Riof

Dougie MacLean

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 7, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 21, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Celtic Corner
• ASIN: B00000J7UM
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,304 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Stepping Stones

2. Stolen

3. Scythe Song

4. Feel So Near

5. Gneiss Wind

6. 'S Fhada Leam an Oidche Ghemhraidh

7. She Will Find Me

8. Big River

9. Fragments from "A Mug's Game"

10. Distant Son

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful music, October 30, 1999

By	Brenda Jenket (Worcester, Mass.) - See all my reviews

I discovered Dougie MacLean when I fell in love with his version of "Auld Lang Syne" on the BRAVE HEARTS NEW SCOTS MUSIC CD I recently purchased. I had never heard of him but after hearing that song I was inspired to look into his other works and purchased Riof through Amazon. Every song on this CD is awesome. Dougie's lyrical voice just flows right through you, and the instruments backing him up are just as mesmerizing. I know I'll be playing this CD over and over and over....

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Beautiful, Amazingly Strong, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

I fell in love with Dougie's music over the stereo in the gift shop at Balnain House (Inverness, Scotland) and bought Riof immediately (and paid a pretty pound for it, though I have never regretted it). "The Scythe Song" and "Stepping Stones" are two of my favorites. This album is a great example of modern Celtic-influenced music that is not rock or merely a "new" version of the traditional songs. Dougie's music is very uplifting and inspiring; I find Riof is a great album for putting on during a long soak in the tub at the end of a rough day. Finally, if you ever get the chance to see Dougie live--do it! (Last year's May Day performance at the Cactus Cafe was awesome.) If you don't get that chance, or while waiting, buy Riof instead.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best CD I've heard in a long, long time..., December 29, 2000

By	NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

A friend of mine recently introduced me to the music of Dougie MacLean. I have just about worn out the tape he sent me. Luckily, I received a copy of "Riof" as a Christmas gift...

It is one of the best albums I have ever had the privilege to hear. Every song reeks of greatness, and simple wonder.

I am a "lyrics man" when it comes to music (not that "Riof" has bad instrumental playing...it actually has some of the best guitar playing I've ever heard). I love the way Dougie uses his words on this disc. Some examples:

In the beautiful "Scythe Song" Dougie expresses a truth about how it feels to find ourselves truly free when he says: "Oh wild are the ways we run when at last untethered out we fly straight into the burning sun need no direction, no not I."

The opening track, "Stepping Stones," contains this great passage: "And in these silent hours when reflection lays our journey down and we think on all departed conversations it's such an earthy sound."

My favorite song on the disc is probably "Distant Son." The whole song is an intricate piece of beauty. I particularly like the words of the chorus: "And now I can be free within these winds of change it wildly comes to me unfolding endlessly." Amen.

I recommend this disc wholly, completely, and with all my heart. But don't take my word...get the disc and be convinced for yourself.