Fiona Cuthill

Bio:

Current Bands; Rallion
Fiona Cuthill & Stevie Lawrence
Wendy Weatherby Band
Brendan McCreanor Trio
The Weaver Finches

Fiona is a fiddler from Glasgow who was classically trained by Bill Baxter (who played with the famous Halley Orchestra) and then discovered the world of folk music after leaving school. Since then, she has been involved primarily in the ceilidh scene, playing all over the country with a variety of ceilidh bands. She also teaches fiddle at Glasgow Fiddle Workshop. "Fiona Cuthill's fiddle playing is superb" fRoots, November 2008.

She is now a member of Rallion, a four-piece folk band from various parts of Scotland, who play a mixture of traditional and more modern songs and tunes with a contemporary twist. Their trademark is their double fiddle sound. (www.rallion.co.uk/www.myspace.com/rallionband). Rallion have played at many festivals and venues all over the country and also in Europe and Canada, leaving many happy audiences in their wake...

"Any head banging, heavy metal musician would envy the driving, chest thumping beat this group can pound out of their traditional instruments. Clapping and foot stomping was irresistible every time they played. They rock! " Jay Moore, Cambridge Now, Ontario, Canada.

"Rallion demonstrated why they are acclaimed as one of Scotland's most exciting traditional folk bands.Driven by double fiddles, guitar/cittern and bodhran, the foursome enjoyed their first visit to Canada by making an auspicious festival debut." Robert Reid, The Record, Ontario, Canada.

Fiona has also played with six-piece band Canterach, whose line up includes the Great Highland Bagpipe of Lorne MacDougall, and the vocal talents of Ross Kennedy. Here they are playing live in Germany in March 2007.

Canterach Live in Germany

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And at the Lorient Festival in 2006.





Fiona has also played for several years with Borders based band, Real Time and has appeared on two of their albums - Border Skies and Another Place, Another Time.

In addition to this, she was a member of Early Music group, Whirligig, in the 1990's, with Steve Lawrence (ex-Iron Horse) and her twin sister, Jenny. This project evolved out of her love of the recorder and this instrument features prominently in the band's CDs. Whirligig have relaeased 2 CD's with this lineup on the KRL label.

Her musical relationship with Steve Lawrence has resulted in several appearances on CDs as a session musician, and now in Rallion... Steve and Fiona also appear as a duo, describing their music as contemporary, self-penned tunes on fiddle and guitar, with a touch of rock attitude thrown in for good measure! This rock attitude has resulted in Steve and Fiona supporting and playing with Prog Rock legends, Abel Ganz, and appearing on a wide range of CDs as guest musicians.

Fiona also plays currently with the Wendy Weatherby Band and has a new project in development with Mick MacFarlane, a great singer songwriter from Glasgow. In addition, she also plays with the Brendan McCreanor Trio, which is a fusion of Scottish fiddle with Irish Uillean pipes! Rallion released their second album, One for Sorrow, in 2009 on the Big Sky label.

Rallion - "One for Sorrow" reviews;

Bluesbunny Independent Music Reviews - October 2009

Having quietly begun to make a name for themselves, "One For Sorrow" sees Scottish folk quartet Rallion follow up their 2006 debut "For No-One and Everyone" in fine musical fettle. This latest release perfectly exhibits the multi-instrumental talents of the band, with Dutch-born singer Marieke McBean proving quite splendid at sounding genuinely local.

There is a shade of irony in the opening track ("Nae Luck") being decidedly upbeat, but that fact soon becomes redundant by the time the delightful fiddles on "Askival" flow from your speakers. If you're not sold on that, "Waiting For Dawn", a beautiful composition by fiddle player Fiona Cuthill, will break your indifference.

Further instrumental joy is to be encountered on "Jigs - 3 Different Ones". Don't judge it by its title. Likewise, "Norwegian Tunes" consists of three songs - one Swedish, one a pleasant nod to a Canadian band, and the last, amazingly, is a traditional Norwegian polka. The continental flavour is most welcome and hints positively at the inquisitive nature of the band in their musical outlook.

Marieke's voice paints a torrent of vivid imagery in the head of the listener as she sings the words of Robert Burns on "Lassie Lie Near Me", without as much as a gust of wind for accompaniment. Fine words complemented by a fine voice.

Perhaps fittingly, the album ends on "Wat Zullen We Drinken", which is a renowned Dutch drinking song. Raise your glass and bother to learn an appropriate Dutch drinking toast.

On top of the redoubtable individual musical ability to be heard on this release, Rallion appear to have birthed a rare chemistry that would appear to stem from a collective passion for Celtic music. "One For Sorrow" should go some distance to establish Rallion as one of Scotland's leading traditional music acts.

