Search - Bonnie Rideout :: Celtic Circles

Aileen R. (aileen) from N HOLLYWOOD, CA
Reviewed on 8/15/2008...

Inspired by the Celtic circles of ancient Scotland, Bonnie paints a musical picture through time, joining the heavens and earth to the cycles of everyday life. Performed on Scottish fiddle with gold medal piper Eric Rigler on the Great Highland bagpipe, Scottish smallpipes and uilleann pipes. Eric did all the Bagpipe music on Braveheart and Titantic! Also accompanied by guitar, Celtic harp, viola da gamba, hammered dulcimer, bass and bodhran. Includes: North Highland tunes from The Patrick McDonald Collection, 1784, pipe marches, strathspeys, jigs and reels, laments and traditional favorites: Flo'ers o' The Forest, Gillie Calum and Prince Charlie's Farewell to Scotland.Praised by the Washington Post who says:"Time passes swiftly here, but also soulfully, elegantly and intelligently as Rideout's instrumental flair and emotional sensitivity on both fiddle and viola are consistently enhanced by her impressive scholarship. In exploring and celebrating her Scottish heritage, she unearths and unites a marvelous collection of ancient airs, reels, strathspeys and tales, adds a couple of her own tradition-steeped pieces, then arranges them all with a rare combination of thematic logic and orchestral grace." (Amazon.com)

Incredible Fiddle Playing

Millertime | Pinehurst, North Carolina United States | 06/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finest Celtic fiddle playing I've ever heard with a nice dose of bagpipes to boot! Incredibly relaxing."

One Grand Scotch-Irish Music CD--BRILLIANT!

shoutgrace | Charleston, WV United States | 04/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bonnie Rideout's Celtic Circles is fiery and exuberant. With being the Three-time U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion, Rideout is a model player in the traditional music circle. She follows closely along side of the finest fiddler such as Natalie MacMaster and Liz Carroll of Cherish the Ladies.

Rideout is on another U.S. tour in 2003 with Hesperus. They will be collaborating with the 'Celtic Roots' program. Taken from the early sources of 17th &18th century Scot-Irish music. The musicians play an ensemble of fiddles, whistles, hammer dulcimer, viola, recorder and lute. While Rideout's other albums are excellent this is exceptionally good. Don't forget to listen to Bonnie Rideout's 'Scottish Christmas.' It's absolutley stunning!"