Customer Reviews

My Roots Are Showing

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3 star:		(1)
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I have been on a whirlwind tour of natalie macmaster throughout the last month, and i encourage everyone to follow suit. i saw her in concert earlier this month (it was the most amazing thing), and i bought this CD 2 days ago, and i simply cannot get enough of her incredible talent. i have literally listened to nothing else since i bought this recording, and here is why. don't be fooled by the name or cover of this album. i was hesitant at first because i was expecting a CD full of romantic-like ballads (which, with her talents, would have been fine), but what i really wanted was an energy-packed recording, and that's just what i found. her roots ARE showing, but in a very energetic manner. this probably goes for all cape breton fiddling (or at least in the sets that i have come in contact with), but the sets always end with a fast tune, and this is the energy that keeps me coming back for more. macmaster does not mess around on this album. she provides the listener with nearly 60 minutes of insane, yet completely controlled playing that gets better the more you listen. playing sets that last as long as 7 minutes (this is a long time and hard to keep up at the pace she is going-- she should be admired for this), she provides a feel that is almost similar to the feeling that i got when i saw her live. the final track on this album actually is a live recording of her and her uncle (the famous CB fiddler buddy macmaster), but except for the clapping in the background, it sounds no different than the rest of the tracks on the album. naturally, the last track is the standout track because it packs the most power, but the other tracks are amazingly close in the amount of energy expressed. i simply cannot say enough good things about macmaster and this album, and i encourage everyone to see her live, or at the very least, buy any recording that you can get your hands on. you will not be disappointed.

This CD by this amazingly talented Cape Breton fiddler is a return to her roots as the title suggests. Using only the "basic" musicans, much like she tours with, MacMaster plays traditional tunes of the island she grew up on. Mostly fast "jig" or "reel" tunes, there is also slow paced music here as well as well as the wonderful final tune, apparently recorded live with Natalie's uncle Buddy MacMaster as a guest fiddle. Listen closely and you will hear Natalie's exuberent "whoops" as the music takes her away...Isuppose anyone can learn to play the fiddle, (except for "fumble-thumbs" like me :-) ) but few have MacMaster's amazing God-given talent and you can only be thankful she is able to share it with us...

For any folk dancer such as myself the surest way to rate music of the type found on this recording is the strengh of the response ones feet make in listening to it. In the case of this, the latest release from Ms. MacMaster, the feet index went off the scale. Buy it and see for yourself.

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.

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.

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 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.

I saw Natalie MacMaster in concert with my family around four years ago and I was amazed at the energy and passion this
petite little blonde fiddle player displayed. She showed incredible musical ability and demonstrated a genuine love her of her craft. This recording of her instrumental music is good way to be introduced to the Cape Breton she grew up with.

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.