This Scottish duo consisting of  Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (guitar/mandola/vocals) brings some great music to the scene in their Netherbow CD.

The album contains both traditional fiddle tunes and original compositions, and there is a nice mix of songs with vocals versus instrumental tunes.

Upon first listening to the CD, you’ll be a bit surprised to learn that this is a duo because the sound is so complex and rich. You’ll definitely be convinced there are a couple more band members thrown in there.

Check this one out at your first opportunity!

Track Listing:

1 Netherbow – J Craigie

2 The Cock O’ Byam – D Horne (Words), B Cromarty (Music)

3 The Creelman – B Cromarty/The Normaway Inn – J Holland/The Reconciliation – Trad

4 The Bride’s Lament – Trad

5 The Glassel Jig – B Cromarty/Stoot’s Jig – D Montgomery/Reel For Karen – D Montgomery

6 Yellow And Blue – B Cromarty

7 The Locks At Athy – K Kosek

8 A Ring On Her Hand – B Cromarty

9 Danielle And Keith – D Montgomery/A Tune For Lucy – B Cromarty

10 The Holm Band Tune – Trad/W.R. Aim’s Compliments To Jimmy Craigie – R Aim

11 Howie MacDonald’s – K Beaton/Rhena’s 80th – L Bichan/La Reel De La Baie Sainte – A Robicheau

12 Svecia – D Montgomery

Band website: http://www.saltfishforty.co.uk

For those of you who appreciate a good song and find yourselves less inclined to listen to the truly trad folkie stuff, Cara Dillon’s After the Morning CD is a great in-betweener.

Cara has a beautiful voice, and gets all of the twiddly bits just right, however the accompaniment of her tunes gives the songs a slightly more contemporary feel than many other traditional Irish singers.

After the Morning features several highly recognized traditional tunes, including The Streets of Derry featuring Paul Brady, The Snows They Melt the Soonest, and Here’s a Health.

For those who like to sing along, and for those who like a little of everything this is a lovely CD and is a perfect start to your Cara Dillon collection.

Track Listing:

1. Never in a Million Years 3:49

2. I Wish You Well 4:19

3. Here’s a Health 4:46

4. Brockagh Braes 5:11

5. Garden Valley 4:08

6. October Winds 4:02

7. Bold Jamie 5:00

8. The Streets of Derry 4:27

9. This Time 3:59

10. The Snows They Melt the Soonest 4:18

11. Walls 3:02

12. Grace 3:15

For more information visit: www.caradillon.co.uk

To preview the CD or purchase visit:  www.compassrecords.com/

The lastest album from Old Blind Dogs is everything that is to be expected from such an established band on the Scottish folk circuit… with a twist.

While “Wherever Yet May Be” remains true to the Old Blind Dogs sound and style that we are all familiar with, the CD differs from its predecessors in that it features more contemporary songs, as well as some new songs composed by members of the band.

Long time lovers of the band will not be disappointed with this one. The superb vocals from Aaron Jones and Jonny Hardie and the fresh young enthusiasm that Ali Hutton and Fraser Stone bring to the music will keep this four-piece going for years to come.

Track Listing:

1. St Kilda

2. Lough Erne’s Shore

3. Psychopomps

4. Scotland Yet

5. Portobello

6. Copper Kettle

7. Sir Steve Huska of Bryce Canyon

8. Broken Ring

9. Room with a View

10. Banks of the Nile

11. Where are you?

12. Desperate Fishwives

Purchase the CD here: Compass Records

Aidan O’Rourke, most recently known for his work with the Scottish folk trio Lau, released the “Sirius” CD through Compass Records in 2008, however the music was originally commissioned for the Celtic Connections Festival back in 2003.

As with several other works that were commissioned by Celtic Connections, the CD is best listened to in sequential track order, as it tells a gorgeous musical story.

Aidan combines Scottish traditional folk tunes with elements of Jazz and other styles into a menagerie of expert instrumentation.

The album features fiddle, sax, percussion, piano, whistles, and guitar from a variety of some of the well-known’s on the Scottish scene including Charlie McKerron, Gordon Gunn, and Fraser Fifield among others.

This CD is strictly instrumental, and highly enjoyable, especially for those who love jazz in addition to Scottish folk. Though this is one CD where every song is fantastically arranged and played, Bah Hamburg, Lochaber Drive, People’s Park (Part 2) and Hinba stand out as favorites.

Track Listing:

1. Falun Fine (outbound)

2. Bah Hamburg

3. Mangersla Beach

4. Lochaber Drive

5. The Santa Cruz Redwoods

6. Hinba

7. People’s Park

8. People’s Park (part 2)

9. Alyth

10. Falun Fine (return)

Buy/Sample the CD here: http://compassrecords.com/

If you’re not familiar with Kris, you might know the Drever name from Kris’ father Ivan, known for his role as lead singer of the Scottish folk powerhouse Wolfstone. Kris follows in the family tradition of musical genius with his first solo album “Black Water” released back in 2007.

