Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Spokane, WA 5/2/12

[Blupiper]

Just got back from a concert featuring Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and an excellent young American cellist Natalie Haas at the Bing Crosby Theater in Spokane, Washington. The venue is a turn-of-the-century theater that hosts smaller concerts here in town. Alasdair and Natalie played an hour and a half worth of 'chunes' (as Alasdair said) and it was just a great show. Here's a photo of the marquee:

I had trouble getting the camera to keep up with their high-energy playing and the amount of ambient light--they were moving and playing the whole time. Here's Alasdair:

And Natalie:

They featured most of the tunes off their latest: A Highlander's Farewell. It's available for download on iTunes and eMusic. I have been listening to it for about nine months now and it is excellent, top to bottom. The title tune was played as a Scottish strathspey, then in the Irish style and finished up in the Appalachian style. All the same tune, but distinctly and stylistically different. I highly recommend you pick up this album. BTW--it's also available as a CD. This was a great show. If you can and they play a gig near you, by all means, go see them. Here's me after the show.

I was the only kiltie there. A great evening.

JMB

[gary meakin]

I see them every year at the NH Highland Games.
Incredible talent and a joy to listen to.

[BLHS209]

I see them every year at the NH Highland Games.
Incredible talent and a joy to listen to.

***.5, my wife plans her day at the games around their performances. I see them between all the events.

Chris Shepherd

[Chas]

I'd never heard of him so did a quick search and found this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08zd3hI87bc

WOW - What an animated player. His whole body is in constant movement. He isn't just playing the music - he is the music.

I would love to see them both live.

Regards

Chas

[Scott West]

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeing Alasdair and Ms. Hass (when she was a special guest) in Ogden, Utah in 2003. Now, Alasdair is no small-framed man. So, how he is able to play rapid, accurate notes and double-stops with his large fingers was amazing to watch. He was most definitely the reason I decided to take up Scottish fiddle, and probably the reason I renewed my desire to get a kilt.

IMHO, if one is near a performance venue I whole-heartedly recommend going - you will NOT be disappointed.