A Scottish Fiddle Collection is a compilation of tracks from award-winning fiddle player Bonnie Rideout. The collection spans her work, from her 1994 album Soft May Morn through to 2000's Scottish Rant. However, to call this a fiddle collection is somewhat misleading, as Bonnie is accompanied by a formidable variety of traditional instruments throughout the album. The various ensemble led by Rideout includes guitar, cittern, piano, bagpipes, bodhran, whistles and harp -- and that's not an exhaustive list!

Some of the tracks are pleasantly stark and reserved, such as the set of tunes named "The Seagulls of Scarba/How I Passed the Winter/Fair John's Sister/St. Kilda Dance," which finds Bonnie's fiddle accompanied by beautifully modest piano playing, achieving an elegant sophistication that sounds almost classical at times. "Ghillie Callum/Highland Rant/Ryan's Rant" starts out with a slow air on the fiddle interspersed with a strummed guitar at measured intervals, leaving space for the fiddle's sound to resonate delightfully. The pace gathers as this set of tunes progresses -- beat out by a pulsating bodhran and the sprightly sound of the Scottish smallpipes.

The well-known, anthemic melody of "Amazing Grace" is played out here in full majesty with Bonnie's mournful fiddle joined initially by the drones of the Highland bagpipes, before the might of the City of Washington Pipe Band joins in to complete the sound with rousing, military precision. "North Highland Tunes" has a palpable organic roughness, with Bonnie's sawing fiddle every bit as rhythmic as the pounding bodhran that accompanies it. Then it's back to outright serenity for "Bonny Jean o' Aberdeen," where a delicate harp and rich cello do much to add both texture and class.

A Scottish Fiddle Collection is a great place to start for those who are unfamiliar with Rideout's work, displaying a good cross-section of the different playing styles between which she moves with both ease and grace. This is traditional music, played exceptionally well, and with undeniable passion.

by Mike Wilson
Rambles.NET
2 June 2007

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