Home Ground - Live From Scotland [Live]

Battlefield Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Temple Records
• ASIN: B000002NOJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,718 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Although they may draw heavily on traditional folk themes, the Battlefield Band's vibrant eclectic mix of diverse instrumentation and original presentation always suggests far greater things. This splendid live album provides a fine taste of their talents. --Music Week

The admirable Battlefield Band's first live album shows just why they have become Scotland's most consistent and popular band over recent years. A fertile imagination and a wealth of instrumental ability are married to a sturdy, gutsy style of performance. Good songs are combined with a style of presenting dance-tune medleys, which is second to none in its originality and instrumental variation. --The Guardian

Product Description

This live album was recorded in Aberdeen during Battlefield Band's Scottish tour in Spring 1989. It is made up of about a 50/50 split of old favourites which are regularly asked for at concerts and new live, previously unrecorded material.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pincock's Pipes", November 22, 2000

By 

Alisdair Bletcher "Crowman" (Shanghai, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home Ground - Live From Scotland (Audio CD)

This is the first offering from the Battlefield Band that I heard, and I was hooked instantly. Being a Scot I may be a wee bit biased here, but I challenge anyone to go out and buy this disc and not like it... providing you are a fan of folk muisc that is!

Dougie Pincock's bagpipe playing is a revelation. He really offers a new dimension of sound for this fabulous instrument.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat disappointing, June 15, 2002

By 

R. Shumskis "highlandbob" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Home Ground - Live From Scotland (Audio CD)

I feel this album suffers from two things: too much '80s digitalization and too much American pop.

(1) Alan Reid is a great musician, but he went overboard with his keyboard work on this one. Almost every track has a prominent keyboard piece, even the bagpipe 'solos'. I like Alan a lot but there are times I wish he would've kept quiet. The modern B.B. plays excellent music -- the traditional instruments (bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, guitar, etc.) are at the forefront and the keyboard plays mostly in the background. And when Alan does play it's more of a traditional piano sound. But on the "Home Ground" album it's digital which just doesn't sound right to me. On a couple tracks there are also drums employed, which is disjointed, albeit not as badly as the keyboard.

If I wanted a modern/traditional music mix I'd listen to someone else... but I expect the B.B. to play traditionally arranged songs. Thus, when I bought this album I was somewhat disappointed.

(2) Apparently Scots like American music more than I was aware. Really only two tracks (9 & 12) feature American songs, but that's more than enough for me. I actually like B.B.'s version of "Bad Moon Rising"; it's amusing. But others, like "Lets Twist Again" don't translate well I guess.

Altogether, they tried to make this album too modern. They might be able to accomplish this successfully if they chose a better set of songs. I gather this was a persistent problem with their albums from the '80s (reference a review of "Anthem for the Common Man") so, therefore, I think I'll avoid their other mid-80s work.

Not to be a total douser, I grant that tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 do present some nice work.

This disc is alright; just good enough to purchase. But not one I listen to often.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I've heard!, July 26, 2001

By 

Elizabeth Joy Weaver "Joi Weaver" (Brea, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Home Ground - Live From Scotland (Audio CD)

A friend of mine lent me his copy of Home Ground during a painting class, and I've been hooked ever since! Battlefield Band has not only a great sound (as heard best on The Rovin' Dies Hard, My Bonnie Yew Tree, The Dear Green Place, and of course, After Hours) but also a great sense of humor (Bad Moon Rising, Band of 1000 Chances). These guys are great! Anyone who likes any guitar based music will like this, and the bagpipes are a plus!