- Peter McGee

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Mike Wilson's Music Blog - 22 August 2009

Scotland-based Rallion, follow up their début album of 2006, For No One And Everyone, with this bold and vibrant collection, that leaves a truly indelible impression from the very first listen. Rallion are a four-piece band with a sound that carries the force of a much larger ensemble. At the heart of this intensity lies the rock inclinations of Stevie Lawrence, a formidable presence on guitar and bouzouki, who brings immeasurable drive to the band's traditional sounds. The twin fiddles of Fiona Cuthill and Andrew Lyons combine to provide some of the album's most fluid and exhilarating moments, whilst Marieke McBean sings with the fervour and abandon of a wild banshee. The strength of One For Sorrow is undoubtedly its raw, live qualities; the authentic, unadulterated sound of music being played with a wholehearted passion and enjoyment.

One For Sorrow offers a veritable feast of traditional and self-penned material, and their own compositions reveal an impressive talent for writing alongside their formidable playing skills. Fiona Cuthill's "Waiting For Dawn" is a most beautiful, mournful piece of music, that perfectly captures the solitude and insecurities of the early morning hours, during which it was written, to yield a piece of music that is extraordinarily moving. Andrew Lyon's "Askival" was written after the band's performance at the Rum Festival, and the closing tune of the set captures well the chaotic, carefree zest of a festival atmosphere.

The exotic rhythms of Egypt are conjured up on Stevie Lawrence's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Fez," a tune whose droll title belies its intricate and perceptive demeanour. Marieke McBean sings with unerring commitment throughout, be it on the rowdy Dutch drinking song, "Wat Zullen We Drinken," or on the stirring a cappella interpretation of Robbie Burns' "Lassie Lie Near Me." In fact, it is Marieke's rumbustious insouciance on the traditional opening song, "There's Nae Luck Aboot The Hoose," that really sets the tone and pace of One For Sorrow from the outset.

Venturing beyond their Scottish territory, on the somewhat misleading "Norwegian Tunes," Rallion explore the sounds of Sweden and Norway, whilst Fiona Cuthill pays tribute to the men of Canada! It's intriguing to hear how the band take these alien rhythms and melodies and blend it with their own dynamic musical sensibilities to present a wonderful synthesis of traditions. I'm well aware that Rallion are travelling to other corners of the world this year, and I wait with eager anticipation to hear how they integrate their musical souvenirs on their next recording. In the meantime, One For Sorrow will certainly provide ample enjoyment!

- Mike Wilson

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Lori Gordon - Bletherings from a music obsessed mind - 16 August 2009

Rallion’s sophomore release, One For Sorrow, is a dazzling display of musicality by the Scotland-based traditional folk quartet. The members of Rallion are prolific performers and the skills honed on stages around the world shine on this recording. Featuring a mix of traditional songs and mostly original tunes, One For Sorrow has a deliciously exciting feel.

Marieke McBean’s rich alto marries perfectly with the material, whether conveying the dark humor of “The Astrologer,” the poignancy of “Lassie Lie Near Me,” or the good cheer of the Dutch drinking song “Wat Zullen We Drinken” (What Will We Drink). The instrumentation accompanying each song is truly splendid, creating an aural luxuriance that reaches the listener on all levels.

The crème de la crème of One For Sorrow, however, are the tunes, the majority composed by the group’s tunesmiths: Stevie Lawrence, Fiona Cuthill and Andrew Lyons. Not only are the compositions exquisite, their execution is phenomenal. All of the members of Rallion are multi-instrumentalists, lending an incredible depth and texture to each piece. The highlights are “Askival,” an energetic set of tunes by Andrew, “Fez,” an exotically flavored set by Fiona and Stevie, and, my personal favorite, “Waiting For Dawn,” a gorgeous slow tune by Fiona.

One For Sorrow is a brilliant album that will leave you hungering for more

- Lori Gordon

Rallion "For No-One and Everyone" reviews;

The Living Tradition - Issue 72
Good stuff this! Marieke's voice is delightful, which is hardly surprising as she was classically trained from the age of eleven. So is Fiona's fiddle (and occasional viola) playing. Outstanding guitar from Stevie thoughout, driving or sensitive at need and technically really sound.

Festival bookers should check out their very good website at www.rallion.co.uk and bring them to a wider audience as quick as you like. I reckon they'll go down well.

Phil Thomas

fRoots - April 2007
Promising debut of 4-piece group (fiddles, bouzouki, vocals, guitar, recorder/whistle) performing mainly Scottish traditional material. The two fiddles of Andrew Lyons and Fiona Cuthill are the pulsing heart of the band: their atmospheric playing has colour, texture and panache.

