Echoes of a Golden Age

This new book by Charlie Gore, one of the best-known and respected personalities of the Scottish fiddle scene, contains a wealth of information, opinion and music, and is essential reading for all with an interest in our national music. Compiler of the monumental Scottish Fiddle Music Index, the author is also a player, composer, adjudicator, lecturer and contributor of articles.

Part 1 of the book is an extended essay, generously illustrated, on: Tradition: where does it come from? Where is it going? - tracing the history of Scottish fiddle music and commenting on its present state. Part 2 is an informative listing of Composers, Collectors, Publishers etc and Part 3 consists of 18 pages of music from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries.

Thanks to the author's research, enthusiasm and humour, it's a good read, a useful source and a fine collection of music. The foreword is by Scottish fiddle maestro Douglas Lawrence.