Michigan-born Bonnie Rideout discovered the Rev. Patrick McDonald's song collection of 1781 (described on the sleeve as "a collection of Highland Vocal Airs. Never hitherto published") whilst studying on the Scottish Isle of Skye. Rideout was understandably happy to discover these tunes!

This highly pleasurable CD of fiddle music was Rideout's first solo album, and was recorded in 1994. Her expressive tone reminds me more than a little of Alasdair Fraser's playing -- her bowing is light, precise, very emotive, and it twists, turns and shimmers from start to finish. The album brings you the same sort of listening pleasure as, say, The Captain's Collection (songs gathered by Captain Simon Fraser, performed by Jonny Hardie, Alyth McCormack and others); Soft May Morn differs in that it doesn't unite the songs with the words.

Betty Rideout (piano), and Charlie Wilkie (guitar) provide assured accompaniment on the album -- their contribution is invariably understated and never obtrusive, as the fiddle does most of the talking. Rideout has selected some of McDonalds's "most haunting airs and laments," and her exquisite playing does indeed capture the emotive nuances of the music (haunting tunes such as "Tha mulad" spring instantly to mind). However, she has also selected some of McDonald's "most lively reels and strathspeys," which of course lend great balance and a sense of lively playfulness to the recording. Rideout includes well in excess of 30 wonderful tunes here -- McDonald's inscription describes it best: "Country Dances and Reels of the North Highlands and Western Isles. And Some Specimens of Bagpipe Music."

There's a lovely guitar-led piece, the ancient air "Dan Dheirg Dargo." The title track "Madainn chiuin cheiten (Soft May Morn)" is a bright, breezy piece that conjures pictures of lively dancing, as do marvelous reel sets such as "Mac Aoidh Chanasain." The final tune is a marvellous pibroch. Rideout's extended, mournful notes emulate the plaintive drone of the bagpipe on "Camna Mhic an Toisich (McIntosh's Lament)," which is over eight minutes long. This is surely the perfect music to unwind to!

- Rambles
written by Debbie Koritsas
published 22 January 2005

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