Natalie MacMaster

Subject: Natalie MacMaster
From: Kiwi
Date: 19 Jul 97 - 08:24 PM

Tim, you mentioned Natalie MacMaster in another thread. Can you please recommend some of her music to me? I only have one song that she's done, "If Ever You Were Mine" from _Celtic Legacy_. I heard this delightful tune and fell instantly in love with it - it's a frequent addition to Celtic mix tapes that I make for friends, usually described in the liner notes to them as "One of those beautifully wistful fiddle tunes taht gently, sweetly, delicately rips your heart out."

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: Dale Rose
Date: 20 Jul 97 - 12:25 AM

Natalie has only three CDs, two of which were released in the US by Rounder this Spring, Fit As A Fiddle~~Rounder 7022, recorded in 1993, and No Boundaries~~Rounder 7023, recorded in 1996. Her first two albums have recently been released on a single CD, A Compilation. These two albums were originally released in 1989, when she was 16, and in 1991. This CD, however, is available in the US only as an import from Canada, distributed by Warner Music Canada Ltd.

I cannot honestly recommend any of them above the others. They are all of outstanding quality, though as the title suggests, No Boundaries is perhaps a bit more adventuresome in the choice of material. And if you are looking for sweet and wistful, they don't come any better than Rev. Archie Beaton, a slow Scottish Air on this album.

Visit the Rounder Site for complete liner notes on their two releases.

http://harp.rounder.com/cgi_bin/findart?macmaster

Go to these two sites for more info, including sound clips, and even whole cuts. This might help you make up your mind.

http://www.warnermusic.ca/macmaster/index.html

http://www.morandan.com/morandan/Music/MacMaster/Natalie.html

Finally, before I start to sound like Natalie's press agent, do not miss the opportunity to see her perform live! This is an experience not to be missed. She dances from the beginning to the end of her shows, and puts on a truly unforgettable performance, backed up by the equally talented Tracey Dares on piano, and Dave MacIsaac on guitar. I had the good fortune to see her in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, last month. She got a standing ovation after her set, and Beausoleil, who took the stage directly after her did not. Does that say anything about her talent AND ability as a crowd pleaser?

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From:
Date: 20 Jul 97 - 11:48 AM

A recent article in the Toronto Star mentioned that she doesn't step-dance as much as she used to, because (according to the article) she doesn't have to. I am not certain what that is supposed to mean.

Speaking of Cape Breton music, you might want to listen to Puirt a Baroque which plays Cape Breton music on baroque instruments. I prefer the traditional Cape Breton stuff myself but they aren't too bad. Their CD is entitled Bach Meets Cape Breton, although that is not quite what it sounds like.

Cape Breton piping is rarely mentioned, although it is somewhat different from the Scottish style in that it is more used for dancing than marching. Try Hamish Moore "Dannsa' Air an Drochaid", Greentrax 073. Moore is a Scottish piper who went to Cape Breton to learn the style. The liner notes will give you all necessary explanations of the history and the differences.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: Cliff McGann
Date: 20 Jul 97 - 09:09 PM

Just adding a couple of comments to Tim's thoughts. The tune If ever you Were Mine was composed by Irish musician Maurice Lennon who is a member of the group Stockton's Wing. Irish piper Jerry O'Sullivan does a beautiful version of it on his Green Linnet CD. Both tracey Dares and Dave MacIssac have solo albums available. I will never say anything bad regarding Hamish Moore (he is a genius) but if you wan't a abetter album of Cape Breton piping do yourself a favour and get Jamie MacInnis and Paul MacNeil's Fosgail An Dorus (Open the Door). Amazing piping and some nice Gaelic songs. It is available from Gigs&Reels Prod. Inc. 6159 Leeds St. Halifax, NS B3K 2T9. really good stuff.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: Kiwi
Date: 21 Jul 97 - 11:53 AM

Dale, Tim, Cliff, thanks for your help - I see that I have a lot to do now, looking things up and buying music. :) Fun labor.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: vkidrick
Date: 26 Jul 97 - 09:49 PM

If you are interested in Fiddle music, you might try the CD "Altantic Fiddles." (Out by EMI Canada/ Atlantic Music) It is exclusively fiddlers from the Atalantic provinces in Canada: has a long track by Natalie McMaster, one of Dave MacIsaac and other Atlantic artists. Quite nice too--I don't know if it's avaiable in US (or if you are even in the US ;>)--I bought it in Banff.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 May 04 - 04:21 PM

Strange but true. I came out of the anaesthesia and was in the recovery room when I heard wonderful fiddle music. Natalie MacMaster was doing a concert in Portland and made an impromptu appearance at the hospital. She danced to her own music and got a rousing cheer from those of us capable of making noise. A bright moment in an otherwise dreary day.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: GUEST,andi
Date: 01 May 04 - 04:38 PM

Natalie as has a cd called "My Roots are Showing", A Live cd , simply called "Live" along with "In My Hands" and her newest is "Blueprint".
All of her cds are available off her site
and they will ship anywhere for you.

Other cds you might like are "Cape Breton Bridges", The Celtic Colours compliations ( any volumes but my favourite is 1999) and Beolach's Cd.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 01 May 04 - 05:49 PM

Natalie MacMaster is a truley wonderfull fiddle player BUT her choice of bands can be wearing. She was at her best with piano player Tracy Dares. The Natalie/Tracy combination was pure rythmic dinamite, two lassies that could wipe the floor with any "amplified, multi-instrumented super group". Her CDs are vairable, the early ones are the best. Also check out her uncle, Buddy MacMaster's recordings.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From:
Date: 02 May 04 - 12:29 PM

Auldtimer,

I agree that Tracey is a great player. With her and Dave MacIsaac playing with Natalie, it made for some exceptional music. I think that it was a shame that both of them quit the road to concentrate on their home lives. Dave and his wife Nancy had just had their second baby. Tracey wanted to concentrate on her studies and her husband, and now they have two babies. Please don't begrudge them their time with the families.

On the other hand, it kind of forced Natalie to check out some of the other musicians besides the players who know her background best. She still has players around who know and were brought up with the same music, but having other musicians who were into other types of music has certainly added to the capabilities of the music Natalie plays. She now is TRULY a musician with NO BOUNDARIES.

The traditional music of Scotland and Cape Breton are always at the core of Natalie's music, but she's young and wants to try other influences. She's making LESS negative commentary about the experimentation than others who have tried breaking out of the "Trad" music. She is quite an ambassador for Cape Breton and it's music.

If you REALLY want to see Natalie at her traditional best, come to Cape Breton. Most years she has been a performer at Celtic Colours in the early part of October.

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 May 04 - 12:33 PM

All her CDs are also available at CAMSCO. At a lower price. 800/548-FOLK <3655>

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 02 May 04 - 03:02 PM

I have the Nalatie MacMaster " A Fiddle Lesson" ( Intermediate level with booklet)video for sale ( UK version). £10 inc post ( within UK/Ireland )

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From:
Date: 04 May 04 - 01:42 PM

Tell us, please, who is Natalie McMaster married to??

Subject: RE: Natalie MacMaster
From:
Date: 04 May 04 - 02:14 PM

She married Donnell Leahy almost 2 years ago. They don't have children yet.