This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
As a rule, I enjoy fiddle music as much as gum surgery, lineups at the DMV and surprise visits from my in-laws.
But for Natalie MacMaster, I’m prepared to make an exception. This fiddlin’ step-dancer (or is that step-dancin’ fiddler?) from Cape Breton isn’t just reeling off rewarmed Pig And Whistle licks; she always finds ways to breathe fresh life and relevance into her traditional East Coast Celtic melodies. On this fifth CD, she experiments with country, recording with Alison Krauss in Nashville; tackles flamenco with the help of Toronto guitar virtuoso Jesse Cook; tests the techno waters in Space Ceilidh; and most promising, jumps straight into the ’90s with a trip-hoppy title track featuring folktronica stylings and dreamy, smoky vocals. If you buy one fiddle record this year — and I can’t imagine buying more than that — In My Hands is the one to get.
