[FM] FAME Review: Natalie MacMaster - In My Hands written by Jim Zimmerschied

[David N. Pyles]

In My Hands
Natalie MacMaster
ROUN 7025

Rounder Records
One Camp St
Cambridge, Ma 02140

A review written for Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Jim Zimmerschied
(banjoz@aol.com)

Describing In My Hands is a little like the blind men trying to describe an
elephant. Depending on where on the album you listen, you find a different
type or flavor of music - all with a common bond of Natalie's wonderful
fiddle playing. The album cover and the first vocal track would make you
think you had a pop recording, but the second track has 6 traditional Cape
Breton style fiddle tunes with a little bit of contemporary flavor from
drums, organ and electric bass in the backup. Moving on you find "Blue
Bonnets Over the Border," a Scottish marching tune with quite a lot of
percussion and organ which are reminiscent of pipes and drums. Different
but tasteful. Later there are a number of traditional jigs and reels to set
your feet to tapping. Throw in some strings and get almost classical in
"Father John MacLeod's Jig." There are even a couple vocals on this mainly
instrumental CD.

In My Hands blends traditional Cape Breton fiddle with contemporary sounds
of percussion, organ and electric guitar to produce an album that is
interesting and quite enjoyable. Natalie is joined on the album by some
notable guest artists: Mark O'Connor is a fiddling giant in his own right
and shares the spotlight on the tune "Olympic Reel." Alison Krauss lends
her beautiful voice in a lament called "Get Me Through December." Guitarist
Jesse Cook plays flamenco guitar on the track called "Flamenco Fling,"
which also brings in trumpet and horn arrangements. Sharon Shannon plays
accordion on several of the jigs and reels included in the mix.

There are thirty two instrumentals and two vocals on this album in fourteen
tracks. One set of jigs ("Mom's Jig") even incudes Natalie's step dancing
in the accompaniment - shades of John Hartford! There are enough jigs and
reels to satisfy the Cape Breton fiddle connoisseurs, yet enough
contemporary arrangements to keep the album interesting enough to appeal to
a wider audience. It is a wonder that such diversity could all hold
together, but MacMaster's fiddle keeps it working. Natalie is a true master
of the Cape Breton fiddle.

Edited by:  Jonathan Colcord (absconc@grolen.com)

Copyright 2000, Peterborough Folk Music Society.  This review may be
reprinted with prior permission and attribution. 

================
David N. Pyles
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
P. O. Box 459
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0459
(802) 257-0336 Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:30pm
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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fast and loud, that's the world we live in
fast and loud, always in your face
trouble is 
with almost everything
that means anything
quiet is the volume
slowly is the pace

Grit Laskin "Fast & Loud"