Highland King - The Scottish Lute, Vol. II
With 44 items on a disc running just under an hour, you know not to expect much depth in these many miniatures. But the unpretentious charm and occasional sophistication of these Scottish songs and dances are winning, especially since they have been carefully selected from several manuscript sources. McFarlane obviously loves this material, and he plays it with a great deal of imagination and flair. His emphasis for this collection is on rhythmic dances, but he has made sure to include enough softer, gentler melodies for contrast. And while some of the tunes could come from anywhere, quite a few have distinctive Scottish qualities. For those interested in the lute, this beautifully recorded disc is a treat, enhanced by uncommonly helpful and informative program notes by Kevin Bazzana.--Leslie Gerber