My Roots Are Showing
Release Date: 1998
CD OUT OF PRINT

Recorded at Lakewind Sound Studios, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in December 1997 and produced by Natalie herself. Natalie goes back to her roots, playing the traditional music that first called her to pick up the bow.  

The selections are divided up into surprisingly long sets of five to seven Jigs, Reels, Strathspeys, and Marches. Each set builds up an irresistible head of steam, climaxing to a breathless, pile driving conclusion. My Roots Are Showing is a terrific example of the strength of the Cape Breton fiddle tradition.

The cover pictures Natalie standing in front of a tree composed of photographs of members of her own musical family going back several generations. For the finale, one of the pictures comes to life, as she and her uncle, master fiddler Buddy MacMaster, join for a set recorded live at a Glencoe dance. The two inspire each other to new melodic heights. This is sweet and joyful music performed by a master of the style.

"... One should take the title of Celtic fiddler Natalie MacMaster's album seriously: Her roots in the traditional fiddle music of Cape Breton Island are clearly highlighted here"
-- Barnes & Noble

"... Backed by musicians on piano and acoustic guitar, her timing is impeccable and her energy infectious -- it almost makes you want to get up and stepdance"
-- Ottawa Citizen

"... My Roots Are Showing is a terrific example of the strength of the Cape Breton fiddle tradition, executed by one its foremost practitioners"
-- Ron Foley MacDonald, Halifax Daily News

"... Definitely one for any fiddle collector, by a world leader in the craft."
-- Scots Magazine

.....................................................................................................................................................
 

All tunes traditional unless otherwise noted
 

	1. Hey Johnny Cope! Johnny Cope (with variations) Dow's Favorite Paresis The Peeler's Jacket Lady Georgina Campbell
	2. Willie Fraser Willie Fraser Thomas MacDonell's Geordie MacLeish  The Maiden's Dream Traditional Reel College Groves
	3. The Boys Of The Lake  The Detroit Jig The Mucking Of Geordie Byre The Boys Of The Lake
	4. The Wildcat  The Wildcat Little Nipper's Hornpipe
	5. Balmoral Highlands The Balmoral Highlanders James F. Dickies  Glen Grant Ann MacNamara Delnadamph Lodge The Fashion Which The Lasses Have Old Sport Return To India Lochiel's Away To France The Baker
	6. The Shakin' O' The Pocky The Shakin' O' The Pocky
	7. Captain Keeler  Miss Wharton Duff Jimmy Linn's Hornpipe Miss Ann Carnegie Miss Menzies Of Menzies Captain Keeler
	8. E Flat Set  The E Flat The Recluse James D. Law
	9. Glad You made It, Howie! Mary Scott The Ewie wi' the Crookit Horn Crookit Horn Lord Kelly Sir Harry's Welcome Home The Dismissal Reel Paddy On The Turnpike The Yellow Tinker
	10.  Close To The Floor  Scotty Fitzgerald's Jig Close To The Floor Ships Are Sailing
	11. Queen Of The West  Ferry Bridge Clog Queen Of The West A Salute To Angus Chisolm The Maid Of Castlebar Kylebrack Rambler
	12.  A ' Chuthag (The Cuckoo) A ' Chuthag (The Cuckoo)
	13.  A Glencoe Dance Set (Live) The Castle Hornpipe Sean Maguire's Reel Scotsville Reel Timor The Tartar Tom Rae Sandy MacIntyre's Trip To Boston

.....................................................................................................................................................

Natalie MacMaster: Fiddle
Buddy MacMaster: Fiddle
Tracey Dares: Piano
Joel Chiasson: Piano
Mary Jessie MacDonald: Piano
Dave MacIsaac: Guitar
Paul Mills: Guitar
Gordie Sampson: Guitar, Bass, Synth and 'water guitar'
Matthew Foulds: Snare Drum

.....................................................................................................................................................

Thanks To
Donald Alex and Loretta Beaton, Joey Beaton, Andre Bourgeois, Jeanie Brennan, John Donald Cameron, Ron Caplan, Ted Carson, John Chiasson, Paul S. Cranford, Liz Curran, Jim Delaney, Marlene and Mike Denney, Frank Ferell, Jamie Foulds, Kimberly Gautreau, David Gillis, The Glencoe Hall Committee, Mike Haas, Chad Irschwick, The Kelly family of Westmount, Fred Lavery, David Leonard, Jeanette O'Leary, Paul MacDonald, Doug MacPhee, Earl Stubbert

Special Thanks To
Joel Chiasson, Tracey Dares, Matthew Foulds, Howie MacDonald, Mary Jessie MacDonald,
Buddy MacMaster, Paul Mills, Gordie Sampson

An Extra Special Thanks To
Dave MacIsaac for his endless suggestions of old tunes and his willingness to help me learn them.

Natalie uses a French fiddle which was made in 1927 by Marc LaBerte. It was given to her by Bill Burnett of Barrie, Ontario. This fiddle belonged to the late Bill Crawford and it has been repaired
and maintained for Natalie by Jim Danson of Tantallon, Nova Scotia.