The Ultimate Guide to Scottish Folk

This two-disc collection from renowned world music label ARC Music covers a widespread swath of Scottish folk music that spans from traditional to Celtic fusion to more contemporary folk. Dipping as far back as Jimmy Shand's signature piece "The Bluebell Polka," The Ultimate Guide largely features more contemporary trad acts like Lau and Skipinnish, while tossing in a handful of artists to represent each decade back to the 1950s. Singer/songwriter greats like Archie Fisher and Dick Gaughan are here, as are folk-inspired hybrids like Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac and electronic-leaning multi-instrumentalist Martyn Bennett. As with any collection of this type, there are some noticeable gaps and questionable selections, but overall it's an enjoyable set that showcases legends and newcomers alike.