CD Details
Synopsis
Amazon.comThe Scots guitarist, song interpreter, and sometimes-songwriter has succeeded in creating a fine album that is full of biting political insight, but which doesn't lack for romance, either. He is an active proponent for liberation in Scotland and around the world. Songs include Michael Martin Murphey's "Geronimo's Cadillac," Pete Seeger's anti-war tale "Waste Deep in the Big Muddy," and his own socialist manifesto, "No Cause for Alarm." The political high point is probably Brian McNeill's "No Gods and Precious Few Heroes," a powerful work about the real Scotland, delivered with just his voice and guitar. His guitar playing is not to be overlooked. On Richard Thompson's "52 Vincent Black Lightning" he takes the twisted love song and adds his own unique guitar sound to it, making the piece very much his own. A few songs have a stock rock band backing that does not detract from the strength of the singer and the song, but compared to his remarkably sensitive reiteration of "Ruby Tuesday" with just guitar and harp, the pop numbers pale. This is one of the more acoustic records Gaughan has made this decade, and a welcome addition to the collection. --Louis Gibson
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CD Reviews
Emotional power R. J MOSS | Alice Springs, Australia | 08/10/2004 (4 out of 5 stars) "Gaughan has been a cornerstone of my collection since I first heard the mesmerizing,traditional Scottish folk album, 'No More Forever' which is still my favourite work of his. His guitar playing here is nimble and deft, and that voice capable of such a range of emotion, up there with the greats. It's really something to say that his version of.'Vincent Black Lightning' is superior to its author's, Richard Thompson. And his take on'Ruby Tuesday' brings an entirely fresh resonance to bear on a song that had died in the 60s. There's not a weak thing on this CD. My quibble with the ratings is only that I prefer the aforementioned & his outings with his early group, Five Hand Reel, which are well worth looking for."
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