New England Fiddles presents seven of the finest traditional musicians as they play in their homes and at dances and contests, passing their styles to younger fiddlers, and commenting on their music. Featured are Ron West (Yankee), Paddy Cronin (Irish), Ben Guillemette (Quebecois), Wilfred Guillette (Quebecois), Harold Luce (Yankee), Gerry Robichaud (Maritime), and the Cape Breton style of Joe Cormier. The film was made in 1983 by John Bishop and folklorist Nicholas Hawes.

New England Fiddles and its companion film New England Dances are part of a dvd release that includes an eight minute section of fiddle tunes by National Heritage Award winner Simon St. Pierre, eleven additional tunes from the out takes of New England Fiddles, and an interview with filmmaker John Bishop.

John Bishop and Nick Hawes take us past the solemn facade of clambakes and town meetings into a lively world of all night dances, kitchen suppers, and local musicians who could have helped Daniel Webster play down the Devil.
--- Alan Lomax