Craigie Dhu [Import]

Craigie Dhu [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Dougie MacLean is best known as a member of Silly Wizard and the Tannahill Weavers, a '70s Celtic revivalist group that, like their peers in Fairport Convention, mixed folk and rock elements. MacLean is a proficient guitarist and prolific, award-winning songwriter in both contemporary and traditional forms. Craigie Dhu is a firm return to his traditional, Celtic concerns, and songs like "Gin I Were a Baron's Heir" and "It Was A' for Our Rightfu' King" will serve as an entertaining education in Scottish themes and styles. --Roy Francis Kasten

Tracks:

Gin I Were A Baron's Heir
Ready For The Storm
It Was A'For Our Rightfu' King
High Flying Seagull
Edmonton Airbus/Craigie Dhu
Bonnie Bessie Logan
Seanair's Song
It Fascinates Me
Tullochgorum
Caledonia

Customer Reviews:

Unique--the voice, the songs, the guitar style.......2005-08-18

I have all of Dougie's albums and have seen him in concert twice, even got to talk with him. Cragie Dhu is my favorite of his. Dougie's songs have lyrical depth, his voice and guitar picking style make him instantly recognizable. This CD is on my "desert island" list for sure. The "Celtic" label is appropriate, but so is the "folk" label. I can't imagine anyone not loving this recording...you might even feel led to sing along!

Always a pleasure.......2003-07-06

Just another of Dougie's wonderful collections of songs, both traditional and original.

If you're already familiar with Dougie, you'll love this CD. If you've not heard him before, or only slightly, this will get you hooked on his smooth Scottish voice and uplifting words.

Wonderful. Buy it.

Never mind the language - feel the soul.......2002-08-30

You don't have to be Scottish to appreciate the beauty of these songs. All of them are so achingly beautiful that they transcend any small difficulties a listener may have with Dougie's accent and some of the Scots words, leaving the soul of the lyrics and melodies to be cherished. The opening track - "Gin I Were A Baron's Heir", a Robert Burns poem, lovingly performed by Dougie, is so filled with longing it might just break your heart to hear it. Likewise with the final track - "Caledonia" - Dougie's own declaration of love for his native land. But again, the soul of the words and tune can be applied to any country and sound just as heartfelt. Heart is the word to use frequently about Dougie McLean - in his own work and his interpretation of others. But Scotland does not hide this treasure. His soul is here for you to enjoy - wallow in it.

deeply lovely.......2001-06-19

There's no getting around saying this...so here it is: Dougie MacLean is not only one of Scotland's national treasures...he is a musical genius for the ages...and one of my favorite artists of all time. "Craigie Dhu," one of his earlier solo albums, is a thing of intense beauty and skillful mastery.

Dougie's voice sounds much younger than the Dougie of the 1990's and beyond...but that's not saying anything bad one way or another. I was taken aback for a couple moments (I had been introduced to the Dougie of "Riof" and "Marching Mystery"). Yet in the end, what the young Dougie's voice lacks in maturity, he more than compensates for in sweetness and honesty. As far as the music itself goes--Dougie's playing is, as always, mind-blowing (the title track being just one such instance).

"Craigie Dhu" is loaded with great songs. It has sweet love songs (Gin I Were A Baron's Heir; High Flying Seagull; It Fascinates Me) excellent arrangements of traditional tunes (the afore mentioned Baron's Heir; It Was A' For Our Rightfu' King; Bonnie Bessie Logan; and Tullochgorum). Dougie's own songs stand up well next to the classic tunes he arranges here.

The highlights of this disc for me are: the heartbreakingly beautiful "Gin I Were A Baron's Heir," "ready For The Storm" (which was covered by Rich Mullins on his album "Winds of Heaven Stuff of Earth"), the rollicking "Tullochgorum" and my favorite song on the disc--"Caledonia"--if it doesn't stir your soul...you'd better go check and make sure you have one.

Craigie Dhu is so deeply lovely I must give it my highest recommendation.

Och! What a voice!.......2001-04-25

I stumbled on to Maclean's music by watching a Celtic music special on television. I immediately sat down and ordered this cd. While I love every song on Craigie Dhu, special favorites are "Gin I Were a Baron's Heir", "Bonnie Bessie Logan" and of course, "Caledonia". I will be ordering more of this man's cds. Highly recommended to anyone who loves Celtic music or just wants to hear a beautiful voice singing lovely songs.

Average customer rating:

An inspiring recording
beautiful heartfelt music
Gentle and lovely
Wonderful homey sound (ala Dan Fogelberg)

Craigie Dhu
Dougie MacLean
Manufacturer: Dunkeld
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003M40
Release Date: 1994-07-08

Tracks:

Gin I Were A Baron's Heir
Ready For The Storm
It Was A' For Our Rightfu' King
High Flying Seagull
Edmonton Airbus / Craigie Dhu
Bonnie Bessie Logan
Seanair's Song
It Fascinates Me
Tullochgorum
Caledonia

Amazon.com

Dougie MacLean is best known as a member of Silly Wizard and the Tannahill Weavers, a '70s Celtic revivalist group that, like their peers in Fairport Convention, mixed folk and rock elements. MacLean is a proficient guitarist and prolific, award-winning songwriter in both contemporary and traditional forms. Craigie Dhu is a firm return to his traditional, Celtic concerns, and songs like "Gin I Were a Baron's Heir" and "It Was A' for Our Rightfu' King" will serve as an entertaining education in Scottish themes and styles. --Roy Francis Kasten

Customer Reviews:

An inspiring recording.......2003-01-16

My favorite Dougie MacLean recording, containing his best song, "Ready for the Storm" (which has been covered by other artists). Dougie's not only a great songwriter, he has a very distinctive guitar style. You can hear a few notes and know it's Dougie playing. Then his wonderful voice, folky and Celtic. And he's a nice guy. I saw him in a small concert in Virginia Beach many years ago, and he hung around to talk to the audience. How could anyone not rave over this recording?

beautiful heartfelt music.......1998-10-11

I have been a fan of dougie's music ever since I heard him on pbs and saw him in concert in 1996. He sings from his heart. The appeal to me is the timelessness of his music. Dougie has a deep respect for Scotland, his ancestors,and their struggles, and through his lyrics and melodies we see the interconnectedness between past and present. My children love his music - and that says a lot! As compared to his later work, there is a simplicity about Craigie Dhu that seems to make it magical for us!

Gentle and lovely.......1998-09-16

I've owned this album for years, and have the joy of tucking it away and "rediscovering" it often. Dougie's ballads are sweet and gentle, but never dull. I like to listen to this on lazy, sunny afternoons. Dougie's been compared to James Taylor.

Wonderful homey sound (ala Dan Fogelberg).......1998-05-31

Dougie MacLean is a local Scottish artist with a richly wonderful folk-like sound (but don't let that scare you away!) akin to Dan Fogelberg with his acoustic guitar. When visiting Scotland, I asked for real (as opposed to 'touristy') Scottish music and was delighted to hear Dougie (DOO-gee). Not a tartan on the cover nor a bagpipe on the tracks!

Excellant soft listening!

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