by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Unbeknownst to some, a healthy Celtic music scene developed in Canada during the '80s and '90s and the Chieftains wisely chose to spotlight the region with Fire in the Kitchen. Every track was recorded with a different artist and, like the group's previous collaborations, the album brings out the best in both the Chieftains and their guests. To casual Celtic fans, Ashley MacIsaac may be the only familiar name here, but Natalie MacMaster, the Great Big Sea, Laura Smith, the Barra MacNeils, Rita MacNeil, La Bottine Souriante, Mary Jane Lamond, the Rankins, Leahy and the Ennis Sisters all give equally compelling performances, helping make Fire in the Kitchen yet another splendid entry in the Chieftains' canon.