USA – In The Moment is the much anticipated new CD by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. Following on from their award winning album "Fire & Grace", which won high praise and "Scots Trad Album of the Year" for 2004, the music on this album is highly original with most of the pieces being written by Alasdair Fraser and a new composition by Natalie Haas. Also includes performance favorite "Trip to Pakistan" by Niall Kenny. Guest artists include Haneke Cassel, piano and Eric Rigler, pipes.
"People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound," Fraser says, "but they’re surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands."
The album includes the following pieces:"Valley of the Moon Reel," Alasdair wrote this tune for his hugely successful annual summer camp, the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School. Alasdair and Natalie met there when Natalie was just 11 years old.
"Between" – Natalie wrote this tune on the plane flying from Madrid back to her home in New York. Musicians tend to spend a lot of their time in a suspended state between places, reflecting on all the wonderful experiences they’ve just had while simultaneously trying to prepare themselves for the ones they’re about to have.
"Alien Ceilidh" – Alasdair Fraser’s Compliments to Lorna Mitchell, Backseat Soccer – The first of these two tunes was used in the last scene of the Disney film “Treasure Planet”, where Alasdair is depicted playing it in the shape of a many-armed female alien. Alasdair’s son Galen, wrote the second tune.
"Salamanca" – This tune was made on a hot afternoon in this ancient Spanish town to the sounds of children playing in the street.
"Cuillin Nights" – Another tune honoring Alasdair’s relationship with the Isle of Skye.
"John MacDonald’s" – Alasdair first heard this tune on a beautiful recording by the band Ossian and fell in love with it.
"Miss Laura Risk "- written for long-time friend and collaborator fiddler Laura Risk.
"Giga de Tenerife" – This tune was written (for lack of paper) on a plane from Tenerife to Madrid on the inside of a certain bag that can always be found in the seat pocket in front of you.
"Natalie Mariah" – Alasdair wrote this tune for Natalie, whose middle name is no longer a secret. Each part illustrates a different side of her personality.
"Trip to Pakistan" – "We’ve been having lots of fun with this one over the years," saysFraser." …"thanks to Niall for a great tune!"
"Christina" – Alasdair wrote this tune on the back of a Christmas card for the young Christina Tappan many years ago.
"Cameron’s Caper" – Cameron’s Caper Duncan Hendry commissioned this first tune for the opening of the Aberdeen Alternative Festival. The second tune was written for Alasdair’s younger son Cameron, a very energetic dancer.
"Willie Fernie – A Hymn for a Teacher" – this piece is dedicated to Alasdair’s teacher and mentor in the early years. A very inspiring teacher/violinist who played in a most soulful way and had a huge effect on his musical life.
"Rob Fraser’s Welcome to San Francisco" – written for Alasdair’s father on the occasion of one of his many visits to San Francisco to play bass with the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers.
Upcoming concerts
September 2007
16 Costa Mesa CA
Orange County Performing Arts Center Two shows: 2PM & 7PM
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 714-556-2787
20 Northampton MA Iron Horse Music Hall Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 413-586-8686
21-23 Lincoln NH Loon Mountain Scottish Festival Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas and many others 800-358-7268
28 Bloomington IN Lotus Festival Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 812-336-6599
29 lawrence KS Unity Church of Lawrence Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 785-865-3655
30 Roca NE PlainSong Folk Festival Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 402-261-5508
October 2007
03 Wichita Falls TX Midwestern State University – Akin Auditorium Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 940-397-4291
05-06 Guthrie OK Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 405-282-4446
11 Grass Valley CA Don Baggett Theatre
13-14 Ventura CA Seaside Highland Games Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas 818-886-4968
19 Castellon Spain
23 Madrid Spain
27 Barcelona Spain
Buy In The Moment.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
