King Creosote – From Scotland with Love

From Scotland with Love is the latest album from renowned Scottish musician King Creosote (Kenny Anderson), founder and, essentially, director of the prolific Fence Collection. Arriving at a time when Scotland is in a position of political uprising – a vote for independence approaching on the horizon in the September referendum – this heartfelt, almost hand-penned love letter to his country celebrates everything that is great about Scotland, while at no point lapsing into the overused clichés of Scottish heritage we so typically see demonstrated in the media. From Scotland with Love was written and interwoven into the backdrop of a film by Virginia Heath, entitled with the same name, which explores and celebrates the history of Scotland utilising beautifully compiled footage preserved by the National Library of Scotland’s Scottish Screen archives. A project to celebrate the Commonwealth Games and Culture 2014, From Scotland with Love demonstrates the immense community, history, and passionate landscape of Scotland. A land and people blighted by tumultuous political, economic and social circumstances.

From Scotland with Love delivers a journey into Scotland’s past, a rich collection of stories that musically illustrate the most poignant of pictures. With his unmistakable vocals, Kenny’s heartfelt Something to Believe In is a lushly layered opener that echoes the sounds of the land while enveloping it in a contemporary backdrop. Largs, a modern age ceilidh celebrates fond memories of a favourite seaside town, albeit an illicit adventure. The delightfully whimsical Bluebell, Cockleshell 123, which kicks off with a children’s playground chant and is with Kenny’s effortless but evocative lilt is a short and sweet masterpiece. King Creosote is a man of many guises, spanning a 15-year career which encompasses over 40 albums and a heartfelt work ethic for his craft. Each song in this beautiful adventure is a piece of the puzzle which holistically delivers the most sophisticatedly melancholic and heartfelt ode.

Donna Mackay

From Scotland with Love was released on 21^st July 2014. For further information or to order the album visit King Creosote’s website here. 

Watch the video for For One Night Only here: