Album Notes

"This spring, Sam released 'Solo Fiddle,' which will do much to establish him in people's minds as a musician of high caliber. Without a doubt, there will be a lot of good music to come from the hands of Sam Amidon. Get on board now."

-Fiddler Magazine

"Sam has pitted his abilities against a host of solo players and he fares quite well. The showpiece of "Solo Fiddle" is 'The Humors of Ballylaughlin' with its sustained intensity and supremely danceable rhythm."

-SingOut! Magazine

"Amidon is a talented young fiddler...the simple, clean arrangements on this disc bring out [the tunes'] inherent emotions."

-Dirty Linnen Magazine

"Man, I got the goosebumps listening to your CD. It held me spellbound, from the beginning. I put it on thinking I would be able to go off to the bathroom and piss and, you know, listen from the bathroom. I had to piss really badly. Then I put it on and I couldn't move. The first thing that really came consciously was this thought: this is really daring. I mean DARING. I listened to one half the album before I left the room."

-Sam Bartlett, musician

"WOW ! ! Opening the promotional package and reading Sam Bartlett's comments I thought 'how tasteless,' but here I'm in the same situation. I think you've got a great album."

-Jerry Tiemann, Music Director KAFM

In the spring of 2001, at the tender age of 19, Sam Amidon released his first solo album, "Solo Fiddle." It is a collection of 12 traditional Irish fiddle pieces, performed unadorned and without a backing instrument. It is at once traditional and personal, classic and experimental. In this time of highly produced and arranged albums, "Solo Fiddle" comes as a refreshing tonic.

Sam Amidon has performed with The Amidons since a young age, and he's been a member of the Amidon family for even longer. He also plays fiddle in the avant-folk group Assembly (www.assemblymusic.com), who's recent album January EP is also available from CDBaby, and he plays banjo in the indie rock band Doveman (www.dovemanmusic.com). He is starring in the upcoming film "American Wake," for which Assembly and Seamus Egan provided music. Sam is currently completing his senior year at Sarah Lawrence College, where he has studied philosophy and music.