Customer Reviews

Live: From the Ends of the Earth

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the past I have written of Dougie's supreme skill as a song writer. That skill is showcased on this disc of live tracks. The songs on "Live: From the Ends of the Earth" are some of Dougie's best.

Fan favorites like "Caledonia" and "Ready for the Storm" are included. Dougie's more recent material fills most of the rest of the disc. To top it off, he throws in a rendition of Robert Burn's "Green Grow the Rashes."

I love the spare feeling that a lot of these songs acquire in their live settings. In particular, "She Will Find Me" and "Rite of Passage" gain a certain greatness that their studio versions only hinted at.

Possibly the most moving song (for me at least) is "This Love Will Carry." It speaks of love lifting us through the hard times. Dougie played this song at a memorial following the Pan Am air disaster over Locherbie Scotland. Still, to my mind, it is so much more than just a song for times of tragedy. It is a song that speaks to the daily struggles of everyday life.

As with all of Dougie's music, I cannot find words to praise "Live: From the Ends of the Earth" highly enough. I suggest that you get this disc. It is more than worth it.

Do you feel disconnected, uninspired, like you've forgotten the point, like "the goal is faded"? Well then- listen to Scottish singer & songwriter, Dougie MacLean. He will remind you of the sweet journey of life- pick you back up, put you on your feet, and take a musical walk with you.

Also an acoustic guitarist, Dougies folksy sound and infectious melodies will have you singing along in no time. His emotionally intimate lyrics speak clearly to the heart and his warm entertaining voice will have you wanting to call him friend. All his songs will teach you something new about life on this lovely spinning planet or remind you of something that you have sadly forgotten.

Live From the Ends of the Earth is a collection of some of this masterful performers best songs. The live album, containing portions of concerts from Dougies homeland of Scotland as well as Australia, features his often-hilarious anecdotes on life, musings on topics from mountain climbing to a night in the pub or a walk with his father. These sometimes inspirational, sometimes funny stories you will remember and tell your friends.

This CD is good company and you will find it one in demand by friends for borrowing. Mellow enough to relax to, and lively enough to travel with; were it not for the avid applause at the end of each song, it would be a perfect album for every occasion.

His Scythe Song features splendid allegorical lyrics about those things that you can't be taught, that you just somehow magically pick up along the way..."you've got to hold it right... feel the distance to the ground...".

Green Grow the Rashes, as you may have presumed, is based off of lyrics from the old Celtic poet, Robert Byron.

His best song is "Ready For The Storm", which has also been sung by Rich Mullins, and experiences quite a bit of popularity on Celtic public radio programs. It has an intricate guitar melody, with a passionate, driving feel.

After the 9/11 incident, it was "This Love Will Carry", that Dougie dedicated to the American people. "You look down at your blistered hands as turns another year but this love will carry...though by storms we're weakened and uncertainty is sure; like the coming of the dawn it's ours forever more- this love- and this love will carry...".

As with most live albums, the CD mastering was clearly a challenge. The audience accompanies Dougie, at his request, on many songs but they have a uniquely excellent blend- what is it about Dougie, that his audience actually has a good ear and can sing?

Hopefully, you'll be able to truly hear him `live' on his American tour taking place in the next few months- but don't forget to pick up this CD first so you can sing along! It will quickly become a favorite.

Most Americans who have heard of Dougie Maclean have at least heard Caledonia and Ready For the Storm. Both of those songs are on this disk, with a mix of his other songs, old and new, cobbled together from two live concerts. The sound of the disk is simple and spare--one man and his guitar--and eminently listenable. The audiences he has, moreover, are the kind to make lesser artists green with envy, as they sing along, and even take over at times, with full throat and beautiful melody. The simplicity, honesty, and depth of feeling in these songs is enough to bring tears to the eyes of listeners by themselves; the reception the audience brings to them pushes this album over the top into the front rank with the best live albums folk music has enjoyed through the years.

We were "introduced" to Dougie MacLean by accident while listening to an NPR broadcast "Our Front Porch." Impressed? That hardly sums it up.

This is our first MacLean CD and it is wonderful. Having visited Scotland, and especially the Highlands, Dougie's music perfectly captures the magic of the country, its people and stirs up all kinds of good feelings from deep within.

Especially notable is Dougie's superlative version of "Green Grow the Rashes O," Robbie Burns ne'er sounded sae guid! "Ready for the Storm" and "She Will Find Me" are additional standouts on a CD full of top-notch cuts.

But you don't have to be Scottish or have been there to appreciate the artistry. Still, even if you've never been, once you listen to this wonderful CD, you'll miss the place. D'ye ken?

