CHRIS STOUT is lead fiddler in the crack Shetland band Fiddlers’ Bid (CDTRAX 167 and 218) and a product of the rich Shetland Isles fiddle tradition. More recently Chris has also been touring with the internationally renowned Salsa Celtica (G2CD 7005 and 7010). He has sessioned on several albums and been invited to join ad hoc lineups at Celtic Connections and elsewhere, including Brazil when Scottish and Brazilian musicians collaborated to fuse the music of their two nations and subsequently toured as a group - first in Brazil and later in Scotland. Chris is clearly a musician of considerable talent and stature so it was a logical next step to record a solo album. In recording First O’ The Darkenin Chris was given the freedom by Greentrax to develop contemporary ideas and experiment with both traditional and new compositions. Chris invited some seriously talented friends.. ..Fraser Fifield (soprano sax); Malcolm Stitt (guitar); Euan Vernal (double bass); and Catriona McKay (piano and harp) - to session on the album and the experience for all was such that an occasional group - The Chris Stout Band - has been born. The Band performed for BBC 4 TV Live at Celtic Connections and a Glasgow Herald reviewer wrote "his work with Fiddlers’ Bid confirms, embodies technical expertise, enthusiasm, adventure and a notably physical commitment and this quintet proved just the vehicle for these qualities" and "This wasn’t so much live music as music alive". The album, which was recorded at Castle Studios, Pencaitland, by Stuart Hamilton, will be launched at a concert in The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, on 23rd April, 2004. Sleeve design is by Druid Design. The group intend to tour when other band commitments permit.