Searchlight

Description

Searchlight is the sixth album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, released on Chrysalis Records in May 1989. The album was produced by Richard Mainwaring. All songs were written by Runrig’s Macdonald brothers.

Searchlight contains a rich blend of Gaelic ballads and ‘light’ rock songs. «Eireann», an emotive song about Ireland and Celtic identity, and «Precious Years», with its haunting lyrics, are two well-crafted ballads that impress. «Tear Down These Walls» concerns Scottish land ownership issues, but its message could equally apply to similar situations in the world, such as the European East-West borders. One track that really stands out on the album is «Siol Ghorraidh», a Gaelic welcome to a new audience, which is a real gem and perfect for stadiums. While maintaining allegiance to their Highland roots, the scope of material continues to broaden and Searchlight, Runrig’s most accessable album to date, is another positive step forward and will please both the loyal following and new recruits. [Drum Beat]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/searchlight/1629110310)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “News from Heaven” – 3:36
A2. “Every River” – 4:46
A3. “City of Lights” – 4:25
A4. “Èirinn” (Ireland) – 4:55
A5. “Tìr A’ Mhurain” (Land of the Marram Grass) – 3:54
A6. “World Appeal” – 2:20

Side Two
B1. “Tear Down These Walls” – 4:08
B2. “Only the Brave” – 3:58
B3. “Sìol Ghoraidh” (The Genealogy of Goraidh) – 5:21
B4. “That Final Mile” – 3:07
B5. “Smalltown” – 4:02
B6. “Precious Years” – 4:46

Note: Simultaneously released on 12-inch vinyl LP and CD by Chrysalis Records.

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[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”QMXhMLQHs10,XU8Dc5B9OJQ,7yha_zxbyMM,Mh2a77UqWjw,1riD2XdKdbo,YgOkdKUepA0,zYZpTLkkCdg,7C1Rv9zJPq8,TfGu9Vofle4,4ADBUgakscA,JZUb9GpbkWE,DaOeRt1cLgs” title=”Runrig, Searchlight – News from Heaven + Every River + City of Lights + Èirinn + Tìr A’ Mhurain + World Appeal + Tear Down These Walls + Only the Brave + Sìol Ghoraidh + That Final Mile + Smalltown + Precious Years” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]

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[youtube_sc url=”9wbS93iY4Kg” title=”Runrig – News from Heaven” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]The video was filmed in Isle of North Uist. The old lady in the video was Mary MacDonald from Rhuiar, Lochmaddy, Nort Uist. She was the primary school teacher there for many years and taught Runrig-members Calum and Rory MacDonald.

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CREDITS. Produced by Richard Mainwaring. All songs were written by Calum Macdonald and Rory Macdonald.

Musicians: Donnie Munro (lead vocals), Malcolm Jones (guitars, mandolin, accordion), Peter Wishart (keyboards), Rory Macdonald (vocals, bass guitar), Calum Macdonald (percussion), Iain Bayne (drums, percussion).