Alasdair Fraser and Paul Machlis - Road North

1989's The Road North is one of the key albums in the Celtic craze of the late '80s and '90s. Working with keyboardist Paul Machlis, Traditional Fiddler Alasdair Fraser created an album of original material that sounds timeless (there are a few standards and covers thrown in for good measure, too). The reason the record works is because the performances are lively and rhythmic, keeping one eye on the past and one eye on the future. When Machlis plays a synthesizer, things drift into new age territory, which may upset some listeners, but the wondrous thing about the album is how it keeps the spirit of Celtic music alive without treating it as a museum piece. And that's also the reason why it, along with Clannad and Enya records, kickstarted the Celtic-new age fusion that exploded in popularity in the '90s.

Laughing Wolf/Mountain Madness

Traditional Gaelic Melody

Tommy's Tarbukas

Bennachie Sunrise/Willie's Trip to Tonronto

Slow Train

Invercassley Falls/Trip to Ballyshannon

Calliope House/The Cowboy Jig

Bovaglie's Plaid

The Banks of Spey/Brenda Stubbert's Reel

The Road North

link to the free album

Alasdair Fraser and Paul Machlis - Road North