Hugh MacDiarmid - Whaur Extremes Meet

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Review by Cynthia Rusincovitch

Album Review: Whaur Extremes Meet by Hugh MacDiarmid Released in 1979 on the Tuatha Music label, Whaur Extremes Meet is an intriguing dive into spoken word poetry that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in its Scottish heritage. This UK-born album isn’t your typical music release—it’s more of a sonic journey through language, emotion, and cultural identity. If you’re into raw storytelling or just curious about how words can carry as much weight as melodies, this one might grab ya. The tracks here don’t rely on beats or hooks; instead, they lean heavily on Hugh MacDiarmid's distinctive voice and his ability to weave vivid imagery with sharp wit. Two tracks stood out for me personally—“Scotland Small? (From Direadh I)” and “Old Wife In High Spirits (In An Edinburgh Pub).” Let’s break ‘em down. “Scotland Small?” hits hard right off the bat. It challenges preconceived notions about Scotland’s size versus its cultural richness. The track builds slowly but packs a punch when MacDiarmid declares Scotland anything but small—not geographically, maybe, but spiritually and intellectually. You almost feel like you're sitting across from him at some dimly lit pub, nodding along while he passionately lays it all out. There’s something oddly comforting yet confrontational about it—it sticks with you long after the last word fades away. On the flip side, “Old Wife In High Spirits (In An Edinburgh Pub)” brings levity without losing depth. Here, MacDiarmid captures the essence of everyday life—a moment shared over drinks, laughter spilling out amidst serious thoughts. His delivery has this casual rhythm to it, like he’s inviting you to pull up a chair and join the conversation. It’s not overly polished, which makes it even better—it feels genuine, unfiltered. You don’t just hear the story; you live it for those few minutes. Other tracks like “Water Music (Excerpt)” and “Reflections In A Slum” offer glimpses into different moods and themes, ranging from introspective musings to biting social commentary. While the absence of traditional musical elements may alienate some listeners, there’s no denying the power of MacDiarmid’s craft. His use of Scots dialect adds another layer of authenticity, though it might take non-native speakers a bit longer to fully grasp every nuance. What struck me most about Whaur Extremes Meet was how personal yet universal it felt. These poems aren’t just performances—they’re conversations, arguments, reflections. They demand attention, forcing you to think and feel rather than simply listen. Here’s the kicker though: despite being nearly half a century old, this album still resonates today. Maybe because we’re living in times where voices like MacDiarmid’s are needed more than ever—or maybe because great art never really ages. Either way, give this one a shot if you want something that’ll stick to your ribs longer than your average playlist filler. And hey, who knows? You might walk away feeling smarter… or at least inspired to write a poem yourself.

Download Hugh MacDiarmid - Whaur Extremes Meet
Artist: Hugh MacDiarmid
Album: Whaur Extremes Meet
Rating: 4.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: hugh-macdiarmid-whaur-extremes-meet.zip
  • MP3 size: 126 mb
  • FLAC size: 1094.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Milk Wort And Blog Cotton
Empty Vessel
Reflections In A Slum
Crystals Like Blood
The Eemis Stane
Focherty
To A Friend And A Fellow Poet
Of John Davidson
Water Music (Excerpt)
A Vision Of Myself (From A Drunk Man Looks At The Thristle)
At My Father's Grave
Crowdieknowe
Me (From Circumjack Cenastus)
Scotland Small? (From Direadh I)
In The Fall (From In Memoriam James Joyce)
The Glass Of Pure (Excerpt)
Old Wife In High Spirits (In An Edinburgh Pub)
Wha's Been Here Afore Me Las (From A Drunk Man Looks At The Thristle)

Images

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Catalog Numbers

TU1

Labels

Tuatha Music

Listen online

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Gatefold Cover

About Hugh MacDiarmid

Scottish poet and political activist for Scottish independence. He wrote both in English and in literary Scots (often referred to as Lallans). Born in Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, on 11th of August 1892. Died in Edinburgh 9th of September 1978. He was instrumental in creating a Scottish version of modernism and was a leading light in the Scottish Renaissance of the 20th century. In 1928, MacDiarmid helped found the National Party of Scotland (forerunner of the Scottish National Party). He was also a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain. During the 1930s, he was expelled from the former for being a communist and from the latter for being a nationalist.

Real Name

    • Christopher Murray Grieve

Name Vars

  • Hugh McDiarmid
  • MacDiarmid

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the album *Whaur Extremes Meet* by Hugh MacDiarmid isn’t your typical music record? Released in 1979 in the UK, it’s more of a spoken word and poetry collection than a traditional music album. It features tracks like *Water Music (Excerpt)* and *Scotland Small?*, blending MacDiarmid's sharp poetic voice with minimal instrumentation. The album dives deep into themes of identity, culture, and human experience, offering listeners a raw, unfiltered glimpse into his literary genius. It’s like sitting in a pub, listening to a poet spill his soul—intimate, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.