Scottish politician returns to roots...
After failing to pip Charles Kennedy to the post in the elections, ex Runrig guitarist/vocalist (and politician) Donny Munro returned to the studio to record On The West Side. This dvd, filmed by Scottish Television finds Donny performing many of the tracks in front a small invited audience.
It opens with the haunting version of Nuair Bha Mi Ogis (When I Was Young) which sets the tone for the night - Gaelic, traditional, contemporary and Runrig favourites.
It's nicely shot, there are a number of invited guests - notably Karen Mathieson of Capercaille (a Burns Night rendition of My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose, and a duet with Donny on Chi Min Tir) and Holly Thomas who delivers the performance of the set with a stunning version of Ye Banks And Braes (she also performs backing vocals on Ae Fond Kiss).
Donny has a formidable musical cast supporting him including Sandy Brechin, Fraser Spiers, David Patton on bass (Pilot, Kate Bush, Elton John, Alan Parsons and many more), Dave Stewart and Foss Paterson (Fish) and a plethora of talent on backing vocals.
The whole gig comes across as the sort of rousing traditional fare you could find at many a pub North of the Border on a Saturday night. And the band look like they’re having a rare old time as well. But at the end of the day, this is one for Runrig and Donnie fans only.
***½
Review by Pete Whalley
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