by Chris Nickson
You have to love Catriona MacDonald. She possesses such a wonderful, self-assured tone on the fiddle, whether she's speeding through &Eilidh's Trip in Germany& or essaying the more delicate melody that's &Michael's Mazurka.& There's such confidence in everything she plays, as if she just knows she's going to nail it perfectly, along with a deep knowledge of the traditions of her native Shetland Isles and of Scotland -- as well as bringing them to bear on contemporary tunes. There she can indulge herself a bit more, adding touches of jazz and some stunning improvisation to the mix. The simple fact is that she's got both technique and style, and can put them together with a real sense of swing -- her &Shetland Reels& really do get the feet tapping. Add in a surprising church organ on &Da Silver Bow& and you have a disc that's a revelation, as warm as a lovely summer's day. Although she can make the faster material hum, her playing never becoming lost in a flurry of notes, she's at her best when things are slower and she has the chance to reach to the soul of a melody, which she does with unerring ease. A wonderful, virtuoso performance.