Search - Dougie Maclean :: Real Estate

Scottish-based folk given a more modern, ecletic sound.

06/12/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of all Dougie MacLean's albums, this one strikes me as the most varied in tone and the one with the most interesting covers of Celtic songs, plus a few originals. Anyone who likes Celtic music should find this album a good introduction to MacLean's style, Scottish/Celtic folk-based to which he has added a variety of elements, including some rather bluesy electric guitar, a digiridoo, and other seemingly odd items. But it works. So there's a little somthing for those who like rock as well as bagpipe and fiddle work for the Celtic traditionalists. I heard most of this album when MacLean was doing a concert tour in the States in 1989, and have been looking for this CD for quite a while. I don't recall if the explanation for the songs are in the liner notes or if he explained them on stage, it's been a while since I actually read the back of the album. Most of the songs have a historic background that makes them a lot more understandable if you know what they're really about. They are not that clear standing alone. MacLean does most fiddle and vocal work, although he's fairly accomplished with a number of instruments. His work always has a kind of rough edge in both composition and performance, but it does lend a kind of perverse authenticity to it, rather than it seeming to be easy formula for mass consumption. You get the feeling he's really putting his all into it. In short, this is "modern" Celtic music at, if not it's very best, a high level of art and achievement."

Real Estate

daniel bolz | Payson, Utah United States | 03/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favoite recording of Dougie Maclean.... I need help tracking down a CD version. I have the audio tape but it is getting all stretched out. If you have one for sale please give me a call at 801-376-5214. Thanks, Daniel."