Greentrax's Celtic Collections, Vol. 1, focuses on folk songs of Scotland. These contemporary interpretations are steeped in the stripped-down simplicity of their '60s and '70s forefathers, making this a lovely collection that doesn't fool the listener into buying generic new age versions of folk classics. With solid acts like the McCalmans, Janet Russell, and the Sangsters -- the latter do a wonderfully rich version of the tragic love song "Helen of Kirkonnel" -- Songs of Scotland delivers a healthy pint of culture, melody, and windswept heather. ~ James Christopher Monger