Liz Knowles

"Kentucky-born violinist Liz Knowles's accomplishments include membership in the touring Riverdance ensemble, a soloist's role on the Michael Collins soundtrack, and recording credits with artists ranging from Paula Cole and the Sirius String Quartet to jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and Steve Reich. Her speciality and passion is Celtic fiddling, a talent nurtured by her grandmother (whose violin Knowles uses today) and her bagpipe-playing mother.

Her debut album features 11 handsome acoustic instrumental tracks--three original compositions and eight traditional pieces Knowles arranged. While a full album of fiddle music could become a wearying, monochromatic affair, Knowles smartly varies textures, tempos, and supplemental instrumentation (Chris Cunningham on guitar, pipe-player Jerry O'Sullivan on one track, accordion whiz John Whelan on another, et al.) to deliver a winning, largely upbeat package. Knowles's selections reveal a fondness for works with modest starts and spirited, reeling endings. Noteworthy: her surging, sparkling interpretation of "The Crooked Road"; the momentum-building, near-hoe-downs of "The Kinyons" (a splendid original) and "The Blacksmith"; the yearning ballardry of "The Gift of Falling"; and the unexpected "Laz," a fiery, percussion-heavy traditional Turkish number executed in demanding 7/8 time." --Terry Wood - Amazon.com