FLAC tracks | Folk | 00:55:28 | 365 MbThe fun thing about New England fiddling is that it draws on so many different traditions; you’re likely to hear a set of Irish reels followed immediately by a Quebecois waltz, then a clutch of Appalachian tunes and a little something from the Prince Edward Island.
And although there’s a certain inflection that usually identifies a New England fiddler, those various influences aren’t usually fully digested; instead, a fiddler from that area usually just sounds very, very eclectic and proficient.
That’s certainly the case with Frank Ferrel, who turns in a wild assortment of tunes and traditions on this album, ranging from Celtic standards like “Give the Fiddler a Dram” and “Bantry Bay” to gems from Cape Breton (“Angus Chisholm’s Irish Hornpipe”) and American dancehall favorites (“Arthur Finley,” “Done Gone”).
Ferrel plays in a relatively conservative style, with little flash or excess, and at modest tempos that are clearly designed more for dancing than for passive, abstract enjoyment.
The rather echoey acoustic is an interesting production choice, one that occasionally distracts from the music, but Ferrel’s rhythmic momentum and taste in tunes are irresistible.
Tracklist:01. The Southwest Bridge / Paddy On The Turnpike / Give The Fiddler A Dram (Medley)02. Hare’s Ear / Grey Ghost / Quill Gordon (Medley)03. Dave MacNeil / Maid Behind The Bar / Robert Stubbert (Medley)04. The Eagle’s Whistle / The Full Rigged Ship / The New Rigged Ship (Medley)05. Southern Melodies / The Polo March / Polka From Angus Chisholm (Medley)06. To An Old Rose07. Done Gone / The Old Cuckoo08. Arthur’s Seat / Eugene Straton / The Banks / Madame Neruda (Medley)09. Erin Reel / The Saint Lawrence River / Oliver Trembalay’s Reel (Medley)10. Mathematician’s / City Of Savannah / The American Rifle Team (Medley)11. John McGann / Peter Barnes / Compliments To The Boys Of The Lough (Medley)12. Stacks Of Barley / Bantry Bay / Princess Royal / Angus Chisholm’s Irish Hornpipe (Medley)13. Arthur Finley / Two-In-One Reel14. Maple Leaf Two-Step / Point Au Pic15. Compliments To The Browns Of Dingwall / Winston Tune / Mackenzie And MacPhee (Medley)16. Reel Du Ting Tang
