RUBY RENDALL - No More Broken Promises

RUBY RENDALL was making quite a name for herself thirty years ago. She was popular on the road with her own band, having come down from Orkney, was part of Colorado for a while, guesting on the Opry in Nashville with Jean Shepard, and had her own radio programmes on the BBC, both in Aberdeen, and across Scotland.

Since then, Ruby has concentrated on her music school in Aberdeenshire, but still has a loyal fan base who encourage her to do the odd gigs.

“No More Broken Promises” (Roadside Records) was a cassette only release from Ruby, way back in 1988. Now, 32 years on, the album is available on CD for the first time, thanks to Gordon Gunn, who has freshened up the sound, and remastered the album for this release.

The bright & breezy title track was written by Nashville based Mark Mosely, who has worked and encouraged many UK Country over the years. Mark produced Ruby’s next album, so must’ve been impressed with her sound.

The album kicks off with “Hard Hearted”, a fast paced bluegrass number originally done by Jim & Jesse McReynolds. That’s followed by Highway 101’s “The Bed You Made For Me”, and Nanci Griffiths’ slow anthem, “From a Distance”. From the first three songs you get an immediate idea of just how versatile a repertoire that Ruby offers.

“What You Gonna Do” is a catchy number written by Shetland based Mackie Sutherland. It’s just one of two tracks written by Mackie on the album, the other being “Please Wont You Stay”.

There’s Cajun and tex mex influences on “Our Last Night”.

Other tracks include another bluegrass cover in “Too Late To Cry”, Hoyt Axton’s “Lion In The Winter” and a haunting version of “White Rhythm And Blues”, which brings back memories of Linda Ronstadt’s version.

Closing off the album, is my favourite track on the album, ”My Heart’s In Trouble (Over You)”- a really catchy number.

It’s really good to hear this album again. One that certainly deserves to be upgraded to CD status.

Incidentally, Ruby has picked “From A Distance” for a single, which proceeds will be donated to the CLAN Cancer charity in the North East.