The Scotsman

Finger Food

Fiddler Douglas Lawrence, at 43 is finally having a taste of solo success, writes Jim Gilchrist

“It may have been a long time coming, but As You’d Expect..., a masterful celebration of the great Scot’s fiddle composers, from 18th-century Gow and Marshall to 20th-century Fitchett, should fully live up to the expectations of those who have long known Lawrence as a prime exponent of the aureate north-east fiddle style.

Quite apart from his eloquent playing, Lawrence’s fiddling pedigree is pretty well impeccable...

... when it comes to the rich-toned airs and strathspeys of his native north-east, there’s no doubt that Lawrence plays it his way - straight from the fiddle heartland, and straight from the heart.”

The Shetland Times

New CD would be an ideal gift for the budding young fiddler

“... Douglas is a performer of the highest quality. This CD recording is a must for all fans of Scottish violin/fiddle music... This would be an ideal gift for any budding young fiddle player in the quest for knowledge of the roots and style of Scottish music. You will not listen to tunes played at breakneck speed but an extremely accomplished musician displaying his artistry, technique and interpretation of some of the most famous tunes ever written in Scottish music history.”

The Banffshire Advertiser

Buckie maestro impresses at Methven Castle

“The afternoon of Sunday September 12, music lovers were treated to a masterly performance of Scots fiddle music by Buckie maestro Douglas Lawrence.

... through a wonderfully broad and interesting choice of tunes included in the programme and this, coupled with his classical experience of some 20 years in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, as well as his deep love of traditional Scots fiddle music, resulted in a magnificent display of talent.”

Box and Fiddle

News from the Clubs

“Fantastic - That’s the only word to describe the turn-out at Aberdeen Accordion and Fiddle Club's October meeting starring guest artist fiddler Douglas Lawrence.

... Guest artist Doug Lawrence and his accompanist, pianist Sandy Edmondston, earned a tremendous ovation for their two spots of 20 minutes and 30 minutes... his love for traditional Scottish fiddle music shone through in a brilliantly inspired performance...

He has great style, a strong satisfying tone and particularly adept gracing and bowing for the pipe marches. But perhaps the richest part of his repertoire came in his selection of Scott Skinner and William Marchall slow airs and strathspeys.

One gifted violinist in the audience was hear to remark, ‘He reminds me of Hector MacAndrew 20 years ago’. And that's high praise indeed! Truly a memorable performance from young Douglas.”

The Scottish Fiddlers Calendar

DOUGLAS LAWRENCE as you’d expect...

“They say that the late Hector MacAndrew was a fiddler in direct line from Niel Gow. How do they know? If it’s true, there’s another link in the chain in the playing of MacAndrew’s pupil, Douglas Lawrence...

Dougie is, as everyone knows, just one of the finest players in the North East style, and it’s all here - Gow, Marshall, Skinner and all...

This is an outstanding album, which will be seen as the yardstick for the playing of the classic fiddle repertoire.”

Inverness Courier

Review of 'As You'd Expect...'

“The powerfully rhythmic Cape Breton style has pervaded so much Scots fiddle music of late that the lighter, more lyrical playing which survived or evolved in Scotland after the transatlantic migration is now almost an endangered species.

One of its greatest contemporary exponents is Douglas Lawrence whose grandparents come from the Black Isle and who lived for a time in Inverness. Much admired and highly respected by purists, he’s a pupil of the late great Hector MacAndrew who’s spirit informs the music on this well-filled CD.

Accompanied only by a pianist, Lawrence plays traditional and original tunes with enormous warmth, vitality and finesse - and it’s comforting to know that the torch kindled by Scott Skinner and carried by Hector MacAndrew has been passed on to such a worthy champion.”

Aberdeen Evening Express

DOUGLAS IS HIGH SPOT OF THE SHOW

“... The Summer Show at Inverness this year, as last year is Songs for Scotland, and I would imagine that by comparison with its majority of counterparts around the country it would come pretty high up the league.

.... High spot for me in the first half was the music of Douglas Lawrence, Scottish fiddle champion in 1977 and winner of the ‘Daily Record’ Golden Fiddle Award this year.”

Glasgow Herald

The North-East Tradition, Greyfriars Kirk

“... Despite the attentions of a determined moth and a volley of strife from the Tattoo, which he managed to accommodate within the rhythm of his opening set, Douglas Lawrence played with a lovely sweet tone and a keen sense of dynamics, including some particularly effective whispered phrasing. Among a plethora of tunes by Skinner and his teacher Peter Milne, it was, ironically, Lawrence’s extravagantly dolorous reading of Hector MacAndrew’s Gicht Castle that stood out.”