Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England

Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Brilliant instrumentals by master traditional musicians from England's northeasternmost county, featuring the sweet distinctive sound of the Northumbrian smallpipes, along with fiddle, accordion, and other instruments. A mix of field, studio, and archival recordings made between 1954 and 1998, Northumberland Rant includes never-before-issued performances by the legendary piper Billy Pigg as well as some of Northumberland's favorite musicians -- Jack Armstrong, Willie Taylor, the High Level Ranters, Joe Hutton, Anthony Robb, Kathryn Tickell, Pauline Cato, Chris Ormston, Will Atkinson, and others. 36-page booklet photos. 65 minutes.

Tracks:

Archie's Fancy/Holey Ha'penny - Billy Pigg
Keening In The Wind/Alston Flower Show - Chris Ormston
La Russe/The Windshield's Hornpipe/Jane's Fancy/Da Road To Houll - The High Level Ranters
Rothbury Hills/Whittingham Green Lane/The Cott/Border Fray - Jack Armstrong
Murray River Jig/Roland And Cynthia Taylor/Alistair J. Slim - Willie Taylor
I Saw My Love Come Passing By Me - Anthony Robb
Dance De Chez Nous/Aunt Mary's Condition/Neil Taylor's Jig - Willie Taylor/Will Atkinson
The Lady's Well Random/The Chiff - Pauline Cato
Dargai - Anthony Robb
Skye Crofters - Billy Pigg
Torryburn Lasses/The Wandering Tinker/Marry Me Now/Mrs. Wedderburn/Randy Wives Of Greenlaw - Wayne Robertson/Nigel Jelks
Speed The Plough - Joe Hutton
There's Nae Guid Luck About The House/High Level Hornpipe - Billy Pigg
Robertson's Reel/The Grand Chain - Willie Taylor
Jock Of Hazeldean/Gentle Maiden - Colin Ross
The Pearl Wedding/Nancy Taylor's Reel - Willie Taylor
Lament For The Dickson - Anthony Robb
Keel Row/Durham Rangers/Greencastle/Heysleyside Reel/Yankee Doodle - Jack Armstrong And The Barnstormers
Miss Hannah Ormston/Katie Elliot's Jig - Chris Ormston
Mr. Nelson's Birthday Waltz - Karthryn Tickell
Border Spirit - Billy Pigg

Album Description

Brilliant instrumentals by master traditional musicians from England's northeasternmost county, featuring the sweet distinctive sound of the Northumbrian smallpipes, along with fiddle, accordion, and other instruments. A mix of field, studio, and archival recordings made between 1954 and 1998, Northumberland Rant includes never-before-issued performances by the legendary piper Billy Pigg as well as some of Northumberland's favorite musicians -- Jack Armstrong, Willie Taylor, the High Level Ranters, Joe Hutton, Anthony Robb, Kathryn Tickell, Pauline Cato, Chris Ormston, Will Atkinson, and others. 36-page booklet photos. 65 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

Required listening.......2000-10-27

The first reviewer is absolutely correct in everything he says. This CD is required listening. It is encouraging to see this CD and several others of equal importance being issued at this time. Is there increased interest in this music, or is it just finally getting the attention it deserves? I first became interested in Northumbrian pipe music in the late 70s, and the only recording I could find was in the University music library. It was Billy Pigg's classic, most of which is included on this CD. The other two CD's that are required listening are NORTHUMBRIAN SMALLPIPES (Topic) and SPIRIT OF THE BORDER (Nimbus). The first is a compilation of important older recordings. The second is a modern recording made by the excellent Nimbus label, which has brought us other great CDs of contemporary traditional music from the British Isles. SPIRIT OF THE BORDER also features Chris Ormston. Perhaps Chris will finally get the chance to make his own CD.

A superb compliation of Northumbrian Pipes music.......1999-09-23

I really think that this is one of the best compilations and introductions to the Northumbrian Smallpipes that I've heard in a long time. It covers a good many of the great players of the past ( Billy Pigg, Jack Armstrong, Joe Hutton ) and the current leading exponents like Anthony Robb ( a brilliantly played "Dargai"), Colin Ross, Pauline Cato and Kathryn Tickell. ( Particularly good to hear the seriously under-recorded Chris Ormston on there)

Inevitably afficionados will notice omissions from both groups but a CD is only so long and Burt Feintuch and his colleagues have done a fine job in cramming as much excellent music onto the disk as they have.

Well done!

Music Review: