Rua's 20th Anniversary Concerts at The Harbour Light Lyttelton on 23/24th June 2006 with the release of a new CD '20 Years Live' of unreleased rarities from 1986, with the original line-up, to Auckland Festival in 2001. Only available at the concerts or email Jimmy.
RUA NUMBER 2 ON RADIOPIE"S TOP TEN CHARTS!
Our new CD “ 10 YEARS AFTER/LIVE AGAIN IN THE CATHEDRAL” is now available, running time is 64.20 minutes.
This was recorded live in the Christchurch Cathedral to a full house during the Christchurch Arts Festival on Thursday 25th. July 2001 with special guests Mike Considine and the Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band.
The Christchurch Press named it “ the highlight of the festival.”
John Reid, The Press’ main reviewer, reviewed the concert thus-
Rua lights bonfire night at the Cathedral Rua, Ten Years After- Live Again in the Cathedral, with guests, The Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band and Mike Considine, 8-10.30pm. Reviewed by John Reid
This was a tremendous concert. It was a hugely popular show, reputed to be a thousand people crowded in against the walls. It was also a live recording for a new CD. The band was on its mettle and so were the listeners. After a short introduction, the band came onto stage.
The moody lighting gave a wash of red with tendrils of smoke drifting through the glow. It was definitely a bonfire night.The songs were all of their best, straight instrumentals and ensemble numbers. In all of them, there was a good balance as a group.
Each of the performers was clearly placed in the soundscape of the stage, audible and clean.They gave a purposeful sense of authenticity to their programme, addressing a respect for the materials and for the history. They were expressing themselves as truthfully as possible to make the very most of their music and lyrics.
Each of the six had their perfect moment in the spotlight, showing their talents and focus.They gave us ballads and dances, much of it about love, mixed in with a good dose of hope.The entry and performance of the Caledonian Pipe Band added another huge boost to the night.
There was a powerful sense of community created amongst the audience that welled up and joined with the music of the Celtic spirit being conjured on this night that was Rua’s.
John Reid, The Christchurch Press 27 July 2001.
Rua have won the New Zealand Music and Entertainment Awards for Best Folk Album of the Year twice since the inception of these awards. Playing an exciting fusion of contemporary and traditional Celtic Music with an emphasis on newly composed material.
The group's leader is Jimmmy Young who composes most of the group's original music. A founder of both Rua and the House Band, he is originally from Scotland but now lives in New Zealand.
Some of the highlights of the last ten years touring would include Lorient Interceltique Festival Brittany, Edinburgh International Arts Festival, the Millennium Celebrations for Santiago de Compostella Galicia Spain and the Celtic Connections Festival Scotland.
For twenty years Rua have been at the cutting edge of Celtic Music touring world-wide and releasing award- winning albums to critical acclaim.
"Quality and quantity in equal measure" Folk Roots, England.
"Rua could have got away with murder!" The Glasgow Herald, Scotland.
"Takes Scottish traditional music to a new dimension" Evening News, Edinburgh, Scotland.
"Swooping guitar and soaring pipe-melodies" Dirty Linen, Canada.
"Melodic magic" The Living Tradition, Scotland.
"A journey of sound and emotion" Timaru Herald, New Zealand.