The cello was a folk instrument in Scotland - often played in combination with a fiddler. That tradition is being revived today with the likes Natalie Haas (who performs with fiddler Alasdair Fraser) and Abby Newton. Check www.culburnie.com (Alasdair Fraser's label) for their CDs of Scottish music. (sorry -don't yet know how to do a blue clicky).

There is a brilliant non-classical cellist in Boston, Rushad Eggleston, who is taking folk and improvisational cello playing in new directions.

This revival and expansion of folk cello playing is young, and so is this new crop of performers. It's an exciting time for this kind of music. We're seeing this development right before our eyes.

Chanteyranger