Donnie Munro and Friends - DVD
The release of the Donnie Munro and Friends DVD in April 2006 is another must have item for all fans of Donnie Munro. Recorded as part of Scottish Television's Boxed Set tv series, the programme was tramsmitted on Burns Night January 2000. Featuring Donnie Munro and his band along with some Donnie musicial friends, the DVD contains 11 songs sung by Donnie Munro, Karen Matheson and Holly Thomas. A few of the songs were written by Robbie Burns himself.
For a more in-depth review click here
Donnie Munro - Best Of - Album CD
This CD contains some of Donnie's personal favourites - all re-mastered, plus some new live versions of his own songs as well as some classic Runrig songs. Included in the album are both the Scottish World Cup Rugby song "Down Under" and also the very successful version of "Flower Of Scotland", which Donnie performed at many of the Scottish team's home games at Hampden in 2005.
The last album to be released under the Hypertension label
1. Weaver Of Grass (Single version)
2. Dark Eyes
3. Nothing But A Child (Radio edit version)
4. Queen Of The Hill
5. Flower Of Scotland (Single Release Only)
6. Catch The Wind
7. Down Under
8. On The Westside
9. She Knows Love (Single Version)
10. You're The Rose
11. Greatest Gift (Unplugged)
12. Sweetness On The Wind (Unplugged)
13. An Ealan Bhan
14. Farewell To The Isle Of Skye
15. Calum Sgaire
16. Harvest Moon (Live)
17. Always The Winner (Live)
Fields Of The Young - DVD.
I had to wipe the dust off the DVD and play it again to enable me to review it as sadly this is not one of my most played music DVD's in my collection. A quick look at the cover of the DVD fills you with anticipation. The DVD contains what is basically 4 different sections. The first is an amazing collection of breathtaking scenes of the Skye landscape. To accompany these pictures are a selection of Donnie's songs, during which Donnie pops up to talk a little about the songs themselves. This is not to everyone's tastes and it may have been better to lay a "commentary" audio track which people could select off the DVD.
The second part features live concert footage from Cologne. Sadly it is this very footage which lets the whole DVD down. As a media professional myself I cringe at some of the poor quality both in the shooting and the editing. It fails to capture the true atmosphere of a Donnie Munro concert and will have you searching for the skip button on the remote faster than when its your turn to buy a round in the bar. Too many basic mistakes were made at the time of the concert and the post production editing lacked creativity to overcome these problems. After a short time the constant flagpole waving becomes a major distraction. Given time and more money this could have been edited out during the edit. Withtout this section the video would be a lot better as it spoils the rest of the DVD.
The third part is another live concert this time from Hamburg and thankfully this is a lot better than the Cologne footage. It features 4 songs from Donnie . The camerawork on this concert footage is much better but the use of low end camera's to shoot this leaves unfortunate streaking from the various light sources. However it has to be said Donnie belts out great versions of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" and the Runrig song "Song Of The Earth" which almost makes it worth buying the DVD just for that.The concert finishes again with the footage of "Only The Brave" .
The final section is a mixture of an interview with Donnie called The Talk and also the video that went with the single Down Under.
If your a devoted fan of Donnie Munro and have to have all his work then you will buy this DVD. If you are new to Donnie's work or want to have something to remind you of Donnie's live performances then maybe you should wait till hopefully there is a better DVD at some stage in the future. If you simply love the Skye scenery then buy this DVD and sit back and relax. Reviewed by Richard Edgar
Fields Of The Young - The Film ; Calum Sgaire, Fields Of The Young, Nuair Bha Mi Og, Chi Min Tir, Highland Heart, Maired Og, Garden Boy.
Cologne Live Concert ; On The Westside, Queen Of The Hill, City Of Lights, Sweetness On The Hill, Always The Winner, Irene, Weaver Of Grass, Only The Brave.
Hamburg Club Concert ; Catch The Wind, My Back Pages, Song Of The Earth, Only The Brave.
Donnie In Focus ; The Talk, The Clip (Down Under).
Fields Of The Young - Album CD.
Review to Follow.
Down Under - Single CD.
Clip to hear Sample Clip
Across The City and The World - Album CD
Review to Follow.
Gaelic Heart - Album CD
The release of the Gaelic Heart CD in 2003 saw the realisation of a long held ambition by Donnie to record an all Gaelic album of traditional songs poignant to him from his childhood. It was also eagerly anticipated by his fans who have always felt that his strong tenor voice is particularly suited to the traditional Gaelic ballads. With the absence of any Waulking Songs and Puirt a beul this is overall a very gentle album that I like very much.
