One of the best compilations released late last year is The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk. The 2-CD set includes an impressive roster of artists from Scotland and the Scottish diaspora, including some well known names in the folk scene and beyond. Part of the material is fairly recent, although you will also find
classics and iconic songs from a few years ago.
The set is well balanced with a great mix of traditional and contemporary folk-rooted pieces. The collection contains a thick booklet with extensive liner notes written by musician, singer-songwriter, radio and television presenter, and music producer Mary Ann Kennedy.
With so much talent featured in The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk, it’s truly difficult to highlight specific songs. It’s all high quality material. The track list says it all:
Track Listing, CD 1:
Lau: Intro to Hinba
Capercaillie: Seinneam Cliù nam Fear Ùr
Fred Morrison: Kansas City Hornpipe
Dougie MacLean: Bonnie Bessie Logan
Sir Jimmy Shand: The Bluebell Polka
Ceòlbeg: Zito The Bubbleman
Mischa MacPherson: Cha d’ Fhuair Min Cadal
Mick West: Will ye go tae Flanders
Ashley MacIsaac: Sleepy Maggie
Heather Heywood: MacCrimmon’s Lament
Michael Marra: Happed in Mist
Mackenzie: Fighe Le Feur
Angus & Kenneth MacKenzie: When Harry Met Shelly
Archie Fisher: Reynardine
The Iron Horse: Helen of Kirkconnel
Blazin’ Fiddles: The Cascade Set
Dick Gaughan: No Gods & Precious Few Heroes
Red Hot Chilli Pipers: We Will Fix You
Martyn Bennett: Nae Regrets
Track Listing, CD 2:
Slàinte Mhath : Brucie & The Troopers
Karine Polwart: I’m Gonna Do it All
Alasdair Fraser & Paul Machlis: Nighean Donn a’ Chuailein Rìomhaich
Isla St Clair: Scots Wha Hae
Gordon Duncan: Just For Seumas
Arthur Cormack and Blair Douglas: Solus M’ Àigh
Skipinnish: Colla Mo Rùn
Paul Mounsey: Passing Away
Sheena Wellington: The Tryst
Ossian: B’ E Sud An Gille Truagh
Ishbel MacAskill: Thig an Smeòrach as t- Earrach
Breabach: Proud to Play a Pipe
Aly Bain: The Day Dawn
Kenna Campbell: ’S E An Tighearna Mo Bhuachaille (Psalm 23)
Runrig: The Old Boys
Archie McAllister: Salute to Frank Ferrell
Saor Patrol: Toom Tabard
The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk is a fabulous introduction to the music of Scotland so go ahead and start exploring.
Purchase The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk in North America
Purchase The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk in Europe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
