Customer Reviews

Sunshine on Leith

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A rousing and at times poignant album of rock ballads that deal with life and love, "Sunshine On Leith" is one terrific collection of songs from beginning to end. Twin brothers from Scotland, Craig and Charlie Reid deliver a dozen cuts with plenty of heart and soul, with lyrics that say a lot in a short span of time. The infectious rhythm of "I'm Gonna Be," featured prominently in the 1993 movie "Benny and Joon," catapulted the Proclaimers into the limelight, and what a treat to discover that the rest of their album is equally deserving of praise. With the exception of "My Old Friend The Blues," all of the songs were written by the brothers Reid and feature Craig on lead vocals and Charlie on vocals and acoustic guitar. I defy anyone to try and sit still while listening to "Cap In Hand," "Sean," "Come On Nature," "I'm On My Way," "What Do You Do," or "Oh Jean." Two more that will grab hold of you are "It's Saturday Night," and "Teardrops." But the ballad "Sunshine On Leith," a pensive, reflective piece, is absolutely transporting and is clearly the highlight of the album. The more you listen to this album the more it gets into your blood; these are songs you can listen to over and over again and they never get old. Listening to "Sunshine On Leith" makes you want to go outside, close your eyes and take a deep breath of fresh air, or maybe even let the rain hit you in the face; either way, you'll feel alive, and that's the magic of this offering from the Proclaimers. All you have to do is open the door and let the music in.

The Proclaimers are twin brothers - Craig and Charlie Reid from Edinburgh, Scotland. "Sunshine on Leith," their second record, was originally released in 1988. At that time, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was a moderate hit on college rock stations, peaking at #21 on the Modern Rock chart. The song also did well in their native U.K. - going to #11. Five years later, the song was resurrected in the Johnny Depp film, "Benny & Joon," and shot all the way to #3 on the Top 100. In addition, the song and CD went gold. Most people who bought the record in 1993 probably listened mostly to that hit; however, they really missed out on some great music.

"Sunshine on Leith" is often dismissed as a CD that contains one hit and nothing else. I'm reminded of CDs such as "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba or "How Bizarre" by OMC. The danger of becoming a one-hit wonder is that everybody wants the full-length CD to sound exactly like the hit. "Sunshine on Leith" doesn't just contain 11 variations on "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which is fortunate for the discriminating listener. Only "I'm on My Way" has a similar, sing-a-long feel. Some of the other highlights include: "Cap in Hand" - a good old-fashioned song about fighting; "Sean" - an engaging Irish ditty ("I'll tell you now that grown men cry and Irish girls are pretty"); and "Come on Nature" - a surprisingly boppy song. They also include several extremely beautiful ballads here, particularly the country-tinged "My Old Friend the Blues" and the gorgeous, melancholy "Sunshine on Leith."

The Proclaimers' music is basically rock, although it incorporates fair amounts of folk and UK-sounding influences. As a result, the CD is quite varied, with some good rockers and beautiful ballads. Their music is relatively stripped, and it reminds me of 50s rock in some ways - solid rock music with straight-forward lyrics. Overall, this CD has been decidedly overlooked and worthy of greater attention - highly recommended.

I generally shy away from buying an entire album when I am crazy about 1 song. Because historically when I do I end up with one song I like and 9 or more that I can barely tolerate. So, when I bought "Sunshine on Leith" at a used CD store for "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" I had no idea that I would come to regard the album in its entirety far more than the catchy up tempo number that I purchased it for.

Sunshine on Leith begins with the aforementioned I'm Gonna Be which I never tire of. It is at once impetuous and well thought out. Cap in Hand follows, an interesting polemic on Scotland's relationship with England. I find the strange juxtaposition of the following lyrics both humorous and intriguing:

"I can say Saskatchewan without starting to stutter but I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land."

A strange juxtaposition occurs again in the next song "Then I Met You." It takes a song about new found faith and it turns it into a rollicking pub song. During certain hearings I like this song better than I'm Gonna Be.

The strange juxtapositions keep on coming with "My Old Friend the Blues". A love song for the blues?! As preposterous as it first seems, they really pull it off. In strong part that in reality loneliness can often seem like a friend.

I love the song "Sean." I don't understand it, but I love it. The harmonies are tremendous and I totally agree with these lyrics:

"Sean, I sat awhile on clouds to ask God if he's living. I should have spent time on knees in thanks for what he's given."

