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Liner Notes
"Dear Listener...stashed
away in my memory over the years is an ever-increasing number
of favored tunes that I have never had the opportunity to
record. The music presented here ranges from J. Scott
Skinner's "Dr. Gordon Stables," a wonderful fiery reel I once
played to garner my first national fiddling title as a young
teenager, to "Fear A Bhata," a heartbreaking air, which after
thrity years still bursts out of me during moments of intense
melancholy.The final set of tunes, beginning with "Purser's
Air," is a collection of new compositions written for old
friends. An unaccompanied work, it reflects my undying passion
for Scottish fiddle music. It is my wish that these melodies
will grow on you as they have grown on me. Thank you for
listening."- Bonnie Rideout
1.
Grant's Rant/NIGHEAN DONN(The Brown-Haired Daughter)/ Innes
of Sandsides'/MO CHUACHAG LAGHACH (The Gentle Milkmaid)/
Stuart's Rant - Traditional Highland reels. Fiddle,
guitar (Al), Scottish small-pipes & bodhran 4:16
2.
The Champion of the Seas/Over the Isles to America/Pop Goes
the Weasel/Rossie Castle - This set begins with
a hornpipe and works its way into some fun traditional reels.
Fiddle, guitar (Al), cittern (Robin) & bodhran 5:14
3.
OH ONOCHIE O - A Scottish air. Fiddle, viola
& uilleann pipes 5:06
4. Grace
Hay's Delight/Dunkeld House/Mrs. McGee's Reel
- Two jigs published by the Gows and one by J. Riddell --
all favorites among country dancers. A warning to choreographers:
I have added bits and beats so this may be a challenge on
the dance floor. Fiddle, 12-string guitar & cittern
(Robin) & bodhran 4:12
5.
The Highlands of Scotland/The Lowlands of Scotland/Kelo
House/Miss Clementina Stewart
- The "Highlands" and "Lowlands" are traditionally
played as a strathspey and reel set, although I also play
"Lowlands" as a strathspey. Because "Kelo House" and "Miss
Clementina" share very similar B sections, we enjoyed interchanging
them and playing with them a bit. Fiddle, guitar, bodhran,
snare (Paddy) & viola da gamba 4:03
6.
Lude's Lament - As with all laments on my recordings,
I perform them live in the studio without edits in order
to maintain an unbroken intensity. This particular lament
is one of the most honest and vulnerable pieces of music
I have experienced. It is so touching that I felt any accompaniment
or harmony would deter from its elemental beauty. Fiddle
3:24
7.
AN GILLE DONN(The Brown-Haired Lad)/FEAR A BHATA(O Boatman)
- The first of these two heart-breaking laments was collected
by musicologist Margaret Shaw sometime between 1930 and1935
on the Isle of South Uist in the outer Hebrides. When sung,
its lyrics reflect upon the loss of a lover whose ship went
down in the Sound of Canna. I follow it with a lament written
about a woman whose lover has broken his promise to return
from his journey at sea. Despite the opinions of her neighbors
who think he has long since forgotten her, she desperately
believes that he will come back. This ancient melody beautifully
captures the agony one may endure whilst wondering if it
is death or an untrue heart that creates a lover's long
absence. Viola & guitar 3:44
8.
Tibby Fouller O' the Glen/The Lonach Highland Fling (Peter
Baillie)/Miss Shepherd/Dr. Gordon Stables' Reel
- These tunes have been resting in my fingers for over twenty
years. The set starts with two powerful strathspeys in the
North East fiddle tradition ending with J. Scott Skinner's
variations. The reels which follow were also written by
Skinner. Fiddle & 12-string guitar (Robin) 4:08
9.
Brose and Butter/Cuzle Together/Elsie Marly -
These contemporary- sounding Scottish jigs were actually
published in London around 1765 by Robert Bremner. Viola,
uilleann pipes, bodhran, udu & djembe 4:46
10.
What the Devil Ails You!/Loch Ness - Historically
these tunes are considered an air and a strathspey, but
I play them as a waltz and a slow reel. Fiddle, viola, guitar,
hammered dulcimer & viola da gamba. 4:09
11.
The 156th Brigade at the Battle of Romani - A
classic 19th century pipe march. Fiddle, great Highland
pipes, snare & bass drums (John) 3:30
12.
Purser's Air/Fishing off Eilean Na H'airde/ Drinan Jig
- I will let the air speak for itself. The strathspey was
written after catching our dinner off the southern shore
of the Isle of Skye with my dear friends John and Bar Purser.
The jig has a bit of the Irish in the middle sections with
an Highland accent at the top and bottom, my own musical
description of Dr. Purser. Fiddle 7:40
Producers: BILLY CHADWICK AND BONNIE RIDEOUT
Executive Producer: MAGGIE SANSONE
Recorded and Mixed: JIM ROBESON at Bias Studios, Springfield,
VA Mastered: CHARLIE PILZER at Airshow, Inc., Springfield,
VA
Cover Design: SUSAN MUNDENAR at Strata Graphics, Inc.PA
Photographs: CHRIS MOSCATIELLO
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