Natalie MacMaster and Donnell LeahyCountry of origin:Canada Type of music generally:Traditional, Celtic, Rock Status:Most recent release, A Celtic Family Christmas (seasonal, 2016) See also:Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy's site Comparisons:Similar to their own individual music Covers/own material:Own, traditional, and covers General comments:Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster and her husband Donnell Leahy, a fiddler from Ontario with more of a rock style in his solo music and as leader of his family band Leahy, combine their different styles for something unique and wonderful. (JoAnn Whetsell) Recommended first album:One Recordings:
OneRelease info:2015—Linus Entertainment—270208 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Natalie MacMaster—fiddle Guest artists:Mac Morin—piano Produced by:Bob Ezrin & Justin Cortelyou Comments:A wonderful, high-spirited album with songs that fuse Natalie's Cape Breton fiddle style and Donnell's rock style, but generally lean more strongly towards one or the other. My favorite track, however, is the beautiful Scottish lament "Hector the Hero," which is especially poignant among all the upbeat material. (JoAnn Whetsell) A Celtic Family ChristmasRelease info:2016—Linus Entertainment—270245 Ecto priority:Wide Group members:Natalie MacMaster Guest artists:Mark Kelso—drums and percussion Produced by:Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Comments:Lots of artists love to trot out their kids for holiday albums, and given the title and the fact that Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy have six children, I was a little apprehensive. But also very hopeful, because I love Natalie MacMaster, I love the first album, One, that she and Donnell Leahy made together, and I love Christmas music, especially Christmas music with Celtic flair. As it turned out, there was no need to worry; the album is a joy. The kids are excellent fiddlers; you never feel like you're listening to children playing. The album is almost entirely instrumental, joyous and beautiful, and the Celtic influences so thoroughly infuse these well-known traditional songs that they really do sound new, as much Celtic as Christmas. Vocals appear only a few tracks: "Up on the House Top" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and then only on the "five golden rings" line, sung by a different person each time. It's a cute concept and may be entertaining in a live performance, but it's a little annoying on record. The kids sing "Silent Night" in English and Gaelic. They sing pretty well, but they do sing like children, as they are. It's sweet, but can be a little cloying). However, as it's the last track it can easily be skipped. Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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