Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B00000K53R
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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 with photos. 65 minutes.

AWARDS
2000 Crossroads Music Awards Bronze Star for Celtic Music

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb compliation of Northumbrian Pipes music, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England (Audio CD)

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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required listening, October 27, 2000

By 

Emmett Miller (Burton, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Northumberland Rant: Traditional Music from the Edge of England (Audio CD)

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.