"With each successive recording, Alasdair Fraser takes Scottish fiddling to new areas, while remaining firmly rooted in tradition. This is his first recording solely devoted to his original compositions, but you would swear they were all traditional tunes if you didn't know he composed them. The lineup of musicians for this album worked so well together, they decided to become a touring band; Skyedance. Fraser's composing is as great as his playing. The tunes touch many emotions, as does his heartfelt and technically brilliant fiddling. Now, reviews are supposed to be critical in the best sense of that word, and not be just advertisements, so in that spirit here is what I see as the album's only fault: It ends. Other than that, it's great!"
An absolutely brilliant cd!
valleyvineyard | California | 01/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While I have enjoyed the sound of the fiddle for many years, I have been clueless as to where to find good recordings. So many albums focus more on the other instruments and the fiddle gets lost in the background. After reading the reviews for this cd I decided to take a chance... and I'm sure glad I did! While there are multiple instruments involved in each piece, it is easy to distinguish each instrument (and clearly hear the beautiful fiddling!). Alasdair Fraser plays with amazing skill and emotion. Since purchasing this cd, I've also picked up a few of his other cds, and can definitely say that this one is the best.
My personal preference in this type of music is for quick-paced, happy melodies - track 3, 8 and 12 deliver exactly what I'm looking for. My ONLY criticism on this cd is the recording quality in a few little spots - every once in a while it sounds as if the track is ending (because the music gets so soft) when they're actually in the middle of the song. However, this is infrequent enough that it doesn't really affect the enjoyment of the music."
Excellent display of the Scottish fiddle.
wilwal@mail.cvn.net | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - USA | 01/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is the best that Alasdair has released. If you are testing the waters, definately buy this CD before ourchasing others that he has produced."
A 'MUST HAVE' piece of music!
Vyvyan Dunlap | Middlebury, IN USA | 12/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I fell upon Alasdair Fraser's music by accident and was immediately consumed with the talent and emotion of his superior playing. Adding the talent of the other musicians to this CD has made it one of my very favorite. I now have a collection of his music and would love to hear him playing live!"
Beautifully lilting violin with occasional pipes.
Vyvyan Dunlap | 09/04/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Beautifully arranged, celtic based fiddle playing with accompaniment by renowned bagpiper Eric Rigler. I listen to this CD a surprisingly often and even use it to help my children get to sleep when they have trouble. I don't mean it has "sleepy" music, but it is so lyrical the kids get caught up in it and swept away. He makes his fiddle sing, like a mythical siren calling you home."