The Red River Ramblers
Métis Fiddle Music, Independent, theredriverramblers.bandcamp.com
Only one of these tunes has “jig” in the title (the traditional “Red River Jig”), but it’s an apt descriptor for a number of them. When the forefront fiddle occasionally pauses its dance, it turns to weep- ing, its timbre alternating between jovial and mournful with ease — like moving from Fezziwig’s Christmas party to a wake. This is Métis fiddle music: “the rhythmic spirit of the First Nations peoples blended with Scottish and French fiddle,” in the band’s words. It does yearn for the addition of a bagpipe, at times. This is a lively debut — fit for admirers of folk and bluegrass ensembles.
