A packed auditorium at Cornerstone turned out to experience Blazin' Fiddles storm through a set that showcased their eclectic, distinctive style.

The group originally formed to bring together the fiddle styles of the Highland regions some fifteen years ago and have gone from strength to strength. Tonight's set included more intimate moments as each band member gave a taste of their own musical style, preceded by a tale of why and where the tunes come from, interspersed with fast-paced exuberant reels and jigs flung around by the 4 fiddles, guitar and keyboard.

The last set before the interval perhaps expresses what Blazin' Fiddles do best.  Norwegian starts with a gently lilting waltz which gives way to skipping ragtime on guitar and keyboard, finishing with a blaze of fiddles.

The mix of traditional with very contemporary context captures the excitement of folk fiddle - it's not a relic to be brought out, po-faced and over disciplined, but an evolving, living art form.  With Blazin' Fiddles, it's executed with a balance of absolute precision and abandoned passion.

But perhaps, as my companion commented, the most amazing thing is that the musicians wear such overwhelming talent so very lightly.  Both on stage and in the bar afterwards, they are funny, personable and relaxed.

My only criticism is that there's not enough room to dance in the Cornerstone auditorium, but there was plenty clapping, seat jigging and stamping to go around in what was a pretty perfect evening.