Fiddle Feast for your Ears

Natalie MacMaster needs no introduction. Over a recording career now spanning 25 years, this Order of Canada recipient has released 11 albums that have notched sales of over 200,000 copies. She has won two JUNO and eleven East Coast Music Awards and been nominated for a Grammy. Starting tonight, she is at the National Arts Centre for three nights.

MacMaster has had a busy year.  It took more than a decade, but this past April, MacMaster and husband Donnell Leahy released their first album together. ONE includes the first recorded versions of original material written by MacMaster and Leahy. As well, the album features some reinterpretations of traditional and contemporary tunes they have discovered along the way,from Finland, France, Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and, of course, Cape Breton.  MacMaster and Leahy were recently awarded ‘Instrumental Group of the Year’ for ONE, by Canada’s Folk Music Awards.

The album features some reinterpretations of traditional and contemporary tunes the couple has discovered in their musical explorations. Songs from Finland, France, Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and Cape Breton are featured on the album with a clog medley, jigs, reels, waltz and polka styles.

MacMaster and Leahy were recently awarded ‘Instrumental Group of the Year’ for ONE, by Canada’s Folk Music Awards.

For the stint at the NAC, MacMaster will take to the stage without her husband but will have the NAC Orchestra accompany her. Treat your ears to a musical feast. Shows are at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday. You can find out more at nac.ca.