Donnie Munro
Album: Sweet Surrender - Live Acoustic
Label: Hypertension
Tracks: 19 2CD
Website: http://www.donniemunro.co.uk/

From the mid 1980's, when I first heard Runrig's music in a record shop in Edinburgh, through to 1997, when Donnie Munro left them to pursue (unsuccessfully as it happens) his political ambitions, the Skye based folk rock band's discs were rarely off my turntable or, later, out of the CD player. Although Canadian Bruce Guthro was a creditable replacement to Munro, and Runrig's CD's are still to be highly recommended, there is no doubt in my mind that their best years were those with Donnie at the front of the band. His voice is probably the warmest and richest I have heard even to this day and can melt the hardest heart across a crowded arena.

Despite being a great fan of this wonderful voice I didn't really follow his musical career closely following his return to music in 1999, other than to pick up a previous live CD and a compilation in the bargain bins of some no doubt now defunct high street record shop. I felt these to be a little patchy at the time and they served mainly to demonstrate that the Runrig songwriting team of Calum and Rory MacDonald and the music made by the band were an essential part of the magic.

I was intrigued, therefore, to see this new live double CD on the FATEA review list and decided that the time was right to reappraise one of my musical heroes. The first surprise was that this was not the usual full band arrangement I was used to hearing accompanying Munro's voice but a trio featuring his recording engineer and producer Eric Cloughley on guitar and backing vocals and outstanding young Shetland fiddle player Maggie Adamson whose contribution to the CD cannot be overstated.

Once again it is the MacDonald brothers songs that make the most impact and there are enough of them spread across the two discs to keep any Runrig fan more than content namely 'Protect and Survive', 'The Cutter' the beautiful Gaelic 'Chi Min Geamhradh', 'Dance Called America', a sublime 7 minute long version of 'Eirinn', 'The Wire' and 'City of Lights'.

Of the remaining material on the CD there is a mixture of Munro's own songs, traditional songs (including a waulking song) and well played tunes. Other treats include a superb version of Raglan Road as well as compositions by Michael Marra and Robin Williamson. Of the self penned songs 'Heart of America', 'Glasgow Joe' and CD2 closer 'Weaver of Grass' stand out but all are worth getting to know.

The CD was recorded at a series of concerts the trio played in Germany and the live feel comes across well though the sound does lacks refinement. This does not, however, seriously impair the listening experience and I can confidently recommend this to both Runrig fans and those who simply love beautiful voices and stunning fiddle playing. I can also recommend a look at Munro's website which demonstrates that he is a very talented painter of landscapes.

As for me I am off to rediscover Runrig and also to acquaint myself with some of Donnie Munro's CDs that I missed!

Joe Grint