Album Notes

Both Mara Shea and Dave Wiesler are first-class dance musicians. Mara plays fiddle for contra dance, English country dance, Scottish country dance, and even some Irish set dancing when she has time. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, she teaches Celtic fiddle, and plays with several bands, including The Elftones and The MacRowdies. She can be found occasionally on staff at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, and playing for classes and dances at the TAC Summer School in Waterloo, Ontario.

Dave Wiesler's rhythmic and innovative piano playing has earned him a national reputation. He plays for events from studio work, to concerts, to dances of all flavors...contra, swing, vintage, English and Scottish country dance. He has given concerts at venues including the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the Washington Folk-Life Festival, and for two years he led popular performance tours on antique pianos for the Smithsonian Museum's Piano 300 Exhibit. Dave has played at festivals and camps across the U.S. as well as in Canada, Scotland, and England. He lives in Newark, Delaware, with his wife, two young sons, and two cats.

This recording was in the works for two years, as Dave and Mara put together sets for some Scottish country dances not often recorded. The tunes they included in the sets span several centuries, with tunes from the 18th and 19th century sharing the dance floor with a number of Dave's compositions. But all share emotional energy, lightness, momentum, and play. As one listener emailed Mara, "I"m listening to this in my office at work, and it makes me want to dance around the room!"

It's Scottish country dance music, but it's not just for dancing. It's for fun, and good listening. Enjoy!