Dougie MacLean

Sherwood Auditorium - February 12, 2006

Live Review by Kate Kowsh

There may not have been all of the usual aspects of a live show like bartenders, sticky floors, opening acts or even security goons at the door, but, by god, there was music.—and it wasn’t bad.  With its dark mahogany panels lining the circumference of a room that can only be described as a high school auditorium, La Jolla’s Sherwood Auditorium was class all the way to welcome Scottish musician Dougie MacLean.  More a featured event than a live show, the “grown-up” vibe was dripping from the place.  But a different kind of musician deserves a different kind of venue—and MacLean is anything but ordinary.

MacLean, who was in town as part of just a handful of U.S. dates, was just oozing Scottish pride.  What else would you expect from a guy who wrote the country’s unofficial anthem, “Caledonia”?  Personable and as relaxed as the fit of his jeans, MacLean, with his shoulder-length locks tapered back in a ponytail, stationed himself front and center onstage between two potted trees for his set.  A bit burned from gallivanting in the sun—which he said he hardly sees in Scotland—it was just him, an amplified acoustic guitar, his arpeggio fingers and plenty of music.  His songs sound like he vacuum-sealed them when he left Scotland, and brought them out ten minutes before he took the stage.

A versatile professional, MacLean, in addition to being a solo act, occasionally performs with a full orchestra or a rock band.  Describing his songs is difficult because he puts them through so many incarnations.  His lyrics—which detail the land he grew up in, his heritage, life and loves—are simple enough to sing along to, but beautiful all the same.

The crowd came for song and atmosphere, squeezing the Scotland right out of MacLean like a sponge.  Mid-set, one over-anxious guy even shouted, “That’s the kind of song that makes you thirsty!”  Speaking of thirst, there were whiskey tasting tables out in the lobby, but no bar.  While onstage, MacLean swigged bottled water, barked at its plainness, and joked about longing for something a little stronger in his glass.  Perhaps whiskey drinking stations would have been more popular. 

Before going into “Talking With My Father,” a soft melody about aging into one’s parents, MacLean spoke about his 80-something year old father, who he said is “something of a liability to go out with, because he just doesn’t give a shhhhite.”

During “This Love Will Carry,” a simple, open, feel-good tune, MacLean rallied for audience participation.  Teaching the lyrics to the chorus prior to launching into the song, he was really gunning for the whole room to sing along.  Judging by the audience, it looked like he’d have an easier time getting them to a Phish concert.  Unbelievably, though, they were practically taking off their shoes and dancing.  This Scotsman really casts a spell.