In an effort "to reinstate the cello as an integral part of Scottish music," Lochshore presents the musical and vocal talents of Wendy Weatherby. Singing and playing cello (including the Starfish electric cello), Weatherby shares her own compositions, as well as personal arrangements of traditional songs and instrumentals.

Because of the current season (winter), disc title (A Breath on the Cold Glass) and cover (a face seen through glass), I had expected a collection of holiday music, but found the theme not to be frosty windows, but just ol' Scottish tunes. A fun, but bawdy version of Robert Burns' song, "John Anderson, My Jo," as arranged by Weatherby, leads the pack, followed by "Miss Norma McIntosh/Prestonfield Johnny," Robert Burns' "The Learig," Nathaniel Gow's "Coilsfield House," Weatherby's own "Badenoch/Willie Martin's Farewell to Blackford Glen," "Ballachulish Tango" and "Miss Katie McKenna/Wee David the Drummer," Michael Marra's "Happed in Mist" (based upon the Scottish novel Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon) and traditionals "Gloomy Winter," "The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry" and "Fair Annie."

The last of these tunes, Weatherby's "A Breath on the Cold Glass," acts as the finale. Still, it was not the holiday merriment I had expected to hear, which proved my first point of disappointment.

Although impressed by Weatherby's voice (pleasant, smooth and silky, like a cup of hot chocolate) and musical ability, the selections didn't move me. In addition, the featured cello (as opposed to traditional fiddle, bagpipes, mandolin, harp, clarsach, etc.) often made the melodies sound somewhat less Scottish to me. Perhaps because I grew up on a particular blend of Scottish music, I'm a little biased. While I truly can appreciate talent, which thrives here, I'd rather throw Smithfield Fair, Lisa Lynne (both featured here), Bonnie Rideout, Phil Coulter and Neil McLoughlin discs into the CD player and let them play again and again.

- Rambles
written by Lynne Remick
published 15 February 2003