Making up for lost time, as well as keeping a promise made to her fans, has brought award-winning blues singer Connie Lush back to Aberdeen.
A freak accident in her native Liverpool forced the cancellation of a gig in the Granite City almost a year ago, when she took the phrase “break a leg” literally and ended up in a wheelchair.
Connie’s self-assessment is that she is now “fighting fit and jumping about” as she prepares for Saturday’s appearance at The Lemon Tree, complete with a new band.
She told the Press and Journal: “It has been a few years, too long in fact, since I played in Aberdeen, time just flies, doesn’t it, but I am looking forward to my return.
“I have always enjoyed a great rapport with the people in the city, and every visit turns into a social occasion which can sometimes last a day or two.
“I also love going to Shetland, and have played in a few festivals in the north of Scotland, which have been great events, and also give me another excuse to visit Aberdeen.”
Saturday’s concert promises to be a new experience for Connie’s fans in the north-east, without straying too far from her trademark raunchy delivery live on stage.
She has recruited two new band members, guitarist Steve Wright and drummer Roy Martin, who both complement her bristling brand of blues.
Also from Liverpool, Steve has been involved in music since he was seven, including stints at several national television companies including his local channel, Merseyside TV, where he was head of music.
“I worked with Steve many years ago, when we were both writing music on the set of Brookside, Channel Four’s drama set in Liverpool.
“He co-wrote the well-known theme tune for the programme, and others including Hollyoaks and Grange Hill, as well as collaborating on several productions with writer Jimmy McGovern.
“He has also played with John O’Leary’s band, Sugarkane, but I decided to drag him back into the studio earlier this year.”
Completing the line-up is Roy Martin, who has loads of experience and boasts sessions with legendary singer Aretha Franklin on his CV.
He also toured with French singer/actress Patricia Kass for six years, and has performed with Snowy White and the Motives, among many others.
So the stage is set for one of the country’s most popular blues singers to resume her love affair with Aberdeen this weekend, augmented by her new recruits.
Tracks from her widely acclaimed album Send Me No Flowers will feature, along with several old favourites which have helped earn Connie numerous awards.
These have included Best Female Vocalist, which she has won five times, and the accolade European Blues Vocalist of the Year, which she has won twice.
The awards were voted for by readers of influential magazines in the blues genre.
She confirmed her status as one of the best blues exponents in the business at the Glastonbury Festival in 2011, and has entertained audiences in more than 30 countries.
Connie Lush in Concert is at the Lemon Tree Lounge, Aberdeen, this Saturday, May 10, from 7.30pm. Tickets are available from www.aberdeen performingarts.com or by calling 01224 641122.