The Dougie Maclean Collection

1. Rite of Passage

2. Singing Land

3. Solid Ground

4. Broken Wings

5. Marching Mystery

6. Search

7. Turning Away

8. Caledonia

9. Ready for the Storm

10. Trail of the Survivor

11. This Love Will Carry

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In 1990, country star Kathy Mattea decided she needed to slow down and reconnect with her musical roots. That meant folk music, and she took some time off to go visit her favorite Scottish folk singer, Dougie MacLean. While over there, MacLean coproduced and played several instruments on Mattea's version of "From a Distance," and when Mattea returned to Nashville, she recorded a version of MacLean's "Ready for the Storm." Both songs showed up on Mattea's '91 album, Time Passes By, and left her fans asking, Who is this Dougie MacLean?

This anthology answers that question. The Dougie MacLean Collection skims the cream from seven different albums and a video that MacLean released on his own Dunkeld Records in Scotland. The centerpiece of the collection is "Caledonia," a lovely homesick ballad which has become the unofficial anthem of Scottish nationalism. Throughout the album MacLean's sparkling acoustic guitar work is evidence of the long years he put in playing traditional Celtic tunes with such top Scottish folk bands as Silly Wizard and the Tannahill Weavers.

Many of his own compositions deal with his attachment to his homeland, and when he describes how "across the Arlick the amber sun beats down to tinge the vivid green," as he does on "Solid Ground," MacLean can be quite evocative. Unfortunately, he seldom stops himself before he turns simple sentiments into sentimental excess. With none of the saving humor of Andy Stewart or the tough-minded realism of Dick Gaughan, MacLean too often gives in to smug, middle-brow bombast. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracks:

Rite Of Passage
Singing Land
Solid Ground
Broken Wings
Marching Mystery
The Search
Turning Away
Caledonia
Ready For The Storm
Trail Of The Survivor
This Love Will Carry

Amazon.com

In 1990, country star Kathy Mattea decided she needed to slow down and reconnect with her musical roots. That meant folk music, and she took some time off to go visit her favorite Scottish folk singer, Dougie MacLean. While over there, MacLean coproduced and played several instruments on Mattea's version of "From a Distance," and when Mattea returned to Nashville, she recorded a version of MacLean's "Ready for the Storm." Both songs showed up on Mattea's '91 album, Time Passes By, and left her fans asking, Who is this Dougie MacLean?

This anthology answers that question. The Dougie MacLean Collection skims the cream from seven different albums and a video that MacLean released on his own Dunkeld Records in Scotland. The centerpiece of the collection is "Caledonia," a lovely homesick ballad which has become the unofficial anthem of Scottish nationalism. Throughout the album MacLean's sparkling acoustic guitar work is evidence of the long years he put in playing traditional Celtic tunes with such top Scottish folk bands as Silly Wizard and the Tannahill Weavers.

Customer Reviews:

The ultimate album by one of Scotland's best singer-songwriters.......2006-03-20

I picked this up on a lark, not knowing what to expect. I saw an interview with Dougie MacLean on a PBS special about Celtic culture and music, and was intrigued by what he had to say about the culture and its music. Dougie MacLean stands in a long line of tremendous singer-songwriters who tell tales about the land, its people, and what It All Means. He does it with a poetry and subtlety that few others do. It took a listen or two before I 'got it', but once I did, I felt like I had been let in on some kind of insider's secret. Do get this album. There's not a bad song on it, and you'll find that many artists have done covers of Dougie MacLean's songs for a good reason - they're beautiful, poignant, and speak to the heart of the Celtic soul. Slainte mhath.

Dougie - Five Stars as usual!.......2006-03-15

If you're NOT familiar with Dougie's music and want to be, this is probably a good CD to start off with as it has a good selection of songs from his other albums, (a good mixture of up tempo and more relaxed tracks) all written by himself - no covers on this one. I wouldn't say that these were ALL the best of Dougie's songs, but then it would be far easier to fit all of dougie's not-so-good tracks on one album than vice versa!

If you ARE familiar with Dougie's music, then what the heck, buy it anyway! It's a great CD to add to your collection even if you have some of the songs on other CDs.

Dougie's lyrics are always very deep and meaningful, so if you like that in music (as opposed to mindless babble or incomprehensive screaming!!) then this music is for you!

Dougie has a fantastic voice, especially if you like celtic/scottish music/voices. His voice is very rich and natural throughout all his singing, never sounding forced, and yet he still sings with great volume and power. Personally (and as a singer myself) I have rarely heard him sing off-key, and if he ever does, at least it proves how natural his voice is, not electronified or heard through a voice correcter, like SO much of todays music! If anything, he has the natural ability to add real life and depth to his music that goes way beyond the tune and the lyrics. I highly recommend all Dougie MacLean music.

The Dougie MacLean Collection.......2004-12-11

This cd is perfect for a nice summer evening when you want to feel closer to our Mother. MacLean does really well with the close-to-earth, Celtic feel. It's homely stuff, and no, it's not perfect-but that's what makes it so great.

It's wonderful; you can actually hear the instruments on this thing. MacLean's voice isn't really remarkable-but that's not something you really want when you're just trying to relax and feel nature.

So curl up outside on a blanket, turn this on, and feel the world go to peace for awhile. Feel the gentle breeze across your body, feel the last rays of Apollo and watch Artemis rise into the night while listening to this beautiful, simple, earthy music.

Great if he could sing on-key.......2003-05-24

Dougie has a pleasant voice and writes pretty, heartfelt songs. Unfortunately, on virtually every song I've heard by him, he goes flat on the last note of almost every line. If you have heard only one or two of his songs and are here to sample the rest of his catalog, this is a warning: if listening to someone go flat over and over and over again during an otherwise listenable tune makes you grit your teeth, then stay away from Dougie's live or studio albums. If, on the other hand, you can overlook the occasionally off-key singing, go for it. Natalie Merchant has plenty of fans too that put up with her lazy vocal stylings; Dougie MacLean, as a national treasure of Scotland, deserves to be at least as successful as she is. I just wish they could carry a tune.

Awesome!!!.......2001-10-23

I have never heard of Dougie MacLean before I went to the music store and saw this c.d--I bought it because I love Scotland and was curious to hear this music...I put it in and instantly fell in love with it...The song "Caledonia" is beautiful. You can hear his Scottish accent in the songs, which just adds to it's appeal. His style is like James Taylor and folky type but it's so much more than that...it's really quite different---you will love this. His lyrics are wonderful and powerful, mixed with his awesome voice, and enchanting background music ---you wont stop listening to it...so buy it and enjoy!!!!

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