Kris’ singing and guitar playing are nothing short of amazing. If you’re a fan of folk songs, whether they are Scottish, Irish, American, or of any other persuasion, this is a CD for you. Despite the fact that this CD is pure Scottish folk, it will appeal to others who may not be as thrilled with fiddles and bagpipes and all that. Kris is self-taught in many respects, and the creativity and artistic license that this allows is very apparent in “Black Water”, both in the singing and instrumentation.

You will recognize some old favorites such as “Green Grows the Laurel” and “Patrick Spence”, however Kris’ arrangements give these tunes a fresh flavor. The CD definitely speaks to those who love pub sessions, as you could spend hours listening to these tunes over a pint.

If you haven’t heard Kris’ music to date, this is the place to start. You will be instantly hooked.

Track Listing:

1. Steel And Stone (Black Water)
2. Braw Sailin’ On The Sea
3. Patrick Spence
4. Beads And Feathers
5. Green Grows The Laurel
6. Honk Toot
7. Harvest Gypsies
8. Fause Fause
9. Poor Man’s Son
10. Rodney’s Glory
11. Navigator
12. Farewell To Fuineray

For more information visit www.krisdrever.com

You never know what you’re going to get from a new band on the scene, and when “The Big Spree” was released by Breabach back in 2008 it was a shocker in all the best of ways.

The young styles of Patsy Reid, Calum MacCrimmon, Ewan Robertson, and Donal Brown bring a freshness to the traditional tunes they play. The arrangements on this CD are fantastic, and the blend of tunes and songs give the listener a nice mix of everything. Their songs are full of foot stomping pipes, whistles and fiddle, and you’ll definitely want to sing along to “The Rolling Hills”.

If you like some of the other Scottish folk creatives such as Old Blind Dogs or the Tannahill Weavers, don’t miss this Breabach release! You’ll be thrilled that you added it to your collection… In fact, better by two in case you wear the first one out!

Track Listing

1. Kilbowie Cottage
2. Chloe’s Passion
3. The Rolling Hills
4. George White’s Favourite
5. The Full Booner
6. Hector the Hero
7. Under the Influence
8. James Gunn Henderson
9. Lochaber No More
10. Cockerel in the Creel
11. Caber Feidh

Purchase “The Big Spree” and other Breabach releases at www.breabach.com

The latest CD from Jeremy Kittel, released through Compass Records, is a perfect blend of fiddle goodness. Jeremy’s background in Scottish and Irish fiddle shines through each track and is uplifted by loops and swirls of Jazz and Folk woven throughout.

This 25-year-old American’s prodigy and masterful understanding of music is obvious, making this a must-listen for any fiddle fan. The unique compositions of the songs on the album never stray too far from Celtic traditional style, however there is an exciting freshness to the songs that will keep listeners wanting more.

If you’re up for  some toe tapping, here’s a CD for you!

Track Listing:

1. The Curious Beetle Medley

2. The Golden Plover Set

3. Remember Blake

4. The Chase

5. The May Morning Dew

5. Disconnect

6. The Biting Reel / Lost Time

7. The F Chunes

8. Woods

9. Bear Island Reel

10. The Napkin Tune

Artist Website: www.jeremykittel.com

Buy/Listen: Compass Records – Chasing Sparks

The Curious Beetle Medley The Golden Plover Set

Remember Blake

The Chase

The May Morning Dew

Disconnect

The Biting Reel / Lost Time

The F Chunes

Woods

Bear Island Reel

The Napkin Tune

Shoogle’s latest release Murmichan is everything that can be expected from this well known progressive Celtic band out of Edinburgh.

As a two disk set, there is a nicely arranged mix of both live and studio recordings.

The album begins and ends with “The Road to Bled”, the first being studio recorded and the second a live performance. Let me just say, its worth it to have this tune on there twice. It is a very haunting tune, but at the same time makes you want to rock out a little in your chair.

There are fantastic more traditional sounding songs on the album as well, Glenfinnan Dawn for one, and an instrumental “funky” version of Johnny Cope.

The entire album flows extremely well from track to track, which is difficult to accomplish. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into the strict Scottish traditional stuff, like a little Celtic rock or funk, appreciate a taste of Spain or the Middle East in your Celtic, whatever your suits your fancy. Good music is just good music, and Shooglenifty’s got it down.

Tracks:

Disc One:
1) The Road to Bled
2) The Dancing Goose
3) The Dotteral
4) The Ham In the Boiler
5) Clejcken the Deil
6) The Vague Rant
7) Glenfinnan Dawn

Disc Two:
1) The Wing
2) Up All Might
3) Suphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
4) First to Sleep
5) Johnny Cope
6) Would You Like An Olive, Wes?
7) Dolphin Delta Dotteral
8) The Road to Bled (Live)

Artist Website: www.shoogle.com

Buy the CD: www.shoogle.com/shop.htm

The latest CD from Scottish fiddle sensation Session A9 is nothing short of spectacular. Its rare to find a CD where every song either pulls at your heart strings or gets your feet moving.

This CD and this band are a MUST listen for any Scottish Folkie connoisseur. (more…)