The idea behind this CD was to take three great young fiddlers whose musical style and backgrounds were rooted in different parts of Scotland and who were not in the habit of playing together: get each of them to choose some tunes, then, allowing only a short time to rehearse record them while everything was still fresh and exciting. I really enjoyed producing this album and Jennifer, Julia, Allan and Sandy had a great time too which I think shines through in the music.

Simon Thoumire

Birlin' Fiddles CDFSR1703

With Jennifer Wrigley, Allan Henderson, Julia Legge and Sandy Wright Titled "Birlin Fiddles", this CD features three amazing young players who are becoming increasingly well-known in traditional music circles. The music is a fresh sounding mix of great sets played with flair and exuberance and is a delight to hear.

Featured artists:-
Jennifer Wrigley - brilliant fiddler from Orkney and winner of the BBC "Young Tradition" Award, she tours the world with her twin sister Hazel as "The Wrigleys"and is in great demand at festivals, and concerts for her wonderful musicianship. She was also a founder member of the band Seelyhoo.

Allan Henderson - Originally from Mallaig Allan was taught to play by the "left-handed fiddler" Angus Grant. Allan has played with The Fergie Macdonald Band, with Iain Macfarlane and is a founder menber of the increasingly popular "Blazin' Fiddles". Allan was the first musician to graduate in 'traditional music' from the Glasgow Royal College of Music & Drama.

Julia Legge - From Montrose, Julia studied in Edinburgh and became part of the vibrant session scene in the city. Julia was a founder member of Gaelic band "Tannas" with whom she toured extensively and made two CD's. She currently plays with the "Jason Dove Ceilifh Band".

Sandy Wright - Edinburgh born guitarist Sandy is in great demand as a session musician both in the fields of folk and jazz. Sandy plays with the bands "Russell's House" and "Steppin' Stanes" and his beautiful lyrical guitar work can be heard on Simon Thoumire's CD's "Waltzes for Playboys" and "Celtic Connections Suite".

Reviews…………

Producer Simon Thoumire explains the idea: bring together three top, young traditional fiddlers from different parts of Scotland, give them limited rehearsal time [to retain freshness] and record. It seems to have worked. I don't think the three - Jennifer Wrigley, Julia Legge and Allan Henderson - are exactly strangers but this may explain the tightness and freshness of their playing.

Sandy Wright provides guitar accompaniment, often in a four-square, good time style, but with inventive, jazzy hints never far away. These are in evidence to particularly good effects on slower tunes like Fali O Ro or Jennifer's The House of Copinsay.

To birl, my dictionary tells me, means "to spin round, to spend [especially on liquor], to pour out, to ply with drink." John Neilson…………….Taplas

Take three young fiddle players from different parts of Scotland, add one gentle acoustic guitar, and the result is……magic. Allan Henderson is from the West Highlands, Jennifer is from Orkney, and Julia is a non-teacher from Auld Reekie [= non culchie from Edinburgh]. There's intelligent and very musical playing, with sometimes a little classical vibrato, but lovely strathspeys and razor sharp changes of tempo. The sheer love of the music and the joy come through here: no gimmicks, nothing forced and delightfully sweet tone.

My favourite is a great joint version of the Jerry Holland classic, My Cape Breton Home, which has been clanging round the back of the skull for over two weeks.

This is a real musicians' collection, with accuracy in bowing and lovely triplets in numbers like The Rose among the Heather, how do they get that special pipes-like effect on the fiddles?

Whenever I next stagger home from an over-amplified and smoky gig, I know I'll have antidote here to remind me what simple, lovely music can sound like.

John Brophy……. Irish Music Magazine

You can now hear Foot Stompin' Celtic Music CD's in MP3.
Check out our website Foot Stompin’ Celtic Music