It's arrived!! The new CD features the familiar Fiddlers' Bid mix of old Shetland tunes with new tunes written by the band. Also on the cd are tunes by Steven Spence, Margaret Scollay, Roddy Matthews as well as a beauty of a fired up Asturien tune and a tune from Faroe.
You'll recognise the unmistakable and unique sound you know as Fiddlers' Bid although they're even stronger now. The band think this is their best recording yet.....!
Fiddlers' Bid are leading exponents of the Shetland Islands' rich fiddle tradition. Since their formation in 1991, the flying fiddles and furious talent of the group have astounded audiences all over the world, with their undeniably unique approach to music and performance. With their four-fiddle front line, backed by a powerhouse of piano, bass, guitar and Scottish harp, they create a display of stunning virtuosity.
In recent years Fiddlers' Bid have performed at some of the world's largest folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2003 (USA), Tonder Music Festival (Denmark) and Celtic Connections (Scotland). They have had two hugely successful tours of Australia and Tasmania, performing at venues such as Melbourne Concert Hall and Sydney Opera House. One tour earned the group a nomination for Best Contemporary Music Presentation at a national music award ceremony in Australia.
Kevin and Maurice Henderson (fiddle), Chris Stout (fiddle, viola), Andrew Gifford (fiddle, guitar), Catriona McKay (Scottish harp, piano), Fionán de Barra (guitar) and Jonathan Ritch (bass guitar).
Check out the Fiddlers' Bid ringtone in our free downloads section.
Media Reviews
The four-fiddle frontline is put through its paces, from sumptuously layered, almost symphonic- sounding arrangements to delicate duet passages.
After the magisterial progression of their first three albums from the "precociously talented" category to that of "totally mighty" it was always going to be difficult for young Shetland champions Fiddlers' Bid to raise the bar that far yet again, especially after the triumphiant tour de force of their last release, 2001's Da Farder Ben Da Welcolmer. Shrewdly, therefore, Naked and Bare comes across as a more subtle expansion - or consolodation - of their reach and territory. While its predecessor made a superbly proud virtue of featuring exclusively Shetland material, here there's a smattering of tunes picked up elsewhere but the group on their trails, from the Faroe Islands to Asturias in Spain. The band's rich native fiddle tradition, from ancient, anonymous "trowie" tunes, to a healthy serving of excellent originals.
The four-fiddle frontline is put through its paces, from sumptuously layered, almost symphonic- sounding arrangements to delicate duet passages. As an added bonus, in addition to her lively piano accompianiment, Catriona Mackay's dynamic, nuanced harp playing also spends noticeably more time in the foreground, while guitarist Fionan de Barra mixes up the grooves with lots of nifty syncopations and cross-rhythms.
Sue Wilson, Sunday Herald
"this band is at the top of its profession...this music commands your full attention....Exceptionally enjoyable and stirring listening."
“Beware: Fiddlers’ Bid is infectious and habit-forming”
“Fiddlers’ Bid present yet another first class collection… Superb music from superb musicians”
"through slow sets and fast they will mesmerise you"
Customer Reviews
Swinging music. Simon T
I like it when bands consist of a bunch of pals and Fiddlers' Bid fit this bill totally. You can here the laughter and jokes when this band play live and they manage to carry this vibe onto the CD.
Naked and Bare starts of somewhat unpredictably with a beautiful tune called Naked and Bare. The unison playing of these guys is brilliant which gives the air a very rich sound. My favourite track is called Da Kirk Stack and is a swinging set of reels reminding of being in Shetland a few years ago.
This is a CD for anyone who loves music. It has beautiful airs, swinging reels, rollicking jigs and a great sensitivity throughout.
Classic Playing Shetlander
As a Shetlander I am so proud of this band. Everywhere they go they show Shetland in a real positive light. This new CD is going to enhance the band's reputation no end. It shows a real maturity - imagine starting off the CD with a slow air! This band (and Shetland) is not just about reels it is about classic playing.
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