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 one 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 on 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 on 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 on-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 one 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 on 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)
Thumbnail picture by: Thomas Von Der Heiden
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28 сен 2023