The opening track An Eala Bhan (The White Swan ) sets the scene of the album. The first of all traditional songs arranged by Donnie, Chris Harley and Allan Cuthbertson it is a beautiful slow air to which Donnie's voice does complete justice.
Ghruagach og an Fhuilt Bhan (Young Fair Maiden ) starts in similar fashion but I feel becomes a little disjointed as it progresses as the backing instrumental seems somewhat out of synchronisation towards the end of the song.
Sine Bhan (Fair Jean) starts with an introduction by the female voices of the Strath Gaelic Choir before Donnie takes over the main theme. The introduction of the percussive snare drum and timpani is cleverly used to simulate the concept of the singer going to war and having to leave his love. One would hope that he returns safely as he intends!
As I write, just prior to Christmas, Taladh Chriosda (Christ Child Lullaby) seems an appropriate inclusion on the album. It is, however, my least favourite track as it is somewhat dreary and very repetitive on the chorus. It is very suitable for its purpose – a lullaby but as I don't suffer from insomnia it is very often a skipper on my part!
Griogal Cridhe (Griogal of my Heart) was first recorded by Donnie in 1978 on the Runrig debut album Play Gaelic. This is an altogether more ‘lush' interpretation than the early recording with more backing vocals and fuller instrumentals but none the less the same pleasant traditional melody.
Calum Sgaire (Calum's Boat) is taken unaltered from the album Across the City and the World. Donnie describes it as one of the most atmospheric Gaelic songs ever written. Few would disagree with his sentiments and this arrangement incorporating multi tracked voices for the chorus with the sustained pedal chord quivering throughout the vocals have created the atmosphere beautifully.
Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh (Iain Ruaidh's Lament) is more familiar to Runrig fans as an instrumental piece on the Heartland album so it is refreshing and interesting to hear an arrangement of the traditional vocal work. Based on part of a pibroch it is given a big production treatment which is so successful with Donnie's voice. I can't help, however, but still try to imagine the bagpipe taking the lead as the melody unfolds.
Soraidh Le Eilean a Cheo (Farewell to the Isle of Skye ) and Nuair bha mi Og ( When I was Young) are 2 of the most well known songs written by Mary MacPherson – Mairi Mhor nan Oran. They are both songs of longing and sadness written during exile and imprisonment from Skye. The soaring melody of Soraidh le Eilean a Cheo is dealt with powerfully by Donnie with backing vocals by the Strath Gaelic Choir. A traditional whistle picking up the melody makes an interesting ending. Nuair Bha mi Og is taken unchanged from the album On the West Side. Many artists perform this song ‘up tempo' but Donnie has taken the more traditional much slower presentation. Ably assisted by Holly Thomas in the last verse this is a very atmospheric interpretation.
Chi Mi'n Tir (I see the Land ) is also reproduced unchanged from On the West Side. A traditional song originating from the Isle of Harris the melody is well known and loved throughout the Gaelic speaking area and beyond. Sang as a duet with Karen Matheson as Donnie comments ‘it sings itself'.
The last track Mairead Og (Young Margaret) is my personal favourite. Donnie's soaring vocals complemented by the various backing musicians brings the album to an uplifting close despite the less than happy subject matter of the song!
It may be felt that being an all Gaelic CD this album would have limited appeal. A translation of the lyrics is thoughtfully provided for non Gaelic speakers although, as with all translations, an element of the poetry is lost. It is nice, however, to know what the songs are about. I have played this CD to many non Gaelic speakers explaining that as they won't understand it they will need to read the translations. On each occasion the opinion has been unanimous in that the beautiful haunting melodies and soaring vocals need no translation to be appreciated and enjoyed. Limited appeal? Certainly not in my experience. Reviewed by Pam Cole
Donnie Munro Live - Album CD 
On the whole it was a very good album and gave the fans at the time what they had craved a LIVE album. The first two tracks are great but they lack a little of the atmosphere due to the small venue and crowd. Donnie tries his best to gee the crowd, and the album does get better with the beautiful "Morning Light" and "Dark Eyes".
The album gets very up tempo with a great crowd pleasing version of "Harvest Moon" then another fav song of all the fans "Irene". Moving then on to one of everyone's old Runrig favourites "Always The Winner" and "Chi Mi'n Geamradh". .Then a brilliant version of a Bob Dylan classic "My Back Pages" which I'd say is better than Dylan's versions easily. Then Donnie tops that with a rip roaring version of "Only The Brave".
