Sons of Somerled [Enhanced]

Steven McDonald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 1996)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Etherean Music
• ASIN: B000008QUR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,025 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #22 in Music > Folk > British & Celtic Folk > Scottish Folk
  • #59 in Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Scotland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sons of Somerled features the sonic treat of densely layered synthetic instrumentation shot through with heavy-duty vocal emoting, recalling both fellow Scotsman Dougie MacClean and the ballads of English pop star Phil Collins. Romantic in its notions of nationalism, war, and history, Sons of Somerled recalls man's love affair with the sea, the bluster and pride of the likes of Braveheart, and the all-consuming quest for the eternal soul mate. Such heady aspirations coupled with dreamy musical accompaniment speak to an audience hungry for the bittersweet passion of life writ by the unseen hand of fate. --Paige La Grone

Product Description

Album of the Year Winner! ... "The musical equivalent to Braveheart" (Billboard Magazine) Steve McDonald's celtic contemporary music soars with cinematic tales of Scottish history. Enhanced CD includes musical video. No Clan exercised such a powerful influence in early Highland history as the Macdonalds. Somerled emerged early in the 12th Century as a leader to expel the Vikings from Southwest Scotland. His marriage to a Norse princess made him a formidable adversary to the Scottish king. Somerled's grandson, Donald, became the founder of "Clan Donald" - literally the "children of Donald" - giving his descendants and followers the name Macdonald or "son of Donald".

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hail to ye Sons of Somerled!, October 23, 2000

By 

A. Casalino "V^^^^^V" (Downers Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sons of Somerled (Audio CD)

Never before have I heard music filled with such passion for that far-off land, Scotland, which lies quite far away from me ~ Oh, this is a wonderful album! And I came upon it quite by chance at a little bookshop near my home.

Herein you'll find a blissful mix of traditional Scottish/Celtic song and that timeless ethereal/mystical sound that's found in the music of Loreena McKennitt, Clannad, or the like. The qualities that set this collection apart are found not only in the deeper vocals, but also in the intensity of passion for Scotland's turbulent heritage and that country's restless, timeless spirit of beauty and unrequited aspiration.

From the first moment I listened, this music has stayed with me, haunted me with wonderful persuasion ~~ Found in SONS OF SOMERLED is the spirit found in the movie, BRAVEHEART. Especially endearing to my own soul are the songs THE CELTIC WARRIOR and ALL YOU CAN KNOW. There are also lovely versions of LOCH LOMOND and SCOTLAND THE BRAVE.

Oh ~ and you will indeed hear the bagpipes! Yet they are not overbearing, mind you - but part of a collective plaintive cry, or an echo, as from across a vast space of distance and time ~~ And it is a loveliness to any ghost or living soul who yearns for the spirit that has lived in that little section of the world since ancient times.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visionary, nostalgic, and awe inspiring, February 27, 2004

By 

The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sons of Somerled (Audio CD)

Visionary, nostalgic, and awe inspiring. MacDonald takes traditional and new Scottish highland music and augments it with the unleashed power of a full orchestra and high-tech production. It's not the orchestra music of your grandfathers, for I have never heard timpani player(s) unleashed like a highland Celtic drummer, nor heard Celtic drums with the tonal quality of a tuned set of orchestral kettles. The singing is awesome, the music is fantastic. Everyone who hears it played goes out and buys their own copy. And, as a hidden bonus, if you play it on your computer there are pictures of Scotland hidden there in PC format. Buy one. Turn the volume up to 9. Enjoy.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Did you find the awesome multimedia treasure on this CD?, October 7, 1999

By 

John Harris ([e-mail]) (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sons of Somerled (Audio CD)

Not only is this a wonderful and stirring CD, it's obviously a work of love. Steve McDonald has put his heart and soul into this beautiful album. I never tire of it. But did anyone else discover the awesome multimedia music video and interview also included as data on the CD? Put the CD in your PC, search it with Windows Explorer and ENJOY EVEN MORE OF "SONS OF SOMERLED"!!! Making plans for my second trip to Scotland - Isles of Skye and Harris this time.