The capercaillie is a big, beautiful bird that looks like a mix of a turkey, a grouse, and a raven. It requires a habitat of old coniferous forests. In Scotland, the population has declined greatly since the 1960s because of deer fencing, predation and lack of suitable habitat. There are believed to be fewer than… Continue reading Capercaillie: At the Heart of It All
Kevin Carr and partner Josie Mendelsohn are well-established (and well-loved) figures in West Coast traditional folk music circles, for good reason. From trad Irish and old-time American music to Quebecois and Asturian and Galician traditions, they have spread their passion for folk music far and wide. The couple just released a new record with their son… Continue reading New Release from The Family Carr (MP3)
The latest record from Seattle fiddler Ruthie Dornfeld is a wide-ranging collection of traditional folk tunes, originals, and early music titled “Duets Abroad.” Why not let Ruthie introduce it? Last year I traveled to Finland, Denmark, France and Hungary to record duets with some of my favorite European musicians: Petri Hakala, Tapani Varis, Pekka Pentikäinen,… Continue reading Ruthie Dornfeld: Duets Abroad (MP3)
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. One of the best things about being a music blogger is when one of my friends releases a record that turns out to be Fiddlefreak-worthy. Such is the case with the album “Inspired,” a lovely new collaboration from champion Scottish fiddler Rebecca Lomnicky and piper David… Continue reading Brewer and Lomnicky: Inspired (MP3)
The top dogs in the Scottish trad music scene will release their eleventh album on September 7 on Compass Records titled “Wherever Yet May Be” (COM 4542). Old Blind Dogs members Jonny Hardie (fiddle), Aaron Jones (bouzouki), Ali Hutton (pipes and whistle), and Fraser Stone (percussion), prove again that they rule the roost where Scottish… Continue reading Old Blind Dogs: Wherever Yet May Be (MP3)
Julie Fowlis has the voice of a Celtic angel. With her ancient Scots Gaelic songs of earth and sky, she calls up a salty North wind that whistles through the mossy crags of remote, forgotten islands. On her latest release Uam (Cadiz Music/Shoeshine Records) she harnesses a stable of veteran musicians, including her Dublin-born husband… Continue reading Julie Fowlis: Uam (MP3)
Photo Credit Rob Van Sante For about 30 years now, the Battlefield Band has been a mainstay of the Scottish traditional music scene. Here’s a brand new sneak preview from their new album, as well as a video from a couple years back. Enjoy!—Fiddlefreak Battlefield Band are still hard at work in the recording studio… Continue reading Battlefield Band Preview Track (MP3)