To end the album we have great live versions of "The Garden Boy", and the charity single "Will You Walk On By" , then Runrig classic "The Greatest Flame".
Donnie Munro Live - 1. On The West Side / 2. City Of Lights / 3. Morning Light / 4. Dark Eyes / 5. Harvest Moon / 6. Irene / 7. Always The Winner / 8. Chi Mi'n Geamradh / 9. My Back Pages / 10. Only The Brave / 11. The Garden Boy / 12. Walk On By / 13. The Greatest Flame.
In closing, well The Donnie Munro Live Album leaves me with mixed emotions If I were a fan of Runrig and Donnie I'd definitely buy it as it's a very nice album on the whole and a good representation of Donnie, so I'd say go and buy it The first two songs which are personal favourites of mine are left sadly a little flat, due to the fact they were from the rather unadvertised Portree concert. Review by Mark Davidson
On The West Side - Album CD
This album was released by Vital Records in 1999 to the delight of Donnie's fans. It had been hoped that Donnie would pursue his solo career and here was the proof that he would. Of the 10 tracks on the album, 2 were written solely by Donnie and three by Donnie in collaboration with others. This came as quite a surprise as we hadn't heard any of Donnie's song writing before now.
The first track, ‘On the West Side', the title track, is a gentle one which eases you nicely into the album. Easy to listen to and very clear lyrics which have a slightly poignant feel. The next track, ‘Chi Mi'n Tir (I See the Land), is the first of the two Gaelic tracks included. A beautiful traditional ballad, the arrangement of which is the work of Donnie, Chris Harley and Allan Donaldson. In the sleeve notes, Donnie comments that this is a “longtime favourite”. Karen Mathieson of Capercaillie joins Donnie on this track. Their voices are so harmonious together that it is a real joy to hear this. ‘Morning Light' which follows was reportedly written by Donnie at a time of great sadness in his life. This, I feel, is reflected strongly in the words which are very personal. Another wonderful ballad, which is sung with real feeling. Donovan was the original force behind the next track ‘Catch the Wind'. I confess to feeling quite a bit of trepidation before I heard this one as I love the Donovan version. However, the treatment Donnie has given it makes it different enough from the original that he just about gets away with it. A real swingy, singalong song.
‘Fields of the Young' is the next track. I first heard Donnie singing the chorus of this when he walked in Skye on Cameron McNeish's TV programme ‘Wilderness Walks'. I loved it then, and I still do. Donnie's voice is so effective in singing these big, emotional ballads. When he sings ‘my heart feels the surge of the deep, running river' you can almost see Skye! This is probably my favourite track on the album. The second Gaelic track on the album, ‘Nuair Bha Mi Og' is another traditional song given the Munro/Harley/Cuthbertson treatment. This is a very slow air which Donnie describes as ‘the anthem of my island childhood' and which he once told me was one of his favourites. It's not really my cup of tea, however, as I find it too slow and a bit depressing. It's one which I find myself hitting the skip button on quite regularly.
The next track ‘Dark Eyes' is for me, a relief from the last one. It's a lovely old fashioned sounding tune. You can just imagine couples waltzing around the floor to this. Blair Douglas is given credit on the sleeve notes for the use of his ‘Kate Martin's Waltz' tune. This is just a really nice song which sings of hope of finding love on the dance floor. ‘Nothing but a child' – the classic Steve Earle song is next. This song is familiar to fans as Donnie sang it with Runrig in their Christmas concerts. This is a real Christmas song telling of the birth of Christ and the surprise of the Wise Men when they found that the saviour was ‘Nothing but a Child'. Lovely lyrics, beautifully sung. Donnie's daughter, Sarah Anne, is the composer of the next track ‘Georgie' which is an instrumental. Written in memory of the mum of Sarah Anne's best friend, it is a gentle, moving tune. This is a nice addition to the album as it is a simple tune played on piano so is quite different to any other on here. ‘The Garden Boy' which is the final track on the cd is the another tune written by Donnie, in collaboration with Richard Cherns who was another former member of Runrig. This is quite a big finish song, although it is a ballad. The song is about a young man who went from tending a garden in Skye to fighting and dying in a war. The feel of this song is of sadness and regret at this loss, but is not in the least dirge like and ends Donnie's first solo album making you want to hear more.
On The West Side - 1. On The West Side / 2. Chi Mi'n Tir / 3. Morning Light / 4. Catch The Wind / 5. Fields Of The Young / 6. Nuair Bha Mi Og / 7. Dark Eyes / 8. Nothing But A Child / 9. Georgie / 10. The Garden Boy. Reviewed By Susan