Review by Damien Doherty for MPM
Good evening everyone, my name is Ricky Warwick from Comber Co. Down” Ricky announces to the audience, beaming with pride on his return to reside back in his homeland.
He’s looking fighting fit and healthy, having recently turned 58 he could easily pass for twenty years younger. It’s been a year since the last time he graced the stage at the Diamond Rock Club, and tonight’s show is the first of two at the venue, with the next on 3rd August split by an appearance next weekend at Steelhouse Festival with the happily resurrected The Almighty.
Early doors tonight, Ricky hits the stage at 7pm to a packed house and launches into a threesome of In the Arms of Belfast Town, Church of Paranoia, and When Life was Hard and Fast. With all assembled fully warmed up we have the first of the Black Star Riders tunes, The Killer Instinct, prologued with instructions to look out for exciting news from the BSR camp shortly. Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak has everyone singing along, followed by BSRs All Hell Breaks Loose.
First of The Almighty tracks Devil’s Toy from 1991’s Soul Destruction album next, and Ricky teases everyone by reminding us how we had asked for a Belfast show before warning us to be careful what we wish for!! When the Night Comes In follow’s then more Almighty with Little Lost Sometimes.
Introducing Three Sides to Every Story, named for a saying of his fathers, Ricky recounts his time writing in Nashville where finding acceptance as a tattooed rocker was challenging. While attending the Bluebird Café one night, owner and legendary songwriter Rob Crosby, summoned him from the audience to play a song, and this was the one he chose, its three chords making it an easy choice when such situations were sprung upon him!
We are indulged with a newly penned number next; introducing Angel of Desolation Ricky tells of its being inspired by his sobriety having been sober for over 2 years now. It’s a truly fine song, and leaves everyone yearning for the future offerings. It segues nicely into Thin Lizzy’s Borderline, a song of alcohol drowned sorrows. Jonestown Mind from 1995s Crank and Jesus Love You but I Don’t add to the Almighty tally, then there’s a familiar intro riff as Ricky launches into Iron Maiden’s Wasted Years. Next we have the fantastic BSR tune Kingdom of the Lost which seems even more meaningful given his recent relocation to these shores, before the Ricky/Sam Robinson penned When Patsy Cline was Crazy (and Frank Mitchell read the news).
Everyone is singing along loudly to Finest Hour then we are treated to the wonderful Schwaben Redoubt, the story of Billy Drennan from Belfast and Liam Kelly from Dublin, Irish lads from differing political backgrounds who fight and die together in WW2.
As always it’s one of the highlights of the night. Rickys old pal Lemmy is honoured in penultimate song Motorheads Ace of Spades, and the night is closed out with Free ‘N’ Easy to rapturous applause. Ever generous with his time Ricky returns to meet and greet everyone, sign merch and take photos, sending everyone home with a smile on their face. Here’s to round two in August.
