Live: From the Ends of the Earth [Live]

Amazon.com
Over the years, Dougie MacLean has played in the seminal Scottish folk bands the Tannahill Weavers and Silly Wizard, composed music for numerous TV and movie soundtracks, including The Last of the Mohicans, and written a piece for chamber orchestra called "Perthshire Amber." But even though MacLean has been successful in every musical setting he's entered, he is still best known for his songs. On Live: From the Ends of the Earth, he performs a dozen of his most famous compositions--including "Ready for the Storm," the song that introduced him to American audiences when it was covered by Kathy Mattea--backed only by his own delicately fingerpicked guitar. He also sings a moving, understated version of "Caledonia," which has become something of an anthem for the supporters of Scottish independence. MacLean's melodies retain echoes of the ancient music of Scotland, but his lyrics have a universal appeal. His songs have been covered by singers such as Mary Black and Dolores Keane, played by orchestras and marching bands, and even remixed with drum loops and techno backbeats, but MacLean's intimate renditions included here are destined to become the definitive versions. --Michael Simmons

Tracks:

She Will Find Me
Scythe Song
Rescue Me
Rite Of Passage
All Together
Green Grow The Rashes
Ready For The Storm
Feel So Near
Talking With My Father
Singing Land
Caledonia
This Love Will Carry

Amazon.com

Over the years, Dougie MacLean has played in the seminal Scottish folk bands the Tannahill Weavers and Silly Wizard, composed music for numerous TV and movie soundtracks, including The Last of the Mohicans, and written a piece for chamber orchestra called "Perthshire Amber." But even though MacLean has been successful in every musical setting he's entered, he is still best known for his songs. On Live: From the Ends of the Earth, he performs a dozen of his most famous compositions--including "Ready for the Storm," the song that introduced him to American audiences when it was covered by Kathy Mattea--backed only by his own delicately fingerpicked guitar. He also sings a moving, understated version of "Caledonia," which has become something of an anthem for the supporters of Scottish independence. MacLean's melodies retain echoes of the ancient music of Scotland, but his lyrics have a universal appeal. His songs have been covered by singers such as Mary Black and Dolores Keane, played by orchestras and marching bands, and even remixed with drum loops and techno backbeats, but MacLean's intimate renditions included here are destined to become the definitive versions. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Ancient voice.......2007-04-04

At first this music may seem a little commersial, countrylike, but when listening to the lyrics and the way Dougie MacLean performs the songs, it's like listening to a voice from forgotten times, when man and nature was close and connected. Beautiful songs, lovely voice, but not too sweet to sound authentical. My favourites are "Feel so near," and "Caledonia."

Live: From the Ends of the Earth.......2006-10-29

Excellent voice, tunes, and feelings. Clear and easy to understand lyrics that touch the heart and the mind. I barely listen to anything else these days--replacing Neil Young as my number one artist.

Great music, great performer.......2005-08-31

I've only recently been introduced to Dougie MacLean's music, and after hearing "Caledonia" I decided to purchase the Live CD.
I think definitely that the entire CD is great, with only one possible weak tune (All Together).
A great place to start on the CD if you aren't familiar with Dougie's music is with the song "Ready for the Storm" which is a strong tune with a great guitar pick, in the style of the '70s singer/songwriters like James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg and many of the others from that era. Another great tune is "Scythe Song" which again has a great pick, but also has great sentimental lyrics about a boy learning how to work the scythe from his father. I also really loved the song "Green Grow the Rashes" which is from Robert Burns' poem, adapted by Dougie MacLean. Again nice guitar. A little difficult to understand the words, because it is in the original Scottish language..(what does tapsalterie mean?). I found myself singing this one to myself for days after hearing it for the first time. The highlight of the entire CD is the song "Caledonia" which is now an anthem in Scotland and just a great overall song. I think that back in the '70s, that this song could have been a great hit in the U.S. if it was released here.
Other songs that I felt were highlights were "Talking With My Father" which again has a nice guitar pick and nice words about a man when he realizes he is becoming his father. Also highlights were the opening song "I know She Will Find Me", the final song "This Love Will Carry" and "Feels So Near"

In many of the songs, Dougie gets the audience involved with singing the words with him, a la Fogelberg with "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler" during his concerts or Harry Chapin with "Circle" during his performances. These were "Rescue Me", which also has a cute story that went with the song, "Green Grow the Rashes", "Feels So Near", "All Together", "Singing Land" and "This Love Will Carry". Sometimes it gets to be a little bit too much, but you can't help but sing with Dougie on this CD.

All in all, a great artist, a great CD and performance. I'm looking forward to purchasing more of his material and seeing him in concert in Oshkosh, WI this November.

An album for coma sufferers!.......2004-12-23

I have been acquainted with Dougie's music for some years. His best period was in the early 90's when his band had some talent. I have never cared much for his lazy languishing vocals, but this album will bore you in to a coma. No wonder he has slipped into obscurity.

Hauntingly Beautiful........2004-02-22

I'll make this review simple. Hauntingly beautiful melodies. Deeply poetic lyrics. My favorites tracks are "Talking With My Father", and "She Will Find Me." If you're a folkie this CD will touch your soul. If you're not a folkie yet, after a few minutes of Dougie Maclean you just might become one.

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