RUNRIG 'ONE LEGEND - TWO CONCERTS' (Live at Rockpalast 1996 & 2001) 4 CD + 2 DVD Set (2020)

4 CD + 2 DVD Box Set

The two concerts captured on this remarkable CD and DVD set are superb evocations of a band before and after major change.

Dusseldorf sees the most successful, major label Runrig lineup coming to the end of its run, with Donnie Munro making e of his last stands as lead vocalist and frontman, before leaving the band, ambitious to begin a political career as a Member of the UK Parliament. He stood as a Labour Party candidate for his native constituency of Ross, Skye and Inverness West but was defeated two occasions.

By the time of the Cologne concert, Bruce Guthro had settled into his role as the new frontman of Runrig, made it his own and been warmly accepted by fans. 1997 saw both the ending of the 'old' Runrig and their departure from London-based label Chrysalis. But it also saw the 1997 referendum a devolved parliament for Scotland and a vote for that assembly to be established in Edinburgh. New beginnings were everywhere, and Scotland was ready to embrace Bruce, and the 'new' Runrig he fronted. It did.

And so did the rest of Europe. Germany in particular had always welcomed Runrig's brand of powerhouse Celtic rock with open arms, and the winter tour in 2001, supporting the "Stamping Ground" album which saw Bruce fully integrated into the band, was a triumph.

So, in a different way, was that 1996 outing, also in the depths of winter. The power and sweetness of Donnie's vocals, and the sense of bearing witness to -stage relationships forged decades previously in the dancehalls and marquees of the Highlands and Islands, is overwhelming and beguiling. Bringing the two concerts together in e package offers an irresistible opportunity to contrast and compare.

Runrig ended their career in style at the "Last Dance" concerts beneath the battlements of Stirling Castle in 2018. After 45 years, it was all over, at least in terms of live performance. The band have made a massive contribution to Scottish and European culture, and the way have provided concertgoers with many joyous, moving experiences, two of which are captured here. Dusseldorf in 1996 and Cologne in 2001 saw two Runrigs, both performing brilliantly, and it is both instructive and moving watch these two bands which, are in the end, one. (Tom Morton)

Disc 1

1. Day In A Boat

2. Nothing But The Sun

3. City Of Lights

4. Rocket To The Moon

5. Road And The River

6. Medley: The Mighty Atlantic / Mara Theme

7. Ard

8. Edge Of The World

9. Meadhan Oidhche Air An Acairseid

10. Thairis Air A' Ghleann

11. The Greatest Flame

12. The Dancing Floor

Disc 2

1. Healer In Your Heart

2. Stepping Down The Glory Road

3. The Middleton Mouse

4. Skye

5. The Wedding

6. Siol Ghoraidh

7. Only The Brave

8. Alba

9. Flower Of The West

10. Loch Lomond

11. I'll Keep Coming Home

Disc 3

1. Danns An T-Sabhail

2. Running To The Light (excerpt)

3. Wall Of China / One Man

4. Saints Of The Soil

5. Book Of Golden Stories

6. A Dh'Innse Na Firinn

7. Protect And Survive

8. One Thing

9. Big Songs Of Hope And Cheer

10. Oran Ailean / Leaving Strathconon

11. The Engine Room

12. Every River

13. Pride Of The Summer (Beat The Drum)

14. An Sabhal Aig Neill

Disc 4

1. The Stamping Ground

2. Flower Of The West

3. The Message

4. Cnoc Na Feille

5. May Morning

6. The Summer Walkers

7. Skye

8. Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh

9. Loch Lomond

10. Silent Night

Disc 5

1. Day In A Boat

2. Nothing But The Sun

3. City Of Lights

4. Rocket To The Moon

5. Road And The River

6. The Mighty Atlantic / Mara Theme

7. Ard

8. Edge Of TheWorld

9. Meadhan Oidhche Air An Acarseid

10. Thairis Air A' Ghleann

11. The Greatest Flame

12. The Dancing Floor

13. Healer In Your Heart

14. Stepping Down The Glory Road

15. The Middleton Mouse

16. Skye

17. The Wedding

18. Siol Ghoraidh

19. Only The Brave

20. Alba

21. Flower Of The West

22. Loch Lomond

23. I'll Keep Coming Home

Disc 6

1. Danns An T-Sabhail

2. Running To The Light (excerpt)

3. Wall Of China / One Man

4. Saints Of The Soil

5. Book Of Golden Stories

6. A Dh'Innse Na Firinn

7. Protect And Survive

8. One Thing

9. Big Songs Of Hope And Cheer

10. Oran Ailean / Leaving Strathconon

11. The Engine Room

12. Every River

13. Pride Of The Summer (Beat The Drum)

14. An Sabhal Aig Neill

15. The Stamping Ground

16. Flower Of The West

17. The Message

18. Cnoc Na Feille

19. May Morning

20. The Summer Walkers

21. Skye

22. Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh

23. Loch Lomond

24. Silent Night