Bringing a Fresh Sound to an Old Tradition: New Music for Fiddle & Cello

TRACK LISTING
1 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.

2 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. Thanks to Joyce Beaton for the name!

3 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, a wonderful soccer player, fiddler, and tunesmith, wrote the second tune..

4 Salamanca - This tune was made on a hot afternoon in this Spanish town to the sounds of children playing in the street.

5 Cuillin Nights - Another tune honouring Alasdair’s relationship with the Isle of Skye. In the penthouse of the tower at Sabhal Mor Ostaig (the Gaelic college where Alasdair has hosted a fiddle camp for the last 21 years), while in the midst of writing the opening strathspey, Alasdair and Natalie were invaded by a pack of crazy women dressed in burkas complete with a musical stuffed camel…that was a moment not to be forgotten!

6 John MacDonald's - Alasdair first heard this tune on a beautiful recording by the band Ossian and fell in love with it. It was brought to the band by piper Iain MacDonald from Glenuig, who has yet to remember where he forst heard it...

7 Miss Laura Risk - written for long-time friend and collaborator Laura Risk, a beautiful person and fiddle player.

8 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!

9 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.

10 Trip to Pakistan - We’ve been having lots of fun with this one over the years…thanks to Niall for a great tune!

11 Christina - Alasdair wrote this tune on the back of a Christmas card for the young Christina Tappan many years ago.

12 Cameron's Caper: Aberdeen Alternative Festival March, 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.

13 Willie Fernie - A "Hymn for a Teacher"- this piece is dedicated to Alasdair's teacher and mentor in the early years. He was a very inspiring teacher/violinist who played in a most soulful way and had a huge impact on Alasdair's musical life.

14 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.