It's Dougie and his guitar. That's it. But that's more than enough! This is one of those cds that you put on when the rains blow in and the air gets damp and you are looking for something to warm you deep down. Fix a cup of tea or brew a pot of your favorite coffee, sit back in the most overstuffed chair you own, and let this one carry you away.

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.

"Live From the ends of the earth" is the greatest live album I have ever heard. My previous review gives a lot of my reasons for thinking this to be true. After further listening, I have this to add:

"All Together" is an awesome song. It is one of my son's favorite songs and the version here makes me agree with him. The story behind it is worth some thinking about.

There is an inherent wisdom and essential humanity in many of Dougie's songs. The songs on this disc have a clear focus on relationships. "Talking with My Father" has that visceral feeling that marks Dougie's greatest songs. If it doesn't cut to the core of your being, you best go find where you left your heart.

Finally, I love Dougie's sense of humor. His good natured-ness shines through on these recordings. It is even there when he blows a line on "Rite of Passage." You can hear him smiling as he sings the next line.

I award "Live From the ends of the earth" my first annual (and newly invented) disc of the year award. If you don't have it, get it.

I have been privileged to see Dougie live four times, and this CD captures the feeling of the live concerts. His songs range from joyful and raucous ("All Together") through touching and gentle ("Scythe Song") to poignantly, hauntingly beautiful ("Rite of Passage" and "Ready for the Storm"). The last two give me chills no matter how often I hear them.

Dougie will be touring the northeast and southeast in early 2004; check his web site (http://www.dougiemaclean.com/dougie.htm) for details. Buy any (all) of his CDs, but "Live: From the Ends of the Earth" is a fine, fine start.

Do you feel disconnected, uninspired, like you've forgotten the point, like "the goal is faded"... well, then listen to Scottish singer & songwriter, Dougie MaClean. He will remind you of the sweet journey of life- pick you back up, put you on your feet, and take a musical walk with you.

Also an acoustic guitarist, Dougies folksy sound and infectious melodies will have you singing along in no time. His emotionally intimate lyrics speak clearly to the heart and his warm entertaining voice will have you wanting to call him friend. All his songs will teach you something new about life on this lovely spinning planet or remind you of something that you have sadly forgotten.

Live From the Ends of the Earth is a collection of some of this masterful performers best songs. The live album, containing portions of concerts from Dougies homeland of Scotland as well as Austrailia, features his often hilarious anecdotes on life, musings on topics from mountain climbing to a night in the pub or a walk with his father. These sometimes inspirational, sometimes funny stories you will remember and tell your friends.

This CD is good company and you will find it one in demand by friends for borrowing. Mellow enough to relax to, and lively enough to travel with; were it not for the avid applause at the end of each song, it would be a perfect album for every occasion.

His "Scythe Song" features splendid allegorical lyrics about those things that you can't be taught, that you just somehow magically pick up along the way..."you've got to hold it right... feel the distance to the ground...".

Green Grow the Rashes, as you may have presumed, is based off of lyrics from the old Celtic poet, Robert Burns.

His best song is "Ready For The Storm", which has also been sung by Rich Mullins, and experiences quite a bit of popularity on Celtic public radio programs. It has an intricate guitar melody, with a passionate, driving feel.

After the 9/11 incident, it was "This Love Will Carry", that Dougie dedicated to the American people. "You look down at your blistered hands as turns another year but this love will carry...though by storms we're weakened and uncertainty is sure; like the coming of the dawn it's ours forever more- this love- and this love will carry...".

As with most live albums, the CD mastering was clearly a challenge. The audience accompanies Dougie, at his request, on many songs but they have an uniquely excellent blend- what is it about Dougie, that his audience actually has a good ear and can sing?

Hopefully, you'll be able to truly hear him `live' on his American tour taking place in the next few months- but don't forget to pick up this CD first so you can sing along! It will quickly become a favorite.

In the past I have written of Dougie's supreme skill as a song writer. That skill is showcased on this disc of live tracks. The songs on "Live: From the Ends of the Earth" are some of Dougie's best.

Fan favorites like "Caledonia" and "Ready for the Storm" are included. Dougie's more recent material fills most of the rest of the disc. To top it off, he throws in a rendition of Robert Burn's "Green Grow the Rashes."

I love the spare feeling that a lot of these songs acquire in their live settings. In particular, "She Will Find Me" and "Rite of Passage" gain a certain greatness that their studio versions only hinted at.

Possibly the most moving song (for me at least) is "This Love Will Carry." It speaks of love lifting us through the hard times. Dougie played this song at a memorial following the Pan Am air disaster over Locherbie Scotland. Still, to my mind, it is so much more than just a song for times of tragedy. It is a song that speaks to the daily struggles of everyday life.

As with all of Dougie's music, I cannot find words to praise "Live: From the Ends of the Earth" highly enough. I suggest that you get this disc. It is more than worth it.