I'm looking for good albums of Scottish fiddle players which feature a lot of airs. Someone told me that Duncan Chisholm was a good place to start, in which case, is there any particular album of his I should begin with?
You won't find many recordings with a lot of "airs" on them in Scottish music. A musical friend of mine some years ago said that he thought Duncan Chisholm was the best player of slow airs in Scotland, and I would agree.
Yep - Dunc has a flair for the air. I'll never forget his solo slow air in Phil Cunningham's "Ceilidh" performance at Celtic Connections 2001. The first violin section of the RSNO all captivated by his tone, and with wide grins on their faces.
I don't like putting the label 'best' on any of the slow air players. There are many fine players past and present. Alasdair Fraser's rendition of "Bovaglie's Plaid", with Paul Machlis on "The Road North" got a few chins wagging in the fiddle world when it came out.
If you like that 'veering toward the classical' approach, the playing of the late Ron Gonnella might appeal. Superb tone.
The man Aly Bain never fails to impress with his slow air playing - no standing upright with the fiddle held high for him. He looks like he's doing the quick crossword in the Daily Record - effortless, yet the tone! If you go down the Shetland road, there's the late Willie Hunter Jr - whose "Leaving Lerwick Harbour" has become a classic.
Too many fine exponents to mention really, but you can't go wrong by starting with Dunc.
There are a lot of postings of Scottish fiddle music from old records on The Music Gatherers blog at http://themusicgatherer.blogspot.com/. I'd say it would be worth your while going through them and picking out the airs. Some of the recordings are a bit scratchy but they're all interesting and there are styles which are obviously very different.
Aly Bain's Lonely Bird is one of my all time favorite records. I wish he would come back to my area again, as seeing him live was one of the best musical experiences in my life.
And I saw Alisdair Fraser once at a festival, all by himself with his fiddle, holding a whole tentful of people rapt with attention, wonderful player.
Scottish fiddle airs
Scottish fiddle airs
I'm looking for good albums of Scottish fiddle players which feature a lot of airs. Someone told me that Duncan Chisholm was a good place to start, in which case, is there any particular album of his I should begin with?
Many thanks
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by SmashTheWindows
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Probably "Redpoint" - which has Ivan Drever's "Leaving Stoer" on it. Then buy the rest.
http://www.duncanchisholm.co.uk/products.php
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by Weejie
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
All original compositions, mainly dance tunes, but there are a few truly beautiful airs on this :
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2399
You won't find many recordings with a lot of "airs" on them in Scottish music. A musical friend of mine some years ago said that he thought Duncan Chisholm was the best player of slow airs in Scotland, and I would agree.
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Worth it for the title track alone :
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/558
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Yep - Dunc has a flair for the air. I'll never forget his solo slow air in Phil Cunningham's "Ceilidh" performance at Celtic Connections 2001. The first violin section of the RSNO all captivated by his tone, and with wide grins on their faces.
I don't like putting the label 'best' on any of the slow air players. There are many fine players past and present. Alasdair Fraser's rendition of "Bovaglie's Plaid", with Paul Machlis on "The Road North" got a few chins wagging in the fiddle world when it came out.
http://www.myspace.com/alasdairfraser/music/songs/bovaglie-s-plaid-34551856
If you like that 'veering toward the classical' approach, the playing of the late Ron Gonnella might appeal. Superb tone.
The man Aly Bain never fails to impress with his slow air playing - no standing upright with the fiddle held high for him. He looks like he's doing the quick crossword in the Daily Record - effortless, yet the tone! If you go down the Shetland road, there's the late Willie Hunter Jr - whose "Leaving Lerwick Harbour" has become a classic.
Too many fine exponents to mention really, but you can't go wrong by starting with Dunc.
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by Weejie
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Good to hear a mention of Aly Brain's air playing. I agree that the effortless feeling is terrific. And his intonation if lovely.
Not convinced about Duncan Chisholm .. not so keen on his slightly shuddering vibrato. Reminds me of Bryan Ferry.
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by ...
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Yes, Aly Bain is terrific, and very, very effortless!
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll get started!
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by SmashTheWindows
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RObNXnC08Hk
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by BigDavy
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUEILzTP3g&feature=related
Quite far removed from Roxy Music.
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by Weejie
the alternative http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z36tHtzLVHI
I like them both
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by SmashTheWindows
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
There are a lot of postings of Scottish fiddle music from old records on The Music Gatherers blog at http://themusicgatherer.blogspot.com/. I'd say it would be worth your while going through them and picking out the airs. Some of the recordings are a bit scratchy but they're all interesting and there are styles which are obviously very different.
# Posted on December 7th 2011 by LowProfile
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Both Aly's and Duncan's would bring tears tae a gless een - every note they play comes from the heart.
# Posted on December 10th 2011 by On Sabbatical
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Aly Bain's Lonely Bird is one of my all time favorite records. I wish he would come back to my area again, as seeing him live was one of the best musical experiences in my life.
And I saw Alisdair Fraser once at a festival, all by himself with his fiddle, holding a whole tentful of people rapt with attention, wonderful player.
# Posted on December 10th 2011 by AlBrown
Re: Scottish fiddle airs
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, working my way through some Aly Bain and Duncan Chisholm recordings as we speak
# Posted on January 7th 2012 by SmashTheWindows