Dougie MacLean is not only Scotland's favorite singer-songwriter--his song "Caledonia" is so popular it's considered the unofficial Scottish national anthem--he is also a talented composer of instrumental music as well. Pe... more »rthshire Amber, a four-movement suite composed to honor his native county, is his most ambitious, and successful, composition yet. MacLean and his arranger and cellist Kevin McCrae have created a beautifully evocative piece of music that effectively blends the timbres of folk instruments like the tin whistle, guitar, bouzouki, and bagpipes with a small classical string ensemble. MacLean may be the leader of the group, but it's fiddler Pete Clark and tin whistler-piper Graham Mulholland who bring the music to life with their sensitive playing. The CD also includes three instrumentals taken from previous releases and a video of the recording session and scenic views of Perthshire, viewable on computers that can play CD-ROMs. --Michael Simmons« less
Dougie MacLean is not only Scotland's favorite singer-songwriter--his song "Caledonia" is so popular it's considered the unofficial Scottish national anthem--he is also a talented composer of instrumental music as well. Perthshire Amber, a four-movement suite composed to honor his native county, is his most ambitious, and successful, composition yet. MacLean and his arranger and cellist Kevin McCrae have created a beautifully evocative piece of music that effectively blends the timbres of folk instruments like the tin whistle, guitar, bouzouki, and bagpipes with a small classical string ensemble. MacLean may be the leader of the group, but it's fiddler Pete Clark and tin whistler-piper Graham Mulholland who bring the music to life with their sensitive playing. The CD also includes three instrumentals taken from previous releases and a video of the recording session and scenic views of Perthshire, viewable on computers that can play CD-ROMs. --Michael Simmons
Anne E. Eaton | Stockton Springs, ME USA | 09/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has both Celtic musicians and Classical musicians making music for the fair city of Perth. Written by Dougie MacLean and arranged for strings by Kevin McCrae for the Perth Festival of the Arts in 1999. To me, it shares the story of Perth and Scotland -- from the Celtic feeling of wildness and ancient-of-days to the more "civilized" ... more "modern" sounds of this modern era. Almost as though at one point you feel that Perth has evolved out of the mists into the society of Now: then, back you go, knowing that the history and traditions of the area are still much alive and well. Very Nicely Done. They've done another interesting thing: There is a short video of the first movement, viewable via CD ROM on the computer. A novelty perhaps, but the visuals are quite mesmerizing and you'll "see" them whilst you listen to the music once you've seen it. I love this CD and am thrilled to have it. I am listening to you frequently and it's growing on me. I also want to hear more Dougie MacLean."
A beautiful instrumental album from Dougie
Just-a-girl | 11/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am quickly acquiring all of Dougie MacLean's music. I didn't realize that this album was instrumental until I played it, but both my husband and I fell in love with it immediately. There is one song with lyrics, but the rest are just perfect songs for a drive through the highlands, or as a movie soundtrack. There are very few instrumental albums that I enjoy, and this is definitely one of them. It will be playing on our trip through Scotland! This is an album to add to your collection!"
"Hi everyone! I can't take a full CD of all celtic/scottish music but when I heard excerpts of this CD on NPR I was truly in love! It's an UNBELIEVABLY WONDERFUL cd with an orchestra backing up folk instruments which makes it very rich, and truly a luxury for your ears."
Be Prepared for a Mystic Journey !!! Absolutely enthralling!
NG | USA | 07/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Iam very much into Newage, Alternative and electronica .. and this is probably one of the best in the genre. The completeness and wholesome nature of the music brings one closer to nature and bond with elements of nature we are composed of. The hues of emotions it represents paints a vivid picture thats hard to erase. It was only after a while that I realized it also describes the beauty of scottish highlands, plains and some of its cultural aspects.. which made me like it even more.
Overall.. I would definitely recommend anyone to buy it!"