The Cameron Men: Classic Scots Fiddle Recordings from the Thirties (1977)

The Cameron Men: Classic Scots Fiddle Recordings from the Thirties (1977)

This is glorious music from the era of the 78rpm record. The Cameron Men from Kirriemuir in Angus were brothers William (Bill), James (Jim), George (all fiddles) and Stewart (piano) and were popular musicians throughout the area. They learned fiddle from a celebrated musician from Newtyle (10 miles from Kirrie) called John "Dancie" Reid, so called because of his ability to play fiddle and dance and the same time. It was William who achieved greatest success early on, winning several fiddle contests in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was the first brother to be recorded, travelling to London in 1931 to Edison Bell Ltd studios. Within a couple of years, the four brothers were recorded together under the name The Cameron Men for Scots label Beltona Records, and in various line-ups, solo, as an ensemble, and as part of Dancie Reid's bands, they compiled a decent recorded output.

James Cameron also recorded solo, but it was as leader of the Jim Cameron Band, who recorded some sixty sides for Beltona in the 1940s and 50s, that he is most well known.

William's son Angus Cameron became a well-known fiddler in his own right in the 1970s and 80s.

01 Cameron Men: Abercairney Highlanders/Ballochmyle/Speed the Plough

02 Cameron Men: Polka

03 James Cameron: John MacFadyen of Melfort/Brig of Perth/Earl of Crawford's Reel

04 William Cameron: Farewell to Gartly/Stirling Castle/Soldier's Joy

05 Cameron Men: Miss Drummond of Perth/Maggie Cameron/The Favourite

06 James Cameron: The Rock and Wee Pickle Tow/Blackthorn Stick/Teviot Brig/Humours of Donnybrook

07 William Cameron: Our Highland Queen/Forth Brig/Forth Brig

08 Cameron Men: Loch Katrine/Miss Lyall/Loch Leven

09 James Cameron: 6-8 March/Smith's a Gallant Fireman/Pretty Peggy

10 James Cameron: Cumberland Reel/father o' Flynn/Auld Brig o' Ayr/Wind That Shakes the Barley

11 Cameron Men: Earl Dalhousie/Lady Mary Ramsay/Soldier's Joy

12 William Cameron: Banks o' Allan/Craigellachie Brig/Lasses o' Stewarton

13 Cameron Men: Dashing White Sergeant/My Love She's But a Lassie Yet/ The Rose Tree

14 James Cameron: Rakes of Kildare/Swallow Tail/Queen's Welcome to Deeside/The Drummer

15 Cameron Men: Circassian Circle/Brechin Brig/Victoria Hornpipe

16 Cameron Men: Bonnie Ann/Bob Johnston/Bob Johnston

Unavailable