Customer Reviews

Yours Truly

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Natalie MacMaster in 1998 when I was blown away by a track I heard (Catharsis) on a local college radio folk music program. I called the station to ask who, what song, and what album, and have counted myself among NM's fans ever since. She is an amazing talent, who continues to work her fiddle (her voice, really) like a master sculptor of sound.

Having said that, "Yours Truly" still took me by surprise. This is the locomotive of NM's musical development really speeding up - music you can practically chew, with gravy and potatoes on the side. The tracks take you on journeys of glorious imagination via beautifully constructed arrangements, ranging from gentle, soothing melodies to those toe-tapping, frenzied, delicious rhythms we all have come to expect and love - in fact, one of them is downright headbanging! The excellent musicians featured on this album are a reminder that no matter how exceptional the solo artist is, she only as good as the band beside her. You almost feel that they all inspire each other to play their best, and their best is what you get. This album gave me a new appreciation for the cello and the hammond organ. Some tracks contain so many different instrumental "voices" I almost expected some unpleasant collisions, but what results instead is a well choreographed acoustic ballet, with all the sounds skillfully dancing with and around each other. As far as Michael Macdonald's rendition of "Danny Boy" is concerned - sure it's been done better, but with a bit of imagination, I found it quite warm and stirring. (All you MM anti-fans, don't let one little track stop you, the rest of the CD's worth it)

The wonderful thing about NM is that she's all about the music, following her own, true instincts despite the expectations of traditionalists, mainstream listeners or bean-counting record execs. The greatest musicians of our time have been the ones who are courageous and talented enough to break the "rules." It's a shame more record companies don't realize that.

My recommendation: buy it, play it loud, enjoy it, dance to it. Word of caution: put on cruise control if you listen to this CD in your car or you might accidently get a speeding ticket.

Three months ago I never even heard of Natalie Macmaster, then I heard her music on Accuradio's RadioCelt. Three CD's later (Live, Blueprint and now Yours Truly) I'm a big fan.

Natalie's latest release continues to impress me with it's energy, variety, and quality. Every song offers a different treat musically. Volcanic Jig is a great song. It builds as it ebbs and flows and finishes strong--this song has some pop! Natalie's step dancing can be heard vividly on David's Jig which is another catchy high energy tune. Mother Nature and Danny Boy are two songs with vocals.

My favorites include Volcanic Jig, Flea as a Bird, David's Jig and the Traditional Medley which is also features (I think) some more nifty stepping beat by Natalie. Traditional Medley is probably one of my favorite Natalie Macmaster songs--I never tire of hearing it.

What makes Natalie's brand of music so listenable is she gets everything possible out of her fiddle (to our benefit) and blends the talents her band of excellent supporting musicians into each and every production. It all makes for a unique style of kind of Celtic, kind of folk, even kind of popular music that keeps me listening for hours and hours on end. If your looking for something different yet very, very good--and I mean GOOD--get this CD!

[from her online bio]She has shared the stage with Santana, The Chieftains, Paul Simon, Pavarotti, Faith Hill, Don Henley, Michael McDonald and dozens of distinguished symphony orchestras, and has appeared on national television programs such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, ABC's New Year's Eve special "ABC 2002" and Good Morning America.

There are reasons why she's appeared in such varied and renowned company. As an individual artist, she can keep up with them and excite them. As a Celtic music purist, she knows that there's one story in all the cultural history of humankind, and that each good tune is a chapter in that story, and other real artists hunger, as she does, to be part of the telling of that story.

Yours Truly is poignant and playful, dramatic and deep, free and focused, as needed and when appropriate. It's blue-eyed soul. It's what you'll want to listen to when you don't know what to listen to.

As I was saying, what IDIOTIC record producer decided that Michael "I sing like my mouth is full of cotton" McDonald needed to guest on this otherwise PERFECT CD? I have watched Natalie in concert for many years now, and anyone who has been blessed to see her band since Brad Davidge joined on guitar has been absolutely ENTRANCED by his version of "Danny Boy", which is the basis for the version that appears on this CD. As electrifying as Natalie and the band are, this concert number renders even the largest crowd deathly silent, as if they were all holding our collective breaths until Brad finished this masterpiece of arrangement. When I saw that "Danny Boy" was included on the new CD, I couldn't get to my CD player fast enough, jumping directly to the track. And as of this writing, I cannot recall when I have been THIS pissed off at a production decision. And I can imagine that thousands of Natalie fans are going to feel the same way. Maybe the powers that be will find it prudent to RE-RECORD the number with Brad's vocal for future pressings, because I can GUARANTEE that NO ONE out there is buying to CD for MM's pathetic appearance. God, how I HATE the music business sometimes!

How far can Natalie go? This time she pushes her limits far beyond. A mixture in instrumentation (not only the traditional ones, but also modern ones), plenty of jazzy moments and quiet traditional pieces. The driving force is amazing. She propels her band up to the maximum and seems to take much pleasure in it. I would like to give five stars and can not wait any longer to see this fiddle lady live in concert. Hopefully she will make some stops in central europe in the future.

What an awesome CD! "Volcanic Jig" and "Matt and Nat's" are just plain fun. "David's Jig" cleverly employs Natalie's foot dancing expertise. Great to hear the traditional "Danny Boy" as well. Natalie and her band are truly inspiring. I may move to Nova Scotia. HIGHLY recommended!

Natalie continues to amaze. Her ability to craft music with the fiddle front-and-center is a gift.
She surrounds herself with top notch musicians and pushes the boundary of traditional celtic music.
Favorite tracks on this CD...

NPG
Farewell To Peter
Matt & Nat's
Traditional Medley
Cape Classico
Julia's Waltz

Thank you Natalie. Hope to see you in Madison, WI again.

I have been a fan of the MacMasters, both Buddy and Natalie, for as long as I can remember. I come from an old Nova Scotia family and Cape Breton fiddle music was always in our house. If you are looking for a master of the Cape Breton style who has taken the Scottish fiddle and brought it into the modern era, look no further.

Natalie McMaster is, amazingly, the real thing. She has huge talent, without the ego to match. She is such a great performer for her live audiences, talking, dancing, and of course fiddling. She gives credit to her family, her band, and her country. She's a charmer, and this CD has all of her charm and talent.

I happen to see this performer live this year and even though she was quite pregnant, her performance was terrific as is her cd. Her talent reflects in her ability to keep you interested in every song she creates. The musicians that accompany Natalie only enhance her performance and make this cd even better. If you enjoy true fiddle playing, I recommend this cd.