If you want to hear lots of fiddle tunes, go to a dulcimer festival. That’s what Gina Forsyth did, which served as the inspiration for her full-length fiddle album. In her capable hands, she makes the fiddle sing its glorious melodies (“Rosin the Bow”) with superior tonality and masterful techniques like slides, shuffles, taters and bow hops.
Though the proceedings are concentrated in bluegrass and clucking Appalachian hoedowns, there’s also a Celtic tune (“St. Ann’s Reel”), a Cajun standard (“Don’t Bury Me”) and the humorous “It’s Moving Day” by old-time country musician Charlie Poole. A few songs are reprised from Forsyth’s Promised Land and out-of-print Fiddle EP releases but mostly with different arrangements and modified parts.
Additionally, there’s rock-solid support from her Sweet Olive bandmates, producer Al Tharp and several other ringers. Since she allows her guests plenty of room for rides, the vibe is always a collaborative one. Perhaps the biggest guest surprise is Floridian Bing Futch, a dulcimer titan and finalist in this year’s International Blues Challenge. His presence on two tracks brings the concept full circle but even without him, this hard-driving, white-knuckled effort rivals any mountain music from those northern southern states.
