Search - Alasdair Fraser, Paul Machlis :: Skyedance

One of my Top 10

P. Lozar | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An award-winning Scottish fiddler and a New-Agey pianist combine forces, and the results are pure magic. They stay true to the traditional tunes (instead of, for example, jazzing up the rhythms or tweaking the tempi); the innovation lies in Machlis' fresh harmonies and Fraser's discreet use of improvisation. The tunes (mostly unfamiliar) are a good selection and well contrasted, and the title track, played as a slow air, is one of the most haunting melodies I've ever heard. Ever since the first time I heard it (on the late, lamented KLRS in Monterey, CA), this album has been on my "most likely to take to a desert island" list."

After all these years -- still one of my *very* favorites

P. Lozar | 01/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anything with Alasdair Fraser is going to rank very, very high with me. The passion, compassion, joy, and sweetness of this music transports me to an entirely estatic place of being. This will make your heartstrings thrumb with pleasure! If you ever have a chance to hear him live, do not pass it up... he brings his audience into a circle of warmth and community. You truly feel like a part of his tribe."

An important piece in the soundtrack of my life

P. Lozar | 06/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Driving along the California coast, windows open, exhausted, Skyedance fills me with life and enthusiasm. Ruidleadh Cailleach, Sheatadh Cailleach was my wedding processional in a mountain campground. It is new and eternal. I can't describe in words what is pure poetry of sound, feeling. The rhythm catches you up and moves you, while the harmonies calm and cradle you."