A folk-pop group from Edinburgh, Scotland, Ruby Blue was formed in 1986 by drama student Rebecca Pidgeon (b 1963, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; vocals) and Roger Fife (b 1963; guitar/bass). Adding Anthony Coote (bass) and Erika Spotswood (backing vocals), the group released "Give Us Our Flag Back" on independent label Red Flame in 1987. The debut album was an enterprising mix of folk, blues, jazz and pop with Pidgeon's crystal-clear singing bringing comparisons with the late Sandy Denny. Adding a drummer (Chris Buck, replaced in 1990 by Karlos Edwards) Ruby Blue developed an electric sound for live shows and gained attention supporting John Martyn. Pidgeon also pursued a successful acting career, appearing at the National Theatre in London and in the film The Dawning. Both Anthony Coote and Rebecca Pidgeon departed at the end of 1990, following her marriage to the playwright David Mamet. Her replacement was Erika Woods (Spotswood); who took over lead vocals with a band that was still unable to find commercial success, which belies their considerable talent as writers and performers.