![]() Some of the unconventional approaches used in the studio for this fiddle–centric album included distorted electric guitars on the driving, uptempo "Fiddler's Despair," two players on one piano on "Pastiche for Anne" and a drum kit made of paint cans and a cardboard box on "Joyous Waltz." There is energy, freshness and unparalleled musicality on One, a completely instrumental album with creative medleys in the Celtic style mixed with originals, with the exception of one track - the deeply emotional vocal lament "Cagaran Gaolach" sung by MacMaster, marking her first ever lead feature vocal to appear on an album. They are such accomplished players that whatever they think of they can produce on their violins. He heard the music the same way we did." Added Leahy, "this album is far beyond anything we ever imagined it being."Įzrin explained how exciting it was to work with people who are masters at their craft: "Both Natalie and Donnell are truly brilliant musicians whose instruments have become a natural extension of their bodies. When asked about their experience recording with such an iconic producer, MacMaster offered: "Bob Ezrin is so musical, truthful and honest in how he works. Smitten with their sound, Ezrin recruited Justin Cortelyou (Taylor Swift, Ke$ha, Alan Jackson) to co–produce, and the two headed to Cape Breton to record the Celtic couple with ace session musicians Mark Kelso, Mac Morin, Tim Edey, Jamie Gatti, Rachel Aucoin and Sabin Jacques. It was a chance meeting of MacMaster with legendary producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple) at sessions he was producing for Scottish–born Canadian singing star Johnny Reid that led to the unlikely musical match between the star producer and the Celtic couple. They never, however, found the opportunity to record together - until now. Today the famous couple have six children and perform together to sold–out crowds in theatres across North America and the UK. The two musical prodigies met as teenagers, found individual massive career success, and eventually reconnected and were married, becoming the first couple of Celtic music. Donnell Leahy is the incendiary musical leader of double–Platinum selling, festival–headlining Celtic family group Leahy. With a few challenges along the way, it was a delight from beginning to end.Natalie MacMaster is a globally–acclaimed Cape Breton fiddle player who has appeared on numerous CBC, CTV and PBS TV shows and sold over 200,000 albums. As Donnell often said, ‘Let the music decide.’ So we indulged in full musical freedom, throwing patterns of the past aside. There were no restrictions, rules, agendas, considerations. ![]() Like an empty canvas, our minds were clear, open for the music that was about to flow. ![]() “One thing Donnell and I were given in 2020 was the space and time to be creative, to think and focus and find what was inside of us. ![]() “Creativity comes when there is space for it,” says MacMaster. They approached it not bound by easy patterns or habits, but as a blank canvas. Canvas follows the duo’s 2015 release One, their first recording together, won Instrumental Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and A Celtic Family Christmas, the best selling seasonal album and concert tour currently on stage at performing arts centers across North America.Ĭanvas is only their third album together. Special guests include celebrated Classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Grammy award winning Americana music/Appalachian banjo/fiddle player Rhiannon Giddens. On their new album Canvas, the pair stretch the boundaries of Celtic folk, experimenting with global sounds combining their virtuosic fiddle playing with more contemporary production and innovative arrangements, incorporating new instrumentation and contributing musicians. Known as Canada’s reigning stars of Celtic music, the two musicians’ combined album sales long ago exceeded one million they sell out performing arts centers across North America, and their enthusiastic traditional folk music loving fan base (which boasts Shania Twain and The Chieftains) stretches from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Sydney, Australia. 91 entertainment world is filled with extraordinary stories of musical power-couples, but few match the beguiling true-life tale of Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. ![]()
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