Customer Reviews

Highland Farewell

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this CD this summer, after visiting Scotland for the first time and seeing the ruined homes of the crofters, who had been "cleared" from the land (beginning in the late 18th century). This CD is Steve McDonald's heartfelt tribute to his ancestors, who were forced to leave their country. They were replaced by sheep, which brought the landlords more money than did renters. All this, and more, is brought out in superb notes, included with the CD.

The best songs on Highland Farewell made me cry, and still do (I have played the CD dozens of times). "The Highland Farewell" is a beautiful, moving song, in which the crofters are thrown out of their beloved country, and made to sail to far-away lands as their "tears, fall upon the salty deck" of the ships as Scotland fades away. The Gaelic parts of the song are beautiful as well. "By Law" is a powerful, angry protest song about the rich and powerful getting away with terrible deeds, under the guise of the law. "To the Ends of the Earth" is a wonderful song that tells the story of a preacher and his followers who left Scotland for Nova Scotia, and then left there for New Zealand. "All My Days," "Child of the Gael," and "My Heart Belongs to Scotland" also are beautiful songs, as is "Seawulf" (about the Viking conquest of Scotland).

The instrumentation on this CD is terrific. McDonald inserts fife, drums, cello, bass, guitar, Bodhran, and violin music to enhance the pieces greatly. The backing vocalists, including Hollie Smith, are wonderful, and you might find yourself singing along with them, since the choruses are splendid generally.

HIghland Farewell is better than McDonald's first CD, Sons of Somerled (which was the Gaelic Album of the Year), and as good as Stone of Destiny (which was nominated for the award). You will love it!

This is music of great contrasts. Some songs are haunting, as is the title song "Highland Farewell" along with "Gone is the Highland Way". Some are proudly Scottish and here I think first of "We are Scotland". Determination is the sense of "By Law". Together these twelve tracks bring the listener to appreciate the struggles of the folk of the Clearances and the new lifestyles ahead for the dispossessed.

Steve McDonald is an impassioned performer. His voice carries with it the emotions of the lyrics; his instruments draw out every nuance of his meaning. The CD succceeds because although there are the contrasts, there is a common message in word, scene and in the definition and support from the instrumentation.

I first heard this at the Stones of Calainas by Stornaway on the Island of Lewis. Driving through the moorland there and on to Harris, this music evoked an era of sadness and loss and yet also of an amazing loyalty to the land of birth.

Lovers of Scotland's will be entranced to hear and feel the struggle of past times.

Steve McDonald had done it again! This CD is a work of art. The music and the words draw you into another world, to experience Scotland's history. From the first song to the last you will trascend the miles to a time of long ago. The music is beautifully haunting. The words are artistry and life.

The first time that I ever heard any of Steve McDonalds music, it was the "Sons of Somerled" CD. I was instantly drawn into his incredible voice, the heartfelt words and the moving music. When the "Stone of Destiny" CD came out, I was thrilled to find that it was the same quality of songs as "Sons of Somerled". Now, "Highland Farewell" is here, and it was well worth the wait. Sometimes musicians lose something in their style that made them special, but this is not the case with him. If I could only own music from one artist - it would be Steve McDonald.

I highly recommend "Highland Farewell" as I do all of his other works. This is a very gifted artist. You will be truly blessed as you listen to his unique style of music and lyrics. Scotland is a beautiful land with lovely people. Once you visit there, you will always have a piece of Scotland in your heart. Steve's music helps you to relive the experience of such an enchanted land, or to experience Scotland through his gifted music.

Steve McDonald strikes at a collective Scottish nerve with this compilation. Highlander's Farewell is a fitting tribute to the displaced and disbanded highland clans. The music rekindles long supressed yearnings for another time and another place where the grandfathers of our granfathers called home. Steve is adressing a very specific audience with this album. Unless you have made the pilgrimage back to the homeland and walked the very soil that once belonged to your clan forefathers, you may not feel the emotion that Steve is trying to convey. As a descendent of Somerled's nephew, Highlander's Farewll filled my eyes with tears and my heart with pride.

This CD is, by far, McDonald's absolute, finest work to date. This disc must be experienced, not heard. It's more moving than can be described in ANY language. Just about every track will give you goosebumps. I had originally purchased Somerled when it debuted and was hypnotized by the composition and arranging. On Farewell, if you love haunting harmonies, this is the disc for you. Trust me when I tell you, YOU MUST HAVE THIS! I purchased it in November of 2000 and as of July 2001, a second disc hasn't been loaded into the player. Each and every track is a triumph. If you are of Scottish descent, this disc should have and unbelievable talent for making you homesick for a land you've never even seen. Close your eyes and you can picture Scotland in its glory and in its pain. It's TRULY amazing... I can only hope Mr. McDonald tours more often so I could experience this live.

I've never felt such sadness for something that happened so long ago because of music! I felt my Scottish blood stirring as I listened to how my ancestors were forced from their homes. All Scotsmen (and women) should have this CD as part of their collection.

I love all of Steve's CD's! They always take me back in time to the experiences of the Scottish people. I don't know how many times I've cried while listening to his music. The strength and stamina of the Scotts is incredible and Steve's chronicle of their desire for freedom is excellent!

Earlier posts about English political superiority aside, I expected something a little more traditionally Scottish sounding. This sounded more to me like the umpteenth iteration of Windham Hill's "A Celtic [fill in the blank]". Sure, there were traces of traditional tunes and instruments used as quiet background to the melancholy lyrics but, aside from the implied historical story lines, the music didn't do anything to stir my soul. It's not bad or distasteful, it makes for soothing mood music, but it sounds too Americanized for something titled "Highland Farewell".

While this CD doesn't have the impact of "Sons of Somerled," it is still more than worth a listen. McDonald illustrates his love and pride in his Scottish ancestry with every breath, bringing both pathos for the Clearances, and pride in the Scots ability to triumph in the face of adversity. McDonald's work brings unique cultural stamp of the Highlands to all corners of the world--a polar opposite to the original English intent!

Bravo!

I have always adored highland and celtic music. This is by far the best i've heard. i loved every song on this cd...especially "my heart belongs to scotland". if you are a fan of highland music, this is a must have.