The Heart of Cape Breton
In the 19th century, immigrants from Scotland settled on Cape Breton  Island in Nova Scotia, which, because of its geographical isolation, allowed the  musical traditions of those first settlers to pass to future generations  essentially free of outside influences. In the 1970s, people began to realize  that many tunes, instrumental techniques, and dance steps that are extinct in  Scotland were alive and thriving in Cape Breton. TheHeart of Cape  Breton, recorded in 2000, gathers some of the finest traditional fiddlers on  Cape Breton, including Jerry Holland, Brenda Stubbert, Jackie Dunn MacIsaac,  Buddy MacMaster, Wendy MacIsaac, and Kinnon Beaton. All of the tracks were  recorded live at dances and concerts, and although you can occasionally hear the  shuffle of dancing feet in the background, the sound only acts as a reminder  that the masterful fiddling on the jigs, reels, strathspeys, and flings is  designed to get you out of your chair and onto the dance floor.--Michael  Simmons