Shelagh Mcdonald - Let No Man Steal Your Thyme: Anthology
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Music CD Cover Artist: Shelagh Mcdonald Edition: Music CD Format: Import CD Release Date: 2005-03-14 Music Label: Castle Music UK Soundtracks: Music CD 1
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Free Music Notes for Let No Man Steal Your Thyme: Anthology Album
Free Music Review: Undeserving obscurity for a fantastic singer
Hit: 5 Stars
For years I've been gathering folk(rock) records, and I just can't believe I missed Shelagh McDonald's work completely. Quite rightly singers like Sandy Denny have worn the folk crown, but Shelagh McDonald surely belongs to that select group of folk royalty.
This anthology consists of the 2 official albums Shelagh McDonald has released plus some demo's, live performances and tracks that were left off the albums.
The 2 songs that start the anthology are early live tracks, and show a clear American folk influence. Then "Mirage", the first track of "The Shelagh McDonald Album" follows and on hearing that I was hooked. In fact, I love the whole of that album and especially Shelagh's own songs, although Robert Kirby's arrangements (famous for working with Nick Drake) are a bit on the sumptuous side. Shelagh knows how to rock as well as is evidenced by "Jesus is just alright" which was left off the album as it was deemed too different from the rest.
The second cd of this collection is even better, as almost all songs are by Shelagh, with the notable exception of the trad song "Dowie Dens of Yarrow", which is truly glorious - I've never heard a better version. "Baby go slow", with backing vocals by Mac and Katie Kissoon might have entered the pop charts without compromise, and all remaining songs are very strong, most particularly "Stargazer" and "Odyssey".
As has been written elsewhere, miss McDonald has been "missing" since the release of her second album, returning to Scotland and never heard of again. Funnily enough, one could almost hear her departure coming in some of her lyrics ("Liz's song", "City's cry"), be they autobiographical or no. She may have led a happy life since, but it is a sad loss for folk music lovers! I certainly have joined that wondering crowd that has been touched by the magic of her voice and music.