Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23289 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1

DVD Description
Includes twelve live tracks from Runrig's 30th anniversary concert at Stirling Castle in Scotland in August 2003, plus 3 additional live bonus tracks.

Track Listing:

• Going Home
  
• Hearthammer
  
• Protect and Survive
  
• Big Sky
  
• Hearts of Olden Glory
  
• Siol Ghoraidh
  
• Proterra
  
• Running to the Light
  
• The Stamping Ground
  
• Maymorning
  
• Faileas Air An Airigh
  
• Book of Golden Stories
  
• Day of Days
  
• All The Miles
  
• A Reiteach

Special Features

• Running Time: 1 hour 17 minutes approx.
  
• Region Code: 2

Customer Reviews

Scottish feast
In Australia, we don't know Runrig. I came accross them through Amazon (a great site to explore all types of artists)and bought this DVD based on the reviews. I am not disappointed - they are a breath of fresh air. I am particularly impressed with "Hearts From Olden Glory" but the best is "Proterra" which was very emotional and uplifting. I can't get the tune out of my head - it's the best piece of music that I have heard since the theme from Titanic. Duncan Chisholm on electric fiddle together with lead guitar of Malcolm Jones are a joy to watch and hear - Malcolm, in particular, knows how to make the guitar sing. The lead singer Bruce Guthro has a beautiful voice, so I will be looking to buy a CD of his songs. Runrig should endeavour to market themselves in Australia. I am sure that they would gain a huge following. I am sorry that I have not known them before.

Almost as good as being there
I have happy memories of this concert, so buying the DVD was a must, for me. For some reason, daft placement of a large souvenir stall in the middle of the venue meant that a lot of people had to stand way, way back in order to get a view of the stage. This DVD compensates us for that, providing broad context and some great close-ups of the band at key moments. Another odd thing about the 30th anniversary tour was that Stirling was actually the only Scottish tour venue... so for those that missed it, buy the DVD!

The choice of material was excellent, as you will see from the reaction of the crowd, who go quite bonkers at times. One small gripe is that they didn't save the best for last. It tailed off a little towards the end; it's nice to see a former band member, but people like to be sent home with a thumping old favourite ringing in their ears. For home listening, though, it's okay... the DVD eases you back into reality as it ends.

And how many other bands can say they had the RAF as a supporting act?

Such goodness and power!
Having seen Runrig several times with the magnificent Donnie Munro fronting the band, I was interested to see what their gigs are like now. Well, what a pleasant surprise! The band have grown and matured, the songs have been reworked (some more than others - Rocket to the Moon, for example, has evolved and filled out slightly, whereas the accoustic set of Every River/Dance Called America etc in the middle of this show sounds very different, although the strength of the songwriting stands out possibly even more) and given new life, and the musicianship is - if this is possible - perhaps even more accomplished than 10 years ago!

Firstly, this is no ordinary gig, and much creative camera-work exploits the evocative location, with the sun setting over the Ochils - in fact, the Wallace monument almost becomes an additional member of the band, its leitmotif features so regularly! What also struck me was the swirling atmospheric electric feel to the music, driven primarily by Malcolm's guitar sound(s), as well as plenty of dynamics - including use of the crowd's gusty singing!

Ian Bayne has got to be one of my favourite drummers, intelligent, imaginative and hard-working, the percussion ably complemented and emphasised by Calum to his right. Watching the band on DVD also brings home what an extraordinarily talented musician Malcolm Jones is, injecting power, excitement and melody via guitar, accordian and midi-pipes - simply superb! Although I was, I admit, slightly worried how Bruce could possibly step into Donnie's shoes, his vocals are strong and fitting to the Runrig sound, although his stage presence is not quite up to the level of Donnie's. And the fact that he doesn't have the Gaelic (as far as I can tell) brings Rory much more to the forefront with a stronger role on vocals. A couple of guest musicians round out the sound - notably Andrew Mounsey on grand piano and also fiddler, Duncan Chisholm (although his parts are nowhere near as inspiring as his Wolfstone playing).

Generous extras on the DVD include interviews with all the current band members, as well as their manager, producer, soundman etc, full biography (including discography and photos/newspaper cuttings from 1973 till 2003), as well as some video clips of Gaelic songs recorded in America, plus a review of their songbook project, 'Flower of the West'.

In summary, this is an uplifting and energetic performance from a band who are, quite simply, inspirational masters. The lasting impression for me is that of the innate goodness they and their music convey, the joy of life and living and the immense power that this contains...!