jim1@freewwweb.com | North Carolina USA | 04/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Russell, born in Glasgow, was raised in the sunny paradise of Minorca, Spain. At age 14 he took up the guitar, prompted by his father, artist William Russell an amateur guitarist. David was weaned on scratchy 78 RPM recordngs of Segovia, and later studied music and guitar at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Winner of the Bream and Segovia awards while in his youth, David went on to become one of the finest classical guitart soloists in the world. His venture into Celtic traditional tunes stems from his enchantment upon hearing a taped recording of World Champion Strathclyde Police Pipe Band playing marches, reels and laments. ...David felt the sublime call of ancient tunes played on ancient pipes...and knew that, one day, he would adapt these very tunes to the guitar. At last he has done just that...and listeners, Celtic or not, are in for a treat! Here, indeed, are Celtic gems which will steal your heart away...played with such feeling you'd think David wrote every one himself. A masterpiece by a master player! Jim Leggett International Press Service"
Captivating
Mark Antony | United Kingdom | 07/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Russell is recognised as a master of romantic guitar music, and on this beautiful recording he pays homage to his Celtic roots, with his own arrangements Irish reels, Scottish lullabies, and folk songs. From the opening track, the blistering Bucks of Oranmore, to the lush title track Message of the Sea, Russells playing is never less than truly captivating, as always with meticulous attention to detail. Every ornament is crisp and consise, and standard classics like The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond sound here as though they were written for the guitar."
A Masterful Example of Celtic Music on Guitar
J. T. | USA | 03/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD two weeks ago and it hasn't been out of the player the entire time! Every piece is masterfully played; there are no distractions like squeaks or glissandos. Every note is perfect. The selection of pieces is terrific. I recommend this CD highly."
Master of classical guitar makes Scots ballads new.
B. Stafford | 04/16/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Russell, whose bell-like purity of tone on the classical guitar has to be heard to be believed, returns from the classical repertoire of the guitar to the folk repertoire of his Scots heritage and makes a clutch of Celtic ballads completely new. An amazing performance for fans of both the classical guitar and Celtic music."