The sixth album from Scottish traditional combo
Blazin' Fiddles finds the group adding two new members to the mix. Guitarist/fiddler
Anna Massie and fiddler Jenna Reid bring their own sets of influences and styles into a band that has flourished over the past 15 years despite numerous lineup shifts. Perhaps it's founding fiddler Bruce MacGregor's frequent recruitment of new talent that has kept
Blazin' Fiddles' sound so vital. Blending original tunes in with sets of traditional Celtic fare, Six runs the gamut from unique jazzy solo arrangements to full-on barnburners showing the strength of their four-fiddle/guitar/piano setup. There are some nice inventive twists and turns in sets like "The Lads Like Beer" and "Paddy's," where the group extends its range beyond what is commonly expected of a céilidh band, and the lovely slow air "The Marquis of Huntly's Snuff Mill" features wonderfully delicate playing. This an excellent example of a group whose members use their combined knowledge and talents to both celebrate and advance the Scottish fiddle tradition. ~ Timothy Monger