Runrig Album: “Once in a Lifetime”

This was the 1st Runrig CD I bought back in '94 when I didn't know anything about the band. But from the opening of the 1st song, Dance Called America, I was hooked for life. This was the Celtic sound I was looking for but didn't know it could exist from lead singer Donnie Munro's POWERFUL voice to the awe inspiring poetic lyrics of the MacDonald brothers, the perfect blend of traditional melody combined with heart-pounding energy of the ultimate Celtic rock concert - this is no delicate Celtic folksy New Age style - there's no fiddle player - the band has 2 drum sections, electric guitars, electric bagpipe, and electric keyboard. How a band that can play so loud and can still manage to produce a sound so deeply traditional to their Highland Gaelic roots is a miracle in itself. And they can compose in Gaelic which is a real treasure.

The impact of listening to this CD was life altering. Their music and lyrics inspire me to this date, even with the new lead singer. With over 16 Runrig cd's in my collection, this is still the definitive Runrig sound for me. The songs, the words, the sound, the voice - Runrig IS the reflection of modern Gaelic at its best. Especially if you are of Scottish heritage, you have to listen to this.

I was introduced to Runrig on a trip to England in the early 90's and this was my first CD -- well actually, it was in the day before CDs and my first copy of Once in a Lifetime was a tape. I had such a visceral reaction to the music that it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Any time I feel the need to get renewed, I listen to Runrig. At first, their music was difficult to come by and I had a friend of mine who traveled to the UK pick up several CDs for me. Fortunately, now they are easier to acquire thanks to Amazon.

If you really love this music, I suggest investing in their songbook which has the music and words for many of their most popular songs. Some of the words in the songs were a mystery to me for years and I was thrilled to be able to find out what they were really saying. I think it's partly because the words are more than what we're used to hearing as typical song lyrics these days -- they're not appealing to the lowest common denominator and you have to think about the message. So many of the songs are more like poetry and rather than just repeating the same trite stuff over and over, these words really say something.

One of the songs on this CD is just about my favorite ever -- Going Home. If you can listen to that and not be moved then nothing's going to move you.

This is my first Runrig CD. It is amazing. I found the live format to be surprisingly superior to the studio recordings I've checked out- though those are still enjoyable. I find myself wishing I could understand the few Gaelic lyrics.

I first heard this album years ago and it made such an impression I remembered it all these years and just bought it. It's my favorite live album and did not disappoint.

Bill

I had never heard of Runrig before. Was listening to satellite radio and they played a track from the CD. I wrote down the group and looked them up. I bought this CD and Amazing Things and I have probably listened to them 20 times and I find myself singing parts of the CDs during the day. The energy from the concert comes through loud and clear. I saw a note from someone that this is the best CD you have never heard. He was right. I loaned this to a friend who normally listens to Country (what can I say) and he came back and said "this thing rocks!!". It's just about as perfect a production as you can find. The lyrics are great and even the old Scottish favorites (Loch Lomond) come through like they are brand new. If you don't find yourself singing along with Rocket to the Moon and Protect and Survive then there is something seriously wrong.