A quartet of two Shetlanders and two Highlanders, sisters Bethany and Jenna Reid on fiddles, with Lauren MacColl also on fiddle. The fourth member of the group would usually be Sarah-Jane Summers, but as she was unavailable her place was taken by renowned guitarist Anna Massie. Also on fiddle. If you don't like the sound of fiddles this isn't the band for you!
They played a mix of contemporary and traditional tunes, all arranged for four fiddles. The quality of the playing, and the imagination of the arrangements, are both outstanding, and they bring a fresh approach to old tunes. With the four four-strings playing both melodies and rhythms there are times when the sound takes on the quality of chamber music, but with a beat appropriate to the dancing roots of the genre.
The first half flagged at times, with too many slow airs, but after the interval the tempo picked up and it was a much livelier affair, with some wonderfully complexity in their combinations of melodies. A final set which had the crowd moving and shouting for more was followed by the haunting Iceland as encore.
Each of the three regulars took turns to introduce the tunes and provide some background details, including a few amusing stories. Personally I found it frustrating that Massie, one of the folk scene's great comedic talents, never got her chance!
Not to be missed if you're a fan of Scots fiddle playing.
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