Rodney Miller
Photo by Ted Crane
Rodney Miller is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England style fiddling, a uniquely American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. He has earned a reputation as one of the Nation's finest dance fiddlers, aiming his virtuosity at the feet of the dancers without restricting his own musical inventiveness. His recordings, "Airplang" (Rounder Records) and "New England Chestnuts" (Vol. 1 and 2) have become classics for fiddlers worldwide, and many of his original compositions have gone on to become fiddle tune standards. In 1983 he was designated a "Master Fiddler" by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Reviews
"Rodney Miller's All-round Collection of Jigs, Reels, and Country Airs"
"Rodney Miller is, as the title of his recording would suggest, an all-around fiddler and a fiddler to whom it is a joy to listen."
- Dirty Linen
"The rave reviews for Rodney Miller's fiddling are well deserved. His light touch and outstanding tone produce many memorable moments on this set of tunes."
- The Devil's Box
"Miller has such a terrific feeing for the music that it really comes alive. With each song we are taken to a different place and experience a new emotion. This collection is joyful, reminiscent, sentimental, mystical, and sad."
- The National Old Time Fiddler
"This gem of a recording from Rodney Miller and friends caries you from Ireland to Canada to Australia, introducing you all the while to the marvels of Rodney's fiddling style."
- Country Dance and Song Society
Airplang
"Rodney Miller's fiddle is like a seasoned storyteller, describing in lyrical detail a different episode of life with each swing of the bow. The common thread is the sheer joy and excitement played into each piece."
- Boston Globe
"Rodney Miller has managed to subtly integrate a multitude of other influences, adding a spark of originality to what could so easily have been just another fiddle album. He deserves our congratulations and he also deserves to be heard."
- Folk Roots
Greasy Coat
"Strong catchy fiddle tunes that make you want to leap up and dance."
- Folk Roots
"You can't beat this album for diversity of styles and origins."
- Dirty Linen
Recordings
"I Remember Those Days" Union Grove, 1971
"Songs and Sounds of the Sea" National Geographic Society, 1973
"Castles in the Air" Fretless, 1976
"Come and Trip It" New World Records, 1978
"New England Chestnuts" Alcazar, 1980
"New England Chestnuts Vol 2" Alcazar, 1981
"Airplang" Rounder Records, 1985 (re-released on CD, 1997)
"Airplang II" Miller, Barnes and McGann, 1987
"Greasy Coat" Sage Arts, 1991
"Rodney Miller's All-Round Collection of Jigs, Reels and Country Airs" Voyager Records, 1997
Special Appearances
A Prairie Home Companion (NPR program), March 4, 1995
The Ceilidh Circus, Great Britain, 1994
26th National Folk Festival, Canberra, Australia, 1992
Festival of American Fiddletunes, Port Townsend, WA, 1980-89, 1996
Masters of New England Folk Violin, Lowell, MA, 1990
Shetland Island Folk Festival, 1985-90
Tonder Folk Festival, Denmark, 1986
Faerose Island Folk Festival, 1984
Augusta Folk Heritage Workshop, Elkins, WV, 1981-83, 1989
Pinewoods Music Camp, Plymouth, MA, 1972-91, 1997
Black Mountain Festival, NC 1988-90
Last modified: August 05, 2008
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