In Search of Angels

The album marked the first album released and recorded by the band following the departure of longtime lead vocalist Donnie Munro who left Runrig in 1997 to pursue a career in politics. Canadian singer–songwriter Bruce Guthro replaced Munro and became lead vocalist in 1998 after the band searched for a new singer. The album was released on 1 March 1999, becoming the first release by the band under their new record label, Ridge Records, following their departure from Chrysalis Records. It was released in the United Kingdom by Ridge, and by Columbia Records in mainland continental Europe and by CMC in Denmark. In 2018, Sony Music Entertainment re–released the album as part of a 5 CD boxset in Germany. The album contains songs in both English and Gaelic, the latter being sung by the band's bassist Rory MacDonald as Guthro isn't a native Gaelic speaker. ==Recording==

Bruce Guthro performed vocals for the first time during the recording sessions of In Search of Angels, after he joined Runrig the year previous, following the departure of Donnie Munro in 1997 who left the band in order to seek a career in politics. Guthro, aged 36 at the time of joining the band, was a country singer from Nova Scotia, as was spotted on video by the band's manager Marlene Ross's son. Her son was instantly impressed by Guthro's "Canadian style Celtic music" and voice, and upon returning to Scotland with the video, it was shown to his mother who began to advocate for Guthro becoming the new vocalist for the band. ==Musicians==

During the recording sessions for In Search of Angels, the band were joined by BT String Ensemble, conducted by Ross Campbell, with backing vocals provided by Holly Thomas, Brett Perkins, Colin Chisholm, Peter Rowan, Tom Urie, Marj Hogarth, Joanne Ramsay, Gordon McKeeve, Michel Bryne and Norman Mackinnon. Sando Cianco provided percussion, whilst both Chris Harley and Robin Rankin provided keyboards. ==Track listing==

• "Maymorning" - 5:44 • "The Message" - 5:19 • "Rìbhinn Donn" (Brown Haired Girl) - 3:58 • "Big Sky" - 6:34 • "Life Is - 4:01 • "Dà Mhìle Bliadhna" (Two Thousand Years) - 4:40 • "This Is Not a Love Song" - 5:25 • "A Dh'innse na Fìrinn" (To Tell You the Truth) - 4:47 • "All Things Must Change" - 4:15 • "Cho Buidhe Is A Bha I Riabh" (As Yellow As It Ever Was) - 4:02 • "Travellers" - 2:59 • "In Search of Angels" - 3:32 ==Chart performance==

;Runrig • Iain Bayne - drums, percussion • Bruce Guthro - lead vocals • Malcolm Jones - guitars, accordion • Calum Macdonald - percussion • Rory Macdonald - vocals, bass guitar • Peter Wishart - keyboards ==References==