Description
The duo that “kickstarted the Celtic-New Age fusion that exploded in popularity in the ’90s” (All Music Guide) presents a gorgeous new recording of classic gems of the Scottish fiddle tradition.
tracklist
- Miss Dumbreck (trad) . Miss Cameron of Balvenie (Marshall) . Clydeside Lassies (trad)
Three reels that appear in 19th century collections. Gow’s sixth collection, published in 1822 has the third tune as the ‘Clydesdale Lasses’. - The Auld Brig o’ Don (J. Henry)
The title refers to the 13-14th century Brig o’ Balgownie, which spans the River Don in Aberdeenshire with a beautiful Gothic arch. - The Beauty of the North (Mais’ an Taobh Tuath) (Simon Fraser)
A slow strathspey which first appeared in Fraser’s 1816 collection. - Madame Neruda (J. Scott Skinner)
Wilhelmina Neruda (1839-1911), also known as Lady Halle, was one of the most celebrated concert violinists of her generation. - Chapel Keithack (William Marshall) . Belmont (William Gardiner)
‘Belmont’ is well-known in Scotland as the hymn ‘By Cool Siloam’s Shady Rill’. - Earl Haig (J. Scott Skinner)
Field Marshall Earl Haig (1861-1928) was Commander-in-Chief of the British forces during the First World War. Skinner originally titled this air ‘The Chief o’ Bemersyde (A War Sermon)’, inscribing at the bottom of his manuscript, ‘a great effort, I think.’ - Earl Grey (James Hill) . The Left Handed Fiddler (J. Scott Skinner)
Hill’s classic strathspey honours Earl Grey (1764- 1845), a Prime Minister from Northumberland. There was also a pub by that name in Gateshead in the 1850s. The reel was for George Taylor of Aberdeen. - Rose-Acre (J. Scott Skinner)
Dedicated to A. McWilliam, Portsoy in Skinner’s Logie Collection (1888). - Craigellachie Brig (William Marshall) . Largo’s Fairy Dance (Nathaniel Gow)
Marshall’s strathspey commemorates the 1815 opening of Telford’s iron bridge over the River Spey. The Gaelic craigellachie refers to a rocky outcropping where beacons were lit if danger threatened. Gow wrote the reel for the Fife Hunt, 1802. - The Ancient Barons of Kilravock (Barain Chulrabhaig) (Simon Fraser)
In his 1816 collection, Fraser says this tune compliments ‘a family who have for ages been celebrated not only as lovers of the science of music, but for uncommon proficiency and polished taste.’ - Mrs. McPherson of Gibton (William Marshall) . The Novelty (Nuaghalachd) (Simon Fraser)
- Lady Charlotte Campbell’s New Strathspey (Robert Mackintosh) . Lady Charlotte Campbell’s Reel (Robert Mackintosh)
Skinner declared the second tune to be ‘the finest reel in B flat extant.’ - Miss Hannah of Elgin (William Marshall) . Sir George Clark of Penicuik (Nathaniel Gow) . Major L. Stewart of the Island of Java Reel (William Marshall)
- Mrs. Jamieson’s Favourite Charles Grant
- The Rose-bud of Allenvale (J. Scott Skinner)
Originally published in the 1920s in Skinner’s Cairngorm series. - Seann Triubhais Uilleachain (Willie’s Auld Trews) (trad)
Captain Fraser refers to this as a tune ‘of considerable antiquity,’ while crediting two Nairnshire musicians for the setting which appears in his collection. - Da Forfeit o’ Da Ship (trad) . Da Grocer (Tom Anderson) . Jack is Yet Alive (trad)
Three reels from Shetland. DA Grocer’ was written for Mr. Willie Birnie, ‘a very good piper, keen enthusiast of traditional music, and a good friend to all the old fiddlers.’ - Mr. A. Q. Wilken’s Favourite (J. Scott Skinner) . Jenny Hardie’s Reel (Bill Hardie)
Wilken was an amateur violinist from the Aberdeenshire village of Ellon. Jenny Hardie was Bill Hardie’s wife. - Mrs. Major L. Stewart of the Island of Java (William Marshall)
- The Iron Man (J. Scott Skinner) . The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman (trad) . The Forth- Bridge Reel Williamson Blyth . Gillan’s Reel Peter Milne . The Auld Wheel (J. Scott Skinner)
The ‘iron man’ was William F. McHardy of Drumblair, who made a fortune in engineering enterprises in South America; he was Skinner’s friend and benefactor. The second tune refers to the village blacksmith’s role in extinguishing unwanted blazes. The third celebrates the 1890 opening of the magnificent cantilever bridge near Edinburgh. ‘The Auld Wheel’ referring to the Mill 0′ Him, is what Skinner dubbed a ‘birling’ reel. - Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Second Wife (Niel Gow)
In remembrance of Margaret Urquhart of Perth, to whom Gow was married for 30 years.