Runrig's third live album, recorded at the Celtic Connections Festival 2000 in Glasgow, is the first live album to feature Bruce Guthro as the band's lead singer. The CD was recorded in part to introduce fans who had not heard the new line-up to their sound. With this goal in mind, Runrig chose its material carefully. Many pre-Bruce songs are included, as well as a few from their first studio album together. Also featured is the Islay Gaelic Choir, which has previously performed with the group.

All the tracks were written by Calum and Rory MacDonald, except "The Middleton Mouse," which was written by Malcolm Jones. Classic tracks such as "Rocket to the Moon," "Protect and Survive" and "Skye" are included. Many of these tracks were also included on Long Distance, the group's "best of" CD released just as Donny Munro was leaving. The songs are all recognizable, but Guthro brings his own personal touch to many of them. It's great to see that he didn't just come into the group as a Munro clone. New tracks include "Maymorning," "The Message" and "Big Sky," among others.

There is virtually no talking on the album and it sounds quite similar to their studio recordings, which I'm taking to mean that what you hear is what you get on any Runrig album. Either way, it's still great Runrig. It's also nice to see that the group managed to keep it all together and didn't succumb to the split threatened by Munro leaving.

If this is as close as you're ever going to get to seeing them live, you should definitely start searching. The energy is palpable and you want to dance around your living room since you can't be dancing around the concert hall! If you partake regularly in Runrig offerings, then there's probably not a lot you haven't heard before. The bonus track is good for a bit of a chuckle as Guthro apologizes for the various ills of the group (haircuts, clothes, etc.) for which they had been criticized in a review of the concert. You've got to love a CD that ends with the words "pogue mahone."

- Rambles
written by Jean Emma Price
published 1 May 2004