Reviews

Songlines Magazine-June 2008 Laughing Girl

****
“Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid is carving out a successful solo career for herself whilst at the same time enjoying continued success with bands such as Dochas.  On this, her second recording, she emerges with increasing confidence and stature.  It is more strikingly authoritative and polished then her debut solo CD ‘With Silver & All”.  Anyone who has seen Reid play live will know what a consummate performer she is- intense, passionate, completely absorbed in her tunes.  There’s fire a plenty in these jigs and reels.  But it’s the slow airs that are Reid’s true strength – her fiddle playing is exquisite on these tunes.  Reid sings on a couple of tracks too, including ‘The Hams o Muckle Roe’, a song her Mother wrote and, whilst the inclusion of these vocal numbers brings a pleasing additional dimension to the recording, it’s on the instrumental sets that she excels.  She is accompanied by a cohort of Scotland’s best upcoming traditional musicians, including Reid’s sister Bethany Reid, Kevin Mackenzie, Duncan Lyall and James Thomson.  Jenna Reid is a fine musician who is carrying on the Shetland fiddle tradition with passion and grace.”

Jenna Reid: Celtic Connections 2008, Strathclyde Suite

*****
 By Barry Gordon

‘One of the few support acts to earn an encore at this years Celtic Connections, Jenna Reid might have given the headline act cause for concern had she not been backing up one for the worlds top folk acts, Swedish Trio, Vasen.
The Shetland Fiddler bestows an almost classical style for a supposed young folky; her clean slinky technique both aurally gripping and asthetic.
When she wasnt sprinting down the single track roads of 'The Laughing Girl', She was holding back the tears of the audience with a slow air about her late grandparents, Willie and Eileen.
Make no mistake; Jenna Reid is a talented fiddler with the world at her feet.’

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