Review: Natalie MacMaster "Blueprint"
Mar. 21st, 2004 10:47 pmI had bought Natalie MacMaster's "Blueprint" when it was originally released, but I hadn't had a chance to listen to it until now. I liked "Blueprint" far more than "In my Hands". Recorded in Nashville, this album had a lovely back-to-basics feel, combining the Cape Breton music with other renowned instrumentalists from different backgrounds without giving up anything.
Two pieces included vocals, namely "The touch of the master's hands" and "My love, Cape Breton and me". "The master's hand" strangely reminded me of "Devil goes down to Georgia", while "My love" was a lovely lullaby to Cape Breton. I did almost wish for a sparser arrangement to highlight Kate Quinn's vocals better.
Natalie's fiddle played free and loose in the characteristic style of the Cape Breton fiddlers. The uptempo pieces sometimes went off a breakneck speed, while the slow waltzes were sad and stately. Interesting, one of my favorites, "Johsefin's Waltz" was written by a Swedish musician.
Two pieces included vocals, namely "The touch of the master's hands" and "My love, Cape Breton and me". "The master's hand" strangely reminded me of "Devil goes down to Georgia", while "My love" was a lovely lullaby to Cape Breton. I did almost wish for a sparser arrangement to highlight Kate Quinn's vocals better.
Natalie's fiddle played free and loose in the characteristic style of the Cape Breton fiddlers. The uptempo pieces sometimes went off a breakneck speed, while the slow waltzes were sad and stately. Interesting, one of my favorites, "Johsefin's Waltz" was written by a Swedish musician.