Richard Wood - fiddler

"Picture it: A graceful tune to start off a set, with beautiful zippering lines, played while caressing the fiddle to his ear, eyes closed, off in a serene realm in a dance with time, as he lures us there with him. Then a cutting strathspey to kick it into a higher gear as he whoops out loud and smiles at the crowd — a total of six reels in a row, all executed with flawless precision, pounding in rhythm, intoxicating in a firing energy, which brings about numerous fits of spontaneous applause from the crowd who spring to their feet in ovation immediately at the set’s end. Wood simply dropped every single jaw in the house — certainly making us all proclaim he is back, and he is better than ever." - The Guardian - Charlottetown

When fiddler Richard Wood is on top of his game he makes the kind of music that lightens the heart and encourages even the most arhythmic among us want to engage in flights of tersichorean fancy, possibly even stepdance.
And he is very much on top of his game on "A Change of Reasons", a two CD set released earlier this summer.
This fine collection of fiddle tunes features mostly traditional pieces, but also offers up two of Wood's original compositions, "Cabbage Rolls Aplenty", utilized in a medley called "The Trumpet", and "Use Your Imagination", a light and spirited full-length piece composed in honour of the 100th anniversary fo the publication of "Anne of Green Gables".
Wood also chose pieces from several other East Coast fiddlers. Included in that list were Kinnon Beaton, Dan R. MacDonald, the late John Morris Rankin and the great Jerry Holland, who died earlier this summer.
"A Change of Reasons" features Wood in the fine company of another East Coast artist of some stature, multi-instrumentalist J.P. Cormier, who plays guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo and percussion on the record.
J.P.'s wife Hilda Chiasson-Cormier play some piano here as does Brad Fremlin. Long-time sideman Gordon Belsher once again plays guitar for him.
They make some wicked music together, the kind of music that keeps the kitchen party goin' all night.
The second disc included in this set is essentially a best of Richard Wood up to this point, featuring 15 tracks drawn from five previous albums released over the course of 10 years. It explores virtually every aspect of Wood's career, from his joyous celebration of all things traditional to his daring experimentation - daring for a boy with deep traditional roots - with rock and techno music.
Between these two discs fans of this richly talented Island fiddler will get their fill of jigs, reels, strathspeys, hornpipes, clogs, and slow airs.
If "A Change of Reasons" were the only disc in this case it would still be well worth taking home. I'd take it home if the only four pieces on it were "The Trumpet", which features a gorgeous slow air, a medley of "J.S. Skinner tunes", "Use Your Imagination" and "Live in Denmark". - The Guardian - Charlottetown Sept. 2009

“…the most entertaining fiddler
I have ever seen” - Shetland Times

“…the balls and fire of a rock god
and all the talent and skill
of a master musician” - Time Out, London

“…one of the top 100 Canadians to watch
in the 21st Century” - MacLeans Magazine

“…perfect precision,
playfulness and power” - The Guardian

Richard Wood's quick step-dancing and fiddling keep the crowds at their target heart level. - myliverpool