The mystique of Scotland is as much tied to the beauty of its rugged landscape as to the spirit of its people.  What image is more iconic and evocative of that mood than a lone piper playing his solemn tunes against the backdrop of a misty moor?  The Great Highlands Bagpipes are truly this nation's musical emblem.  Yet pipes have a world wide association with the commemoration of the fallen hero as "Amazing Grace" has too often competed with "Taps" for producing tears at a military, fireman or policeman's funeral.  While this haunting adoption is legendary, pipes musical origins are grounded in the more joyful context of weddings, social dances and cultural festivals.  The uniquely important "Piobaireachd", is a solo expression lasting five to twenty minutes.  It consists of a theme with three to four variations demanding skill and mastery of fingering and timing.  Bagpipes are complex to learn and physically demanding when played for sustained periods of time, but when finally mastered these instruments reward its player and listeners with a rich and emotional musical experience.

With as strong a Scottish musical heritage, the fiddle is associated with the lighter and more rousing sounds of a jig or strathspey.  Dance is indebted to this instrument as well as the legacy of many legendary characters and historical events that have been preserved over centuries through its tunes.  The popularity of the fiddle has not diminshed as each generation lovingly continues its tradition, often with a new interpretation or musical flair.

Scottish BagPipes and Fiddle Masterworks

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are world ambassadors for pipe and drum music.  They are first and foremost, fighting soldiers of an armored regiment equipped with Challenger 2 tanks that saw action during the first Gulf War, in Bosnia, Kosovo and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The extraordinary musical talent of these men is as striking as their willingness to experiment beyond the boundaries of tradition in hopes of reaching a broader audience for their beloved music.

The poignant title "Parallel Tracks" according to the CD liner notes, refers to the physical marks left by the tires of Challenger tanks as well as the men's focus on both their military and musical disciplines.  I would suggest a third interpretation of parallel could refer to the juxtaposition of the contemporary sounds which travel seamlessly alongside traditional musical fare, as bagpipes wail in wonderful fusion with electric guitar, keyboards and a decidely untraditional drum beat.  A good example of this is when Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits joins the band for a modern rendition of "Going Home".

Another fine CD by this outstanding military band is called "Spirit of the Glen".  This collection adds orchestra and vocals for a rich development of both traditional and modern compositions. The likes of Paul McCartney's "Mull of Kintyre" and "John Dunbar's Theme" from the movie "Dances with Wolves" are interspersed with gold standards such as "Amazing Grace" and "Hector the Hero" to produce a contemplative compilation of pop and classics.

Immersed in her family's Scottish/American ancestral heritage and with a natural affinity for the fiddle since the age of eight, Bonnie Rideout is a three time winner of the United States National Scottish Fiddle Championship and the only American to be invited to demonstrate 18th century and Highland fiddle styles at the Edinburgh International festival.  According to her official biography, Rideout lived for a time in Scotland where she studied with master fiddlers and served as musician-in-residence at Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye.  She is known for her passion and skill that elevates even the most modest of folk tunes to concert classics.

The aptly named "Scottish Fire" showcases an intensely personal performance of Rideout's favorites.  Her musical artistry rages across an emotional landscape beginning with the joyful exhuberance of a fiery Highland reel on the first track to the palpable melancholy of a lover's loss and despair.  A virtuoso recital of fiddle music that is too lovely to forget.

The ten-year collaboration with an ensemble of talented Celtic musicians has produced a wonderful compilation of traditional folk music entitled "Scottish Reflections".  Fiddle, pipes, harp, lute and viola deliver more soflty pensive melodies than "Scottish Fire", with the same Rideout genius shining through.

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