Swingin' Fiddles

Tracks

Liner Notes

I started violin lessons at age four. At eight, I started playing drums and fiddle with my family's band the Merv Woods Orchestra. My late father, (Merv Woods) played the fiddle but also played saxophone and had a passion for Big Band music. As a result, the music I learned and played with the orchestra was a mixture of County and Fiddle blended with Big Band, Pop Standards and tunes that always had a Swing that was the flow that gave them that great danceable feel.

This collection, Swingin' Fiddles is a representative cross-section of that diverse music that all has a great Swing. At our live shows, the Scott Woods Band regularly features at least a couple numbers with 3 fiddles playing in harmony and it is always a crowd favourite. Every tune on this CD has 3-part fiddle harmony.

My sister, Kendra Norris has been inspirational over the years in writing the harmonies for our Shows and recordings. She has a natural gift which is evident throughout this album. She collaborated with me and our Mom, Carolyn on the musical arrangements. We used to play these tunes with saxophones and brass instruments, but Kendra's arrangements make the fiddles just sing with sweetness.

We are very lucky to have my Nephew Ben Norris (Kendra's son) join us on fiddle and guitar, as well as Emily Yarascavitch and Aynsley Porchak on fiddle and Wes Dymond on drums who are also part of the live stage version of Swingin' Fiddles.

Bill Beattie adds his iconic piano style to a couple tunes (Five Foot Two & Love Letters in the Sand). Bill has been a long-time family friend who has also had an Old Time Dance Band for many years and has been a major influence on my playing.

Steve Piticco's musical genius is evident throughout this recording with his tasteful guitar licks - truly the icing on the cake!

As I was mixing and adding the final touches to this CD, I couldn't help but picture a scene that was all too familiar from my past. When the Merv Woods Orchestra would rehearse, Dad would try to teach us how to achieve the perfect dance feel to the music. And so, it was not uncommon for him to get up during a particular tune and dance a few steps around the rec-room floor to make sure the tempo and feel were suitable for dancing. I have to admit that I caught myself doing a couple steps in the studio to the final mixes!

We invite you to sing along, tap you toes and yeah, it's okay if you get up and dance around to these old familiar favourites. Enjoy those Swingin' Fiddles!

Scott

Musicians

Scott Woods: Fiddle, Drums, Bass, Keyboards
Carolyn Woods: Piano, Keyboards
Kendra (Woods) Norris: Fiddle, Accordion
Ben Norris: Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar
Emily Yarascavitch: Fiddle
Aynsley Porchak: Fiddle
Wes Dymond: Drums, Percussion
Bill Beattie: Piano
Steve Piticco: Electric & Acoustic Guitars

Credits

Produced by: Scott Woods
Musical Arrangements by: Scott Woods, Carolyn Woods & Kendra (Woods) Norris SOCAN
Recorded & Mixed by: Scott Woods, McLeod Music Productions, Fergus, Ontario
Mastered by: Doug Stronach, Eclipse Music Productions, Toronto, Ontario
Photography & Graphic Design by: Janet McGlynn, Zero Gravity Design, London, Ontario