Redwood Cathedral

Amazon.com
In this sharply focused album, Gaughan continues his return to a strongly acoustic sound in a series of songs of politics and life on a human scale. It opens with Brian McNeill's "Muir and the Master Builder," a poem-song dedicated to John Muir, the godfather of American environmentalism. It continues with Si Kahn's "Gone, Gonna Rise Again," and Ron Kavana's moving call for Irish unity, "Reconciliation." His ability to take other writers' songs and make them personal is amazing, and this continues throughout the recording. He also contributes a few of his own well-crafted pieces, notably "All the King's Horses," a dire warning to the governments and oppressors of Scotland and the world to watch their back: "You hurt so many on your upward climb, now you're all alone and it's closing time." There's also the required Gaughan interpretation of a classic pop song. This time the romantic '60s pop paean "Let It Be Me" is given a raw, aching reading over his signature solo guitar picking. Redwood Cathedral ranks up there with his now classic Handful of Earth for sincerity and directness. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Muir And The Master Builder
Gone, Gonna Rise Again
Reconciliation
Why Old Men Cry
Thomas Muir Of Huntershill
October Song
Ewan And The Gold
Let It Be Me
All The kings Horses
Panco And Lefty
Turn, Turn, Turn
Fine Horseman

Amazon.com

In this sharply focused album, Gaughan continues his return to a strongly acoustic sound in a series of songs of politics and life on a human scale. It opens with Brian McNeill's "Muir and the Master Builder," a poem-song dedicated to John Muir, the godfather of American environmentalism. It continues with Si Kahn's "Gone, Gonna Rise Again," and Ron Kavana's moving call for Irish unity, "Reconciliation." His ability to take other writers' songs and make them personal is amazing, and this continues throughout the recording. He also contributes a few of his own well-crafted pieces, notably "All the King's Horses," a dire warning to the governments and oppressors of Scotland and the world to watch their back: "You hurt so many on your upward climb, now you're all alone and it's closing time." There's also the required Gaughan interpretation of a classic pop song. This time the romantic '60s pop paean "Let It Be Me" is given a raw, aching reading over his signature solo guitar picking. Redwood Cathedral ranks up there with his now classic Handful of Earth for sincerity and directness. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Combining justice with beauty.......2002-11-07

Dick Gaughan has the rare ability to combine a sense of justice with a sense of beauty. Most, but not all, of the songs on this album recall heros of the struggle for human dignity and justice, but realized in a way that eschews propaganda for full realization of the promise of both the subjects and the music. "Thomas Muir of Huntershill" is a great example of this genre.

Then there is Gaughan's cover of "Let it Be" on this album, a love song with no political content whatsoever, just to prove that he can frolic with the rest of us.

American counterparts are Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger. From a technical and musical perspective, Gaughan is more gifted, although Seeger has a more universal perspective, drawing from a wider set of traditions. Gaughan sings Seeger's "Turn, Turn, Turn" on the album, which makes the connection between these two troubadors.

All in all, this is one of those disks a Gaughan fan, or a fan of beautiful music that remembers heros, should have.

One of the finest.......2002-10-23

I have been a long time fan of Gaughan - heard him in concert several times - but I rate this album clearly as one of his best overall efforts. It is a must for anyone's collection.

Another powerful, moving, and inspiring work by a true hero.......1998-10-17

Dick Gaughan has once again provided the world with a powerful, moving, and inspiring collection. His ability to roar with urgency and instantly slide to a passionate whisper is sure to raise gooseflesh on the arms of his listeners. He remains foremost among singers and guitarists of any genre.

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