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Email: cal@calmusic.co.uk

Song Lyrics

Calling You

Music Maker - (March / April 2005) By Bryan Chalker
The artist 'cal' is Michael Callaghan and is another in a long line of fine singer - songwriters and, aided by Douglas Coulter, Neil Milne and Elaine Green, he has turned in a highly commercial and, dare I say it, 'radio-friendly' album. You have to be radio-friendly these in order to appease the cretins in charge of playlists but broadcasters of the calibre of Mike Harding are still allowed a measure of free - choice and I hope Mike has programmed tracks from this forceful collection of self-written songs, collaborations and traditional interpretations from an outstanding artist. Writing as a one-time radio presenter, specialising in country and folk music, I would suggest that Cal's up-tempo 'Don't Give In', might act as a pace-setter for radio 2 strip-shows like those hosted by Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Steve Wright and Johnnie Walker.
Callaghan possesses a powerful voice, slightly redolent of an early Gordon Lightfoot but he is no copyist and 'Calling You' identifies him as a strong individual, with one eye cocked at the charts but feet firmly rooted in Scots musical heritage. I suppose that folk-rock would sum up Michael's approach to his craft but Douglas Coulter's drum tracks never detract from the main traditional thrust of 'Calling You'.

The Scots Magazine (November 2004) By Alisdair MacLean
Calling You is the latest album from Cal, he being Michael Callaghan from Grangemouth.
Here he largely showcases his own work, with some though-provoking themes with a dominant thread of a love of Scotland (full marks there, obviously!) as well as one or two trad tracks- Ae Fond Kiss, for instance, and a couple of Gaelic songs too: 'Chi Mi’n Geamhradh, (I See Winter) and A’ Chailin Alain' (O Beautiful Girl) a pretty universal theme.
Once again an album well worth waiting for, his last one to pass through my hands, Scotland A Part Of Me was in 2001. On this showing, lets hope we don’t have to wait another three years for the next CD.

Music Maker - (Dec 04 / Jan 05) By Lara A King
Celtic treasure Michael Callaghan has a number of achievements to be proud of and this album is no exception. Sultry and reflective in places, rollicking in the true style of Scottish rock in others, 'Calling You' has the perfect balance of light and shade; blending traditional sentiments with contemporary issues; mixing foot stomping rabble rousers with the sweet melancholy of balladry and interweaving beautifully delivered, sensitive instrumentation with powerfully pure, heartfelt vocal performances.
Callaghan - Cal as he is known - wrote all but the two Gaelic numbers on the album (and Ae' Fond Kiss). His song-writing is exceptionally strong, sincere and compelling - the driving, anthemic title track would have any listener persuaded to follow this man wherever he chose to lead within the opening bars. And follow him we do as Calling You switches from a steady, pounding drum rhythm to an uplifting, celtic swing beat leading us into the 'feelgood' Don't Give In. Chi Mi'n Geamhradh, penned by C. Macdonald and R. Macdonald brings the mood into a more melancholy mode and allows us to enjoy the purity of Cals vocal talents. It translates as I See Winter and as with many translations the original is certainly more poetic but Cal has been kind enough to also provide the lyrics in English so we can all appreciate the sentiments of this beautiful song.
The mood is back up with Heading Home To You and the immensely catchy You And I and one gets the sense that Cal and his band would be dynamite live. This becomes certain with the intensely emotive battle cry of The Gathering (parts One and Two). Not many artistes can deliver spoken passages within songs without them sounding forced or shallow but Cal manages this with style and sincerity.
He tells us that he travels with a full light show and "lots of pedals". That might all seem superfluous when the solid musicality and inherent enthusiasm of the songs and the performers is so obvious on this recording. Until Cal is back in town Calling You will certainly remain on my personal playlist - make sure it's on yours!