The Folk Mag - March 2007
A very impressive first album from this young semi-pro Scottish band based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are some excellent tunes written by band members - a slow air by Andrew and a set of four tunes by Fiona Cuthill. I look forward to seeing them at a festival this summer.

Tradmusic.com
"An album of great strength and persuasion, with powerful folksong in meaningful mode. Jazz intonations, vocals free from any twee folkritude, instruments played with flair, dash and precision, plus some excellent compositions alongside the traditional pieces."

Rock n' Reel - Mar/April 2007.
Rallion are a four-piece Scottish outfit specialising in folk and traditional material. For No-One and Everyone, their debut album certainly has a memorable title and you get the feeling the attitude crosses over to the material they perform. Whether it's something like the more recognisable opener "The Blacksmith", their epic and brash reading of ballad "Susanna Martin", their distinctive jazz flavoured reading of "P Stands for Paddy", or their sensitive and often scintillating tune sets, most notably "Back on Track" (all tunes composed by fiddle player Fiona Cuthill), they demonstrate a writing and performing versatility that's addictive.

A Leap In The Dark Review - Rambles.net

Also worthy of mention is Fiona Cuthill, whose fiddle playing is quite superb. Her original composition "Waiting for the Dawn" is a mournful Celtic tune. Fiona's fiddle leads on additional pieces such as the traditional "Lindisfarne" and "Burnbrae." Now that I've heard A Leap in the Dark, my money would be looking for more by Maggie Harrison and Fiona Cuthill.

Discography;

Whirligig - Celtic Dawn (Lochshore)
Whirligig - What If A Day (Lochshore)
Steve Lawrence and Hudson Swan - Amalgamation (Lochshore)
2001 - A Musical Celebration of 550 Years of the University of Glasgow (Lochshore)
The Waverley Collection - The Clydesiders and Special Guests (Downtown Records)
Arise and Shine - A Christmas Cantata by David Mitchell (Kirkton Records)
A Taste of the Church Hymnary - (Hymn Book Revision Committee)
Stevie Lawrence - The Hidden Gem (Big Sky)
Here's Tae Lochaber, A Celebration of Scotland in Film and Music (SFF Records)
A Leap In The Dark, Acoustic and Celtic Music for Inspiration and Reflection (Zebo Productions)
Glasgow Fiddle Workshop - Pub Session Tunes (GFW)
Glasgow Fiddle Workshop - Slow Airs (GFW)
Glasgow Fiddle Workshop - Pipe Tunes (GFW)
Rallion - For No-one and Everyone (2006 - Big Sky)
Abel Ganz - Shooting Albatross (2008)
Real Time - Border Skies (2008 - Big Sky)
Judy Barker - Chanter's Weave (2008)
Glasgow Fiddle Workshop - "Best of" CD (2008)
Donald Campbell - A Piper's Tapestry (Principal of Glasgow University's personal piper, 2008)
Jayne Sarah - "Perfectly Impossible" (2008, Big Sky)
Craig Jeffrey - Don't Blow Away (2008, Big Sky)
Melrose's Very Own Drew Scott (Big Sky, 2008)
Billy McIssac - Songs for Lochaber (2009)
Rallion - One for Sorrow (2009, Big Sky)
Windnight - Windnight (2010)
Mary Kathleen Burke - Ireland I Miss You (single) 2010
Real Time - Another Place, Another Time (Big Sky 2010)
Stuart MacFarlane - Imminent Arrival (2010)
Raintown (2010) Frielance Records

One of Fiona's compositions also appears on Dans les Airs, from Quebecois band, Le Vent du Nord. The tune is featured in their song, Les Larmes aux Yeux, and is named after the band themselves.



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I got my Myspace layout from pYzam.

Members:

Rallion are; Fiona Cuthill (fiddle, whistles, recorder), Marieke McBean (vocals, guitar, bodhran), Steve Lawrence (guitar, bouzouki, percussion), Andrew Lyons (fiddle, cittern)

Fiona also plays in a duo with Stevie Lawrence on guitar and bouzouki.

Wendy Weatherby Band are; Wendy Weatherby (cello, vocals), Stevie Lawrence (guitar, bouzouki), Fiona Cuthill (fiddle), Sandy Brechin (accordion/piano).

Brendan McCreanor Trio are; Brendan McCreanor (uillean pipes, whistle vocals), Fiona Cuthill (fiddle), Stevie Lawrence (guitar, bouzouki).

The Weaver Finches are; Stuart "Mick" MacFarlane (guitar, vocals), David Lennon (bass), Fiona Cuthill (fiddle), Gordon Roberts (drums)

Sounds Like:

Fiona Cuthill and Stevie Lawrence playing at A Boxful of Treasures Folk Festival in Forli, Italy in 2010.



This is Rallion playing at the Millrace Folk Festival in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. August 2008. Video by Colleen Ford.