Customer Reviews

Stone of Destiny

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stone of Destiny: My first exposure to Steve McDonald left quite an impression. I bought this one while on vacation and the first thing I did when I got home was check Amazon for more albums. After reading the reviews, I could tell that the Stone of Destiny apparently strays from his usual style but in no way should that take away from the pleasure derived from listening and reading this one. Yes I said reading. Inside the album jacket are not only the lyrics but a brief history describing the events that inspired each song. It's a wonderful way to learn a few of the myths, legends and events that contributed so significantly to Scotland's history. From the narrated poem of the battle of Bannockburn (as depicted by the movie Braveheart) to the obvious Pink Floyd influences in the song, Boadicea, this album is mesmerizing. After you've read the jacket cover to cover, it's the album that you will want put on when you need to make the most of the moments that belong to only you. When you can close your eyes and let the words and music carry you away on the wings of your imagination. For those of you who are Steve McDonald fans, please judge this one on it's own merit and not what you expect it to be. For those who've never heard him, this album has excellent orchestral and background singing but the voice of Steven McDonald and the feeling he puts into his songs is what will move you. I've just ordered all of his other albums based on this one and I'm hoping that all contain the history lessons and inspirationally moving lyrics I found on the Stone of Destiny.

steve,s passion for scotland is unmistakeable andhis music is very moving.His first cd was voted celtic album of the year and whoever beat him this year must have a brilliant album as I believe this cd to be better than Son,s of Sommerled.If Fallen Flowers doesnt bring tears to your eyes then you,re heartless as this is one of the most beautiful but sad song I,ve ever heard.Harvest is a stunning piece of music,very much an inspirational tune almost Vangelis style but better.Do yourself a real favour and give this man a listen-he,s a great musician(pity he,s a Kiwi though)

I first discovered Steve McDonald when I walked into a Natural Wonders store. After hearing approximately 30 seconds of "Sons of Somerled," I bought it, and have been fascinated by his music ever since. I've heard it described as "like Enya, except it's a man, and it's about Scotland," and that's pretty accurate.

McDonald weaves intricate, lush tapestries of music and vocals. He loves Scotland, and it shows in every anthem and ballad on his albums. Painstakingly researched and composed, the songs cover a range of emotion and subjects. "Stone" is named for a block of yellow sandstone that symbolizes the national identity and freedom of Scotland, and its story is told in the illustrated liner notes, along with the inspiration behind each of the songs.

"Stone" starts out with an intriguing paean to the Loch Ness Monster, "The Lady of the Loch." "Fallen Flowers" recounts a moment of shared awareness between a young warrior wounded at the Battle of Halidon Hill and his mother, and it is heartbreakingly beautiful. It is immediately followed by "Oran," a haunting tale of one of Scotland's martyrs.

"Boadicea" is a stirring tale of the Warrior Queen, full of history and yet conveying the feel of a song sung by bard or skald. "The Painted Men" tells of the Picts, the pre-Celtic people of the Isles.

The mood is lifted from the very first line of the title track. As McDonald sings, "In the curragh and off we go," the listener is transported to medieval Scotland and told the tale of the Stone. "Auld Lang Syne" is the long version of Robert Burns' famous poem, with verses you've probably never heard before. "Green Alba" is a breathy, invigorating anthem of ancient Scotland, also called Caledonia or Alba.

If you enjoyed the movie "Braveheart," you will understand the mood and emotion behind "Freedom," a tribute to William Wallace. "Connla and the Fairy Maiden" spins the story of a prince, spirited away by a fairy woman. The final track, "Skye Boat Song," is a sweetly sad lullaby about Bonnie Prince Charlie.

This is a beautiful and memorable album, well worth checking out.

in this recording by Steve. I bought this album when on holiday in Edinburgh in Jan 2000. I was being measured for a kilt in my clan tartan. I heard the vocals and rythms and fell in love with the album instantly. I know that this album has had a bad review, but in my small but honest opinion, Steve's got the trail of the Scottish heart summed up (and yes, I agree, pity he's a Kiwi :-)) in the mixture of heavier rythms, sad mournful ballads, and brilliant layered harmonies. "Bannockburn" gives a superb combination of bagpipes and percussion. "Fallen Flowers" had me in tears when I listened to it for the first time. "The Painted Men" has good combinations of slower rythms counterpointed by melodies with more complex note combinations, yet the harmonies used are simple, but strong. "Oran" is sad, but enlightening. "The Harvest" has a good underlying rythm with simple "choral" sounds over the top to produce a reflective track. With these descriptions to tempt you (and 60+ minutes of music) then what more can I say. I've not even touched all of the tracks from the album.

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.

Destiny does not quite have the power of Sons of Somerled, so if you only buy one MacDonald that's the best, but if you have Sons and want more MacDonald you won't be disappointed.

This guy is GOOD. After listening to Sons of Somerled, I didn't think that there could be any other CD to compare to it... and here comes another one that is just as good if not even better! I admit that I cried the first time I listened to "Fallen Flowers," the second track on the CD. I also felt sudden inspiration when I listened to "Boadicea," the story of the warrior queen of so long ago told in beautiful music. If you don't have this CD... whether you like Scottish music or not... buy it. It is worth the price and more.

If you have one drop of Scots blood in your veins and you can listen to the first track on this CD where Steve recites "Scots wha hae" without getting gooseflesh, then you should get medical help, because you are near death! A beautiful CD from beginning to end, IMHO.

I was more than impressed with Steve McDonald when I bought Spinfield several years ago. It remains one of my favorite CDs - one that has quite literally stood the test of time. In his other works, including this one Steve's ability to grasp one's very spirit through the music is both inspiring and transcending. Thanks Steve - and spread the word a Master of Music...

So much passion and inspiration went into this CD. Very moving. Loved it.

If you like new age sound with plenty of percussion the CD is for you. The Lady of the Loch reverbates with drum sounds....and the song Freedom is tops. Each song on the CD has an individual sound and can stand alone.I first heard this in the background while shopping in a "Nature" store. When my son heard this at my house he immediately wanted a copy. Its a sleeper! Let's look for more creative work from this artist!