Natalie mixes Cape Breton music with pop and That explores the boundaries between Cape Breton and world music. My Hands (Rounder 7025) is a much more experimental CD Given its very traditional character, I suggest that persons getting theirįirst Natalie album try No Boundaries first. Great liner notes give the history of the tunes. Backing Natalie are Capeīreton's finest musicians including on different tunes Dave MacIsaac, Tracyĭares, Gordie Sampson, Joel Chiasson, Buddy MacMaster, Mary Jessie MacDonald, Joy, passion, and stunningly beautiful playing.

(I was there, and it was awesome.)Ĭharacteristically, Natalie infuses the sparse arrangements with And a great final track recorded live at aĬeilidh in Glencoe Mills in Cape Breton with the locals step dancing up a storm No gimmicks just fiddle, piano,Īnd guitar (and drums on two tunes). Natalie's 1998 album My Roots Are Showing, Traditional Fiddle Music of Cape Breton IslandĦ17 033-2) is an all-instrumental album, and a tribute to the musicians whoĬarried the tradition down to her generation. Juno Award, Traditional Album of the Year (=Canadian Grammy) I recommend this album as the first one to get Five songs from this album are available in Real Audio on theĪn interesting short biography of Natalie from Fiddler magazine on-line. Natalie's traditional Cape Breton background shines through this beautifulĪlbum. Very highlyįiddle, (pictured at left) is also superb.īoundaries (Warner Music Canada), Natalie's 1997Īlbum, unlike her entirely instrumental earlier albums, includes vocals byĬookie Rankin and Bruce Guthro. They have recentlyīeen digitally remastered and released in a combined CD, Compilation (Warner Music Canada). The Isle recorded when she was 18, are classics. You get a chance to see her, do not miss it! Natalie first two albums: Four on the Floor, recorded when Natalie was 16, and Road to Unfailingly gracious, charming, and energetic, she sells this music better than anyone. If there is only one Cape Breton fiddler that Americans have heard of or seen, it is almost always Natalie.Ĭape Breton could not have hoped for a better ambassador. No one has worked harder and longer than Natalie at touring around the word and bringing Cape Breton traditional music to the attention of fans in Canada, the U.S. Her stunning virtuosity, honed by years of playing for ceilidhs, make MacMasterIn a land filled with superb fiddlers, Cape Bretoners The next generation, and boy (or girl) can they ever play! It is a wonderful world of music that defines Cape BretonĪnd is winning converts around the world. With enormous skill while exploring other musical traditions, particularly More are coming, as young musicians are filling the shoes of their predecessors The fiddle is at the forefront of Cape Breton music,Īnd what an extraordinary crowd of fiddlers have been produced on this island.

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