ARTIST: The Proclaimers
TITLE: This Is the Story
YEAR RELEASED: 1987
CHART ACTION: #43 UK
SINGLES: Throw the “R” Away, Letter from America (#3 UK), Make My Heart Fly (#63 UK)
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Not over here
LINEUP: Craig Reid, Charlie Reid. Ian Maidman helps om a couple tracks.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Scottish twins write and record endearing neo-folk acoustic songs in their verrrry thick brogue.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: There’s no escaping that Reid twins are Scottish – that’s evident from the first sentences out of their mouth. They also have a knack for charming and catchy acoustic folky songs using their natural twin harmonies. Unlike some folkies, though, they sing out loud, and they don’t hide their sentiments or their Scottish-ness.
They also can sing a gentle and tender love song to their lasses, sure. In fact, “Make My Heart Fly” is exuberant, and lovely.
This debut album became a sensation when “Letter from America” hit the UK charts in a full band version (that wasn’t originally on the album). Then everyone in the UK heard their potential, and they became sensations.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: The song “I’m Gonna Burn Your Playhouse Down” isn’t the same as the soul song that was a hit for several singers.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: The addition of the hit version of “Letter from America”, though the acoustic version sounds pretty big as well.
GRADE: B+: Once in a while the accents detract for me (my ears…) but it’s a good 80’s folkie type album. Again, they’re loud singers!