|
Additional Reviews of Scottish Music |
| The Wee Hours - the future of Scottish Music | Updated: March 9, 2002 |
 |
Blazin' Fiddles -- Fire
On! (self-published 2000). This group was formed in 1998 to
showcase Scottish fiddlers and Scottish tunes. The idea was to display 6
different regional styles from the Shetlands to the Hebrides to the Border
Counties. The group clearly has fine fiddlers: Aidan O'Rourke (Tabache), Allan
Henderson, Andy Thorburn, Bruce MacGregor, Catriona Macdonald, Duncan Chisholm,
Iain MacFarlane, and Marc Clement who can, and do, play fast and furious. The
skill involved is manifest, but after a couple of tunes the virtuosity becomes
boring. This is 12 tracks of massed fiddles, most of the tunes fast. The group
has been very popular in Scotland, and the tunes are all well played, but I say
you are better off with the albums of the individual musicians. |
 |
Capercaillie - nàdurra
(Survival Records, 2000) . This CD has been touted as Capercaille's return to
their roots after their explorations of world music. Well, they haven't made it
all the way back home yet. Those looking for the acoustic brilliance of their
earlier CDs Sidewaulk and Delirium won't find it here. This CD
has four songs in Gaelic, and a couple in English. The band is solid, as
always, and Karen's voice is wonderful, but the sound on this album with the
drum set, synthesizer, and pop/rock feel is aimed more for the pop music fans
than the traditionalists. There still is a lot of quality here, so it should
please the fans who don't want their drop too pure. |
 |
Dr. Dan Reid Memorial Solo Piping
Competition - 1998-- These are live recordings made
during the competition itself at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. The
performances selected are those of the winners in the March, Strathspey and
Reel competition and in the Piobraireachd competition as well as the
piobaireachd from the (junior) Cameron/Gillies Championship. 'This is as good
as traditional solo piping gets. Pipers included are P/M Roddy MacLeod, Bruce
Gandy, P/M William J.R. Livingstone, William McCallum, and Stewart
Liddell. |
 |
Johnny Hardie and Gavin Marwick
-- The Blue Lamp (KRL
Lochshore, 1999) Marwick on fiddle and Hardie on fiddle, guitar, bouzouki
and mandolin and their friends on button accordion, banjo, piano, and bazouki
play a range of mainly traditional Scottish tunes. This album is more
traditional than their earlier album with Davy Cattanach, Up in the Air,
which I have praised elsewhere. I was slow to warm up to The Blue Lamp,
but the more I listen to it, the more it grows on me. It has a lovely sweet,
sound with tunes played at a relaxed, but lively tempo. So I've had to change
my review to reflect my growing appreciation of this album.
(Recommended) |
 |
Various -
Heat the Hoose (Tartan
Tapes, 1998). This CD was recorded at "Fiddle'97 Edinborough" during what
seems an inpromptu set of recitals and sessions. There is often crowd noise in
the background, and the music is not studio-polished. With that caveat, there
is some great music on this all-instrumental CD. It starts with a terrific set
of tunes from
Alasdair
Fraser accompanied by
Tony
McManus. There are also terrific tunes from Clare Mann & Aiden O'Rourke
(of Tabache), and Clare McLaughlin (of Deaf Shepherd) plus Connaillaigh, Paul
Anderson, Alasdair White, a great set from Karen Steven, Eilidh Shaw, Amy
Geddes, and a rousing finale by Chris Stout. Great Scottish fiddling all
around. (Highly recommended) |
 |
The Poozies
-- dansoozies . (Hypertension Music, HYCD 200 150)
This Scottish/English group sings and plays an eclectic mix-- from the
traditional Scots song "Hey How My Jonny Lad, ye're no sae kind ye should hae
been" done in a wonderful high energy arrangement to "Poncho and Lefty", to the
Gaelic Waulking Song "Beinn À Cheathaich". All this is done with great
sparkle, energized by the accordion playing of Karen Tweed. Many of the songs
are originals written by band member Sally Barker. I found this album great
fun. (The Poozies 1998 album Infinite Blue , with the
addition of Kate Rusby is also great, and a bit more Scottish.)(Highly
recommended) |
 |
The
Tannahill Weavers - Alchemy (2000,
Green Linnet). This is the 13th album
from this venerable trad group. It is an even mix of 6 traditional tunes and 6
songs in Scots (with a Scots-English dictionary!). I find this CD to be a mixed
bag. Tunes that feature Duncan Nicholson's piping (highland, Scottish small
pipes, and uilleann pipes!) really jump off the CD. Also wonderful is an a
capella version of the song "It Was All for our Rightful King". There is
also a nice, but slow, version of "The Gallant Shearers", but the other songs
don't strike me as anything special. (Recommended) |
 |
Various - Best of the Thistle
& Shamrock, vol. 1 (Hearts O'Space 1999). The title of this
CD is misleading. This is not a selection of the "most requested" 12 tunes and
songs from the radio show's first 15 years, but a selection that has personal
associations for the show's host Fiona Ritchie. The choice is as eclectic as
her show's themes. Many well-known artists are included, but often on
unfamiliar tunes. Missing are some of the greats, e.g. Solas, Dervish,
The Chieftains, Silly Wizard, Boys of the Lough, Patrick Street, any Cape
Breton musicians... However, taken only as one person's musical journey, it is
an interesting collection. (Recommended) |
|
Various - The Wee Hours -- the Future of Scottish Fiddling in North America (1998, Gargoyle Recordings). This is an exceptionally fine album, highlighting the playing of 8 great young fiddlers and one pianist (Cali McKasson). All the musicians were students or instructors at Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School. Featured on this album are Hanneke Cassel, Rebecca Richman and Robin Smith both from Santa Rosa, Carley Williams, Janel Vanderwarf, Ryan McKasson, Thaddeus Sze, Laura Cortese of San Francisco. This is a great album of largely traditional Scottish music played with enormous skill. Alasdair Fraser comments: "Free-spirited, expressive, youthfully exuberant, unfettered joy." Martin Hayes says: "Amazing virtuosity, intuitive, understanding, music insight." They're right. (Highly recommended) |
To return to Scottish Music webpage
Please send me your comments or suggestions: jim@sfcelticmusic.com