Greentrax Recordings

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas - Highlander’s Farewell (CD)

CUL123 (released March 2011)

category: Culburnie Records

Third album from the dazzling duo of master fiddler Alasdair Fraser and dynamic cellist Natalie Haas - highly accomplished playing.

Alasdair Fraser is recognised as one of Scotland's finest exponents of the fiddle, and for some time now has enjoyed an artistic collaboration with the wonderful cellist Natalie Haas. Their debut album together - Fire And Grace - was voted Album Of The Year at the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards, and this was followed in 2007 by their recording In The Moment.

Once again they unleash their dazzling teamwork, with driving, dancing rhythms and a shared passion for taking the infectious melodies and grooves of Scottish and Celtic music on an exciting new journey.

On this album they are joined by some outstanding North American special guest musicians including Irish fiddle and guitar duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, old-time fiddler Bruce Molsky, Brittany Haas from Crooked Still, and US National Scottish fiddle champion Hanneke Cassel.

Long regarded as Scotland's premiere fiddle ambassador, as much for his warm personality as for his powerful playing, Alasdair's concert and recording career spans over 30 years, with a lengthy list of awards and accolades. The talented young Californian cellist Natalie Haas first met Alasdair at his Valley Of The Moon fiddle camp in California. They went on to successful international touring as one of Celtic music's top live acts, and recordings that have been acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic.

"Traditional Scottish fiddle and cello music of unrivalled beauty, eloquence and passion..."

"You would think they have been playing together for centuries. While his fiddle dances, her cello throbs darkly or plucks puckishly. Then Haas opens her cello's throat, joining Fraser in soaring sustains, windswept refrains and sudden, jazzy explosions..." (Boston Globe)