Of the remaining songs I found 3 worthy of special mention:
The titular "Sunshine on Leith" a hauntingly beautiful love song
"Come on Nature" refreshingly Simon-and-Garfunkelesque lament
and "Oh Jean" a strange juxtaposition (of course) of crudeness and reverence for sexual love.

The Proclaimers with "Sunshine on Leith" have reminded me that one good song can be the doorway to an excellent album

We have watched our video of Shrek about a hundred times thanks to our 3-year-old son. But with each viewing, my husband gets more anxious to buy the soundtrack because of The Proclaimers song "I'm on My Way." Imagine his excitment when I told him that I have had the Proclaimers CD since college when I first heard them on the soundtrack for Benny and Joon. He unearthed the CD today, and like me, thought the whole collection of songs to be just as good. An old favorite is a new favorite again!

We first heard the Proclaimers on the Shrek soundtrack -- "I'm On My Way" -- and we wondered, "who ARE those guys?" They had such a great sound!

So we did a little research, and picked up Sunshine on Leith. It's great!! Everything we hoped and expected. These boys have a terrific familial blending of voices, and their lyrics and melodies are great, too.

Even the cover of "King of the Road" -- yes, it's the same one --is waaaaaaaaay more fun when the Proclaimers do it.

This is a great CD.

Thanks again, Shrek!

I've listened to this album over several years, and I'm not sure I've ever actually owned it. I am a music addict, and though I find myself devouring music by the truckload, when I encounter this album (this is maybe where I'm grateful I don't own it -- I might take it for granted), it gives me a little start. I swoon and start humming one tune or another off of it.
The fact is, I've wanted to simply purchase it from iTunes (for the convenience and immediacy), but they don't offer this specific Proclaimers album. I could purchase another Proclaimers album and be happy with it, too, or I could opt to just purchase the all-star tracks like "I'm Gonna Be," I like to listen to this album -- and ALL of it. Sunshine On Leith is maybe one of the sweetest songs ever, but I think the little-known Then I Met You is the one that touches me the deepest.
I absolutely adore the Reids' accents that shine through their harmonies. It's a great album no matter when or where you listen to it. You can choose to pay close attention to all the craftsmanship, or you can simply hum and bop along while it plays in the background. Anyway you take it, this one's a keeper, and these guys are treasures to me, even if I never hear another album from them.

"Sunshine on Leath", the Proclaimers second record is worth owning for the soaring "Sean" alone. In contradistinction to their exuberant and incisive first record, "This is the Story", the songs here are mostly concerned with love, the humor is less sophisticated, the production is slicker, the music and vocal arrangements are more conventional, less original. In other words, on "Sunshine on Leath" you're only getting a taste of what the Proclaimers are all about. Why? Sad to say, because this is their commercial bid. If you've not heard "This is the Story", you're missing a great lot: your life could be richer.

Recommended: The Proclaimers's "This is the Story" (and, by the bye, Jeff Burns's "Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist").

This was my first Proclaimers album, and possibly my favorite (they're all excellent, so it's hard to decide). Craig and Charlie Reid have wonderful voices that grow on you the more you hear them. They sing with both passion and humor, and they are superb lyricists and musicians whose harmonies are always spot-on. Their music ranges from fun and charming (I'm Gonna Be/500 Miles, Oh Jean) to moving and beautiful (Sunshine on Leith, My Old Friend the Blues). Cheers to the Proclaimers!

This an excellent album that will stand the test of time. I purchased this album when it first came out in Canada 1988 I believe. Anyway, I still listen to it regularly and enjoy it as much as when I first purchased it. If you do get a chance to see the boys live you should. They put on a great show and the vocals are amazing when heard live. They are not crazy hard drinking Scots but just honest men who know how to write a great song and perform it well.

I sing a couple of these songs (Cap In Hand & What Do You Do) to my infant son as I find these songs to be very very powerful.

Oh, and the next reviewer who calls these lads Irish is going to make my head pop. They're SCOTTISH for goodness sakes.

Even though they are Hibernian fans I can't recommend this album highly enough. UP THE RANGERS!

These twin brothers will impress you with their vocal and musical abilities. Rock meets Ireland and melds beautifully. From the orgasmic climax of "Jean" to the bluesy subtlety of "My Old Friend the Blues", you will fall in love with this CD. Listen closely to the guitar riffs on "I Met You" and they will bring to mind Bluegrass festivals and Rockabilly. An amazing compilation of music for everyone. My 8 and 10 year-olds LOVE it!