more classic ballad roll in ‘Don’t Cry Over Yesterday’. Keeping in that rich furrow, Ruby is in fine voice for the passionate soulful, ‘Won’t Give You My Heart To Break’, and she’s serious. Title track, ‘Love Was Here’, has Ruby pouring out her soul, before the tempo lifts a little, it ebbs and flows like life’s passions, who hasn't been here. A bit of Nashville edge is added f or the delightful, ‘Make You Happy’, it brings to my mind, Elles Bailey, it has that touch of magic that makes it irresistible.

‘Runaway’, is made to dance to, with RnB rhythm, that keeps the interest, and adds a bit of shape to the swing, as Ruby brings it to life, with rich velvet tones. ‘Better Way’, pulls us back into the soul sound, the newspapers bring bad news, there has to be a better way, the message is plain and simple, and who can argue.

‘Why Didn’t We Try’, ebbs in slowly, a bluesy soul searching Ruby, delivering the questioning ballad, with her warm assuring voice.The tempo picks up a little, a solid steady pulse, that flickers into a lively party like message, ‘Time Of Your Life’, brings a lively finish to the album, save the bonus track, borrowed back from its Host, ‘Chasing Love’, is well worth the wait, as Ruby drops down the scale, for a slow burning, big bluesy ballad, rich and gorgeous, with a full orchestral make over. An absolutely stunning song that emphasises the qualities of Ruby’s voice, if this is anything to go by, maybe the film is worth the viewing too.

For me, I would have liked a little more fiery spirit in this album, we all know Ruby can add that essential spark that can bring added colour to a song. The bonus 11th track adds a bit of magic, and depth Love Was Here needs

Incredibly, this is Ruby Turner’s 20th album, and as she puts it, “is the one I’ve always wanted to make”, can’t argue with that, if soul is your thing, you would be hard pressed to find a better collection of Ruby’s passionate ballads and gutsy grooves.

Tour Dates;

Ronnie Scotts Club London Jan 27/28/29

Artrix Bromsgrove Feb. 01

Ronnie Scotts Club London Feb. 03/04/05

Jazz Blues & Music Festival Nantwich Apr. 11

Ruby also has tour dates with the Jools Holland Band, see his site for details