CD Review: Hanneke Cassel's 'Dot The Dragon's Eyes'

Hanneke Cassel
Dot The Dragon's Eyes
Hearth Music

Based in Boston, Hanneke Cassel's fiery fiddling style incorporates a little Texas swagger, along with Cape Breton and Scottish music styles that make the entire project a foot-stompin' good time. There are twelve tracks that feature Hanneke's fiddle, but the piano, cello, viola, guitar, and trumpet are featured on other tracks for a truly unique and enjoyable experience. The somber and somewhat reflective "The Captain" features the earth fiddle, along with guitar and  other strings. Of course, a fiddle album would not be complete without a few waltzes, jigs, and reels, which are present here. The wholly instrumental album features great music with a mixed style that is sure to please fiddle fans and folk music connoisseurs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Le Vent Du Nord's 'Tromper le temps'

Le Vent Du Nord
Tromper le temps
Borealis Records

Canada's folk group, Le Vent Du Nord, is a classy, folk-fiddling, and foot-stomping group with an uncanny ability to create memorable tracks and timeless memories. Le Vent Du Nord is Simon Beaudry, Nicolas Boulerice, Rejean Brunet, and Olivier Demers. The French-Canadian songsters incorporate a range of instruments, which provide a full, folk feel. The bouzouki, guitar, hurdy gurdy, piano, piano-accordion, bass, diabetic accordion, jaw harp, fiddle, electric guitar, and mandolin round out the instrumental repertoire. The vocals are somewhat aligned with European folk, Celtic, and Scottish melodies and rhythms, which are still uniquely Canadian. Thirteen wonderful tracks highlight the group's charm and energetic, instrumental displays. This is great for clogging, dancing, and relaxing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc's Self-Titled Release

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc
The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc
Etnisk Musikklubb

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc is a group of three talented fiddlers from Norway, Shetland, and Sweden. The twelve tunes are entirely instrumental and contain only fiddles and a viola. The traditional tunes come from the Shetland Islands, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, and the USA. However, the music is primarily steeped in traditions of Scandinavia, which satisfy the Nordic music fans immensely. The North Fiddlers Bloc is Olav Luksengard Mjelva (Norway), Anders Hall (Sweden), and Kevin Henderson (Shetland). All in all, the music is engaging, danceable, and nostalgic. Anyone with at least a passing interest in fiddle music should find The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc to be very entertaining. ~ Matthew Forss