A lthough they finally called it a day in 2018 Runrig’s 45 years of activity brought with it rich rewards, even if, in the UK, their inherent Scottishness was too much for some. The Germans clearly had no such hang ups. These two Rockpalast sets, one from 1996, the other from 2001, play to packed and adoring fans. What One Legend – Two Concerts does give is a post-career chance to investigate at close quarters the differences between the Donnie Munro-fronted Runrig with the band featuring his replacement, Canadian singer Bruce Guthro – a move that ignited much debate among fans when the former left within two years of 1995’s Mara album, celebrated on this first live set. It’s not difficult to see why some prog fans are so enamoured by the band – there’s an almost Marillionesque quality to the 1996 show, not least in Malcolm Jones’ colourful guitar tones. The 2001 set, in support of Guthro’s excellent second album with the band, The Stamping Ground, is the livelier of the two, but plays in a noticeably smaller venue. There’s nothing small about this set, though: four CDs’ and two DVDs’ worth, which constitutes pretty good value for money, if you ask me.
JE