your favorite violin or fiddle cuts, and why?

"Catfish" by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. I LOVE this track; no one can swing any harder than Gate!

Ric Sanders Group in Lincoln Cathedral. You will be hearing about this artist very soon!! The group's repertoire is drawn from the work of composers including Chick Corea, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Joe Zawinul, Miles Davis, Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, John McLaughlin etc., plus original compositions and songs from within the group and new interpretations of folk material and some re-worked Fairport Convention favourites (of which Ric is a long standing member). Recorded live w/ a sigle stereo mic- this ir the finest redbook sounding cd I own.

Natalie McMaster, "In my Hands" on SACD, the cut "Flamenco Fling" is a favourate at this time, but favorites change don't they?

"Chiacona A Violino Solo", composed by Antonio Bertalli. From the cd "Unarum Fidium" performed by J. Holloway. Why? Just listen... 1600's fiddle! How can one not like it?

My very favorite is the Concerto for Violin/Viola by Mr. Mozart K 364. I have many recorded versions of this piece including the RCA Heiftez but my favorite was a live performance by a husband and wife team locally performed. It is just an extraordinary piece of music where the violin and viola talk to each other with passion and beautiful lyricism.

Bluegrass I would recommend Byron Berline with the Flying Burrito Brother's live performance recorded in the early 70's. The group features Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman and gang performing "The Orange Blossom Special". I like it because it is bluegrass at its toe tapping, foot stomping best!

Ah Doug Kershaw, do I remember him from the early 70's! What a great stage performer.