From Amazon.com
Just So-So!
Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I am a huge fan of Natalie MacMaster, but this is my least favorite of her CDs. The music is not bad--it's just sort of forgettable. There aren't any cuts that stand out such as some of the ones on Yours Truly or Blueprint. I would still recommend getting this CD if you are a fan, but I doubt that it will ever be your favorite.
Natalie's talent and roots indeed show in these 13 beautiful traditional tunes!
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: It's official. "My Roots are Showing" is my favorite Natalie Macmaster CD. EVERY single song on this CD is a gem--you'll never have to touch the skip button. Just put this CD in your player and be prepared to have your breath taken away! Don't forget to keep those tissues near by, because the quality of music on this CD may bring tears to your eyes. Her duo with her uncle, Buddy Macmaster, on the last track (13) is so powerful and well performed that I will now have to buy their duet CD (Natalie and Buddy Macmaster).
The CD includes notes and source information for each song and serves to make the listening experience even more enjoyable. My favorite song--all of them! If you buy no other CD but this one of Natalie's, you will have bought one of the best CDs of Cape Breton Island fiddling ever produced! I hope she can continue to present even more traditional tunes and make a part II to this wonderful collection.
The Art of Fiddling
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The world of the amateur violinists is populated with the aspiring fiddlers. They have lust for fiddling, but are lacking the je-ne-sais-quoi that makes the fiddling sound right. They over-fiddle, under-fiddle, they are too rhythmic, they are not rhythmic enough. They sound too folksy, or too artsy. They are plain boring.
Move over, the Salieris of the fiddling, here comes Natalie MacMaster, the Mozart of the fiddling!
She has produced a terrific record, "My Roots Are Showing", on the traditional fiddle music of Cape Breton Island. This record can be used as a teaching tool for the Salieris of the fiddling (this reviewer being one of them). Natalie MacMaster takes a steady tempo, not faster than what is suitable for dancing. She builds a momentum, and does not let you go. Her playing is energetic and spirited. She keeps the melody clear and simple, and uses her bow to accentuate, by throwing it on the string to produce the most attractive biting sound. She controls her emotions superbly, but will have you lose control over yours. You will find yourself clapping hands, tapping your feet, and dancing in your seat, all of this in your living room.
This record is an absolute must for your music library.
I dedicate this review to Dr. Andrew B. Dempster, who showed me his native Scotland, country of such beautiful music, and helped me bond with it.
Experience a most welcome departure from the ordinary.
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: A couple of years ago my wife and I had the great good fortune to travel to Cape Bretton Island at the eastern end of Nova Scotia. Often compared to the Scottish Highlands, Cape Bretton Island is a breathtakingly beautiful place. Part of what makes this place so unique is the traditional fiddle music of the island. You hear it just about everywhere you go. When we returned from our trip we discovered the music of Natalie MacMaster on our local public radio station. And while this is not the type of stuff I generally listen to "My Roots Are Showing" is a delightful CD.
It seems that Natalie MacMaster is on a mission. She is determined to attract more people to traditional Cape Breton music. And what's not to like? "My Roots Are Showing" features a wide variety of styles from jigs to reels and Strathspeys. Mind you I am just learning about this form of music so I cannot speak about it with any authority. What I do know however is that this disc is a joy to listen to. The musicianship is first rate all around. In addition, I found the eight page booklet very helpful as I attempt to educate myself about traditional Cape Bretton fiddle music. "My Roots Are Showing" is a nice addition to our music library. Highly recommended.
My Second Favorite Natalie cd
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I have all of Natalie's cd's, and can heartily recommend all of them. "My Roots Are Showing" is probably my second favorite of her CDs. The traditional side of Cape Breton and Scottish music is most appealing to me, and this CD (with "Fit As A Fiddle" -- my favorite) is a fantastic example of the genre and Natalie's virtuoso playing. If you are looking for experiments with country, jazz and pop, "Blueprint", "In My Hands" or "No Boundaries" are better bets. Although the "tunes" (if you have heard Natalie pronounce that word with her wonderful Cape Breton accent, you will understand why I put that in quotes) on My Roots are Showing are traditional through and through, the jigs and reels really rock! I can't help but try to sing along whenever I listen to this music, which is no mean feat as all of the tunes are instrumental.
Purchases
1 Hey Johnny Cope! /March: Johnny Cope/Reels: the Dowd's Favorite/Pares
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